Four years ago, Maria’s family moved to Finland, and she began her International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma. This transition marked a pivotal moment in her life as it allowed her to delve deeper into visual arts. She decided to take it as a Standard Level subject, and soon enough, her interest grew into a genuine career aspiration. One of her seniors, who spoke highly of Aalto University’s design program, inspired her. That was when Maria set her sights on studying design at Aalto University.
During her IB studies, Maria attempted to apply to Aalto. However, the timing clashed with her final exams, and she couldn’t dedicate as much focus to the entrance exams as she wanted. The chaotic application process led to her rejection. Despite this setback, she remained determined and decided to take a gap year to better prepare herself for another attempt at Aalto.
Maria's personal work
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In her gap year, Maria knew she needed to understand the Finnish university application process thoroughly. She started by learning about the requirements, such as the needed English level and how the application process worked. Her art teacher suggested she look into courses that could help her prepare for university. This led her to discover Scandinavian Design School, thanks to her teacher's guidance.
SDS was a game-changer for Maria. They introduced her to their Aalto preparation course. The teachers were incredibly supportive, tailoring the study content to her strengths and weaknesses, so she could get the most out of it. They helped her explore different mediums, from the basics of architecture to refining her sketching skills. Through conversations with her teachers, they focused more on the design aspects of her work, aligning with her goal of studying design at Aalto.
Maria's personal work
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One of the most memorable Aalto application assignments for Maria was creating an infographic. She didn’t want to create something simple with just focus on impressive numbers. Instead, she wanted to convey a meaningful story. Maria focused on the labor behind clothing production and the poor working conditions in some countries. Using a powerful photograph of a factory worker as the background, she crafted an infographic that told a compelling narrative. Despite initial doubts, the final piece resonated deeply with her intent.
Assignment - Wardrobe Infographic - from Aalto entrance exam second phase
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The SDS course also prepared Maria well for the actual application assignments and interview. One of the assignments involved writing a letter to a family member about getting into Aalto, which was straightforward for her. However, the second assignment, creating a mockup using matchsticks and glue, was challenging. She struggled with the material constraints but eventually created an abstract model representing mobility.
The interview was nerve-wracking—undoubtedly the most stressful 15 minutes of Maria's life. When asked about her most stressful experience, she candidly responded, "This right now is." Despite the pressure, the preparation from SDS paid off. The teachers had given her past examples and practice assignments, which made a significant difference.
Maria's personal work
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Reflecting on her journey, Maria realizes the importance of following the rules and instructions during the application process and ensuring that her work is unique and reflective of her interests. Most importantly, she believes it is crucial to enjoy the process and have fun with it, rather than stressing too much.
Maria is passionate about various art mediums, including sculpting, pottery, product design, and visual communication. She doesn’t want to be restricted to one medium; she thrives in the constant art-creation process. Maria finds inspiration in the most random things—from a broken tile to famous artworks. Her background in global politics often influences her art, as she aims to promote positive change through her work.
At Aalto, Maria looks forward to learning different techniques and approaches to further develop her portfolio. Her dream is to eventually open her own art and design gallery in Pakistan, showcasing not only her work but also the works of others. She wants to highlight that design is everywhere, and hopes to change the perception of art and design in her home country. Maria's journey has been challenging but immensely rewarding, and she is excited for the future that lies ahead.
