Design, Bachelor of Arts (Art and Design), Master of Arts (Art and Design)

The Design programme provides the fundamental knowledge and skills required for professional work as a designer. The studies combine design practice, theoretical knowledge, and research. User needs and perspectives are considered throughout the studies. In addition to lectures and other classroom-based learning, students work extensively in design studios and workshops, developing ideas through practical experimentation and making. The language of instruction is English.

During the first year, students take part in general studies in Art, Design and Culture, which are shared by all students of the Faculty of Art and Design. In addition, students in the Design programme will gain a deeper understanding of the foundations of design. These studies introduce concept development, visualisation, form and aesthetics, model making and prototyping, digital design tools, and the principles of service design.

During the second and third years, students deepen their design skills through more independent project work. They develop their ability to address design challenges, apply a range of methods and tools, and work across physical, digital, and virtual environments. The studies also strengthen competence in user-centred design, aesthetics, creative problem solving, collaboration with companies, and the creative application of knowledge. The Bachelor’s thesis introduces students to design research and gives them the opportunity to investigate a topic of their choice through an independent final project.

Elective studies can be chosen from the courses of the Faculty of Art and Design, other faculties, or other higher education institutions through cross-institutional studies or student exchange programmes. The Design programme offers the following elective English-language minors: Creative Technologies and Interactive Experiences, UI/UX Design, and Product Design and Prototyping. Through their choice of minor studies, students can build an individual profile based on their interests in design and art or strengthen their expertise for specialist roles in areas such as industry, commerce, culture, and education.

After completing the Bachelor’s degree, students continue their studies in the MA in Design for XR and Immersive Experiences, developing advanced expertise in immersive experience design and interactive technologies.

The Design programme at the Faculty of Art and Design aims to provide internationally oriented design education and to educate creative, highly skilled professionals for the future. Students are encouraged to develop their own design identity, work collaboratively, and contribute to more sustainable futures.

The programme focuses on product design, service design, and interaction design. Students learn to work across physical, digital, and virtual design environments using a broad range of methods and tools. Teaching draws on extensive professional experience and current design research, including research informed by a northern perspective. The programme offers a human-centred, creative, and inspiring study environment that supports students in developing the skills and confidence needed for international careers in design. The Arctic environment, northern lights, and midnight sun can provide further inspiration during the studies.

Students can specialise in product design, service design, and interaction design.

Product design focuses on the design of industrially manufactured products. Alongside aesthetics, attention is given to usability, manufacturability, and economic factors. The aim is to create products that are economically viable to manufacture, pleasant to use, and visually appealing to users. Product design involves working in both physical and digital environments.

Service design aims to improve people’s lives by making services easier to use, more engaging, and more functional. This is achieved through creative, user-centred, and practical design methods and through collaboration with the people who use and provide the services.

Interaction design introduces students to different types of user interfaces and develops their ability to design interfaces that are easy and pleasant to use. Research in interaction design within the Design programme covers areas such as mobile, wearable, and virtual reality interfaces, with a strong emphasis on user-centred design.

Graduates can work in roles such as product designer, service designer, user interface designer, concept designer, virtual and game environment modeller, and user experience or usability specialist. They may work in design or multidisciplinary teams, as independent specialists, or in roles supporting areas such as product development and marketing. Career opportunities can be found in large companies, start-ups, and the public sector.

The Design programme includes extensive practical collaboration with companies and other organisations. The studies provide opportunities to build connections with industry and participate in an international research community. Collaboration with students from other design fields is an integral part of the programme.

The studies develop advanced skills in immersive experience design, extended reality (XR), creative technologies, and user experience evaluation. Learning is centred on studio and project work, where students explore, prototype, test, and refine immersive experiences. Projects may involve interactive environments, game engines, 3D media, sensing technologies, and different forms of physical and digital interaction.

The MA programme can apply immersive technologies in areas such as culture, education, public services, entertainment, industry, and research. The Master’s degree includes advanced studies, elective studies, and a Master’s thesis.

The programme aims to educate designers and specialists who can combine creative, technical, and user experience (UX) perspectives in the design of immersive experiences. Students learn to develop immersive concepts and prototypes, work with spatial and interactive technologies, and evaluate user experience using research-based methods. The programme encourages experimentation, multidisciplinary work, and critical reflection on the role of immersive technologies in society.

Students can develop their own professional profile through project work, elective studies, and the Master’s thesis.

The programme explores themes related to immersive experience design, spatial and embodied interaction, and creative technologies. Students examine how digital content, physical or virtual space, interaction, and human perception can be combined in immersive experiences. Emerging technologies are used as tools and materials for design, prototyping, and experimentation. These themes can be applied in different contexts according to the student’s interests and the project-based studies within the MA programme.

Graduates can work in design, development, research, and specialist roles related to XR and immersive technologies. Possible roles include immersive experience designer, XR designer or developer, interaction designer, creative technologist, user experience (UX) specialist, game designer, immersive media designer, concept designer, and researcher.

Graduates may work in technology and design companies, game and media industries, cultural and educational organisations, public organisations, research groups, and multidisciplinary development teams.

The degree provides eligibility for doctoral studies in design and related fields.

The programme is situated within the multidisciplinary environment of the University of Lapland, Faculty of Art and Design. Immersive technologies are considered in relation to a range of cultural, educational, industry, public, and research contexts, giving students a broad view of their potential applications.