About the Field

Education in the sector

In Finland, you can study visual communication design in universities, universities of applied sciences or in upper secondary education. Grafia accepts students studying the relevant subjects at university level as its junior members.

You can study in visual communication design programmes at Aalto University, School of Art and Design as well as the University of Lapland, Faculty of Art and Design and graduate with a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree or a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degree. You can to continue university studies up to a doctorate in fine arts.

At universities of applied sciences, students graduate with degrees in media studies (BA) from communication degree programmes to become visual communication designers and degrees in design (BA) from design degree programmes. You can also study to become an art director at the Advertising Design Department of the Turku University of Applied Sciences with a degree in media and culture studies (BA).

The actual universities of applied sciences that aim for the profession of a visual communication designer are:
Metropolia University of Applied Sciences in Helsinki, South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences (Xamk) in Kouvola, Lahti University of Applied Sciences Institute of Design, and the Advertising Design Department of the Turku University of Applied Sciences. Novia University of Applied Sciences in Jakobstad provides education in this sector in Swedish. 

More information on education in the sector can be found at Opintopolku.fi service.