Contemporary Design - Design, Master of Arts (Art and Design)
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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.
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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.
Study-option-specific Evaluation Criteria in Master's Admissions 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 Design - Contemporary 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 |
Skills in relevant area of design; Quality of the creative work including conceptual strength, visualization and communication of the concepts; Courage to explore relevant topics and engagement with materiality. |
| 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 | Completion of adequate undergraduate courses and degree |
| 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 |
Appropriate mindset for the studies: willingness to collaborate and take risks when exploring new procedures, techniques and materialities for the future; Ability, fluency and clarity in written English. |
| Method of demonstrating competence | Motivation letter |
| Other areas of competence | |
| What is evaluated | Work experience and other acquired knowledge/achievements e.g. publications, non-formal education, competitions |
| What we look for in an applicant/Admission requirements | Basic skills in some design field; Working experience; Art, craft and design related activities |
| Method of demonstrating competence | Curriculum vitae |
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 | Passion to both deepen and broaden the already existing knowledge; Willingness to engage in critical thinking and to find one’s own path to contribute to the field of design; Interest in the social and ecological context of design; Ability to communicate fluently in spoken English. |
| 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 of 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
- Other areas of competence
- Suitability/Motivation letter
Only the applicants who fulfill the requirements/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
Part of the applicants are invited to the second phase. The invitation to the second phase is sent to the applicants at latest 7 days in advance.
The second phase consist of an interview, which will be conducted online.
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
- Motivation letter
- CV
Portfolio
In the portfolio, applicants display work that shows their artistic expression and design skills. The portfolio must contain diverse samples of the applicant’s previous artistic, professional and/or scientific activity.
The portfolio can include illustrations, drawings, photographs and technical drawings. The works that are displayed in the portfolio must be catalogued, listing at least the title and/or theme, materials used, size, purpose and year of completion of each piece. The catalogue must also detail where and when the work has been exhibited, displayed or published and whether the work is based on individual or group work. The contribution of the applicant in the work should be stated in case the work has been completed in a group. The applicant’s name, address and phone number and the degree programme applied for must be indicated clearly in the portfolio.
The portfolio should be uploaded as a single PDF-file. Maximum size for the portfolio is 30 MB and it can include maximum of 14 pages, larger ones will not be evaluated, even if the system allows uploading larger ones. Name the file as: Portfolio-surname-firstname.pdf. The intake committee will only evaluate the material displayed in the PDF file. Links to external material (e.g. website) or video material will not be considered during the intake process. The portfolios may be examined on a laptop display of ca. 14”. It is highly advisable to use e.g., 16:9 or 16:10 aspect ratio.
Motivation letter
In the motivation letter the applicant should explain the reasons for applying to Contemporary Design. The letter should also indicate what are the main and particular areas of interests in the field as well as goals and expectations for the studies to be completed in the Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture. The applicant can describe his/her strengths and interests, as well as vision of art and design, aspects related to work and creative goals.
The maximum length of the motivation letter is 2000 characters, including spaces.
CV
The application must include the applicant’s CV with personal data, educational background, work experience, exhibitions, publications and articles, awards and grants, study trips and positions of trust.
Language of application documents
The documents must be submitted in 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
For enquiries regarding the application process, obligatory application documents or English language proficiency, please contact Admissions Services.