Arja Karhumaa

Arja Karhumaa is an Associate Professor in Visual Communication Design at Aalto University's Department of Art and Media. She co-founded the experimental publishing collective Multipöly, focusing on innovative intersections of typography, design, and experimental writing.

Research Interests: Her work explores typography, language, publication as art/design practice, and redefining communication design through new materiality. Her doctoral research, Epä/igenesis (2021), and the bookwork Epägenesis: Katalogi X (2020) examine material and conceptual writing.

Recent Publications: Karhumaa's recent projects include Aquatic Encounters: A Glossary of Hydrofeminism (2024) and collaborative works on fungal biology choreography, embodied design, and hybrid book objects. Her research emphasizes sustainable academic practice beyond commercial interests.

• Scientific Awards:
  • Hopeahuippu award for Mycoscores / Choreospores
  • Honorary mention in Fiction Category; The Most Beautiful Books in Finland 2023
  • Honorary mention in Fiction/Non-Fiction Category; The Most Beautiful Books in Finland 2022
  • Artist residency at Frans Masereel Centre (2021)

Grants and Collaborations: She received Kone Foundation funding for the Eurantie Window Publication (2025–2028) and personal grants from the Arts Promotion Centre Finland (2023). Her work intersects typography, experimental publishing, and interdisciplinary art-science collaborations.

Labs and Teams: As a co-founder of Multipöly, she drives experimental publishing projects that blend design, art, and academic research, including the street-level Eurantie Window Publication (2022–present).