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Production Design - Film and Television, Master of Arts (Art and Design)
The primary focus of the Production Design major in the master's program in Film and Television is to educate artistic designers responsible for the visual, functional, and production aspects of production design in film and TV productions. The aim of the Production Design major is to develop students into experts in visual storytelling, expanding their personal artistic vision, professional competence, specialization, and leadership skills.
Degree:
Master of Arts (Art and Design)
Application period:
28 Nov 2024 – 27 Dec 2024
Language of instruction:
Finnish
English
Swedish
Duration:
2 years,
full-time
Eligibility:
Relevant Bachelor's degree
Field of study:
Art and Design
Credits:
120 ECTS
Organising school:
School of Arts, Design and Architecture
Tuition fees:
For non-EU/EEA citizens, €20000/y (Master’s studies)
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Applying to master’s programmes
Description
The primary focus of the Production Design major in the master's program in Film and Television is to educate artistic designers responsible for the visual, functional, and production aspects of production design in film and TV productions. The aim of the Production Design major is to develop students into experts in visual storytelling, expanding their personal artistic vision, professional competence, specialization, and leadership skills. In addition to the teamwork skills essential to the job description, studies emphasize the importance of personal time management and stress tolerance. Additionally, our program equips students with the necessary skills and knowledge for doctoral studies.
The major emphasizes students' personal development in artistic design and its implementation through creative research, collaboration, theoretical, and critical thinking, aimed at strengthening students’ professional competence as production designers within the film and television industry, particularly in large-scale professional productions. In addition to acquiring professional expertise, the curriculum aims to enable students to creatively and independently develop the field after their studies.
One key objective of the master's studies in Production Design is to support students' personal goals and enhance their competence in the field. Additionally, the program aims to encourage and support students in boldly and constructively expressing their perspectives in artistic collaboration.
Master's degree students are expected to work independently and actively participate in planning their studies. The curriculum is continuously enriched and updated by incorporating new design practices, technologies, and relevant and impactful research in the field.
Major’s intended learning outcomes
A student who graduates from the Master’s Degree Programme in Film and Television, Production Design major is able to:
- Articulate the key responsibilities of a production designer, demonstrating a deep understanding of the roles ’s complexities in an extensive and demanding professional production.
- Manage broad artistic entities in feature length fictional or documentary film.
- Demonstrate leadership skills by effectively motivating and guiding a team involved in the realization of Production Design for a film project.
- Apply acquired knowledge and understanding of production design principles within contemporary creative practices in the field of film and television.
- Assess one's own creative contribution in relation to other artistic plans and collaborate in various artistic explorations and productions in the field of film and television.
- Innovate and create new work methods through experimentation and research-based approaches, contributing to advancements in the field of production design.
- Develop strategies and plans for expanding personal competence in alignment with the evolving demands and developments in the field of film and television production design.
Language of instruction
In the major of Production Design, a large part of the courses are taught in English. The degree can be completed in 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
Master’s degree studies include delving into the special areas of production design, research related studies to develop conceptual thinking relating to design for theatre, film and television, and productions that realise artistic expression.
The students can take research-oriented and theoretical studies that are an introduction to doctoral studies.
More information on the programme content and curriculum can be found in the Student guide.
Master's Programme in Film and Television
Specialisations
Each student creates their Personal Study Plan (PSP), which is a practical tool to define a student’s own study path, compiling an optimal selection of courses that are aligned with the student's interests and programme requirements. PSP is also a useful tool for students to keep track of their studies. At best, it shows where students are with their studies and sets concrete milestones for them to follow.
Internationalisation
Students are encouraged to complete part of their studies in international exchange programmes or internships and participate in international teaching events. International visiting teachers and students enrich the reaching and help students network.
A significant amount of master’s studies are completed in English.
Further study opportunities
Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture offers doctoral studies in the fields of architecture, art, design, media, film and scenography.
For more information about our research groups visit the following link.
Career opportunities
Production Designers play a central role in the film, television, and related industries, acting as the artistic and operational heads of their departments.
They work on feature films, short films, documentaries, and other cinematic projects, including TV series, miniseries, TV movies, and various commercial productions such as advertisements. Career opportunities also include digital production design, leveraging the skills acquired and applied during the program. Digital production design offers new opportunities for professionals to utilize their expertise in creating immersive visual experiences for films, television, and various digital media platforms, contributing holistically to the visual narrative of productions. Production designers have a wide range of career opportunities across various industries, and they also have the opportunity to specialize in event design, working on live events, exhibitions, theme parks, and developing augmented or virtual reality experiences for users at various events.
The degree program includes 30 credits of elective studies, allowing students to complement their degree according to their personal interests or deepen their expertise in a desired area. Graduates of the program are qualified to work in various positions within the Art Department of film and television productions.
Research focus
Research at the Department of Film and Television creates understanding about the means of expression and the production process. The research orientation (practice based research) is based on the fruitful dialogue of theory and practice.
You can find more information about the Department’s research and research groups from here.
Co-operation with other parties
The Department cooperates actively with different parties in the field of film and television. Students have the possibility to take courses from other Aalto schools. We also collaborate with other universities (for example UniArts).
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 has been decided in advance for each study option. The applications to Master’s programme in Film and Television - Production design 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 |
The major in Production Design seeks applicants with a solid foundation in technical skills, collaborative work, artistic planning, and technical management relevant to the profession. While a bachelor’s degree in film is not mandatory, applicants should demonstrate relevant educational backgrounds, professional experience, and a keen interest in production design. A portfolio is required, showcasing previous professional experiences, including roles or projects in production design or related fields. Applicants should exhibit a strong artistic insight and understanding of the production designer's role in filmmaking. Their application materials should reflect their creative vision, aesthetic sensibility, and ability to translate concepts into visual forms. The portfolio should include diverse work samples demonstrating artistic creativity, technical proficiency and potential contribution to production design. Each sample should be accompanied by clear documentation and descriptions providing context and explaining the applicant's role or contribution. Samples may include sketches, design concepts, project documentation, or other relevant materials. |
| Method of demonstrating competence | Portfolio |
| Relevance of previous studies | |
| What is evaluated | Content and quantity in relation to the applied study-option-specific requirements |
|
What we look for in an applicant/Admission requirements |
The content provided by the applicant should directly relate to the study option they are applying for. This includes academic background, professional experience, and any additional qualifications or achievements relevant to Production Design for film and television. The quantity of information should be sufficient to provide a comprehensive overview of the applicant's qualifications and suitability for the program. Applicants with professional experience but without a previous degree in the field are encouraged to apply. Their practical knowledge and expertise in filmmaking processes, alongside any relevant skills in production design, will be taken into consideration during the evaluation process. The program values both academic qualifications and professional achievements, aiming to admit candidates who can demonstrate a strong alignment with the program's focus areas and contribute meaningfully to the field of production design. In summary, the evaluation of applicants' submitted content and quantity is designed to assess their suitability and readiness for master's level study in production design. The content of the application should align with the goals and objectives of the study option and demonstrate how the applicant's background and interests correspond to the program's focus areas. Our aim is to ensure that each student admitted to our program can fully engage with the curriculum, benefit from the learning experience, offer sufficient new learning opportunities to meet the needs and career aspirations of admitted students, and make meaningful contributions to their field of study. |
| Method of demonstrating competence | Transcript(s) of records, degree certificate(s) |
| 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 |
Your motivation letter should address the following points:
|
| Method of demonstrating competence | Motivation letter |
| Other areas of competence | |
| What is evaluated | Work experience and other required knowledge/achievements |
| What we look for in an applicant/Admission requirements |
Applicants are expected to provide a clear overview of their previous professional experience, including any relevant roles or projects in the field of production design or related areas, and to provide context and explain their role or contribution to each project. The study option does not consider recommendation letters. |
| Method of demonstrating competence | CV |
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 | During the interview phase we are checking the general understanding of the group work, film making processes and ability to analyse visual arts in general. |
| 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 has 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
- Artistic and/or design practice
- Relevance of previous studies
- Suitability/Motivation letter
- Other areas of competence
Only the applicants who 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:
- Suitability/Interview
In master's studies interviews for production design, candidates are evaluated on their understanding of filmmaking processes, ability to analyze their own artistic portfolio, collaborative skills, as well as their genuine motivation and readiness to participate in and commit to the curriculum at Aalto University
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 to this study-option are required to provide the following study-option-specific documents:
Portfolio
The portfolio (single PDF file) is a showcase for the applicant’s artistic production. The portfolio should be a well-rounded and comprehensive display of your previous professional and/or artistic activity. You may present your work as drafts, technical drawings and/or photos.
The digital portfolio should be uploaded to the application system as a single PDF file before sending the application. The portfolio may consist in part of links to password protected or open video files (on Vimeo, YouTube, etc.). If protected, the password must be included in the portfolio. The works in the portfolio must be in the form of a list containing the work titles and/or themes, the production methods and materials as well as the size, format, year, and purpose of the productions and any working group members. The list must also specify when and where the works have been exhibited, performed or published.
Maximum size of the file is 1.0 GB. Name the file Portfolio-lastname-firstname.pdf.
Motivation letter
Write a letter of motivation of at most 4000 characters (approx. one A4 sheet) explaining your reasons for applying to this area of specialisation and telling of your particular interest(s) in the field as well as your goals and expectations for the studies to be completed at the School of Arts, Design and Architecture. Describe your strengths and interests, creative goals and other points relating to your work.
The motivation letter should contain a section in which you briefly describe what kind of work you anticipate doing in future.
CV
Include with the application materials a CV containing your personal details, educational background, work experience and any exhibitions, publications, articles, awards, grants, study trips or positions of trust.
Applicants without a previous degree or with a degree from another field are taken into account.
The study option does not consider recommendation letters.
Language of application documents
Finnish (Swedish) or 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
Questions concerning the required application documents, the application process and the required English proficiency level may be sent to Aalto’s Admission Services.
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