Curriculum 2024–2026

Student Guide

Master's Programme in Design

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About the programme

The Master’s Programme in Design offers three majors for specializing in Collaborative and Industrial Design (CoID), Contemporary Design (CoDe) and Fashion, Clothing and Textile Design (FaCT). Overall, the programme comprises a total of 120 ECTS credits. All students participate in joint studies of the Department of Design, and select compulsory studies from the major’s study offering. In addition, they choose elective studies according to their Personal Study Plan, and produce a thesis project around a design subject.

The Master’s Programme in Design collaborates closely with the Master’s Programmes 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.

After completing the degree in Design the graduates are able to:

Create future oriented 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.

Degree structure

Total

120*

Advanced studies

90*

Elective studies

*Includes master's thesis 30 cr

Major studies 90 cr

Code: ARTS3051
Credits: 90 ECTS credits
Head of major: Severi Uusitalo

Pääaine suomeksi: Yhteissuunnittelu ja teollinen muotoilu
Huvudämne på svenska: Co-design och industridesign

Major description:

The students in Collaborative and Industrial Design (CoID) focus on design's role in society. Students develop skills enabling them to work as design entrepreneurs and innovators in a range of roles within industry, business, communities, education, and public sector. The studies extend industrial design into interaction design, service design, co-design, and other emerging fields where design activities can enhance the quality of the environment and people’s lives. Students learn empathic, critical, strategic, and technical competencies and capabilities needed in design innovation processes. They are also encouraged to explore novel roles in design and industry.

Over the duration of the major studies, students will develop an understanding of design in relation to innovation and contemporary culture, be it local or global, private or public. The students will also develop an extensive ability to design, lead design projects, and collaborate with designers and non-designers, and thus become able to shape change in communities and companies.

Collaborative and Industrial Design (CoID) is one of the three majors of the master’s programme in Design, others being Fashion, Clothing and Textile Design (FaCT) and Contemporary Design (CoDe). In addition, the master’s programme in Design collaborates closely with the master’s programmes 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.

Major's intended learning outcomes:

After completing a Master’s degree in Design in the major of Collaborative and Industrial Design, the 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.
apply design practices to social, environmental, organizational and technological transformations. 
apply design strategically in the context of product development and innovation. 
integrate collaborative and human-centred approach into different scales and domains.  
use creative design, systems thinking, and participatory approaches to develop solutions accountably and ethically.  
provide design expertise and leadership in complex projects in multidisciplinary teams. 
articulate and transfer understanding of design process to other design and non-design competencies.

Code	Course name	ECTS credits	Period / year
Programme compulsory joint studies 12 + 9 ECTS
MUO-E0017	Intro	1	I & Orientation / 1. year
MUO-E0002	Design Research	4	IV-V / 1. year
MUO-E0016	Design Culture Now	4	I-II / 1. year
MUO-E0018	Thesis Seminar	3	I-II / 2. year
MUO-E3057	User Inspired Design - Knowing	6	I
MUO-E3056	User Inspired Design - Making	3	I
Major optional studies 39 ECTS
Student selects min. 1. Students focusing in interaction design select 2.
MUO-E3060	Interaction Design - User Interfaces	6	III
MUO-E3061	Interaction Design - User Experience	6	III
Student focusing on social/service design selects this
MUO-E3052	Designing for Services	12	I
Student focusing on social/service design or interaction design selects min. 1
MUO-E3051	Design for Social Change - Strategy	6	II
MUO-E3065	Design for Social Change - Participation	6	II
Student focusing on interaction design selects min. 1
ELEC-E7840	Smart Wearables 1	3-6	III-IV (starting from Spring 2025)
ELEC-E7850	Smart Wearables 2	3-6	No teaching 2024-2025
ELEC-C9801	Design Thinking and Electronic Prototyping	5	I-II
CS-E4200	Emergent User Interfaces	5	III-V
Student focusing on product design selects min. 9 ECTS from below
MUO-E3053	Emerging Designs	9	II
MUO-E3062	Emerging Designs II	9	IV
MUO-E5049	Product and Form I	9	II
MUO-E5050	Product and Form II	9	IV
MEC-E3001	Product Development Project	10-15	I-V
To complete 39 ECTS, student can select any from the below courses.
MUO-E3063	Experience Design Project	9	IV-V
MUO-E0105	Research and Inspire	6	V
MUO-E3064	Strategic Style Management and Exploration	9	V
MUO-E0103	Introduction to Algorithmic Design	3	V
MUO-C3042	Programming for Designers	3	II
MUO-E8043	Design for Government	12	IV-V
Master´s Thesis
MUO.thes	Master´s Thesis	30	I-V / 2. year
ARTSa.matr	Maturity test	0

Code: ARTS3053
Credits: 90 ECTS credits
Head of major: Julia Lohmann

Pääaine suomeksi: Nykymuotoilu
Huvudämne på svenska: Samtidsdesign

Major description:

Grounded on research-based knowledge on the societal, cultural and global change, the major in Contemporary Design nurtures creative exploration and conceptual thinking on a high artistic and professional level. The major support students to discover and advance their individual creative processes and to connect them into the design field and its stakeholders. Students work in a multifaceted learning environment that provides support for creativity, as well as critical and analytical thinking. The major bridges research and design practice, and provides students with strong foundation in practice-based research. It educates sensitive and visionary designers who have skills to propose radical solutions and responsible innovations for the future.

Contemporary Design (CoDe) is one of the three majors of the master’s programme in Design, 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 programmes 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.

Major's intended learning outcomes:

After completing a Master’s degree in Design, in the major of Contemporary Design, the 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

Code	Course name	ECTS credits	Period / year
Programme compulsory joint studies 12 ECTS
MUO-E0017	Intro	1	I & Orientation / 1. year
MUO-E0002	Design Research	4	IV-V / 1. year
MUO-E0016	Design Culture Now	4	I-II / 1. year
MUO-E0018	Thesis Seminar	3	I-II / 2. year
Major compulsory studies, 18 ECTS
MUO-E5045	Materials and Living Systems	9	I
MUO-E5051	Reflective Practice	9	V
Major alternative studies 30 ECTS
Student selects min 2 or 3 from the 9 credit courses:
Student can select one:
MUO-E5043	Experimental Design	9	II
MUO-E5049	Product and Form I	9	II
Student can select one:
MUO-E5052	Personal Exploration	9	III
MUO-E5044	Glass Challenge	9	III
Student can select one:
MUO-E5050	Product and Form II	9	IV
MUO-E5041	Ceramics Laboratory	9	IV
To complete 30 cr, student can select any from the below courses
SARK-E5036	Woodstudio: Design Project	9
MUO-E5042	Exhibitions 1-3 cr	3	II-V
MUO-E5040	Advanced Personal Project	6	II-V
MUO-E5046	Creative Digital Design	6	II
MUO-E5047	Parametric CAD	3	II
CHEM-A1630	CHEMARTS Basics	3
MUO-E0019	CHEMARTS Project	5-10
Master´s Thesis
MUO-thes	Master´s Thesis	30	I-V / 2. year
ARTSa.matr	Maturity test	0

Code: ARTS3055
Credits: 90 ECTS credits
Head of major: Professor Maarit Salolainen

Pääaine suomeksi: Muoti-, vaate- ja tekstiilisuunnittelu
Huvudämne på svenska: Mode-, kläd- och textildesign

Major description:

The studies in Fashion, Clothing and Textile Design nurture hands-on exploration and conceptual development grounded in critical thinking and practice-based knowledge. Students are supported in exploring multidisciplinary collaboration, new technologies and materialities to expand their creative thinking and innovate design methods and solutions on a high artistic and professional level.

Fashion, Clothing and Textile Design (FaCT) is one of the three majors of the Master’s Programme in Design, others being Contemporary Design (CoDe) and Collaborative and Industrial Design (CoID). In addition, the Master’s Programme in Design collaborates closely with the Master’s Programmes 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.

Aalto University is now ranked 8th in the world 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. 
Reconsider and reshape the current state-of-the-art in the field of textiles and/or fashion.  
Proactively and creatively evaluate future socio-technical challenges and innovate new sustainable and culturally inclusive design solutions for the global field of textiles and/or fashion.
Identify their own aesthetic approach and find their own creative voice in the field of textiles and/or fashion. 
Practice experimental, practice-based and conceptual approaches in fashion and/or textile design.  
display the skills and attitude to co-innovate, cooperate and communicate with various stakeholders.
apply design and process management skills and verge strategic and systemic thinking in product and material development.

Code	Course name	ECTS credits	Period / year
Programme compulsory joint studies 12 ECTS
MUO-E0017	Intro	1	I & Orientation / 1. year
MUO-E0002	Design Research	4	IV-V / 1. year
MUO-E0016	Design Culture Now	4	I-II / 1. year
MUO-E0018	Thesis Seminar	3	I-II / 2. year
Major compulsory studies 18 ECTS
MUO-E1071	Sustainable Fashion and Textile Design	12	I / 1. year
MUO-E1044	Knowledge Making in Fashion and Textiles	3	III / 1. year
MUO-E1078	Fashion Cultures	3	V / 1. year
Major optional studies 30 ECTS
Student selects one:
MUO-E1068	Innovative Fashion Design (6-9-12 cr)	12	I-II / 1. year
MUO-E1066	Experimental Textile Design (3-6-9-12 cr)	12	I-II / 1. year
Student selects one:
MUO-E1079	Textile Design Concept	6	III / 1. year
MUO-E1080	Fashion Design Concept	6	III-IV / 1. year
Student selects min 1, max 2
MUO-E1061	Advanced 3D Shaping Workshop	6	III-IV / 1. year
MUO-E1063	Advanced Printed Fabrics and Finishes Workshop	6	IV-V / 1. year
MUO-E1065	Advanced Woven Fabrics and Jacquard Workshop	6	III-V / 1. year
MUO-E1062	Advanced Knits and Knitwear Workshop	6	III-V / 1. year
Major alternatives. To complete 30 credits, student can select any from the below courses.
MUO-E1067	Fashion Collection Project	6	IV-V / 1. year
MUO-E1070	PatternLab Project	6	IV-V / 1. year
MUO-E1081	Functional Wear Project	6	IV-V / 1. year
MUO-E1064	Advanced Workshop Project	6	I-V / 2. year
Major electives and courses from the Minor in Textiles - Materials and Structure. Can be included in Innovative Fashion Design or Experimental Textile Design
MUO-E1082	Textile Colouration Finishes Studio	3	I-II
MUO-E1075	Woven Fabrics Studio	6	II
MUO-E1069	Knits and Knitwear Studio	6	II
MUO-E1083	Digital Fashion and Textiles Studio	1	II
Master's thesis
MUO.thes	Master's Thesis	30	I-V / 2. year
ARTSa.matr	Maturity Test	0

Elective studies 30 cr

Students choose 30 ECTS of elective studies. As elective studies, students can complete minor studies and/or take individual courses from other programmes at Aalto University or other Finnish universities, participate in an international student exchange programme, do an internship in Finland or abroad, or take elective courses offered by student’s own programme.

Students can complete a minor as part of their elective studies. Please see all the minors under Minor studies 2024-2026.

Code	Course name	ECTS Credits
MUO-E0105	Research and Inspire	6
CHEM-A1610	Design Meets Biomaterials	3-5
MUO-E0102	CHEMARTS Summer School	6
CHEM-E0180	CHEMARTS Project	5-10
MUO-E0103	Introduction to Algorithmic Design	3
MUO-E0104	Programming for Designers	3
MUO-E1074	Fabrics for Interiors and Architecture	6
MUO-E1060	Textile Design	3
MUO-E3023	Concept Design	5
MUO-E3028	Product Design Studio	5
Independent studies
MUO-E0012	Competitions	2-10
MUO-E0013	Literature Assignment	2-10
MUO-E0014	Projects	2-10
MUO-E0015	Workshops	2-10
MUO.trai	Internships	2-10

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 (2024-2025 only)

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 (2024-2025 only)
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 (2024-2025) / II (2025-2026)
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

Students educated in Finnish or Swedish

For students educated in Finnish or Swedish language studies are designed to be completed as part of the Bachelor of Arts (Art and Design) or another Bachelor’s degree. Students who have not completed the required language studies before starting to pursue the master’s degrees specified above must complete them either as elective studies or in addition to the studies required for the degree. In such cases, the language requirements are as follows:

Master of Arts (Art and Design):

9 credits: 3 cr in written and oral communication, 3 cr in the second national language of Finland, and 3 cr in one foreign language.

Students whose language of primary and secondary education is other than Finnish or Swedish

Students who have received their primary and secondary education abroad or whose language of primary and secondary education is other than Finnish or Swedish must demonstrate their foreign language proficiency either by completing three (3) credits of language and communication studies corresponding to the degree requirements in one foreign language, or by completing three (3) credits of language and communication studies in Finnish or Swedish.

Note: The language studies accepted for the degree vary based on the year the studies have started. See below the detailed language study requirements for your own degree.

Students who have a language of primary and secondary education other than Finnish or Swedish and who have begun their master’s degree studies before 1 August 2022 may complete the required 3-credit language studies in accordance with the previous degree regulations of the School of Arts, Design and Architecture until 31 July 2026.

students pursuing a Master of Arts (Art and Design) and educated in a language other than Finnish or Swedish or educated abroad shall earn 3 credits in one language;
students pursuing a Master of Science (Architecture)/(Landscape Architecture) and educated in a language other than Finnish or Swedish or educated abroad shall earn 3 credits in one language.

The language studies can be completed in any language of the student's choice and there is no CEFR level requirement for course completion (elementary courses and basic courses are also accepted).

After the transitional period (31 July 2026), the language studies earned for the degree must comply with the requirements set for those who have started their studies on or after 1 August 2022.

Students with a language of primary and secondary education other than Finnish or Swedish who started their studies on or after 1 August 2022 shall complete their required language studies in compliance with the provisions of the Aalto University Degree Regulations for Bachelor’s and Master's Degrees.

The 3-credit foreign language requirement of the degree may be fulfilled by taking a course in one of the following languages: English (CEFR B2-CEFR C1), Spanish, Chinese, French, German and Russian (CEFR B1). From the course offerings of Aalto University's Language Center, you can recognize the courses accepted for the degree by (w, o), (w) or (o).

The study attainment may consist of oral or written communication studies or both. In addition, the foreign language requirement may be fulfilled by earning 3 credits in Finnish or Swedish at the proficiency level appropriate for the student’s skills.

In the case of language studies completed between 1 August 2022 and 31 July 2024, the proficiency level requirement may, however, be disregarded in the case of students who completed a language course at a CEFR level lower than the required level due to insufficient communication about the changed degree requirements.

The language studies for master’s degrees completed on or after 1 August 2026 must comply with the Aalto University Degree Regulations for Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees (CEFR-level) and the specifications set forth in this decision.

Course substitutions

Fashion, Clothing and Textile Design

Collaborative and Industrial Design

Contemporary Design

Updated: 8.10.2025
Published: 9.8.2022

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Student Guide

Master's Programme in Design

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