Designs for a Cooler Planet
Discover tomorrow at Aalto University's biggest exhibition! Open 1 September – 30 October 2026.
Key Research Area: Arts and design
We aim to find new ways of solving supposedly impossible problems, to contribute to the wellbeing of people, and to have a positive impact on wider society.
Knowledge-building activities in art and design can be characterized by a quest for a human approach to any topic. In this way, Aalto University bridges different areas, such as art, technology and business.
Our cultural approach focuses on experiences and both sensory and hands-on skills and knowledge.
At Aalto, artistic and design activities are closely linked to the research carried out in the technical fields: many of our art-based researchers do not focus on new technologies or their development, but rather on the use of technologies within art and other socio-cultural contexts.
In addition, arts and design include technology-based actions related to systems design and sustainable development.
The Aalto Networking Platform brings together our researchers, practitioners and external parties for multidisciplinary collaboration in the area of arts and design.
Focus areas
- Arts, design and architecture
- Human experience, including customer experience
- Industrial processes and service design
- Data-driven experimental design
- Cognitive systems
- Organizations and teams
- Creativity and creative practices
Upcoming events
We Design, But We Are Not Designers
In this Design Interrupted panel discussion, we delve into the limits of design as seen from outside its professional confines.
Cooler Planet: Guided public art tour 8.9.
Join the tour with Outi Turpeinen (manager, Public art) and get to know Aalto University's public art collections in the Marsio, Kide, School of Business, and Väre buildings in more detail.
Cooler Planet: Guided public art tour 16.9.
Join the tour with Outi Turpeinen (manager, Public art) and get to know Aalto University's public art collections in the Marsio, Kide, and Viima buildings in more detail.
Latest news in this area
Pressed by the devil , shaped by the future
Curly birch shines in Aalto University’s Wood Studio’s fresh perspectives at the Craft Museum of Finland’s summer exhibition.
Artefacts of Remembrance: First prize in Milan glass competition
CoDe student Ariane Carde wins first prize in the Milano Vetro Under 35 competition.
Watching the Anagama: Heat, collaboration, craft and waiting
CoDe community participates in a traditional Anagama firing at Ceramic Center Kuu, Orimattila
What is radical creativity in practice? An interview series offers perspectives on new ways of thinking
The discussions in the interview series on radical creativity highlight creativity, uncertainty, collaboration, and the courage to experiment.Our departments in this area
Department of Design
The Department of Design is a diverse community of competent, creative and responsible individuals. In design, we appreciate technical skill, social significance and artistic expression.
Department of Architecture
We train professionals to design human-centred environments.
Department of Film (ELO)
The Department of Film, ELO, is Finland's only university-level film school.
Department of Industrial Engineering and Management
We conduct world-class research and education focusing on creating, scaling and transforming technology-based businesses.
Department of Mathematics and Systems Analysis
Our main research areas are algebra and discrete mathematics, analysis, applied mathematics and mechanics, stochastics and statistics, and systems analysis and operations research.
Department of Computer Science
We are an internationally-oriented community and home to world-class research in modern computer science.
Department of Energy and Mechanical Engineering
The Department of Energy and Mechanical Engineering is a leading multidisciplinary research establishment with strong industrial ties and impact on industry and society alike.
Aalto Design Factory (external link)
Tervetuloa oppimaan tuotekehityksestä poikkitieteellisesti ja käytännönläheisesti!
Centre for Radical Creativity
There is no ready-made formula for changing the world. You must dare to boldly create something new without fearing failure.
Infrastructure
Arts infra Workshops
At the School of Arts, Design and Architecture, hands-on learning is essential. Our students have access to one of the finest workshop environment in the world, with a very high workshop to student ratio.
Aalto Studios
Aalto Studios weaves together the players of the creative economy: designers, filmmakers, YouTubers, game developers, performing artists, educators, angel investors, public-sector operators, and more in Finland, Scandinavia, Europe, and beyond.
MAGICS – Media – Arts – Games – Interaction – Computing – Science (external link)
MAGICS is an infrastructure network to support research into motion recording, and virtual environments. It is a joint effort of Aalto University, Tampere University and the University of the Arts Helsinki.
Biofilia
Biofilia provides artists, researchers, students and scholars with the ability to engage with the life sciences and their applications within an artistic and cultural context, thus making creative and critical links between biosciences, engineering and the arts.
Featured research and art bodies and networks
ENCORE Research: Current Projects
Information about the current research projects.
CHEMARTS (external link)
CHEMARTS website
Designs for a Cooler Planet
Discover tomorrow at Aalto University's biggest exhibition! Open 1 September – 30 October 2026.
BioColour (external link)
Bio-based Dyes and Pigments for Colour Palette
AaltoTEXTILES network (external link)
AaltoTEXTILES is a network linking all textile-material related activities within design, technology and business at Aalto University
The Test Site
The Test Site is a student-led network of practical sustainability at Aalto University.
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