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Bachelor's Programme in Design
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Curriculum 2024–2026
About the programme
The curriculum for the major is structured to help students acquire knowledge and skills to design with both physical and digital media as well as a rich understanding of the role and functioning of design in society. The courses for the major are structured to simultaneously provide students with a scientific and theoretical foundation to reflect and analytically analyse their own work practices and those of others as well as the practical skills needed to address 21st century design challenges. Understanding – and being able to operate within – the broader societal and industrial context for design forms a foundational aspect of the curriculum in preparing students for a changing future and in developing their ability to work with others and impact the enviroment around them. The curriculum is accordingly designed to enable students to purposefully and expressively pursue their own interests as well as shape the content of projects and courses together with faculty. During the three years of study, students develop skills and knowledge to design in face of complexity and uncertainty as well as hands-on expertise to prototype ideas and materialize solutions in courses and studios. They learn to use contemporary tools, methods and processes for design as well as develop practices for acquiring new skills in the future. They also learn about design as a social, cultural and historical phenomenon as well as a subject for research. Building on the research in design and media at the
School of Arts, Design and Architecture, special emphasis is placed on the ability to work in teams and co-create with others to develop solutions that are more humancentred, societally relevant and environmentally conscious. Students are also encouraged to take part in academic research and trained to make more informed and responsible decisions as a designer by harnessing business acumen, new technologies and sustainable solutions.
Upon graduating from the major, students will be able to:
- identify and generate interactive and speculative responses to future phenomena in society from a reflective design practitioner perspective.
- recognize and apply emerging tools and practices for design, as well as participate in the construction of new ones.
- create commercial, public and self-initiated proposals in relation to personal and societal values and evaluate and discuss the broader impact of their work.
- plan, execute and organize their own professional practice within transdisciplinary conditions with a variety of stakeholders.
- document their own work processes and results in both visual and textual form and contextualize it in relation to existing information sources and research.
Degree structure
| General studies | 26 ECTS |
| Major studies | 111 ECTS |
| Minor studies | 18-43 ECTS |
| Elective studies | max. 25 ECTS |
| Total | 180 ECTS |
Total
180
ECTS
General studies
26
ECTS
Major studies
111
ECTS
Minor studies
18-43
ECTS
Elective studies
25*
ECTS
*max 25 ECTS depending on the scope of the minor.
General studies
General studies in the Aalto ARTS Bachelor's Programmes include art and theory studies, Aalto studies and language and communication studies. During the general studies courses students study knowledge and skills that are common to all departments and students of Aalto ARTS.
General studies in Bachelor of Arts degree 26 credits
| Code | Course name | ECTS | Period / year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Art and theory studies | 9 | ||
| ARTS-A0123 | Theory of Contemporary Art Practices | 3 | V / 1st year |
| ARTS-A0125 | Introduction to Artistic Practices | 6 | I-II / 1st year |
| Other general studies | 8 | ||
| ARTS-A0113 | Academic Learning Skills | 2 | I-II / 1st year |
| ARTS-A0112 | Information and Communication Technology | 2 | IV / 1st year |
| ARTS-A0111 | Information Literacy | 1 | III / 1st year |
| Cross-school course | 3 | ||
| Language and Communication Studies | 9 |
Cross-school course 3 cr
Cross-school course means a course that is organised by some other school than ARTS in Aalto university. The student chooses a course (min. 3 cr) which is organized by another school at the university.
Cross-school course can be
- course that is organised by another school or department than ARTS or department in ARTS.
- course that is organised by another school or department in Aalto in COLLABORATION with ARTS or department in ARTS.
Courses arranged by Language center are NOT accepted as a cross-school course
You can use the following as help to search for a suitable cross-school course:
Education and studies in languages and communication for all Aalto students are provided by the Language Centre which is a university-level service unit. In the School of Arts, Design and Architecture language studies are studied in accordance with the language skills requirements of the field of arts.
The language studies required for the degree are based on the Government regulation on university degrees (794/2004, sen 6 §, Kielitaito).
The requirements for language studies depend on the student's language of education*.
You can find language courses from the Language Centre's page.
Students educated in Finnish or Swedish
| Language and communication studies (9 cr) | ECTS credits |
|---|---|
| Written and oral communication Students educated in Finnish choose courses LC-7108 Write Competently and LC-0450 Speak Competently. Students educated in Swedish choose the course LC-5000 Kommunicera som expert. |
3 |
| Second national language of Finland Students educated in Finnish choose either LCA-5703 Vi skriver och talar om konst på svenska OR LCA-5704 Vi skriver och talar om konst från grunden OR the exams LCA-5701 Skriftligt prov i svenska and LCA-5702 Muntligt prov i svenska. Students educated in Swedish complete the exams LCA-7003 Toisen kotimaisen kielen koe (suomi), kirjallinen osio and LCA-7004 Toisen kotimaisen kielen koe (suomi), suullinen osio. |
3 |
| Foreign language: English To fulfill the foreign language requirement (3 cr) students must complete the following integrated English language course: LCA-1002 Expressing your Expertise. Note! If you are planning to graduate with older (before 1.8.2020) degree requirements, the requirement for foreign language is 6 cr. The studies need to include an oral and a written component (o+w). |
3 |
*’Language of education’ refers to the language of the student’s education in comprehensive (grades 1–9) and upper secondary (grades 10–12) school in Finland, and is thus either Finnish or Swedish. The student’s language of education can also be defined by Finnish or Swedish as the second language in the Finnish matriculation examination if the student passes the examination with magna cum laude honours or higher.
Students educated in other languages than Finnish or Swedish
For students who have been educated in a language other than Finnish or Swedish or who have been educated abroad the requirements are:
| Language and communication studies (9 cr) | |
|---|---|
| Finnish or Swedish Students choose either LC-7210 Finnish 1 OR LC-5711 Swedish for International Students 1A. |
3 |
| Foreign Language: English To fulfill the foreign language requirement (3 cr) students must complete the following integrated English language course: LCA-1002 Expressing your Expertise Note! If you are planning to graduate with older (before 1.8.2020) degree requirements, the requirement for foreign language is 6 cr. The studies need to include an oral and a written component (o+w). |
3 |
| Foreign Language (elective) Students choose 3 credits any foreign language studies. |
3 |
Students demonstrate proficiency in their language of education by writing a maturity essay in that language and taking any other related requisites specified in the degree requirements.
Note:
- A student who completes the matriculation examination in Finnish or Swedish but whose comprehensive and upper secondary education was in some other language is not considered to have Finnish or Swedish as the language of education.
- Upper-secondary school Finnish or Swedish studies at an IB or EB school are not equivalent to studies in Finnish or Swedish as the language of education.
- Finnish studied as a mother tongue as part of the basic teaching of the German school in Finland does not qualify as equivalent to Finnish as the language of education.
- The language of education is not determined on the basis of a vocational degree.
Major studies
| Code | Course name | ECTS credits | Period year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Compulsory courses in the major, 1st year | |||
| ARTX-C1016 | Introductory Design Project | 9 | I / 1st year |
| ARTX-C1001 | Design and Media Cultures (DoD Joint) | 3 | II / 1st year |
| MUO-C3042 | Programming for Designers | 3 | II / 1st year |
| ARTX-C1021 | Digital Design for People | 4 | III / 1st year |
| ARTX-C1003 | Thematic Studio I | 12 | III-IV / 1st year |
| ARTX-C1008 | Sustainable Design | 6 | V / 1st year |
| ARTX-C1022 | Design Impact I | 3 | V / 1st year |
| Compulsory courses in the major, 2nd year | |||
| MUO-C0006 | History of Innovations and Design (DoD Joint) | 3 | I / 2nd year |
| ARTX-C1018 | Digital Service Design Project | 9 | I / 2nd year |
| ARTX-C1011 | Process Management for Media and Design | 6 | II / 2nd year |
| ARTX-C1020 | Strategic Identity and Design | 6 | III / 2nd year |
| ARTX-C1013 | Thematic Studio II | 12 | III-IV / 2nd year |
| ARTX-C1014 | Design Futures | 6 | V / 2nd year |
| ARTX-C1006 | Design Impact II | 6 | V / 2nd year |
| LC-1117 | Integrated Oral and Written Skills | 3 | II / 2nd year |
| Compulsory courses in the major, 3rd year | |||
| ARTX-C1023 | Introduction to Research in Design and Media | 4 | I-II / 3rd year |
| ARTX-C1007 | Design Impact III | 6 | III-V / 3rd year |
| ARTS3101.kand | Bachelor’s Thesis and Seminar | 10 | III-IV / 3rd year |
| ARTS3101.matr | Maturity test | 0 | III-IV / 3rd year |
Minor studies
A minor subject (minimum 18 credits) is a compulsory part of a bachelor's degree. The combined extent of the minor (18 cr) and the elective studies (max 25 cr) is max 43 cr. The students can also include two minors in their bachelor's degree.The minor is confirmed in the students personal study plan (PSP).
It is possible to choose a minor within Aalto University, from another Finnish university through the Flexible Study Right (JOO) agreement or from university abroad during a student exchange.
Here you can find listed all the minors 2024-2026 at Aalto University: Minors 2024-2026.
Elective studies
| Code | Course name | ECTS | Period / year |
|---|---|---|---|
| ARTX-C1024 | Translating Design | 6 | II / 2nd or 3rd year |
Drawing and painting
Drawing and painting courses consist of two-dimensional expression carried out by various methods. The work involved emphasises the importance of practice, or ‘learning by doing’, but without losing sight of the connections to theory. The studies include working with drawing, painting and mixed-media. The student will gain increased awareness of the workings of visual perception and of different ways of describing the surrounding world and our relationship to it. The course also examines the role of ideas and concepts in art as well as art’s relation to design, its role in society and its significance.
| Code | Course name | ECTS credits | Teaching language | Period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ARTS-A0201 | Freehand Drawing | 6 | English | I-II, III-IV |
| ARTS-A0208 | Life Drawing | 6 | English | I-II, III-IV |
| ARTS-A0223 | Watercolour Workshop | 3 | English | summer |
| ARTS-A0226 | Painting Workshop | 6 | English | III-IV |
| ARTS-A0224 | Drawing in Space | 3 | English | V-summer |
| ARTS-A0225 | Contemporary Drawing | 6 | English | I-II |
| ARTS-A0217 | Landscape - Then and Now | 3 | English | IV |
| ARTS-A0227 | Basics of Comics | 6 | English | I-II |
| ARTS-A0219 | Forms of Comics Expression and Storytelling | 6 | English | II |
| ARTS-A0228 | Introduction to Comics Project | 3 | English | II |
| ARTS-A0229 | Comics Project | 6 | English | III-V |
| ARTS-A0630 | Piirustus ja kuvitus | 3 | Finnish | I |
Colour and perception
Colour and perception studies focus on visual perception and the theories about it. The English-language version of the course contains both theory and practical assignments. The course covers basic concepts about colour and the principles of colour perception. The course covers basic colour concepts and principles of colour perception. Colour composition and contrasts and their effects – mainly in two-dimensional expression – are studied by experimental means.
| Code | Course name | ECTS credits | Teaching language | Period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ARTS-A0304 | Colour and Perception | 3 | English | I |
| ARTS-A0305 | Colour and Painting | 3 | English | II |
Sculpture
Sculpture studies provide students with the skills needed to work with contemporary sculpture and design. Skills that students can apply in their own fields are emphasised, such as how to research new materials, working methods and methodologies. The ‘Ways of Making’ courses offer practical experience working in a sculptor’s studio, and ‘Metal Casting’ introduces foundry techniques. ‘Digital Sculpture’ introduces new and developing technologies in 3D art, and ways to combine these with traditional sculptural techniques. Conceptual and theory-intensive sculpture studies are also included within the contemporary art courses programme.
| Code | Course name | ECTS credits | Teaching language | Period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ARTS-A0416 | Ways of Making 1 - Mold making & casting techniques | 6 | English | summer |
| ARTS-A0417 | Ways of Making 2 - Constructing sculpture with wood and metal | 6 | English | IV |
| ARTS-A0412 | Digital Sculpture 1 - 3D Modelling for Sculpture | 3 | English | I |
| ARTS-A0418 | Digital Sculpture 2 - Programming for sculptors | 3 | English | III |
| ARTS-A0413 | Metal Casting 101 | 3 | English | I, IV |
| ARTS-E0402 | Advanced Sculpture Project | 6 | English | II-V |
| ARTS-E0711 | Sculpture Now! | 6 | English | III |
Printmaking
Printmaking involves the handcrafting of printing plates as well as the prints produced by various methods (copperplate, woodblock, limestone, mesh screen). Prints are regarded as original artworks. Basic courses in printmaking offer the rudiments in a variety of printing techniques and develop the student’s command of the tools used. The intermediate courses deepen the knowledge and skill levels of students in their chosen method and enlarge their range of artistic expression. As printmaking is a specialisation study, beginners are recommended to take it during their second year of Bachelor’s studies.
| Code | Course name | ECTS credits | Teaching language | Period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ARTS-A0509 | Introduction to Silkscreen | 6 | English | I-II, III-IV |
| ARTS-A0510 | Advanced Course in Screenprinting | 6 | English | IV-V |
| ARTS-A0511 | Japanese Watercolour Woodcut | 6 | English | III-IV |
| ARTS-A0512 | Basic Course in Woodcut | 6 | English | I-II, IV-V |
Art history and theory
Art history and theory courses aim to provide a general overview of the history and key theoretical questions and conceptions of art, design and architecture.
| Code | Course name | ECTS credits | Teaching language | Period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ARTS-A0621 | History of Contemporary Art | 3 | Finnish | I-II |
| ARTS-A0624 | History of Comics | 3 | Finnish | I |
| ARTS-A0623 | Global Perspectives: Re-mapping the History of Art | 3 | English | III-IV |
| ARTS-A0622 | Environmental Thinking | 6 | English | I |
| ARTS-A0633 | Technology, Tools and the Human Agency | 6 | English | II |
| ARTS-A0637 | The Colourful Past: A Historical Exploration of Colours, Natural Dyes and Dyeing | 3 | English | III |
Other courses
| Code | Course name | ECTS credits | Teaching language | Period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ARTS-A0639 | Programming for Visual Artists | 3 | English | IV |
| ARTS-A0626 | Becoming a Creative Professional | 3 | English | IV |
| ARTS-A0631 | Art, Life and Entrepreneurship 1 | 3 | English | II |
| ARTS-A0632 | Art, Life and Entrepreneurship 2 | 3 | English | V |
| ARTS-A0634 | Reading the Room - Course on Artistic Collaboration | 3 | English | I |
| ARTS-A0635 | The Environment in Me – Practices and Spaces | 6 | English | I-II |
| ARTS-A0636 | Site-Specific Online Exhibition | 6 | English | III-IV |
| ARTS-A0638 | Exhibition Pass | 3 | Finnish | I-II, III-V |
| ARTS-A0625 | Lecture Pass | 3 | Finnish | I-II, III-V |
Course replacements
Bachelor's Programme in Design
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