F+F Schule für Kunst und Design

What F+F Schule für Kunst und Design does

F+F Schule für Kunst und Design is a Swiss non-profit foundation (Stiftung) operating an art and design school in Zürich, founded in 1971. The institution delivers a portfolio of state-recognized programmes spanning multiple learner stages: youth courses for ages 11-16 (CHF 360-580), a Vorkurs/Foundation Year, two vocational Fachklassen in Fotografie and Grafik leading to EFZ/BM qualifications, and five higher-education HF Studiengänge in Film, Fotografie, Kunst, Modedesign, and Visuelle Gestaltung. Continuing education, summer/winter ateliers, and short workshops supplement the core portfolio. The school operates from a single campus at Flurstrasse 89, Zürich, and is the only non-governmental member of the Swiss Design Schools association; it also holds eduQua certification and HF recognition that makes its students eligible for federal scholarships.

The school's revenue model combines tuition, paid either per course (youth/atelier) or monthly over the academic year (HF at CHF 1,237.50-1,625/month; vocational at CHF 1,525-1,625/month), with Swiss federal and cantonal subsidies tied to its HF accreditation. With approximately 107 FTE staff and roughly 200 practicing professional instructors, the institution is faculty-intensive and workshop-based rather than technology-platform-based. No proprietary software, no SaaS product, and no online delivery platform are indicated; the tool stack consists of industry-standard Adobe Creative Cloud running on MacBooks, alongside physical studios for film, photography, darkroom, screen-printing, and textile work. No financial figures, fundraising activity, M&A, or pricing changes have been publicly disclosed.

Strategically, F+F functions as a mature, stable educational non-profit rather than a growth venture. The 2021 50th anniversary was a positioning milestone, and the 2025 transition at the head of the Kunst HF programme from Daniel Hauser to Latefa Wiersch — alongside Hauser's move into an international-mobility role — represents ordinary leadership renewal rather than a pivot. International exposure is delivered through Movetia-led student exchanges rather than branch campuses or online scale.

Name

F+F Schule für Kunst und Design

Legal name

F+F Schule für Kunst und Design

Website

https://ffzh.ch

Company type

Private

Founded year

1971

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

F+F Schule für Kunst und Design is a Zürich-based, non-profit foundation art and design school founded in 1971, offering youth courses, vocational EFZ/BM programmes, and five state-recognized HF diploma tracks in film, photography, fine art, fashion, and visual communication to roughly 107 staff and 200 practicing instructors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Art and Design Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Fine Arts Schools (611610), Fine Arts Schools (61161), Industrial Design Services (54142), Graphic Design Services (541430)

akta.pro primary industry

Design Colleges (Graphic, Industrial, UX/UI, Interior) (EDAHAJAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Fine Arts Colleges (Painting, Sculpture, Printmaking) (EDAHAJAA), Fashion & Apparel Design Colleges (EDAHAJAF), Personal Enrichment & Creative Arts Programs (EDAAAEAG), Design & Maker Skills (Graphic Design, Calligraphy, Lettering) (EDAAAGAJ)

Keywords

• Art and design education
• Vocational training programs
• Continuing education courses
• Youth art classes
• Creative professional diplomas

Headquarters

HQ city

Zürich

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Course and Training Fees: F+F generates revenue primarily through tuition and course fees charged for youth courses, adult continuing education courses, vocational courses (Fachklassen EFZ), and higher professional study programs (HF Studiengänge). Fees are charged per semester or per course/module. The school is state-recognized and subsidized, making students stipendienberechtigt (eligible for government scholarships).
2. State Subsidies and Non-Profit Model: As a non-profit foundation (Stiftung) and the only non-governmental art and design school that is a member of swiss design schools, F+F receives state recognition and subsidies. This non-profit status underpins its business model and allows for accessible, subsidized education pricing.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

F+F Schule für Kunst und Design is a non-profit foundation art and design school in Zürich that delivers state-recognized educational programs ranging from youth courses (ages 11–16) and pre-vocational foundation years to four-year vocational EFZ/BM training in photography and graphic design, and five higher professional (HF) diploma programs in Film, Photography, Art, Fashion Design, and Visual Design. The school also offers modular continuing education courses and short summer/winter ateliers for adults, charging tuition per semester or per course with all programs eligible for cantonal scholarships.

Product overview

F+F Schule für Kunst und Design is a non-profit foundation school offering a comprehensive portfolio of art and design education programs in Zürich. The school operates a single unified educational platform with multiple interconnected programs including youth courses (Jugendkurse), preliminary design courses (Gestalterischer Vorkurs and Foundation Year), vocational programs (Fachklassen Fotografie and Grafik EFZ/BM), and five higher technical college programs (Film HF, Fotografie HF, Kunst HF, Modedesign HF, and Visuelle Gestaltung HF). Additionally, the school provides continuing education courses (Weiterbildungskurse) and intensive summer/winter atelier programs. All programs are state-recognized and eligible for financial support through cantonal scholarships.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Jugendkurse (Youth Courses) Art and design courses for 11- to 16-year-olds that introduce creative disciplines through hands-on projects. Includes holiday courses (summer, autumn, winter, spring), monthly courses in drawing, painting, and design, and introductory workshops in photography, animation, fashion design, and graphic design. Aimed at teenagers and their parents seeking exposure to creative fields.
• Gestalterischer Vorkurs (Preliminary Design Course) Pre-vocational design course preparing students for vocational training in design or specialised classes (Fachklassen), focused on foundational artistic skills. For students who have completed compulsory schooling and seek orientation before committing to full creative vocational training.
• Foundation Year (Propädeutikum) One-year preparatory program (Propädeutikum) laying the foundation for studies at a Fachhochschule or Höhere Fachschule. Inclusive, intensive learning environment; German and English proficiency required. Aimed at post-compulsory-school students preparing for tertiary creative education.
• Fachklasse Fotografie EFZ/BM Four-year vocational training program in photography combining the federal EFZ certificate with optional Berufsmaturität (BM). The only school-based photography EFZ training in German-speaking Switzerland. Aimed at students pursuing accredited vocational photography qualifications.
• Fachklasse Grafik EFZ/BM Eight-semester full-time vocational training program preparing for the EFZ qualification as graphic designer, with an optional Berufsmaturität pathway. Pricing CHF 1,625/month (without BMS) or CHF 1,525/month (with BMS) in 12 instalments, plus CHF 150 examination fee; basic course materials included. Students supply a MacBook and Adobe CC license.
• Film HF berufsbegleitend (Film HF, part-time) Part-time Professional Bachelor program over 8 semesters teaching technical, narrative and creative filmmaking competencies, covering directing, screenwriting, camera, lighting, sound and post-production. Tuition CHF 7,590/semester (≈ CHF 1,265/month); includes individual use of school infrastructure outside class hours. Aimed at working professionals seeking accredited higher-professional film qualifications.
• Fotografie HF (Photography HF) Six-semester higher technical college program in photography, culminating in a Professional Bachelor diploma. Aimed at students pursuing accredited higher-professional photography qualifications.
• Kunst HF (Art HF) Three-year full-time program in fine arts allowing students to develop their own artistic language, culminating in a Professional Bachelor in Fine Arts. Tuition CHF 7,425/semester (≈ CHF 1,237.50/month); includes individual atelier workspace outside class hours. Co-led since 2025 by Latefa Wiersch.
• Modedesign HF (Fashion Design HF) Higher technical college program in fashion design preparing students for professional practice in the fashion industry, culminating in a Professional Bachelor diploma. Co-led by Nicole Schmidt (since 2014) and Heiner Wiedemann (since 2017).
• Visuelle Gestaltung HF (Visual Design HF) Higher technical college program in visual design combining analogue and digital design skills, culminating in a Professional Bachelor in Visual Design. Aimed at students pursuing accredited higher-professional visual design qualifications.
• Weiterbildung Modedesign (Continuing Education in Fashion Design) Continuing education programs in fashion design for certified clothing designers (EFZ), including modular courses in garment construction and collection development. For working fashion professionals seeking structured upskilling.
• Weiterbildungskurse (Continuing Education Courses) Continuing education courses for adults covering drawing, painting, photography, screen printing, filmmaking, ceramics, graphic design, and other artistic disciplines. Includes day, weekly, and evening courses across the year. Aimed at adult learners seeking creative enrichment or upskilling.
• Sommer- & Winterateliers (Summer and Winter Ateliers) Week-long intensive workshops during summer and winter breaks for youth and adults in various art and design disciplines (e.g., How to Podcast CHF 975 incl. material; Type Design CHF 940 incl. material; Pottery CHF 995 incl. material). Aimed at adult learners seeking short intensive creative courses.

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• swiss design schools (Directors' Conference of Swiss Design Schools)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerF+F is the only non-governmental institution among the members of swiss design schools, the Directors' Conference of Swiss Design Schools in Switzerland. This membership provides F+F with a seat in the national strategic dialogue on design education and signals institutional recognition.
• Konferenz der Höheren Fachschulen HFcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerF+F holds membership in the Konferenz der Höheren Fachschulen HF of Switzerland, the national body for Higher Professional Schools. This validates and supports the school's HF study programs.
• Bildschulen SchweizminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerF+F is a member of Bildschulen Schweiz, the national association of Swiss art and design schools, supporting collaboration and standards in art education.
• MovetiacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerF+F participates in the Movetia international exchange program, enabling student and staff mobility for study abroad and international professional experience. Outgoing internships are financially supported by Movetia. This partnership provides students with opportunities for international exposure.
• EduQuacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerF+F holds the eduQua certification (via alice.ch), a Swiss quality label for adult education institutions. This certification validates the quality management of the school's continuing education offerings.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Direct peers

• Zürcher Hochschule der Künste (ZHdK): Zürich's state university of the arts, also in Zurich, offering degree programs in Design, Film, Art, and Fashion. ZHdK is F+F's primary direct competitor for design and arts students in the same geography, though it offers federally subsidized Bachelor's/Master's rather than F+F's HF Professional Bachelor pathway.
• Schule für Gestaltung Bern und Biel: Public design school in Bern/Biel offering vocational design training and continuing education in the same Swiss vocational design framework as F+F. Comparable in EFZ/BM pathways and continuing education offerings, though serving a different geography.
• Hochschule Luzern – Design & Kunst: Swiss state university of applied sciences offering design and art programs at BA/MA level. Comparable to F+F in disciplines (graphic design, fashion, film, photography, fine arts) and Swiss HF system context, though it grants academic rather than HF Professional Bachelor degrees.
• HGK Basel – Institut Design/Basel School of Design: FHNW's Basel School of Design, internationally known for its visual communication and industrial design programs. Comparable to F+F's Visuelle Gestaltung HF and Grafik EFZ in design disciplines, operating within the same Swiss HF system.
• Schule für Gestaltung Zürich (SfG Zürich): Public vocational design school in Zurich offering EFZ/BM pathways and continuing education. Operates in the same city and same Swiss vocational design system as F+F, with overlapping target audience of pre-vocational learners and adult continuing education students.
• FHNW – Hochschule für Gestaltung und Kunst: University of Applied Sciences Northwestern Switzerland's school of design and art, with programs in design, art, and fashion (Institut Modedesign). Comparable to F+F as a Swiss design educator; F+F's Modedesign co-lead Heiner Wiedemann previously served as guest lecturer at FHNW's Institute of Fashion Design.
• Haute école d'art et de design – Genève (HEAD): Geneva University of Art and Design, one of four Swiss HES-SO arts universities offering design, visual arts, and film programs. Directly comparable to F+F in program structure and Swiss arts education system, though serving the French-speaking region.
• Hochschule der Künste Bern (HKB): Bern University of the Arts, offering design, fine arts, film, and photography programs with BA/MA credentials. Operates in the same Swiss vocational/HF system with overlapping disciplines, serving a similar cohort of creative-studies candidates across Switzerland.

Others

• Kunsthaus Zürich: Zurich's major public art museum and cultural anchor, where F+F alumnus Daniel Hauser previously served as artists' representative on the board. Comparable as a cultural anchor in Zurich's art scene but operates as a museum/exhibition venue rather than an educational institution.

Regional players

• Modedesign Schule Zürich: Zurich-based fashion design school with overlapping Modedesign offerings. Directly comparable in fashion discipline but operates as a standalone fashion-focused institution rather than a multi-discipline school; F+F's Nicole Schmidt previously served as ad-interim leader here.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat2 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/FFSchule
• Instagraminstagram.com/ffzhart
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/f-f-schule-f%C3%BCr-kunst-und-design

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 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 F+F Schule für Kunst und Design