Contemporary Design - Design, Master of Arts (Art and Design)

Description

What alternative materials can best replace plastic? How can traditional crafts be merged with contemporary design? What kind of products do we need in our changing society? The studies in Contemporary Design are driven by creative exploration, material investigations and real world needs. Students receive support not only to build their creative and professional confidence, but also to expand their thinking beyond conventional limitations, adopting an experimental design mindset.

Contemporary Design (CoDe) is one of the three majors of the Master’s Programme in Design, the others being Fashion, Clothing and Textile Design (FaCT) and Collaborative and Industrial Design (CoID). 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 Contemporary Design major educates sensitive and visionary students who have the skills to propose radical solutions and responsible innovations for the future. The teaching methods place the most value on the creative process, without any predetermined outcome. We believe that the most creative solutions arise from an in depth immersion in the chosen topic and freedom of expression in processes and outcomes. The result can be anything from a concept or material exploration to a functional object or an intervention.

Aalto University is ranked globally 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. 
• execute material productions and experiments that demonstrate strong practical design skills.
• reflect critically established design traditions and innovate in emerging fields of design.
• implement new technologies and materials in their artistic and design practices.
• display strong artistic practice with an ability to argue for its relevance with research-based reasoning.
• exhibit and promote their work and explain their position as part of a wider societal, cultural and commercial context.
• carry out collaboration with partners from societal, cultural and commercial fields

Language of instruction

In the Contemporary Design major, 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 – Contemporary Design major 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.

For further information about studies see Student guide under Curriculum

Specialisations

The first year introduces students to contemporary design cultures and reflective  practices, considering their societal and environmental impact. Students will explore varied materials, including biomaterials and, as their studies evolve, students will develop their individual competencies with material-specific design, such as ceramics, glass, bio-materials or wood.

The Contemporary Design major has a small annual intake of students, assuring that each student receives individual guidance and attention. Students have a variety of approaches to complete the thesis. It may be a piece of theoretical, artistic, or applied research, a design investigation or a combination of these. The thesis may also include a production component, for instance, a design, a work of art, an exhibition, or a project. Theses always include a written component.

Internationalisation

Upon joining Aalto University, students are joining 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. In addition, the Contemporary Design major provides the opportunity to build design and research relationships with external partners.

Further study opportunities

Contemporary Design graduates are eligible to apply for doctoral studies.

Career opportunities

Design plays a pivotal role in the world we live in and the futures we can imagine. From designing engaging experiences to the furnishings of our homes, we interact with designed objects and systems daily, and the things we design shape us in return. Technology israpidly shifting the parameters and boundaries of the field while environmental and societal concerns require our creative and collective response.This makes contemporary design an incredibly diverse and exciting area to work in.

The master studies prepare graduates to advance their professional careers towards their personal areas of interest and specialisation. The Contemporary Design major encourages transdisciplinary thinking, reflection and a collaborative mindset, key qualities enabling graduates to pursue careers as creative entrepreneurs creating new practices and/or contributing to collectives, start-ups or in research. Graduates are prepared to work in teams and projects in collaboration with companies, organisations and the public sector. They may also continue to develop their design expertise and research skills through doctoral studies.

Research focus

Design research at the School of Arts, Design and Architecture is at the international forefront of sustainable design, practice-based design research, human-centered design, and co-design. Our research environment and culture enable goal-oriented research, imaginative experiments, critical discussion, and transdisciplinary collaboration.

Contemporary Design studies are closely linked to ongoing research. Prominent themes include design’s social and environmental responsibility, and the conceptual and expressive possibilities of varied materials such asgeopolymers, bio-materials, seaweed and soil.

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 on 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. In Aalto University Contemporary Design is collaborating closely with CHEMARTS.

Contemporary Design website

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.

[email protected]

Admissions Services

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

[email protected]