Colour

In colour studies theory is combined with practice. The focus is on exploring colour as a visual element and as a tool in creative work in art and design. 

In the Colour and Perception course lectures on perception and the use of colours are combined with practical exercises. The assignments explore colour interaction and colour combinations, and practice observation and colour identification. 

Colour and Painting course focuses on experimenting with colours, materials, and techniques in painting. Use and meanings of colours are also examined in the work of artists. A painting project will be carried out during the course.

Sculpture and expanded practices 

Sculpture courses provide the necessary practical skills for working with contemporary sculpture and design, which the students can utilize in their field. Courses focus on doing things by hand (learning by doing), which includes, among other things, studying materials and ways of working in workshops, public space, digital platforms, time, etc. Spatial works are used to create connections with the surrounding world and to conceptualize free-form ideas. Students become familiar with extended sculpture and at the same time use the traditional basic operations of sculpture such as adding and removing. Gravity, form, materiality, and the presentation of the work are also key. We make use of peer feedback and consider, for example, the role of imagination or memory in spatial work. 

See also Sculpture minor (https://www.aalto.fi/en/minors/sculpture-minor)

Drawing and painting

Drawing and painting courses consist of two-dimensional expression carried out by various methods. The work involved emphasises the importance of practice, or ‘learning by doing’, but without losing sight of the connections to theory. The studies include working with drawing, painting and mixed-media. The student will gain increased awareness of the workings of visual perception and of different ways of describing the surrounding world and our relationship to it. The course also examines the role of ideas and concepts in art as well as art’s relation to design, its role in society and its significance.

Art history and theory

Art history and theory courses aim to provide a general overview of the history and key theoretical questions and conceptions of art, design and architecture. 

Printmaking

Printmaking involves the handcrafting of printing plates as well as the prints produced by various methods (copperplate, woodblock, limestone, mesh screen). Prints are regarded as original artworks. Basic courses in printmaking offer the rudiments in a variety of printing techniques and develop the student’s command of the tools used. The intermediate courses deepen the knowledge and skill levels of students in their chosen method and enlarge their range of artistic expression. As printmaking is a specialisation study, beginners are recommended to take it during their second year of Bachelor’s studies. 

Other courses

Students educated in Finnish or Swedish

For students educated in Finnish or Swedish, i.e. whose official mother tongue is Finnish or Swedish, language studies are designed to be completed as part of the Bachelor of Arts (Art and Design) or another Bachelor’s degree. Students who have not completed the required language studies before starting to pursue the master’s degrees specified above must complete them either as elective studies or in addition to the studies required for the degree. In such cases, the language requirements are as follows:

• 9 credits: 3 cr in written and oral communication, 3 cr in the second national language of Finland, and 3 cr in one foreign language.

For details on the language courses offered, see the Language Centre page.

Students educated in other languages than Finnish or Swedish

For students who have been educated in a language other than Finnish or Swedish (i.e. whose official mother tongue is neither Finnish nor Swedish) or who have been educated abroad, the language requirements are:

• 3 cr in one foreign language.

Students in this category may fulfil the language requirement for their Master's degree by completing courses that support their studies or their stay in Finland. Students who have been educated abroad are recommended to take Finnish courses as well as English courses that focus on the field-specific language of arts or technology and fulfil the language requirement of the degree. Students may also choose to fulfil the language requirement by completing courses in another foreign language of their choice; all courses counted towards the requirement must be taken in the same language. Language studies may either be counted towards the electives of the degree or completed in addition to the studies required for the degree.

For details on the language courses offered, see the Language Centre page.