Collaborative and Industrial Design - Design, Master of Arts (Art and Design)
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Description
The studies in Collaborative and Industrial Design (CoID) focus on design's role in society. Students develop skills enabling them to work as design experts and leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators in a range of roles within industry, business, communities, education, and the public sector.
Collaborative and Industrial Design is one of the three majors of the Master’s Programme in Design, the 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 Programme 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.
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 innovation processes. They are also 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. 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.
Aalto University is globally ranked in 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:
- 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.
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
Overall, 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 will also participate in joint studies of the Department of Design (12 ECTS) and will produce a thesis project around a design subject (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 personal, while a course of interaction design to kick off the Spring semester of the first year is also mandatory for all. The programme provides latitude to select courses from within, or outside the curriculum, to enable tailoring of one’s studies. Some department-level joint studies bring the students of different MA programmes together, for example, to focus on Design Research.
During the second year, the thesis project is developed initially in parallel with the course work, and in the Spring often full time. It enables portraying the ability of the student to perform an individual study or project, while most of the projects on courses are team-based and collaborative in nature.
Students are trained in concept design, co-design, strategic design, and design research. They learn skills needed to capture and reframe design briefs and problems to justify their well-founded insights and develop well-grounded design concepts into suitable, validated representations, according to their study interest and path. They also learn strategic skills necessary to manage innovation and entrepreneurial processes and practices in business settings, as well as co-design skills to manage social innovation in organizations and the public sector. As the study paths are quite individual, activity and initiative in creating one are valuable traits. Academic advisor, other staff, and experiences from fellow students are of value in creating one’s Personal Study Plan.
For further information about studies see Student guide under Curriculum
Specialisations
Despite their specific interests and study path, all students learn empathic, critical, strategic, and technical skills needed in design innovation processes and practices. They are also encouraged to explore unforeseen roles in the design industry.
At CoID, people are the starting point for design action, and the scope in studies expands towards collaborative design processes, the use of interactive technologies, and the design of services, in a societal context and in business. Students are asked to focus on either service and social design, on industrial design and product development, or on interaction design and UX. The curriculum caters for the specialization, while providing the systems view to all. In project courses, students from each study path often contribute and merge their learnings and skills, which creates a fertile learning experience.
Besides the main study contents described above, students can select elective studies either from within the programme, from other degree programmes, or from available minor programmes. Specific study contents are to be agreed upon in the making of a Personal Study Plan.
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 of the learning outcomes, 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
Focusing on design innovation, CoID provides students with an in-depth understanding of design’s role in society with advanced skills to work as designers as well as design and thought leaders in various business domains, as entrepreneurs or as innovators in the private or public sector.
Research focus
Design research at the School of Arts, Design and Architecture is at the international forefront in sustainable design, practice-based design research, human-centred design, and co-design. Our research environment enables, and our culture encourages goal-oriented research, imaginative experiments, critical discussion, and transdisciplinary collaboration.
The research teams at the department and beyond contribute to the teaching of many CoID courses directly. Some courses have research project related assignments.
Co-operation with other parties
Multidisciplinary collaboration between the six Aalto University schools is extensive. The School of Arts, Design and Architecture has a long tradition of successfully collaborating with external partners in projects and courses and nurturing close relationships with several external stakeholders. Companies, research institutes, for-profit, not-for-profit, and public organizations frequently reach out to Aalto University as one of the leading design schools in Europe to work with students on real-world societal problems and business opportunities.
Study-option-specific Admission Procedure and Evaluation Criteria 2025
Applicants meeting Aalto’s general eligibility criteria for master's studies will be evaluated and ranked according to the evaluation criteria that have been decided in advance for each study option. The applications to the Master’s Programme in Design - Collaborative and Industrial Design (CoID) will be evaluated based on the following criteria.
Phase I
| Artistic and/or design practice | |
| What is evaluated | Demonstrations of artistic and/or design work or assignments |
| What we look for in an applicant/Admission requirements | High quality of selected works in the portfolio, both substance (strength of presented concept or solution) and presentation. Relevance of them for the programme objectives. Ability to raise interest by presenting some works concisely, but informatively. |
| Method of demonstrating competence |
Portfolio assessed together with CV and Motivation letter |
| Suitability | |
| What is evaluated | Applicant’s further suitability to the study option, motivation, and commitment for studies/communication skills |
| What we look for in an applicant/Admission requirements | Well-articulated motivation and reasoning for applying to the programme, including a link to the earlier experiences (studies, work, other). Well-articulated, sensible, and impactful description about the plans going forward after the studies. |
| Method of demonstrating competence |
Motivation Letter supported with transcript(s) of records, degree certificate(s) |
| Other areas of competence | |
| What is evaluated | Work experience and other acquired knowledge/achievements e.g. publications, non-formal education, competitions |
| What we look for in an applicant/Admission requirements | Clearly articulated description of relevant experience in fields relevant to design, and as a productive member of society. |
| Method of demonstrating competence | Curriculum vitae |
Phase II
| Suitability | |
| What is evaluated | Applicant’s further suitability to the study option, motivation, and commitment for studies/communication skills |
| What we look for in an applicant/Admission requirements | Well-articulated motivation and reasoning for applying to the programme, including a link to the earlier experiences (studies, work, other). Well-articulated, sensible, and impactful description about the plans going forward after the studies. |
| Method of demonstrating competence |
Interview |
The applicants will be first evaluated based on Aalto’s general eligibility requirements. Applicants meeting the general eligibility criteria for master's studies will be evaluated and ranked according to the evaluation criteria that have been decided in advance for each study option.
The selection process for applicants who meet the general eligibility criteria comprises two phases:
Phase I
In Phase I, the applicants are evaluated based on the following criteria
- Admission requirements as stated in the evaluation topic-specific tables above in this document (following topics):
- Artistic and/or design practice
- Suitability/Motivation letter
- Other areas of competence
Only the applicants who fulfill the requirements/are ranked highest in the preliminary evaluation will be invited to phase II in the selection process.
Phase II
In Phase II, the evaluation is based on the following criteria
- Admission requirements as stated in the evaluation topic-specific tables above in this document (following topics):
- Suitability/Interview with:
- Other evaluation topics (above) as they form a coherent picture of the applicant
- Suitability/Interview with:
Part of the applicants is invited to the second phase. The invitation to the second phase is sent to the applicants at the latest seven days in advance.
The second phase consists of an interview, which will be conducted online.
After the evaluation conducted in Phase II, the best applicants will be selected based on the joint evaluation from Phases I and II.
The documents required from all applicants are listed on the Aalto University website (https://www.aalto.fi/en/study-at-aalto/applying-to-masters-programmes). In addition, applicants for this study option are required to provide the following study-option-specific documents:
Portfolio
In the portfolio, applicants display work that shows their designerly insights and skills. The portfolio must contain diverse samples of the applicant’s previous scientific, professional and/or design projects.
Designwork can be provided as technical drawings, computer renderings, sketches, illustrations, storyboards or photographs. Include six (6) work samples in the portfolio. The work contained in the portfolio must be catalogued, listing at least the title and/or theme, purpose and year of completion of each piece. The catalogue must also detail where and when the work has been completed, exhibited, displayed or published. Each work should be accompanied by a brief explanation. The contribution of the applicant to the work should be stated in case the work has been completed in a group. The applicant’s name, address and phone number and the study option applied for must be indicated clearly on the portfolio.
The portfolio should be uploaded as a single PDF-file. Maximum size for the portfolio is 30 MB and it can include maximum of 14 pages, larger ones will not be evaluated, even if the system allows uploading larger ones. Name the file as: Portfolio-surname-firstname.pdf. The intake committee will only evaluate the material displayed in the PDF file. Links to external material (e.g. website) or video material will not be considered during the intake process. The portfolios may be examined on a laptop display of ca. 14”. It is highly advisable to use e.g., 16:9 or 16:10 aspect ratio.
CV
Applications must include the applicant’s CV indicating personal data, educational background, work experience, exhibitions, publications and articles, awards and grants, study trips and positions of trust.
Motivation letter
Write a motivation letter explaining your reasons for applying for this major and your particular interest(s) in the field as well as your goals and expectations for the studies to be completed at the Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture. Describe your strengths and interests, a vision of art and design, aspects related to the work and creative goals.
The letter of motivation must clearly answer the following questions:
- What is your biggest achievement/success in the field of design?
- Why are you applying to Aalto University?
- What do you want to learn by studying in the Collaborative and Industrial Design major?
- What is the role of the master’s programme in your professional development?
- What would you like to do after completing the master’s programme?
The maximum length of the motivation letter is 2000 characters, including spaces and special characters.
Language of application documents
All the application documents should be submitted in English.
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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.
Admissions Services
For enquiries regarding the application process, obligatory application documents or English language proficiency, please contact Admissions Services.
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