Studies
Regardless of which avenue of study you choose, our curriculum gives you access to many good courses, nice facilities for production and a collegial atmosphere of international staff and students. We like people to get involved and contribute to our community and therefore we don’t necessarily accept visiting students who wish to pick just a few courses at the lab, but welcome people of varying backgrounds to apply if you are interested to join us.
The common theme of our study programs is summed up in our mission statement: “The mission of the Media Lab is to explore, discover and comprehend the new digital technology and its impact in society; to find and exploit the possibilities it opens to communication, interaction and expression and to evaluate, understand and deal with the challenges it poses to design and creative publication.”
Our design school context also places a high value on the quality of our art, design and media production as well as the end-user/viewer experience. This concern for the individual person’s experience of a product or a production is indeed important to us and, in many ways, sets us apart from many more technically oriented schools.
MA Study Programmes
The studies of the Media Lab are characterized by collaboration in an experimental and critical environment in which interaction and work in multidisciplinary and multicultural teams occurs on a wide scale between students and staff as well as with students of other faculties and institutions. By nature studies in ’new media’ emphasize emerging fields and practices and related tools and technologies for communication, creative production and distribution. In practice graduates of the Media Lab tend to become employed in ’new’ roles and ’emerging professions’ within the broad gamut of the new media industry, as well as in related research and development activities.
During the studies students are expected to get familiar with a variety of tools, and to understand the fundamental characteristics of digital media as well as the specific of their major subject.
Academic communication and writing are a part of the studies, and more research courses can be chosen if the student is planning to become a researcher. Students and researchers are encouraged to network internationally and have an option to spend a part of their studies abroad through any of our exchange programmes.
MA in New Media is a 120 ECTS programme subject focusing on art and design in different areas of interactive media, with three separate major subjects. The education is project-oriented, combining practice with theory, hands-on with minds-on. The project modules emphasise interdisciplinary and collaborative work, while individual skills are studied in the tools & skills modules, in workshops and through tutored studio work.
The programme is fully taught in English, and students can write their thesis in Finnish, Swedish or English.
The students can also continue their studies to doctoral degree, e.g. by doing (part of) their research in research groups at the Department of Media.
New Media Design and Production is a Major Subject within the Master’s Degree Programme in New Media, focusing on art and design in interactive media. The education is project-oriented, combining practice with theory, hands-on with minds-on. The project modules emphasize interdisciplinary and collaborative work, while individual skills are studied in the tools & skills modules, in workshops and through tutored studio work. Students in New Media in the Media Lab can choose to focus their studies on dynamic visualisation, art & culture, interaction design and interactive & generative storytelling.
A student who graduates from the programme is able to understand the complex demands of New Media and has the skills required in special areas of creative collaboration, concept development, design and realisation. A graduate has a broad enough understanding of the diversification across disciplines for a holistic view of the field of New Media, in addition to a deepened knowledge into his/her own special expertise. He/she is capable to critically analyse and develop established digital and new media design traditions, as well as able to extend his/her professional competence and provide creative input to the development of the design field of New Media. A graduate is expected to have reached a level of proficiency where further external or doctoral studies can be undertaken.
Running since 1994, about 15-20 new students start their studies every year. Our applicants’ backgrounds vary widely and we have always attempted to recruit a true interdisciplinary team of students with each intake. Sharing knowledge and working in collaborative groups within experimental production and research processes is a basic premise of our work in the Media Lab.
The studies of the Media Lab are characterized by collaboration in an experimental and critical environment in which interaction and work in multidisciplinary and multicultural teams occurs on a wide scale between students and staff as well as with students of other faculties and institutions. By nature studies in ’new media’ emphasize emerging fields and practices and related tools and technologies for communication, creative production and distribution. In practice graduates of the Media Lab tend to become employed in ’new’ roles and ’emerging professions’ within the broad gamut of the new media industry, as well as in related research and development activities.
During the programme, students will specialise according to their personal skills and motivation. Their future professional profiles relate to the various fields of new media design and research including interaction design, information design, interface design, interactive and generative storytelling, new media production, software design and digital animation.
The curriculum contains a number of software tools courses, but in general we expect students to be either proficient in using the tools of the trade, or willing to set aside time for self-study. For this, we provide a library of tutorials, as well as one-on-one coaching.
The students can also continue their studies to doctoral degree, e.g. by doing (part of) their research in research groups at the Department of Media.
The programme provides an excellent basis for an international career. A significant number of the department’s applicants, students, teachers and researchers are from abroad, and all the courses are taught in English. Students and researchers are encouraged to network internationally and have an option to spend a part of their studies abroad through any of our exchange programmes.
The programme is fully taught in English, and students can write their thesis in Finnish, Swedish or English.
More info: [email protected]
This unique track of MA studies combines art, design and media driven aspects of sound design in the digital era, covering a wide range of disciplines from concept design to live performance and from storytelling to programming. In addition to professors and teachers of the partner universities, teaching resources are extended through our wide international networks in the field.
It is targeted to students who have completed their BA, BSc or similar degree (eg. in Polytechnic / Applied Science) in sound design or music, or have gained basic sound design skills on the side of their studies through other kind of activities.
The courses are provided by several units and faculties in various universities in the Helsinki region. Curriculum-wise our main partners are the Centre for Music and Technology in the Sibelius Academy, University of the Arts Helsinki, and the Department of Media Technology in the Aalto University School of Science.
More info: [email protected]
See also Sound in New Media web page
The Game Design and Production major is one of the three majors inside the 2-year MA in New Media programme, focusing on design for interactive digital media. The education is project-oriented, combining practice with theory, hands-on with minds-on. The project modules emphasize interdisciplinary and collaborative work, while individual skills are studied in workshops and through tutored studio work.
The Game Design and Production major provides a unique possibility for learning game design skills while building theoretical and conceptual understanding on games. Students will deepen their existing skills in the areas of game design and production based on a personal study plan. Making games in multidisciplinary groups is a big part of the studies, and lecturers from game companies and academia open up exciting and relevant points of view to the ongoing student productions. In addition to game design and production courses, the studies can be complemented with courses from related fields such as 3d animation, interactive storytelling, and interaction design in Media Lab, or other relevant topics from other Aalto schools, like entrepreneurship, advanced programming or business.
As an example of our teaching, you can watch our Games Now! public lectures online
More info: [email protected]
Minor Studies
Minor subject studies in Media Lab offer an opportunity for MA level students from various fields to enhance and deepen their professional skills in a multidisciplinary design and research environment, in collaboration with students and professionals of new media design and production.
For the years 2018-19 and 2019-20 we offer four minor subject packages: New media design and production, DVD, SOiN and Games. Our minor subject packages are 15 cp or 25 cp. Participation in the minor subject studies can also offer opportunities for additional collaboration in our research projects or further studies.
JOOPAS-application time for people studying in other Finnish universities is 1.-30.4. Apply here. (No autumn applications, spring only!) Application period for internal/Aalto mobility will be open 15.-31.5.2018 in eAge. Instructions for applying: https://into.aalto.fi/display/ensivuaineet2018/
Your study plan (HOPS) is an obligatory attachment in the minor subject application.
If the minor you want to apply a study right for is not listed in eAge in the menu ”Minor subject applied for”, please choose ”Other minor” and write the name (and the code) of the minor you are applying the study right for in the field “Name of the unlisted minor subject”.
Minor subject study areas 2019-2020
Code: ARTS3089
Extent: 15 or 25 ECTS
Language: English
Teachers in charge: Markku Reunanen, Rasmus Vuori, Matti Niinimäki
Target group: Only masters level students.
Application Procedure
Internal mobility: Application period for internal/Aalto mobility will be open only 15.-31.5. 2018 and 15-31.5.2019 in eAge. JOOPAS: Students from other Finnish universities apply during the JOOPAS application time in April 1-30 via https://haku.joopas.fi.
Needed attachments
Transcript of records and a motivation letter. In the letter the applicant describes his/her background and experience relating to the minor subject, and indicates his/her learning objectives. We expect the student to have good basic ICT skills and some first-hand experience with digital media, acquired either through previous studies, hobby or work.
Selection criteria:
1. educational background
2. work experience or other experience
3. feasible study plan
Quotas and restrictions: 3–5 students.
Prerequisites: see above.
Content and Structure of the Minor
Learning Outcomes
The students get diverse perspectives to contemporary new media and understand how and why it came to be. They learn the basics of new media design, creative programming, interactivity and media art, both in theory and practice.
Content
New media permeates almost all aspects of today’s life and, therefore, the minor can effectively supplement many other studies. The minor is aimed for students who wish to develop their skills on various new media related topics and get a glimpse of how things work under the hood. Instead of focusing on technology itself, our goal is to apply it to creative, experimental and human-centered purposes. Hardcore technical skills required: no. A curious mind: yes.
Structure of the Minor
The minor comes in two sizes: 15 or 25 ECTS. There are certain obligatory courses that are complemented by optional ones, based on the needs and interests of the student.
The compulsory courses are:
DOM-E5123 Designerly Approaches to Social Media 3
DOM-E5111 Interaction Design Course 3-5
DOM-E5024 Introduction to Media Art and Culture 3
DOM-E5041 New Media Exam 1
Student also chooses one of these two:
DOM-E5032 Software Studies for Media Designers 3-5
DOM-E5060 Software Studies: Programming for Artists 3-5
The remaining credits can be chosen from the following list:
DOM-E5025 3D User Interface Design 3-5
DOM-E5124 Alive Dead Media 3
DOM-E5125 Embodied interaction 3-5
DOM-E5074 Composing with Data Flow Programming 3-5
DOM-E5122 Contemporary Web Development 3
DOM-E5128 Digital Fabrication Studio 3-5
DOM-E5108 From Data to Pixels 3
DOM-E5088 Game Design Basics Workshop 3
DOM-E5038 Generative and Interactive Narratives 3
DOM-E5106 Generative Media Coding 3
DOM-E5112 Interaction Design Workshop 3
DOM-E5004 Interactive Art 3-5
DOM-E5015 Internet Technologies and Techniques 3-5
DOM-E5056 Multitouch Interaction 3
DOM-E5043 Physical Interaction Design 3-5
DOM-E5003 Systems of Representation 3-6
Code: ARTS3048
Extent: 25 ECTS
Language: English
Teachers in charge: Lily Díaz, Markku Reunanen, Rupesh Vyas
Target group: only masters level students
Application Procedure
Internal mobility: Application period for internal/Aalto mobility will be open only 15.-31.5. 2018 and 15-31.5.2019 in eAge. JOOPAS: Students from other Finnish universities apply during the JOOPAS application time in April 1-30 via https://haku.joopas.fi.
Needed attachments are a transcript of records and a motivation letter. In the letter the applicant describes his/her background and experience relating to the minor subject applied for as well as indicates his/her learning objectives. Experience in working with digital media is recommended.
Selection criteria: 1) educational background relating to the minor subject, 2) working experience or other experience relating to the minor subject, 3) feasible learning goals relating to the minor subject.
Quotas and restrictions: 3-8 available places, no quota.
Prerequisites: Please see application procedure and quotas and restrictions.
Content and structure of the minor
Learning outcomes
From a practical point of view, this thematic area seeks to develop competence in visualization as a key aspect of digital design, with the objective of developing visual literacy and using this skill in the creation of effective information and communication products. From a theoretical point of view, the aim is to provide an understanding of the context of visualization as one involving dynamic processes that are of a biological as well as of a social and cultural nature. The course’s focus is on the nature of these processes as well as the role of visualization within them.
Content
Visualization involves the manipulation of abstract elements, since in many instances its objective is to provide knowledge about phenomena whose essence is not visual, or about artifacts that do not yet exist. For example, a map of its stations does not really resemble a metro itself but rather, outlines the different parts of the system, their location, as well as the process of moving from one part to another. Visualization is closely related to the notion of communication in contemporary culture. The idea of the artist or the designer as an expert in visualization, pre-supposes acquiring familiarity with the iconographic systems of diverse visual cultures. From this point of view the designer works like the anthropologist; s/he becomes familiar with the visual artifacts of the audience s/he is supposed to design for.
Structure of the minor
These courses are obligatory in DVD minor subject studies:
DOM-E2100 Information Design I, 3cr
DOM-E5103 Topics in Visualization and Cultural Analytics, 3-6cr
DOM-E5126 Dynamic Visualization, 6-8cr
Student can collect the rest of the needed 25 ECTS credits from these courses:
DOM-E5108 From Data to Pixels, 3 cr
DOM-E5111 Interaction Design Course, 3-5cr
DOM-E5026 Dynamic Visualization Independent Studies, 3-6cr
DOM-E2102 Data Now, 3 cr
DOM-E5003 Systems of Representation, 3-6cr
DOM-E5025 3D User Interface Design, 3-6cr
Code: ARTS3049
Extent: 15 or 25 ECTS
Language: English
Teachers in charge: Miikka Junnila
Target group: Only masters level students.
Application Procedure
Internal mobility: Application period for internal/Aalto mobility will be open only 15.-31.5. 2018 and 15-31.5.2019 in eAge. JOOPAS: Students from other Finnish universities apply during the JOOPAS application time in April 1-30 via https://haku.joopas.fi.
Needed attachments are a transcript of records and a motivation letter. In the letter the applicant describes his/her background and experience relating to the minor subject applied for as well as indicates his/her learning objectives. We strongly recommend that the applicants provide links to videos and/or other documentation about their past games, software, art, design etc.
Selection criteria: 1) educational background relating to the minor subject, 2) working experience or other experience relating to the minor subject and 3) feasible learning goals relating to the minor subject.
Quotas and restrictions: 3-10 students.
Prerequisites: Please see application procedure and quotas and restrictions.
Content and structure of the minor
Learning outcomes
The learning outcomes of the minor are
• to understand what games and game design are,
• how games are analyzed and
• how they are made in multidisciplinary groups.
Content
The minor subject in game design and production offers the student an opportunity to understand more about games and game production. Alternative versions are worth of 15 ECTS or 25 ECTS. We encourage students to choose this 25 ECTS version of the minor subject, as that gives the student a full experience of the hands-on aspect of game design and production during the game project. We hope that the applicant has a strong interest in games and experience in some relevant skill like for example game design, art, animation or programming.
Structure of the minor
Game Design and Game Analysis courses are obligatory for all Games minor students. Game Project is either 5 ECTS credits or 15 ECTS depending on the size of the minor studies.
DOM-E5080 Game Design, 5cr
DOM-E5083 Game Analysis, 5cr
DOM-E5095 Game Project, 5-15cr
See a new Games video! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swG0_91cFy8
Code: ARTS3052
Extent: 15 or 25 ECTS
Language: English
Teachers in charge: Antti Ikonen
Target group: only masters level students
Application Procedure
Internal mobility: Application period for internal/Aalto mobility will be open only 15.-31.5. 2018 and 15-31.5.2019 in eAge. JOOPAS: Students from other Finnish universities apply during the JOOPAS application time in April 1-30 via https://haku.joopas.fi.
Needed attachments are a transcript of records and a motivation letter. In the letter the applicant describes his/her background and experience relating to the minor subject applied for as well as indicates his/her learning objectives. Experience in working with digital media is recommended.
Selection criteria:
1. educational background relating to the minor subject
2. working experience or other experience, relating to the minor subject
3. feasible learning goals related to the minor subject
Quotas and restrictions: 3–5, no quota
Prerequisites: Please see application procedure and quotas and restrictions.
Content and structure of the minor
Learning outcomes
To understand more about sonic dimension of new media, in theory and in practice.
Content of the Minor
The minor study subject Sound in New Media (SOiN) is based on sound & music and related studies in the Department of Media, Aalto ARTS. SOiN consists of selected MA level courses, workshops and lecture series related to the sonic dimension of new media. We are looking for MA level students who have preferably completed BA level studies in media or music, or have gained corresponding competence from practical work. In addition to basic ITC skills the students are expected to have experience on audio technology. The students should also have an interest towards new media, new technologies and new forms of artistic expression.
Structure of the minor
Student can collect the needed 15/ 25 ECTS from these courses plus selected workshops (discussed when making personal study plan HOPS in the beginning of the academic year).
DOM-E5074 Composing with Data Flow Programming, 3-7 cr
DOM-E5072 Sound Seminar, 3-4cr
DOM-E5073 Sound Clinic, 3-5cr
DOM-E5066 Introduction to Sound Design & Music, 3-5 cr
DOM-E5069 Introduction to Western Classical Music, 3-5cr
DOM-E5065 Advanced Audio Production Work, 3-10 cr
More information: [email protected]
DA Studies
Doctoral studies allow individuals to develop and carry on their own research towards the degree of Doctor of Art (in Art and Design), as offered by the School of Art, Design and Architecture at Aalto University.
Candidates are also encouraged to make use of the opportunities for participation in doctoral-level studies, seminars and workshops that are provided through Schools in Aalto University as well as participate in national and international networks and doctoral schools.
Application procedure
The application deadline is annually on 31 March. Further information about the application procedures and the research plan can be found in: https://into.aalto.fi/display/enopinnot/Doctoral+programmes
In practice
Doctoral students may participate in courses aimed for doctoral students and, to a certain extent, those for MA students in the Media Lab, as well as to some offered in other departments and universities in Finland. Registering credits should be discussed with the professor in charge of the doctoral studies. Every doctoral student should have at least one advisor who is himself/herself a doctor.
Faculty
Teaching faculty supervising the doctoral studies are experienced research professionals from different international backgrounds.
The program is coordinated by Prof, DA Lily Díaz.
Doctoral students
Students enrolled in the doctoral studies are talented professionals from a variety of disciplines and countries. Since September 2016 they’re listed in the Aalto University’s ACRIS research database, which hosts current information on their projects.
More info: [email protected]
From an artistic and design perspective, the research subject of the Media Lab is digital media, how is it created and used and what is its potential impact in society. Our research engages in practical and theoretical activities covering both traditional and new categories in non-conventional ways.
Latest Theses
The theses from the Media Lab are on public display at the Aalto University library as well as some of the latest ones also online. First recorded theses are from 1997 up to this date.
Apply to Media Lab
Media Lab at the Department of Media offers interdisciplinary studies in design and production of new media, games and sound. Also various areas and amounts of design, arts, computer science, communication, cognitive science, sociology etc. are present during your studies in Media Lab.
In short, we require applicants to have a prior degree (at least BA, BSc or equivalent), preferably with previous experience in group work using digital media tools and an ability to function in an international, mainly English language-based environment. We also ask for commitment, as work here is done mainly in projects, not by dropping in for exams.
A group of students representing a variety of skills, backgrounds and talents are chosen every spring. The process consists of these steps: a written application which describes your background, experience and motivation, followed by a set of assignments and finally, an interview which also includes a portfolio pitch. For more information, look for information via the Aalto University Admissions page.
Apply to Media Lab
Media Lab at the Department of Media offers interdisciplinary studies in design and production of new media, games and sound. Also various areas and amounts of design, arts, computer science, communication, cognitive science, sociology etc. are present during your studies in Media Lab.
Apply to DA studies (external link)
The main purpose of doctoral education at the Aalto Doctoral Programme in Arts, Design and Architecture is to teach the doctoral candidate to create new knowledge via scentific and artistic methods and theories. Admission to the Aalto Doctoral Programme in Arts, Design and Architecture is organized annually in March for studies starting in September.
Head of Research
Head of Sound in New Media
Head of Game Design & Production
Head of New Media Design & Production
