Die Graphische

What Die Graphische does

Die Graphische (legal name: Höhere Graphische Bundes-Lehr- und Versuchsanstalt) is Austria's largest federal educational institution for graphic and media professions, founded in 1888 and headquartered at Leyserstraße 6, Vienna. It operates four specialized departments—Photography and Audiovisual Media, Graphic and Communication Design, Multimedia, and Print and Media Technology (Print.Media)—delivering tuition-free vocational and higher vocational education to students aged 14 and above, with pathways including Fachschule, Höhere Lehranstalt, Kolleg, Abendkolleg, Aufbaulehrgang, and Meisterschule. Programs lead to recognized diplomas and Ing. (engineer) titles and are taught by active industry practitioners using industry-standard equipment sourced through partnerships with Canon, Heidelberg Druckmaschinen, Xerox, and other major vendors.

The institution's technology footprint includes specialty facilities such as a 3D printing lab with MAKERBOT and Multirap 234 systems, a holography laboratory, and a multi-camera bullet-time photography setup, alongside a dedicated research institute (Versuchsanstalt) that participates in state-level testing institute coordination (VSVA). Its business model is government-funded rather than commercial: as a Bundes-Lehr- und Versuchsanstalt under the Austrian Ministry of Education (school identification number 914417), Die Graphische is publicly funded, charges no tuition, and derives no disclosed commercial revenue. Student enrollment and operating budget figures are not publicly disclosed. Industry partnerships function primarily as equipment sponsorship, career pipeline, and award sponsorship rather than revenue-generating relationships.

The institution's competitive positioning rests on its federal mandate, 125+ years of brand heritage, interdisciplinary breadth (notably the only Austrian school offering packaging design end-to-end from concept through material selection and printing), and consistent international and regional award performance, including three first-place wins at the Pro Carton Young Design Award, Jugend Innovativ first-place wins in 2014 and 2015, and a Euroskills Medallion for Excellence. Its expansion has been measured, adding adult education tracks and specialty labs over time while maintaining a single-campus Vienna footprint and a domestic (Austria) geographic focus supplemented by Erasmus exchange partnerships.

Name

Die Graphische

Legal name

Höhere Graphische Bundes-Lehr- und Versuchsanstalt

Website

https://graphische.net

Company type

Private

Founded year

1888

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Die Graphische is Austria's largest federal educational institution for graphic and media professions, founded in 1888 and headquartered in Vienna. It provides tuition-free vocational and higher education across four departments—photography, graphic design, multimedia, and print media—serving students aged 14 and above, adult learners, and master craftsman candidates.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Vocational Education (Media Design and Print Technology)

NAICS

Fine Arts Schools (61161), Educational Services (611), Technical and Trade Schools (6115)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Digital Arts & Design (Graphic Design, Illustration, Animation) (EDAMAAAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Online/Hybrid Lifelong Learning Platforms & Open Enrollment Programs (EDAAAEAL)

Keywords

• Vocational media education
• Graphic design training
• Print media technology
• Photography education
• Multimedia design training

Headquarters

HQ city

Vienna

HQ country

Austria

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Die Graphische is a federal Austrian vocational and higher-education institution offering tuition-free, practice-oriented training programs in media design and production. It delivers structured curricula across four departments (Print and Media Technology, Photography and Audiovisual Media, Graphic and Communication Design, and Multimedia) via Fachschule, Höhere Lehranstalt, Kolleg, Abendkolleg, Aufbaulehrgang, and Meisterschule tracks, leading to recognized diplomas and the Ing. (engineer) title for students aged 14+ and adult learners.

Product overview

Die Graphische (Höhere Graphische Bundes-Lehr- und Versuchsanstalt) is Austria's largest educational institution for visual media design and production, located in Vienna. The institution offers a unique breadth of educational programs across four main departments: Fotografie und audiovisuelle Medien (Photography and Audiovisual Media), Grafik und Kommunikationsdesign (Graphic Design and Communication Design), Multimedia, and Druck- und Medientechnik/Print.Media (Print and Media Technology). Programs range from Fachschule (vocational school, age 14+), Höhere Lehranstalt (higher vocational school, age 14+), Kolleg (tertiary-level college, age 18+), Abendkolleg (evening college for employed adults), to Meisterschule (master school for advanced professionals). All programs are tuition-free and lead to recognized diplomas or Ing. (engineer) titles. The institution also provides adult education programs for professionals seeking media training.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Fotografie und audiovisuelle Medien (Photography and Audiovisual Media) Educational department covering professional photography, video production, and audiovisual storytelling. Available as Höhere Lehranstalt (for students aged 14+) and Kolleg (post-Matura for students aged 18+). Leads to recognized diplomas and is supported by Canon equipment sponsorship including EOS-1D Mark IV cameras and EF 24-70mm lenses.
• Grafik und Kommunikationsdesign (Graphic Design and Communication Design) The most comprehensive department, offering graphic and communication design education across five program types: two Höhere Lehranstalten (for students aged 14+), two Tageskollegs (for students aged 18+), an Abendkolleg (part-time/berufsbegleitend for students aged 18+), and a Meisterschule (master school). Covers visual communication, branding, packaging design (uniquely interdisciplinary in Austria), and design techniques. Leads to recognized diplomas and the Ing. title.
• Multimedia Educational department covering digital media production, interactive content, and multimedia design. Available as Höhere Lehranstalt (for students aged 14+) and Kolleg (post-Matura for students aged 18+). Leads to recognized diplomas and the Ing. title.
• Druck- und Medientechnik / Print.Media (Print and Media Technology) Educational department offering print and media technology education across five program types: Fachschule (for students aged 14+), Höhere Lehranstalt (for students aged 14+), Kolleg (post-Matura), Aufbaulehrgang (following apprenticeship), and Abendkolleg (part-time/berufsbegleitend). Covers printing technologies, media production, packaging design, and includes a 3D Printing Lab using MAKERBOT and Multirap 234 systems. Supported by Heidelberg, CITO, MULTEC, Flint Group, Polar Mohr, and Mayr-Melnhof as industry partners.

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered major, regular and minor.

• CanonmajorTechnology or IntegrationCanon provides camera equipment sponsorship including EOS-1D Mark IV cameras and EF 24-70mm lenses for student photography projects. CPS Austria (Canon Professional Services) supports the freeze-it diploma project.
• Heidelberg (Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG)majorTechnology or IntegrationMajor technology partner providing printing equipment and facilities. Hosts annual student excursions to Heidelberg facilities including Print Media Akademie and manufacturing plant.
• XeroxregularTechnology or IntegrationPartner company participating in career days and industry events at the school.
• ErasmusregularStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean educational program partnership supporting student exchange and international collaboration.
• Digital Store ViennaregularGTM or Marketing PartnerIndustry partner providing Nachwuchspreis (young talent prizes) for student diploma projects in photography and multimedia categories.
• Antalis AustriaregularGTM or Marketing PartnerPaper and print supplies company sponsoring Nachwuchspreis for graphic design diploma projects.
• Video2BrainminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEducational software company providing Nachwuchspreis for print and media technology student projects.
• MULTEC GmbHregularTechnology or IntegrationProvides Multirap 234 3D printer systems for the 3D printing lab used by print media students.
• Mayr-Melnhof Packaging Austria GmbHregularTechnology or IntegrationLeading packaging printing company enabling student excursions to production facilities in Strebersdorf/Wien.
• CITOregularTechnology or IntegrationSponsors two RSP inline systems for offset printing operations (creasing, die-cutting, perforating) in the print media department.
• PaperlinxminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPaper company sponsoring paper materials for student-printed notebooks donated to flood relief efforts.
• Heidelberg AustriaregularTechnology or IntegrationHosting location for student graffiti workshop on their Vienna premises, including video documentation.
• r12 (Repro12)regularStrategic or Co-development PartnerMedia solutions company with over 30 employees; participating in career days as potential employer for graduates.
• druck.atminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOnline printing company participating in career days for print media students.
• Kreiner DruckminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFamily printing business participating in career days for student networking.
• ScienceCenter-NetzwerkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerScience center network partnership for Wien unterm Mikroskop project combining science and art.
• VDM (Verband Druck- und Medientechnik)regularStrategic or Co-development PartnerAustrian printing and media technology association supporting the school and industry standards.
• Design AustriaregularStrategic or Co-development PartnerDesign industry association recognizing student achievements in competitions like Pro Carton and Schönste Bücher.
• CCA Creativ Club AustriamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeading Austrian creative industry association recognizing student work through annual awards and hosting jury sessions at the school.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Zürcher Hochschule der Künste (ZHdK): Major Swiss public arts university with broad offerings in design, media, film, and fine arts. Comparable as a larger, broader Swiss-German equivalent providing design and media education at scale in the broader DACH region.
• Hochschule für Gestaltung Schwäbisch Gmünd: German public design university focused on communication design, product design, and media. Comparable as a German-speaking public design institution with similar vocational-to-tertiary creative education positioning.
• Universität der Künste Berlin (UdK): One of the largest German public arts universities covering fine arts, design, music, and performing arts. Comparable as a broader incumbent German public arts university with overlap in graphic design and media arts education.
• ECAL (Ecole cantonale d'art de Lausanne): Renowned Swiss art and design school offering programs in graphic design, photography, and media design. Comparable as a leading European design school with similar creative-media curriculum focus, though operating at university level in a different national system.

Direct peers

• SAE Institute: Global for-profit creative-media education provider offering courses in audio, film, graphic design, and multimedia. Comparable as a competitor in vocational creative-media education targeting similar student demographics, though operating on a fee-based model.
• Universität Mozarteum Salzburg: Austrian public arts university covering music, performing and visual arts. Comparable as a fellow Austrian public arts university offering creative-arts education with similar federal funding structure and diploma-granting status.
• Universität für angewandte Kunst Wien: Vienna-based public arts university offering programs in graphic design, photography, and media arts. Directly comparable as a leading Austrian creative-arts institution competing for the same applicant pool in graphic and communication design disciplines.
• Fachhochschule St. Pölten - Department of Media and Digital Technologies: Austrian university of applied sciences with media technology, multimedia, and digital media design programs. Comparable as an Austrian tertiary provider focused on applied media/creative technology education with strong industry links.
• New Design University (NDU): Private Austrian university in St. Pölten offering design, graphic design, and media programs. Comparable as an Austrian design school competing for design-oriented applicants, though differentiated by private fee-based structure versus Die Graphische's public model.

Regional players

• Fachhochschule Salzburg - MultiMediaTechnology: Austrian university of applied sciences offering multimedia technology and media-design programs. Comparable as a fellow Austrian applied-sciences provider in multimedia, but based in a different Austrian city and competing for a partially overlapping applicant pool.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/graphische

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Die Graphische