Kuopio | Finland

The primary mission of Kuopio Academy of Design is to provide and develop high-level training in design and graphic design, to research, develop, support and market these fields.

Research and development activities examine the relationships between user, product and use environments and to apply this research in product development. The objective is to enhance well-being through professional design and graphic design by developing experiential and functional product environments and services. Our Academy was awarded in December 2007 with the Italian I.D.E.A. (International Design Education Award) by Ministero dell’Università e della Ricerca (Ministry of Universities and Research).

Our service design activities include:

Degree (BA) and extended studies with service design approach. We are currently offering BA degree program in service design. This program includes intensive modules in design research methods: experience prototyping, methods for researching the user experience (design probes), project work and specialized service design modules. Extended studies offer a one year course in service design in the area of health care and wellness. Both programs start in the autumn 2008. We are actively working with the curricula development of service design studies.
Research projects in the area of service design include the development of new mobile services for tourism environments. We are also working with local and European technology centers to facilitate service design development in technology orientated companies.
Service design projects with regional companies are run on regular basis. Our students also participate in company project in different courses or during their diploma work.

Contact:

Satu Miettinen, Doctor of Arts Head of Department, product design +358- (0)17- 308420, +358- (0)50-5350861 satu.miettinen@designkuopio.fi