Design and Technology Futures

Design and Technology Futures at the Estonian Academy of Arts is an innovative and forward-thinking Master's program that focuses on the exploration and development of emerging design practices and technological innovations. This program aims to prepare students to become versatile designers capable of addressing complex challenges in a rapidly changing world. Students will engage with a multidisciplinary curriculum that combines theoretical knowledge with practical skills in design, digital technologies, sustainable development, and user-centered innovation. The program emphasizes the importance of experimentation, critical thinking, and creative problem-solving, encouraging students to push the boundaries of traditional design disciplines.

Throughout the course, students will have the opportunity to develop their own design projects, participate in cross-disciplinary collaborations, and explore the latest trends in interactive media, design research, material innovation, and digital fabrication. The curriculum is tailored to foster an understanding of the social, ecological, and technological contexts in which future design solutions will operate. Students will also learn how to apply their skills to real-world issues, contributing to sustainable development and societal well-being.

The program is delivered by experienced faculty members who are active researchers and practitioners in their respective fields. They provide mentorship and guidance to help students refine their ideas, improve their technical abilities, and develop a professional portfolio. As part of their studies, students can participate in workshops, seminars, and international exchanges, thereby expanding their global perspective and collaborative networks.

Graduates of the Design and Technology Futures program will be equipped to pursue careers in innovative product and service design, digital development, entrepreneurial ventures, and research. They will be prepared to work in various sectors including creative industries, technology companies, research institutions, and design studios. With its comprehensive approach, the program aims to foster a new generation of designers who are not only skilled in current technologies but are also adaptable to future innovations and societal needs.

The curriculum draws from three fields: design, technology and entrepreneurship. During their first year of study, students learn how to work as members of multidisciplinary creative teams, how to mix and match their skills with people who have a very different understanding of the task at hand, how to bind together the findings, how to run user-focused research and pin-point opportunities, create clear concepts and communicate these to industry or government partners.

By the second year, students practice leading small creative teams, learn to deal with complex systems, develop innovative concepts and communicate results in a tight timeframe with limited resources and often with tasks set outside their natural comfort zones.

Students learn how to use and mix methods from different fields of study and to make coherent projects in a team with widely scattered skillsets.

Application deadlines:

• 15. March – Application deadline for Non-EU Citizens
• 15. April – Application deadline for citizens from Australia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Canada, Georgia, Japan, Kazakhstan, Russia, Turkey, Ukraine, USA
• 15. May – Application deadline for citizens from EU/EEA countries and non-EU candidates who are residing in Estonia on a legal basis.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in technology, design or innovation fields
• Official transcript of records (translated into Estonian, English or Russian and notarised)
• Proof of English proficiency
• Portfolio
• Motivation letter
• Letter of recommendation is not required
• 100€ application fee (paid via bank transfer)

More info: http://designtechfutures.eu/apply/

Financing studies for the Design and Technology Futures program at the Estonian Academy of Arts is structured to support both domestic and international students through a variety of financial aid options. Students may apply for state-funded scholarships, which are available based on academic merit, financial need, or special categories such as arts and design excellence. The university also participates in national student financial aid programs that offer grants and subsidized loans to eligible students, helping to reduce the economic barriers to higher education.

In addition to government-funded options, the Estonian Academy of Arts provides numerous scholarships specific to design students, often awarded through competitive selection processes that consider academic achievement, portfolio quality, and motivation. These scholarships can cover partial or full tuition fees, and some may include stipends for living expenses. International students are encouraged to seek funding opportunities from their home countries, as well as possible Erasmus+ mobility grants if participating in exchange programs within Europe.

The university also offers work-study opportunities and part-time positions within its departments or affiliated arts projects, allowing students to gain practical experience while supplementing their income. External funding sources, such as private foundations, arts councils, and industry partnerships, occasionally provide sponsorships or project-based grants for students involved in innovative design research or collaborations.

Students are advised to carefully review the financing options available well before the start of their studies and to consult the Estonian Academy of Arts’ admissions office for guidance. Detailed information about application procedures, deadlines, and eligibility criteria is provided on the university’s official website and through direct communication channels. Overall, financing the Design and Technology Futures program involves a combination of institutional support, external scholarships, personal savings, and, where applicable, family assistance. The university strives to make higher education in design accessible by continually expanding its financial aid offerings and fostering partnerships that benefit students financially and professionally.

Who are we looking for?

Design & Technology Futures is open to all enthusiastic students from a wide range of competencies, including graduates of various design, engineering, technology and innovation disciplines. We look for individuals who are motivated to become leaders of their time, ready to work in transdisciplinary and multicultural teams developing innovative concepts, willing to tackle the complexities and uncertainties of the current day in order to design a new and better future.

We are awaiting applicants to present their creativity, skills and enthusiasm in the application process.

What are your career prospects?

As we seek students with very different backgrounds, they will also pursue various career paths. Students of engineering develop an understanding of the power of design skills so they may act as leaders of development, while students of design refine their skills and competence in running multidisciplinary creative teams. All students are taught to have an entrepreneurial mindset. Whatever our students go on to do, they are valuable team members even during difficult projects with fuzzy goals. The paths of our alumni range from successful entrepreneurs to creative directors, development engineers or design thinkers in global corporations.