Collaborative and Industrial Design, Master of Arts (Art and Design)

Description

The Collaborative and Industrial Design study option extends industrial design into interaction design, service and social 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 processes, being encouraged to explore novel roles in design and industry.

Over the duration of their major studies, students will develop an understanding of design in relation to innovation and contemporary culture, be it local or global, private, or public. They will learn design execution and leadership in multi-disciplinary contexts, shaping change in communities and companies. 

Collaborative and Industrial Design is one of the three majors of the Master’s Programme in Design, the others being Fashion and Textile Design and Contemporary Design.  The Design programme collaborates closely with the Master’s programmes in Creative Sustainability and International Design Business Management. All are two-year programmes, whereby students graduate with a Master of Arts degree in Design.

Aalto University is globally ranked in the top ten in the field of art and design by QS World University Ranking. The world-class teaching and facilities ensure that, upon graduating from the study option, graduates are able to:

Please see the intended learning outcomes of the study option at the Programme page.

Language of instruction

In the Collaborative and Industrial Design studies, the language of instruction is English.

Tuition fees and scholarships

The tuition fee for this programme is 20 000 euros per academic year. Citizens of European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland do not pay tuition fees. Citizens of other countries must pay tuition fees.

Aalto University offers a small number of scholarships in the form of tuition fee waivers to fee-paying students. Scholarships can be awarded to the highest-achieving applicants based on the programme's evaluation criteria. Applicants are ranked according to the criteria outlined on the programme's webpage.

More information on tuition fees and scholarships at Aalto University is available at the Scholarships and Tuition Fees webpage.

Structure of studies

The Master’s Programme in Design – Collaborative and Industrial Design comprises a total of 120 ECTS credits. Main compulsory studies are selected from the major’s study offering. Students participate in joint studies of the Department of Design and produce a master’s thesis (30 ECTS). In addition, students choose elective studies according to their Personal Study Plan. 

The first study period is reserved for grounding the students with principles of human-centred design. After this, the study paths become more personalised, though the spring semester begins with a mandatory interaction design course for everyone. The programme offers flexibility to choose courses both within and beyond the core curriculum, allowing students to tailor their studies to their interests.

The second study year is dedicated to the master’s thesis. In the autumn semester it is initially developed alongside the course work and usually becomes a full-time focus in the spring. The master’s thesis enables students to showcase their ability to conduct and report an individual study or project, in contrast to course projects that are usually team-based and collaborative.  

Some department-level joint studies bring the students of different MA programmes together, such as Design Research. 

For further information about studies see Student guide under Curriculum.

Specialisations

In the Collaborative and Industrial Design major, students specialise in one of three areas: service and social design, industrial design and product development, or interaction design and UX.

The scope of study expands towards collaborative design processes, the use of interactive technologies and the design of services, whether in a social context or in business. Human beings as social, embodied, cognitive and perceptive agents are at the centre of design activity. 

Besides the courses focusing on primary specialisation, students can select elective studies either from within the programme, from other degree programmes, or from available minor programmes. The curriculum, supported by Aalto's other schools, allows students to focus in depth on their area of interest. In project courses, students with different study paths often contribute and merge their knowledge and skills, creating a fruitful learning experience.

In the beginning of their studies, the students prepare a Personal Study Plan with the support of their academic advisor to facilitate a meaningful, ambitious development roadmap. 

Internationalisation

Upon joining Aalto University, students are welcomed to an international community of competent, creative, and responsible individuals. 15 % of the students and 40 % of the faculty in the University come from across the world, bridging students with the global design network. The School of Arts, Design and Architecture has strong connections to other leading design schools and universities across the globe. Students are encouraged to apply for internships and exchange studies as well as gain experience by taking part in international competitions, exhibitions, conferences, and trade fairs to further enrich their personal learning path.

Further study opportunities

As the studies at CoID are strongly grounded in theory, they prepare the graduates to also continue their studies towards a doctoral degree at Aalto University or at another university in Finland or abroad.   

Career opportunities

With a focus on design innovation, CoID provides students with a deep understanding of the role of design in society and advanced skills to work as designers in their field of specialisation.  They grow into thought leaders in the industry, entrepreneurs or innovators in the private or public sector.

Research focus

Design research in the School of Arts, Design and Architecture is at the international forefront of sustainable design, practice-based design, human-centred design and co-design. Our research environment foster goal-oriented research, imaginative experimentation, critical debate and transdisciplinary collaboration. 

Research teams in the Department of Design and beyond contribute directly to the teaching of many CoID courses. Some courses have research project-related assignments.

Co-operation with other parties

Multidisciplinary cooperation between the six schools at Aalto University is extensive. The School of Arts, Design and Architecture has a long tradition of successfully collaborating with external partners on projects and courses and maintains close relationships with various external stakeholders. Companies, research institutes, for-profit, not-for-profit and public organisations often turn to Aalto University as one of Europe's leading design schools to work with students on real-world societal problems and business opportunities.

Contact information

Learning Services at the School of Arts, Design and Architecture

For enquiries regarding programme-specific application documents or studies in the programme, please contact Aalto ARTS Learning Services.

arts-admissions@aalto.fi

Admissions Services

For enquiries regarding the application process, obligatory application documents or English language proficiency, please contact Admissions Services.

admissions@aalto.fi