Question: What inspired you to pursue a career in teaching?
Damian Gerbaulet: I knew from early on that I wanted to pass on my knowledge and experience. When I started lecturing at a university in Berlin, in addition to working at my design office, I quickly recognized how fulfilling it is to accompany young talent on its way. Having the opportunity to not only transfer my specialist knowledge to the next generation, but my values as well, was inspiring. In the field of design, practical successes such as publications and design prizes are really important. I want to communicate these valuable experiences to my students, because I am firmly convinced that the true preparation for a future career comes through practical work.
Question: What aspects about your job as a professor do you value the most?
Damian Gerbaulet: Most of all, I value the creative freedom I have to structure projects and teaching content. I find the exchanges with students incredibly enriching and this gives me a lot of energy. It’s fantastic to learn together, to research together, and to always be tackling new topics. I find it particularly thrilling to be constantly uncovering new perspectives, and to feel that the learning process is never complete. In our area, Digital Media and Design, there are always new technologies to be researched, such as AI and VR – that is incredibly exciting. But it is also the human relationships and networks we build which makes this job especially fulfilling for me.
Question: What challenges do you come up against in your work?
Damian Gerbaulet: One of the greatest challenges about being a professor is keeping up with rapid technological advancements – not because we must, but out of curiosity. I find it is vital to remain open to new things – and not slump into a routine – because during my own studies I experienced how inspiring truly curious professors can be. In creative projects, it is my goal to always retain a dash of craziness and, at the same time, to critically question new technologies. Finding the balance between teaching, research and an increasing array of administrative tasks is also a constant struggle. Juggling these successfully requires a lot of discipline and organization, but it also motivates me to constantly develop myself further.
Question: In your view, what makes the “Digital Media” degree program so unique at our University of Applied Sciences?
Damian Gerbaulet: An important aspect is the individual support and encouragement we give our students. In our design-oriented degree program, we place great emphasis on intensive exchanges and a seminar approach, which includes a lot of projects and teamwork. This is the contemporary way to teach and study – away from learning by rote and monologue lectures, towards critical thinking and open questions. For us, a close connection between theory and practical work via practice-relevant projects – often in cooperation with industry or Ulm City Council – are especially important. What’s more, our modern laboratories in the new building provide a first-class research and learning environment, giving students ideal conditions to develop themselves, both creatively and technically.
Question: What knowledge and skills do the students develop – both personally and from a subject perspective?
Damian Gerbaulet: In our degree program, the focus is around 70 % on design and 30 % on technology. Students acquire expertise in fields such as User Experience Design, Interface and Interaction Design, Communication Design, Image and Film Design, 3-D Design and Animation. They also develop technical skills such as programming and digital media production. In addition to these subject-related skills, we also value soft skills such as project management, teamwork and communication skills very highly. I find the ability to think critically and to repeatedly be able to come up with new strategies for problem-solving especially important. Our degree program is diverse and exciting, with a strong focus on media design. To be successful, students need a solid foundation in design, programming, and psychology, to be able to put themselves in the shoes of different people and groups with empathy, and to develop effective solutions.
Question: One project you have set up is the 0t1 Project, which concerns the attention economy. How did you get interested in this subject and what is the 0t1 Project about, specifically?
Damian Gerbaulet: I got interested in the attention economy during my part-time Master’s degree in Sankt Gallen and at UdK Berlin, where I did my Master’s thesis on the effects of distractions and interruptions in the context of knowledge work. I analyzed how being permanently available affects our ability to concentrate. It is a subject which continues to concern me, particularly since the social situation has become exacerbated. For me, it is vital to treasure our limited lifetimes and to use digital technology more consciously.
In the 0t1 Project we are investigating how to use the attention economy to develop better products – which help us to use our time more sensibly or to learn more efficiently. One example is the learning app, Duolingo, which applies the psychological principles of User Experience Design to make learning languages more attractive. Ultimately, it’s about becoming aware of how we spend our time – because that defines who we are.
Question: You were awarded second place in the Inklubator Ideas for Inclusivity competition. What criteria were particularly relevant for developing the idea?
Damian Gerbaulet: Our idea was to develop a smell detection device for people with a limited sense of smell, to enable them to become more independent in their everyday lives. Many of those affected report feeling insecure and it having a considerable negative impact on their life quality, because not every food smell or body odor provides an immediate warning signal. We approached the project as a user-centered design proposal and determined the necessary technologies and needs of the target group via a technological analysis. The most important criteria for developing our ideas were accessibility and user friendliness. We aimed to treat the subject creatively and innovatively, working with those affected to come up with a sustainable, socially relevant solution. As it is just a project idea which has not yet been implemented as a final product, it remains to be seen how far the concept will be pursued. Nevertheless, we hope that it will inspire future developments in this area.
Question: Which moments in your career as a professor were particularly meaningful for you?
Damian Gerbaulet: One outstanding moment was our exhibition at the Wilhelmsburg, where we took part in the cultural festival “Stürmt die Burg”. We presented an interactive exhibition which allowed visitors to experiment with digital installations. This project took up a lot of energy and time, but it was very rewarding too. I was particularly proud of the students, who surpassed themselves and presented their work with great pride. One graduate told me later on just how much this media exhibition had helped her own personal development. Another significant moment was winning the University Teaching Prize – a very special award organized by the students. This appreciation was rare, and therefore extremely valuable, feedback – which often remains unexpressed during hectic everyday life. It showed me that our projects are not merely abstract credit points, but actually contribute to students’ personal development and help them leave their comfort zones. Founding the »0t1« portal, named for the Ulm Designer Otl Aicher, was also a significant step for me. It serves as an experimental sandbox for projects, blog articles, and book discussions, and offers students valuable experience of the publication process. Watching how this project develops is another source of fulfillment in my work as a professor.
Question: You won the THU University Teaching Prize in 2022. Do you have a particular teaching philosophy which you use in your lessons?
Damian Gerbaulet: For me, successful teaching is a dialog-oriented process which promotes discussion rather than a monologue. I believe it is vital to give students space, to encourage them to take on responsibility, and to strengthen their critical thinking abilities. I set great store by openness to new developments and the importance of lifelong learning. I actively incorporate my passion for relevant topics into my teaching. I believe this is essential to motivate and inspire students. Supporting and encouraging each individual, having discussions in small project teams, and connections with industry – as well as other educational and research institutions – are central pillars of my teaching philosophy. These approaches have allowed me to create a learning environment where students do not only acquire knowledge, but also develop valuable life skills and career expertise.
Question: What advice would you give to potential professors who would like to follow this path as well?
Damian Gerbaulet: I advise potential professors to demonstrate their openness, curiosity, and commitment – these characteristics are fundamental for a successful academic career. It is vital to be able to adapt to the needs and differences of individuals, and to create a strong relationship between the acquired knowledge and its practical applications. Making new contacts with partners in industry and other educational institutions – and maintaining those relationships – is also very important.
In this age of rapidly developing technology and sector-level changes, lifelong learning, being prepared to reinvent yourself, and adapting your specialist area, are more important than ever. You need to make sure that you regularly get to grips with the latest developments in your field and incorporate them into your teaching. This approach will not only enrich your own career, but will help your students stay up-to-date and competitive as well.
Question: What is your favorite location in the Ulm region?
Damian Gerbaulet: One of my favorite places in Ulm is the Aegis bookshop and the neighboring Aegis Café. This is a lively cultural center which holds regular events such as jazz concerts and readings. As a one-off example of Ulm’s active and diverse cultural landscape. Another special place is the Kiesental, a little green oasis on the edge of town. It is the perfect place to relax and switch off from our busy everyday lives.
About Damian Gerbaulet:
Prof. Damian Gerbaulet is a recognized design expert. Since 2015, he has been a professor at THU, where he teaches and researches in the field of Interaction Design / Digital Design. His commitment to teaching was recognized in 2022 with the University Teaching Prize, in part thanks to the “0t1” digital learning platform and the “InterAbstraktion” exhibition. Gerbaulet, who, after his design degree and working as an Art and Creative Director in Strategy, Design and Innovation, incorporates his wealth of practical experience and his passion for the subject into his teaching.
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