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School of Arts, Design and Architecture

Alum stories – our graduates tell about their careers

The School of Arts, Design and Architecture educates professionals in creative fields – designers, artists and art educators, filmmakers, photographers, architects, landscape architects, and experts in visual communication, interior architecture, media, and fashion. They contribute to working life and society through their creative work and perspectives. Here are a few examples of our experts' career paths.

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The newsletter, published by School of Arts, Design and Architecture a few times a year, provides current news from creative fields, event tips, and inspiration for thinking and learning.

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Our alums

A person stands indoors by a white counter in front of tall windows. The person is dressed in black clothing and shoes.

Alum Maija Itkonen shapes food and businesses: ‘I want to do things that I can direct my passion towards’

Maija Itkonen, CEO of Onego Bio, is known for popularising the meat alternative Pulled Oats and now also for egg protein made without chickens. She believes business can change the world for the better.

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Niina Malkamäki / Aalto University

Alumn Salla Lonka implements a culture of experimentation in a home appliance company

Salla Lonka finds it fascinating to examine creative processes from a distance, focusing on efficiency and impact. After completing her master's degree in fashion design, she ended up at a global home appliance company in Stockholm.

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Woman in red-tinted clothes looks directly at the camera, with forest scenery in the background

Reetta Ranta: ‘I try to think about how to make the world a better place’

Alum story: Alum of the School of Arts, Design and Architecture believes that everything we do should involve ethical reflection.

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A man in a suit stands in front of a concrete wall with his hands in his pockets

Vesa Kemppainen: ‘An important quality in working life is an interest in new things’

Alum story: Art Director at Fiskars Group Vesa Kemppainen believes that creativity and the ability to make creative decisions are important skills in working life.

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Sini-punasävyisessä henkilökuvassa on dramaattinen tunnelma ja vahvat varjot. Alma Muukka-Marjovuon ilme on vakava. Kuva: Aleksi Poutanen.

Echoing a kindred spirit from a century past

Counsellor of Education Alma Muukka-Marjovuo grew up surrounded by art. Now she works to ensure that all children and young people in Finland have access to top-notch art education.

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Muotoilija Lincoln Kayiwa työhuoneensa ovella

Designer Lincoln Kayiwa wants to create heirlooms

Finland seemed a bit like destiny for this Ugandan-born entrepreneur and Aalto alumnus.

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Aallon alumni Ksenia Avetisova katsoo peiliin järven rannalla, kuva: Aleksi Poutanen

Alum Ksenia Avetisova is a human at the heart of technology

Ksenia Avetisova moves around the virtual world as part of her job, but what brought her to Finland was a live rock gig.

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Heli Salomaa. Kuvaaja: Jaakko Kahilaniemi.

Artisan of the gaming world

This costume designer switched to virtual clothes.

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Mikko Koivisto. Photographer: Aleksi Poutanen.

Extractor of dreams

Service designer Mikko Koivisto is shaking up how we shop at pharmacies and creating soulful soup meals. Last spring, he received the Ornamo Award for his pioneering work in a field that barely existed just ten years ago.

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Photo: Maija Astikainen.

Architect of happiness

Finnish architect Kai Wartiainen is based in Sweden, where he is known not only as an ecological designer, but also as a radical thinker.

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Cinematographer Peter Flinckenberg. Photographer: Jussi Puikkonen.

The life of a Hollywood cinematographer

A mix of talent and luck landed cinematographer Peter Flinckenberg in Los Angeles.

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Anna Ahonen and Katariina Lamberg. Photographer: Gregory Kowalski.

A marriage of sorts

Anna Ahonen and Katariina Lamberg own a design studio in Paris. These artistic graphic designers have grown as friends and entrepreneurs.

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Alum of the Year

A person in a black turtleneck stands in front of wooden bookshelves filled with various books and folders.

Minna Lukander is the Alumna of the Year of the School of Arts, Design and Architecture

Architect and CEO of Talli Architecture and Design strives to create functional and meaningful spaces and living environments that promote well-being, community, and a sustainable lifestyle.

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Smiling woman with glasses and long hair standing on the staircase and looking up at the camera

Mariana Salgado is the Alumn of the Year of the School of Arts, Design and Architecture

Service design expert speaks for the designers’ role in public policy creation and in helping strengthen participation.

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Vaaleatukkainen nainen mustassa mekossa seisoo ulkona ja hymyilee, taustalla betonisia rakenteita

Katja Soini is the Alumna of the Year of the School of Arts, Design and Architecture

The design professional is Senior Advisor at AFRY working with the built environment. She's also Chair of the design professionals’ association Ornamo. Soini is delighted that design is now recognised as a key factor in business management.

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Donor stories

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Donor story - Yrjö Sotamaa: ‘Supporting the university is about building our own future’

Professor Emeritus is still an active design influencer both at home and internationally. He is now also a monthly donor to School of Arts, Design and Architecture.

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A smiling woman weaving a colourful carpet or rug with looms

Donor story – Helena Hyvönen: ‘The world is built together, without silos’

Helena Hyvönen has had a long career as Professor of Textile Art, Rector and Dean at the University of Art and Design Helsinki and later Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture. She believes it is important for the field to have a vibrant community of designers. The designers also have a lot to offer to the university.

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Join the Aalto ARTS community!

Graduation Party 2022

For alumni

As an alum, you are part of Aalto community. Let's stay connected and develop together!

Valmistuneet kuvausseinällä I'm an Aalto alum -kyltin kanssa

Almost 40 percent of alumni survey respondents feel they belong to the Aalto community

Alumni are primarily interested in interaction and networking with other alumni.

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School of Arts, Design and Architecture graduates in working life

School of Arts, Design and Architecture Master's graduates are successful in finding jobs relating to their education. On this page you can find information on job titles, job sectors and career development of our graduates.

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Photo: Unto Rautio

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