Art & design
The Art & Design program is a broad and in-depth course where you have great freedom to influence your own direction and content.
Here, you will have the opportunity to work with both traditional and digital techniques, explore color, form, materials, and design, and develop your own artistic voice. You will practice communicating ideas and stories through visual expression.
You will be taught by practicing artists and designers with diverse backgrounds and areas of expertise.
Studios and Workshops
Throughout the year, you will have access to well-equipped studios and workshops for painting, printmaking, photography, digital media, and three-dimensional work.
Courses and Content
You will explore and deepen your knowledge in areas such as:
- Painting and Drawing
- Photography and Moving Image
- Animation
- Comics and Illustration
- Printmaking
- Ceramics and Silversmithing
- Anatomy and Life Drawing
- Performance Art
- Graphic Design
- Creative Writing
- Pop Culture in Amsterdam
Our teachers are professional artists, photographers, designers, writers, and cultural professionals.
Who is it for?
This program is for those who want to create, think freely, and develop their artistic expression.
Perhaps you dream of becoming an artist, designer, art educator, curator, or working within the creative industries, or you simply want to explore your own creativity in depth.
Study in Karis, Berlin, and Amsterdam
Most of the teaching takes place in Karis, in our purpose-built studios and facilities. Throughout the year, we also make study visits to design studios, advertising agencies, and galleries.
During the autumn term, a module in conceptual art is offered, concluding with a trip to Amsterdam. In the spring term, a course is offered where we get to know Berlin’s artists, galleries, and museums on site.
The travel courses are optional and come with an additional fee.
Software and Tools
The tuition fee includes a one-year Adobe Creative Cloud Student & Teacher package (Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, and more), as well as Microsoft Office 365.
At the beginning of the academic year, you’ll receive guidance on how to install and use the programs on your own laptop. You can also choose to work on the school’s computers if you don’t have your own. More info about the fees
Teaching language
The teaching takes place in both in English and Swedish (and Finnish).
The school’s main language is Swedish and joint lectures (about once a month) for all the school’s students are mostly in Swedish. In school, in addition to Swedish, you hear both Finnish and English on a daily basis. In practice, we study in a multilingual environment.
A Year of Artistic Exploration
Invest in a year focused on art and design! At VNF, you’ll have the chance to experiment, explore, and build a portfolio that can prepare you for further studies at art schools and design universities.
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“The year introduced me to the wonderful world of ceramics… the teacher was amazing.”
I decided to apply to VNF when I was doing an internship in the art gallery Sinne in Helsinki. They told me that I should pursue art and that VNF was a good place to start. The study year introduced me to the wonderful world of ceramics. I had no previous knowledge about it but my ceramic teacher was amazing. To this day I’m continuing making ceramics and actually working in a ceramic shop/gallery in Inkoo.
– Eunice Sánchez
“I have studied design before and this year I expanded my skill set.”
During this pandemic I had a lot of time to think. I found VNF online and took a chance and moved to Finland. I have studied design before and this year I expanded my skill set. I also got to know a whole new country and culture. I am happy that I decided to study here.
– Tom Maierle, Skofja Loka, Slovenia
”The earth without art is just eh.”
– Demetri Martin
