Student Guide

Programmes

Master's Programme in Design

Programme main page

Curriculum 2022–2024

The curriculum for the adacemic years 2024-2026 has also already been published.

Degree structure

Scope of the master's degree is 120 credits:

Major studies:
- Advanced major studies 60 cr
- Thesis 30 cr
Elective studies 30 cr

After completing the degree in Design the graduates are able to 

create future oriented products, services and systems as a member of a multidisciplinary or trans-disciplinary team and/or as an individual designer.
combine creativity, curiosity, continuous renewal and expression with analytical skills and practice.
understand how to lead and communicate design-driven, often complex processes with empathy, critical thinking and research-founded reasoning.
comprehend how design contributes to socio-material transformations for a sustainable future.
undertake design research to build knowledge to support and justify the practical work, and to possibly apply for education leading to a Doctor of Arts degree.

Majors

Code: ARTS3051
Credits: 90 ECTS credits
Head of major: Severi Uusitalo

Major description:

The students in Collaborative and Industrial Design (CoID) focus on design's role in society. Students develop skills enabling them to work as design entrepreneurs and innovators in a range of roles within industry, business, communities, education, and public sector. The studies extend industrial design into interaction design, service design, co-design, and other emerging fields where design activities can enhance the quality of the environment and people’s lives. Students learn empathic, critical, strategic, and technical competencies and capabilities needed in design innovation processes. They are also encouraged to explore novel roles in design and industry.

Over the duration of the major studies, students will develop an understanding of design in relation to innovation and contemporary culture, be it local or global, private or public. The students will also develop an extensive ability to design, lead design projects, and collaborate with designers and non-designers, and thus become able to shape change in communities and companies.

Collaborative and Industrial Design (CoID) is one of the three majors of the master’s programme in Design, others being Fashion, Clothing and Textile Design (FaCT) and Contemporary Design (CoDe). In addition, the master’s programme in Design collaborates closely with the master’s programmes in Creative Sustainability (CS) and International Design Business Management (IDBM). All are two-year programmes, whereby students graduate with a Master of Arts degree in Design.

Major's intended learning outcomes:

After completing a Master’s degree in Design in the major of Collaborative and Industrial Design, the graduates are able to

create future oriented products, services and systems as a member of a multidisciplinary or trans-disciplinary team and/or as an individual designer.
combine creativity, curiosity, continuous renewal and expression with analytical skills and practice.
understand how to lead and communicate design-driven, often complex processes with empathy, critical thinking and research-founded reasoning.
comprehend how design contributes to socio-material transformations for a sustainable future.
undertake design research to build knowledge to support and justify the practical work, and to possibly apply for education leading to a Doctor of Arts degree.
apply design practices to social, environmental, organizational and technological transformations. 
apply design strategically in the context of product development and innovation. 
integrate collaborative and human-centred approach into different scales and domains.  
use creative design, systems thinking, and participatory approaches to develop solutions accountably and ethically.  
provide design expertise and leadership in complex projects in multidisciplinary teams. 
articulate and transfer understanding of design process to other design and non-design competencies.

Code	Course name	ECTS credits
Programme compulsory joint studies		12
MUO-E0020	Intro	3
MUO-E0021	Design Research	3
MUO-E0022	Design Culture Now	3
MUO-E0023	Thesis Plan Orientation	3

Code	Course name	ECTS credits
Major compulsory studies		18
MUO-E3057	User Inspired Design - Knowing	6
MUO-E3056	User Inspired Design - Making	3
MUO-E3055	Interaction Design	9
Major alternative studies		30
Student selects one of the three options.
Option 1: Service design / Social Design		30
MUO-E0105	Research and Inspire	6
MUO-E3051	Design for Social Change - Strategy	6
MUO-E3050	Design for Social Change - Co-Design	6
Student selects one of the following:
MUO-E3052	Designing for Services	12
MUO-E8043	Design for Government	12
Option 2: Product design and development		30
MUO-E3053	Emerging Designs	9
Student selects one of the following:
MEC-E3001	Product Development Project	12
MUO-E3058	Wearable Technology and Functional Wear	12
Student selects one of the following:
MUO-E3054	From Concepts to Design	9
MUO-E3059	Design Strategy and Innovation	9
Option 3: Interaction design		32
CS-E4200	Emergent User Interfaces	5
MUO-E3058	Wearable Technology and Functional Wear	12
Student selects two of the following:
MUO-E3053	Emerging Designs	9
MUO-E3051	Design for Social Change - Strategy	6
MUO-E3050	Design for Social Change - Co-Design	6
Student selects if Emerging Designs is not included:
MUO-E0104	Programming for Designers	3
Master´s Thesis
MUO.thes	Master´s Thesis	30
ARTSa.matr	Maturity test	0

Code: ARTS3053
Credits: 90 ECTS credits
Head of major: Maarit Mäkelä

Major description:

Grounded on research-based knowledge on the societal, cultural and global change, the major in Contemporary Design nurtures creative exploration and conceptual thinking on a high artistic and professional level. The major support students to discover and advance their individual creative processes and to connect them into the design field and its stakeholders. Students work in a multifaceted learning environment that provides support for creativity, as well as critical and analytical thinking. The major bridges research and design practice, and provides students with strong foundation in practice-based research. It educates sensitive and visionary designers who have skills to propose radical solutions and responsible innovations for the future.

Contemporary Design (CoDe) is one of the three majors of the master’s programme in Design, others being Fashion, Clothing and Textile Design (FaCT) and Collaborative and Industrial Design (CoID). In addition, the master’s programme in Design collaborates closely with the master’s programmes in Creative Sustainability (CS) and International Design Business Management (IDBM). All are two-year programmes, whereby students graduate with a Master of Arts degree in Design.

Major's intended learning outcomes:

After completing a Master’s degree in Design, in the major of Contemporary Design, the graduates are able to  

create future oriented products, services and systems as a member of a multidisciplinary or trans-disciplinary team and/or as an individual designer.
combine creativity, curiosity, continuous renewal and expression with analytical skills and practice.
understand how to lead and communicate design-driven, often complex processes with empathy, critical thinking and research-founded reasoning.
comprehend how design contributes to socio-material transformations for a sustainable future.
undertake design research to build knowledge to support and justify the practical work, and to possibly apply for education leading to a Doctor of Arts degree.
execute material productions and experiments that demonstrate strong practical design skills.
reflect critically established design traditions and innovate in emerging fields of design.
implement new technologies and materials in their artistic and design practices.
display strong artistic practice with an ability to argue for its relevance with research-based reasoning.
exhibit and promote their work and explain their position as part of a wider societal, cultural and commercial context.
carry out collaboration with partners from societal, cultural and commercial fields

Code	Course name	ECTS credits
Programme compulsory joint studies		12
MUO-E0020	Intro	3
MUO-E0021	Design Research	3
MUO-E0022	Design Culture Now	3
MUO-E0023	Thesis Plan Orientation	3

Code	Course name	ECTS credits
Major compulsory studies		18
MUO-E5045	Materials and Living Systems	9
MUO-E5051	Reflective Practice	9
Major alternative studies		30
Student selects min 2, max 3 from the following courses
MUO-E5043	Experimental Design	9
MUO-E5049	Product and Form I	9
MUO-E5050	Product and Form II	9
MUO-E5048	Personal Exploration	12
MUO-E5044	Glass Challenge	9
SARK-E5036	Woodstudio: Design Project	9
MUO-E5041	Ceramics Laboratory	9
To complete 30 credits, student can select any from the below courses
MUO-E5042	Exhibitions 1-3 cr	3
MUO-E5040	Advanced Personal Project	6
MUO-E5046	Creative Digital Design	6
MUO-E5047	Parametric CAD	3
Master´s Thesis
MUO.thes	Master´s Thesis	30
ARTSa.matr	Maturity test	0

Code: ARTS3055
Credits: 90 ECTS credits
Head of major: Professor Maarit Salolainen

Major description:

Grounded on research-based knowledge on the societal, cultural and global change, the studies in Fashion, Clothing and Textile Design nurture creative exploration and conceptual thinking on a high artistic and professional level. The major educates designers equipped with the knowledge, skills and attitude for the future needs of fashion and textiles as creative force. The studies prepare the students to proactively and creatively tackle future global socio-technical challenges and innovate new sustainable and culturally inclusive design solutions for the global field of textiles and fashion. Moreover, the major provides understanding of the global industry and its impact on environment, society and business. Students are challenged to explore multidisciplinary collaboration and possibilities of new technologies, new materials and innovative design solutions.

Fashion, Clothing and Textile Design (FaCT) is one of the three majors of the master’s programme in Design, others being Contemporary Design (CoDe) and Collaborative and Industrial Design (CoID). In addition, the master’s programme in Design collaborates closely with the master’s programmes in Creative Sustainability (CS) and International Design Business Management (IDBM). All are two-year programmes, whereby students graduate with a Master of Arts degree in Design.

Major's intended learning outcomes:

create future oriented products, services and systems as a member of a multidisciplinary or trans-disciplinary team and/or as an individual designer.
combine creativity, curiosity, continuous renewal and expression with analytical skills and practice.
understand how to lead and communicate design-driven, often complex processes with empathy, critical thinking and research-founded reasoning.
comprehend how design contributes to socio-material transformations for a sustainable future.
undertake design research to build knowledge to support and justify the practical work, and to possibly apply for education leading to a Doctor of Arts degree.  
Reconsider and reshape the current state-of-the-art in the field of textiles and fashion.  
Proactively and creatively evaluate future socio-technical challenges and innovate new sustainable and culturally inclusive design solutions for the global field of textiles and fashion.
Identify their own aesthetic approach and find their own creative voice in the field of textiles and fashion. 
Practice experimental, practice based and conceptual approaches in fashion and textile design.  
display the skills and attitude to co-innovate, cooperate and communicate with various stakeholders.
apply design and process management skills and verge strategic and systemic thinking in product and material development.

Code	Course name	ECTS credits
Programme compulsory joint studies		12
MUO-E0020	Intro	3
MUO-E0021	Design Research	3
MUO-E0022	Design Culture Now	3
MUO-E0023	Thesis Plan Orientation	3

Code	Course name	ECTS credits
Major compulsory studies		18
MUO-E1071	Sustainable Fashion and Textile Design	12
MUO-E1044	Knowledge Making in Fashion and Textiles	3
MUO-E1072	Fashion Communication	3
Major alternative studies		30
Student selects one:
MUO-E1068	Innovative Fashion Design (6-9-12 cr)	12
MUO-E1066	Experimental Textile Design (3-6-9-12 cr)	12
Student selects one:
MUO-E1077	Textile Collection Design	6
MUO-E1067	Fashion Collection Design	6
Student selects min 1, max 2
MUO-E1061	Advanced 3D Shaping Workshop	6
MUO-E1063	Advanced Printed Fabrics and Finishes Workshop	6
MUO-E1065	Advanced Woven Fabrics and Jacquard Workshop	6
MUO-E1062	Advanced Knits and Knitwear Workshop	6
Major alternatives. To complete 30 credits, student can select any from the below courses.
MUO-E1076	Fashion Collection Project	6
MUO-E1070	PatternLab Project	6
MUO-E1064	Advanced Workshop Project	6
Major electives and Textile Minor courses. Can be included in Innovative Fashion Design or Experimental Textile Design
MUO-E1042	Printed Fabrics Studio	3
MUO-E1075	Woven Fabrics Studio	6
MUO-E1069	Knits and Knitwear Studio	6
Master's thesis
MUO.thes	Master's Thesis	30
ARTSa.matr	Maturity Test	0

Language study requirements

Students educated in Finnish or Swedish

For students educated in 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:

Master of Arts (Art and Design):

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.

Courses fulfilling language requirements for Master of Arts (Art and Design)

Code	Course name	ECTS credits
Written and Oral Communication		3
Courses LC-7108 Write Competently and LC-0450 Speak Competently for students educated in Finnish. Course LC-5000 Kommunicera som expert for students educated in Swedish.
LC-7108	Write Competently	2
LC-0450	Speak Competently	1
LC-5000	Kommunicera som expert	3
Second national language of Finland		3
LCA-5703	Writing and Talking about Art in Swedish	3
LCA-5704	Foundations of Writing and Talking about Art (Swedish)	4
LCA-5701	National Language Requirement (Swedish) Writing Test)	2
LCA-5702	National Language Requirement (Swedish) Oral Test	1
LCA-7003	National Language Requirement (Finnish) Writing Test	2
LCA-7004	National Language Requirement (Finnish), Oral Test	1
Foreign language: English		3
To fulfil the foreign language requirement (3 cr), students must demonstrate both oral and written skills(marked o+w) in a single language of their choice by taking courses at the CEFR level of B1–B2. In addition to English, the required foreign language studies may be completed in any of the following languages: Spanish, Chinese, French, German or Russian.
LCA-1001	Expressing your Idea (w+o)	3
LCA-1002	Expressing your Expertise (o+w)	3
LCA-1110	A Digital Presence in English (o+w)	3
LCA-1020	Academic Communication for Master's students (o,w)	3
LCA-1022	Academic Writing (w)	3
LCA-1015	Autonomous Language Learning Path (o + w)	3
LCA-1111	Reading Project in ARTS (online) (o + w)	3
LCA-1112	Online Presentation Skills for ARTS (o)	3

Note! If you are planning to graduate with older (before 1.8.2020) degree requirements, the requirement for foreign language is 6 cr. The studies need to include an oral and a written component (o+w).

Students educated in other languages than Finnish or Swedish

For students who have been educated in a language other than Finnish or Swedish or who have been educated abroad the language requirements are:

Master of Arts (Art and Design): 3 cr

Students in this category may fulfil the language requirement for their Master of Arts (Art and Design) 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 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.

Elective studies

Students choose 30 ECTS of elective studies. As elective studies, students can complete minor studies and/or take individual courses from other programmes at Aalto University or other Finnish universities, participate in an international student exchange programme, do an internship in Finland or abroad, or take elective courses offered by student’s own programme.

Students can complete a minor as part of their elective studies. Please see all the minors under Minor studies 2022-2024.

Code	Course name	ECTS Credits
MUO-E0105	Research and Inspire	6
CHEM-A1610	Design Meets Biomaterials	3-5
MUO-E0102	CHEMARTS Summer School	6
CHEM-E0180	CHEMARTS Project	5-10
MUO-E0103	Introduction to Algorithmic Design	3
MUO-E0104	Programming for Designers	3
MUO-E1074	Fabrics for Interiors and Architecture	6
MUO-E1060	Textile Design	3
MUO-E3023	Concept Design	5
MUO-E3028	Product Design Studio	5
	Independent studies
MUO-E0012	Competitions	2-10
MUO-E0013	Literature Assignment	2-10
MUO-E0014	Projects	2-10
MUO-E0015	Workshops	2-10
MUO.trai	Internships	2-10

Transdisclipinary Arts Studies (TAS) offers a variety of art and theory courses which can be included in the elective studies.

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.

Code	Course name	ECTS credits	Teaching language
ARTS-A0630	General Studies Courses with Varying Contents	3-9	English
ARTS-A0201	Freehand Drawing	6	English
ARTS-A0208	Life Drawing	6	English
ARTS-A0223	Watercolour Workshop	3	English
ARTS-A0221	Drawing and Painting Workshop	6	English
ARTS-A0224	Drawing in Space	3	English
ARTS-A0217	Landscape - Then and Now	3	English
ARTS-A0218	Basics of Comic Art	6	English
ARTS-A0219	Forms of Comics Expression and Storytelling	6	English
ARTS-A0222	Introduction to Comics Art Project	3	English
ARTS-A0220	Comic Art Project	6	English

Colour and perception

Colour and perception studies focus on visual perception and the theories about it. The English-language version of the course contains both theory and practical assignments. The course covers basic concepts about colour and the principles of colour perception. The course covers basic colour concepts and principles of colour perception. Colour composition and contrasts and their effects – mainly in two-dimensional expression – are studied by experimental means. The course ‘Colour - Light - Space D’ is aimed mainly at Master’s students of architecture, interior architecture and landscape architecture. Through lectures and assignments, it deals with the role of colour and lighting in architecture and in building a city’s image.

Code	Course name	ECTS credits	Teaching language
ARTS-E0301	Colour - Light - Space D	6	Finnish
ARTS-A0304	Colour and Perception	3	English

Sculpture

Sculpture studies provide students with the skills needed to work with contemporary sculpture and design. Skills that students can apply in their own fields are emphasised, such as how to research new materials, working methods and methodologies. The ‘Ways of Making’ courses offer practical experience working in a sculptor’s studio, and ‘Metal Casting’ introduces foundry techniques. ‘Digital Sculpture’ introduces new and developing technologies in 3D art, and ways to combine these with traditional sculptural techniques. Conceptual and theory-intensive sculpture studies are also included within the contemporary art courses programme.

Code	Course name	ECTS credits	Teaching language
ARTS-A0416	Ways of Making 1 - Mold making & casting techniques	6	English
ARTS-A0417	Ways of Making 2 - Constructing sculpture with wood and metal	6	English
ARTS-A0412	Digital Sculpture 1 - 3D Modelling for Sculpture	3	Finnish
ARTS-A0418	Digital Sculpture 2 - Programming for sculptors	3	English
ARTS-A0413	Metal Casting 101	3	English
ARTS-A0414	Synths & Amps	3	English
ARTS-E0402	Advanced Sculpture Project	6	English

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.

Code	Course name	ECTS credits	Teaching language
ARTS-A0502	Introduction to Silkscreen	3	English
ARTS-A0503	Advanced Course in Screenprinting	3	English
ARTS-A0506	Japanese Watercolour Woodcut	3	English
ARTS-A0507	Basic Course in Woodcut	3	English

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.

Code	Course name	ECTS credits	Teaching language
ARTS-A0621	History of Contemporary Art	3	Finnish
ARTS-A0624	History of Comics	3	Finnish
ARTS-A0623	Global Perspectives: Re-mapping the History of Art	3	English
ARTS-A0622	Environmental Thinking	6	English

Contemporary art

The contemporary art courses are aimed at the Master’s level, Bachelor’s as well as Doctoral students may also attend or seek admission. Most of the courses are taught in English.

Code	Course name	ECTS credits	Teaching language
ARTS-A0225	Contemporary Drawing	6	English
ARTS-E0711	Sculpture Now!	6	English

Other courses

Code	Course name	ECTS credits	Teaching language
ARTS-A0703	Digital Art 1 - programming for visual artists	3	English
ARTS-A0626	Becoming a Creative Professional	3	English
ARTS-A0627	Art, Life and Entrepreneurship 1 - What is entrepreneurship?	3	English
ARTS-A0628	Art, Life and Entrepreneurship 2 – Test run	3	English

Published: 9.8.2022
Updated: 5.12.2023

Master's Programme in Design

Programme main page

Curriculum 2022–2024

Degree structure

Learning Outcomes of the Master's Programme in Design

Majors

Collaborative and Industrial Design

Major description:

Major's intended learning outcomes:

Contemporary Design

Major description:

Major's intended learning outcomes:

Fashion, Clothing and Textile Design

Major description:

Language study requirements

Language Study Requirements

Students educated in Finnish or Swedish

Students educated in other languages than Finnish or Swedish

Elective studies

Elective studies offered by Master's Programme in Design

Elective art and theory studies

Drawing and painting

Colour and perception

Sculpture

Printmaking

Art history and theory

Contemporary art

Other courses

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