Department of Design

Department of Design

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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.

We educate front-line design professionals and visionaries for established, changing and emerging fields of design. We renew our expertise through high level research in continuous collaboration with our stakeholders. We strive towards a sustainable and just society and environment.

Studies at Department of Design

You can choose the Bachelor's degree major between Design, Fashion or Aalto Bachelor Prorgamme in Design. Master's studies can be conducted either in Collaborative and Industrial Design; Fashion, Clothing and Textile Design; or Contemporary Design programme. In addition, the Department provides two Aalto-level Master's programmes: International Design Business Management and Creative Sustainability.

A student focuses either in the Master's degree major or the field of the programme, and may take advantage of Aalto University’s wide range of multidisciplinary courses for the minors and freely selectable studies.

Presentation in Hyeres by Antonia Sedakova / photo Pierre-Emmanuel Testard
Presentation in Hyeres by Antonia Sedakova / photo Pierre-Emmanuel Testard

Majors of the Bachelor's Programme in Design

Majors of the Master’s Programme in Design

Prof. Maarit Mäkelä and her work

Research

Our research is at the international forefront in sustainable design, practice-based design research, human-centered design and co-design. Our research environment enables and our culture encourages goal-oriented research, imaginative experiments, critical discussion, and transdisciplinary collaboration.

Go to Aalto Design Research Site

Collaborate with us

We offer our partners the opportunity to collaborate with international level designers and design researchers.

Read more
Design for Government 2018 photo by Heidi Konttinen

Gallery

The gallery of the Department of Design.

Browse the gallery!
Emma Saarnio ja Helmi Liikanen

News

Two square glass lamps and one glowing rounded lamp, in beige and amber tones, on a plain light background.
Awards and Recognition Published:

Design students succeed in the international Glass Design Award competition in Germany

Elisa Roinisto and Viivi Hirvikangas, students in Aalto University’s Master’s Program in Contemporary Design, were awarded third place in the 4th International Glass Design Award competition.
Four people talk at a tech event, two by a laptop, colourful UN goal posters glowing in the background
Awards and Recognition, Cooperation Published:

Unite! helps startups expand across Europe

Unite! soft-landing services support startups in expanding into new European markets by offering direct access to local innovation ecosystems, tailored matchmaking with industry and research partners, and hands-on support at Unite! universities across Europe.
Minimalist table lamp with round bulb and two beige panels, beside dried grass on a light background
Awards and Recognition, Research & Art Published:

The Metex Prize 2026 winner is Hana Rehorčíková

The Metex Prize is awarded for excellence in Master’s thesis work done in collaboration with a technology company or to promote the significance and use of design and art in Finnish industry.
Smiling woman with glasses in patterned dress and headband, standing indoors in soft light
Awards and Recognition, Research & Art Published:

Ornamo Awards '26: The Design Forerunner Award to service designer Mariana Salgado

The Design Forerunner Award goes to service designer Mariana Salgado, who brings design into climate research and builds people’s participation in the sustainability transition.

Events

Three women talk and laugh at a table with orange chairs in a bright room
Lectures and seminars –

KOSKE goes Cooler

Join us for an open morning coffee session focused on customer participation and putting the customer’s voice at the center of service development.
A white pentagon and triangle on a yellow background.
Lectures and seminars, Staff trainings, Other staff training, Support for teams, Training to support research –

AI in Research Work, October 8, 2026

Learn about generative artificial intelligence in research work with Data Agents Dr. Enrico Glerean, Dr. Pedro Silva, and Dr. Emrecan Gulay
A narrow banner in yellow with a text that states "Design Interrupted. Conversation for a 21st century"
Lectures and seminars –

Undesigning luxury

In this Design Interrupted event, artist and architect Andi Schmied talks about her investigations of housing for the super-rich followed by a panel discussion on design, luxury and their impacts.
Red background with white geometric shapes: a semicircle on the left and a partial circle on the top right.
Lectures and seminars, Staff trainings, IT & digital tools, Support for teams, Training to support research –

Data storage and management for Aalto researchers, Oct 28, 2026

Learn best practices in data storage at Aalto University.

Department management

 Mikko Jalas

Mikko Jalas

Head of Department, Associate Professor
 Kirsi Niinimäki

Kirsi Niinimäki

Vice Head of Department, Professor

Heidi Paavilainen

Head of Education, Senior University Lecturer
 Andrea Botero Cabrera

Andrea Botero Cabrera

Head of Doctoral Education, Associate Professor
Department of Design - Personnel

Visit the School of Arts, Design and Architecture

Information for guests

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Visit the School of Arts, Design and Architecture

Information for visitors and guests

Aalto ARTS Handbook

Where to find us

School of Arts, Design and Architecture by Sari Dhima

Väre

Otaniementie 14
School of Arts, Design and Architecture

Locations
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