Building Virtual Worlds (minor)

In recent years, several technical breakthroughs have facilitated a new wave in virtual worlds. For the first time, VR/AR devices have entered the general consumer market, and a wide variety of VR applications are being developed. While commercial interests actively drive much of the current developments, this medium also provides new and exciting opportunities for art and design. As such, VR/AR’s impact is widespread and can be experienced as; virtual workplaces, virtual tourism, medical applications, as well as new forms of storytelling and documentation.

The courses in the Building virtual worlds minor should be ideally available to all levels including bachelor, master and doctoral level. Participation should be discussed with the studies supervisor.

The learning outcomes of the minor are

• To provide artistic, design, and technical skills needed for creating synthetic experiences in the form of worlds that can be used for various purposes including art installations, film, and, game design.
• To provide learning experiences that promote discussion and debate about the application of augmented and virtual reality in the everyday life of humans.

The Building virtual worlds minor consists of three compulsory courses and additional elective courses (see list included below). Some courses have specific prerequisites, please see the details from the course descriptions. There is no maximum number for the entire minor but individual courses may have limitations on the intake of students. For the compulsory courses of the minor, there is a quota of 12 students for bachelor students.

Basic information

Name: Building Virtual Worlds (minor)

Code: ARTS3098

Extent: 18–25 ECTS

Curriculum: 2022–2024

Level: Bachelor Masters

Language of learning: English

Theme: Art and design knowledge building ICT and digitalisation

Teacher in charge: Lily Diaz-Kommonen Sebastian J. Schlecht

Administrative contact: Virva Sointu

Organising department: Department of Art and Media

Target group: All Aalto students

Prerequisites: Some courses have specific prerequisites, please see the details from the course descriptions.

Quotas and restrictions: There is no maximum number for the entire minor but individual courses may have limitations on the intake of students. For the compulsory courses of the minor, there is a quota of 12 students for bachelor students.

Application process: There is no admission process. Some courses have limited intake due to teaching methods that require small group teaching. Some courses have specific prerequisites, please see the details from the course descriptions. Students from other Finnish universities apply for the minor during the JOO application period. Instructions: Instructions for JOO applicants from other Finnish universities

Content and structure of the minor

Instructions: Instructions for JOO applicants from other Finnish universities

Target group: Master's students 2nd year, bachelor's students 3rd year. Elective studies for students in the Master's Programme in Art and Media. This minor is a recommended option for BA in Design students who are planning to continue to Master's Programme in Art and Media – New Media.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this minor, students will be able to:

1. Apply their artistic, design and technical skills to design and create synthetic experiences in the form of virtual worlds that can be used for various purposes, such as art installations, film, and game design.
2. Discuss and debate the application of augmented and virtual reality in the everyday life of humans.

Content of the minor

In recent years, several technical breakthroughs have facilitated a new wave in virtual worlds. For the first time, VR/AR/XR devices have entered the general consumer market, and a wide variety of VR applications are being developed. While commercial interests actively drive much of the current developments, this medium also provides new and exciting opportunities for art and design. As such, VR/AR’s impact is widespread and can be experienced as; virtual workplaces, virtual tourism, medical applications, as well as new forms of storytelling and documentation. The minor in Building Virtual Worlds offers courses dealing with the technical and design aspects of virtual reality.

Structure of the minor

The Building Virtual Worlds minor consists of three compulsory courses and additional elective courses (see list included below).

(Check the minimum scope of the minor studies in your own program.)

Basic information of the minor

Code: ARTS3098
Extent: 15 to 25 ECTS
Language: English
Organizing department: Media
Teachers in charge: Lily Diaz-Kommonen, Sebastian J. Schlecht
Administrative contact: Meri Karjalainen
Target group: BA, MA, and DA are welcome.
Application process: Application in Spring. Application instructions for Aalto University students
Students of other Finnish universities apply for the minor during the JOO application period in the JOOPAS system.

Needed attachments: Needed attachments are a transcript of records and a motivation letter. In the letter the applicant describes their background and experience relating to the minor subject applied for as well as indicates their learning objectives. We strongly recommend that the applicants provide links to videos and/or other documentation about their past games, software, art, design etc.
Selection criteria: 1) educational background relating to the minor subject, 2) working experience or other experience relating to the minor subject and 3) feasible learning goals relating to the minor subject.
Quotas and restrictions: 10 students in the first year (2020 intake). Can increase up to 20 in future years.
Prerequisites: Please see ‘application procedure’ and ‘quotas and restrictions’ above.

Content and structure of the minor

Learning outcomes

The learning outcomes of the minor are

• To provide artistic, design, and technical skills needed for creating synthetic experiences in the form of worlds that can be used for various purposes including art installations, film, and, game design.
• To provide learning experiences that promote discussion and debate about the application of augmented and virtual reality in the everyday life of humans.

In recent years, several technical breakthroughs have facilitated a new wave in virtual worlds. For the first time, VR/AR devices have entered the general consumer market, and a wide variety of VR applications are being developed. While commercial interests actively drive much of the current developments, this medium also provides new and exciting opportunities for art and design. As such, VR/AR’s impact is widespread and can be experienced as; virtual workplaces, virtual tourism, medical applications, as well as new forms of storytelling and documentation. Currently there is no extensive course offering dealing with technical and design aspects of virtual reality in Aalto ARTS. Thus, the minor in Building virtual worlds is a timely and valuable addition to the curriculum.

The courses in the Building virtual worlds minor should be ideally available to all levels including bachelor, master and doctoral level. Participation should be discussed with the studies supervisor.

Structure of the minor

The Building virtual worlds minor consists of four compulsory courses and additional elective courses (see list included below.) The site of instruction will be Aalto Studios, Otakaari 7. The minor will establish a laboratory for creative artistic and scientific practices. Student intake: 10 in the first year (2020). Possible extension to 20 in the second year.

(Check the minimum scope of the minor studies in your own program.)