Stefan Hauser

Prof. Stefan Hauser serves as Professor of Communication Design at Saarland University of Fine Arts (HBKsaar) since November 2022, succeeding Prof. Ivica Maksimovic who held the position for 33 years. He teaches within the Department of Communication Design through studio courses including Studio 63, Urban Pattern Design, and Type in Motion, with upcoming instruction scheduled through Winter Semester 2025/26.

His research and teaching adopt an interdisciplinary approach at the intersection of science, art, and applied design. Key focus areas include communication design systems, typographic innovation, and urban visual patterns, with projects exploring rule-based frameworks ('99 Rules – and how to break them'), democratic design applications ('Design Bazaar'), and cross-disciplinary visual language development for contexts ranging from fashion to architecture.

Hauser's professional achievements include over 150 design awards through his Frankfurt-based agency hauser lacour gmbh, recognized with:

• Red Dot Award
• Art Directors Club Award
• Corporate Design Prize
• Stiftung Buchkunst Award
• Consistent '100 Best Posters' recognition

As an advisor, he supervises Bachelor and Master projects within HBKsaar's Communication Design programs, with recent supervised works including 'Collect', 'Playful communication of graphic design – COMBIRATION', and 'Art Identity Country'. His industry partnerships with institutions like Museum of Modern Art Frankfurt and corporate clients including Sony provide students with real-world project exposure.

Hauser maintains active professional engagement through memberships in the Art Directors Club Germany and German Designer Club, while continuing to operate his internationally recognized design agency alongside academic responsibilities.