Recap
Summer School 2025

That’s when it becomes clear that everyday professional practice leaves too little room to experiment, to fail, and to learn. Especially for designers who want to step outside their comfort zone, develop new skills, and share knowledge, Graphic Matters Summer School offers three-day masterclasses in craft, digital practice, and research, led by international experts.

Here, creative energy blooms in all directions. (…)  I feel that I’ve truly experienced creative methods that are very different from my own, and I’ve been deeply inspired by many classmates and masters.

Beyond the lectures and three days of intensive work, the program also offered plenty of opportunities for networking. Participants came from all corners of the globe—this year, for example, from Egypt, South Korea, Lithuania, England, Norway, and of course, the Netherlands. Most work as independent professionals, sometimes combined with a position at a studio. For the first time, this year also included a vocational student (MBO) attending together with a teacher; for them, the masterclass was part of their preparation for the Euro Skills event.

Despite the wide differences in their daily practice and context, participants shared a desire to develop new skills, and there was much to learn from each other. Over breakfast, lunch, dinner, and beyond, rich conversations took place and new friendships were formed.

The atmosphere was nice and welcoming. It provided valuable knowledge and inspiration for the future work. I appreciate the balance between learning new things and having some fun.

The workshops during the Summer School respond to current developments, both from a technological and craft-based perspective as well as a more theoretical research perspective. Notably, the instructors also learned from the participants. They brought additional skills, a distinctive mindset, and above all, creative solutions to Breda, inspiring one another in the process.

It was super well organised, I would really recommend the summer school to other people and come back if the next masterclasses are in my field of interest.

Graphic Matters Summer School is made possible by the Keep An Eye Foundation. At the Keep An Eye Foundation, everything revolves around discovering and developing emerging creative talent. Together with leading schools and festivals in the Netherlands, they support young, talented artists, designers, musicians, and other creatives.