New professor of illustration: Florian Bayer

The illustrator Florian Bayer will take over the professorship for illustration in the Visual Communication department in the summer semester of 2023. Merz Akademie’s strong focus on educating independent design-authors, as well as its balance of theory with autonomous and applied projects, coincides with the teaching approach that Florian Bayer pursues with his students.

Florian Bayer has been working successfully as an illustrator since 2007. His clients include major German and international magazines and agencies. He has unmistakably developed his own visual language. He has been honoured for his work with the World Illustration Award, German Design Award, Lead Award and the European Design Award, among others. As a book author, he takes a comprehensive look at the economic and creative aspects of this professional field with his title “Selbsthändig—Traumberuf Illustrator”. Florian Bayer studied communication design in Würzburg and at the University of the Arts in Berlin. Most recently, he was a lecturer for illustration and visualisation in Würzburg at the University of Applied Sciences.

At the Merz Akademie, Florian Bayer will work as a professor for illustration as of the summer semester of 2023. “Working with students, supporting them and accompanying their development is a highly fulfilling task and enrichment for me—not only at universities, but also in the context of visual thinking workshops at other institutions” says Florian Bayer. Rector Barbara M. Eggert is pleased “that with the appointment of Florian Bayer, Merz Akademie’s profile is enriched by a strong voice in the field of illustration. I am looking forward to further exchange, not only as rector but also as an academic in comics, and I warmly welcome Florian Bayer to our team”.

With the Merz Akademie’s targeted interest in the disciplines of art, design, the humanities and technology, the nationally accredited, non-profit University of Applied Arts, Design and Media, positions itself as an innovative place of learning and research between a traditional art academy, a university of applied sciences and a department of humanities. The Merz Akademie was founded in 1918 by the architect and reform pedagogue Albrecht Leo Merz. State recognition of the then newly established, non-profit Merz Akademie by the state of Baden-Württemberg followed 38 years ago. Today, the university of applied arts, design and media offers accredited degree programmes that are committed to both an advanced understanding of media authorship and the requirements of professional skills in the broad field between art and media technology.