Aalto University Summer School
Everything you need to know about Summer School! Make this summer unforgettable and experience the best of Aalto University and Finland under the Nordic summer sun.
Nordic Product Design
Design thinking is a problem-solving methodology that makes it easier for organisations and individuals to identify challenges and create solutions in many industries. This undergraduate-level summer course explores the Nordic aspect of design, emphasising sustainability and ecological thinking, as well as functionalism and critical design.
Teaching period:
-
Application period:
31.1.2025 – 31.5.2025
Course format:
Campus
Duration:
2 weeks
part-time
Course level:
Undergraduate
Field of study:
Art and design
Credits:
2 ECTS
Organiser:
Aalto University
Tuition fees:
1170€
Nordic Product Design is a two-week intensive interdisciplinary summer course focusing on a distinctive approach towards the design of products, materials, and systems in the Nordic context. The course explores themes of design thinking, merging it with the current trajectory of Nordic design with an emphasis on functionalism, ecological principles, sustainable futures, aesthetics, materiality, and critical design.
The initial phase of the course aims to develop a well-rounded theoretical understanding of these themes in the socio-cultural context of Nordic Countries, with a particular focus on Finland. This stage bridges theory and its historical and contemporary practices using visual materials, films, interactive dialogues, and assignments. The second phase is more hands-on and emphasises practical explorations. It includes workshops, site visits and experiments where students work in both group and individual tasks.
The course aims to foster a holistically creative process that extends from ideation to creating actual artefacts. At the end of the course, you will be able to develop a unique approach to solving and questioning design problems, anchored in the Nordic approach to design thinking and practice. The course further encourages you to apply these design strategies and solutions in your own international context, contributing to global design perspectives.
Summer School alum story: Nordic Product Design invites students to materialise their designs in new and unique ways
Tommaso Astaldi wanted to experience the Nordic approach to learning and teaching at Aalto University Summer School.
| WEEK 1 | Monday 21 July | Tuesday 22 July | Wednesday 23 July | Thursday 24 July | Friday 25 July |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morning | Individual or group work | Individual or group work | Individual or group work | Individual or group work | Individual or group work |
| Afternoon (13-16) | What is Design? | Nordic Design History | Site Visit | Workshop | Workshop |
| WEEK 2 | Monday 28 July | Tuesday 29 July | Wednesday 30 July | Thursday 31 July | Friday 1 August |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morning | Individual or group work | Individual or group work | Individual or group work | Individual or group work | Individual or group work |
| Afternoon (13-16) | Workshop | Sustainable Design | Site Visit | Prep for Final Presentations | Final Presentations |
*Note that this is a preliminary schedule subject to change or updates.
Before the course: Preparation
- Preparation exercise 2h
21 July-1 August 2025: Lecture weeks on-site at Aalto University campus
- Daily lectures (Monday-Friday) between 13-16
- Group work and individual tasks
- Optional social program in the evenings
- Understanding Nordic Design: Developing an understanding of design history, contemporary design and design-thinking in Nordic countries, particularly Finland.
- Practical Application: Developing theoretical and practical knowledge in ecologically driven product and material design via team and individual assignments, workshops, and site visits.
- Critical Thinking and Problem Solving: Exploring themes of design thinking and critical design in the creative process to solve design challenges innovatively.
- Sustainability and Ecological Values: Developing theoretical and practical knowledge in ecologically driven product and material design.
The course assignments include:
- Hands-on tasks, from ideation to building physical prototypes.
- Design thinking exercises and workshops.
- Analysing, visualising and presenting outcomes (with peer reviews).
- Working on tasks in groups, as well as individually.
- Documenting work, including keeping a visual learning diary (physical or virtual) and updating this diary with short home tasks/ research assignments.
Course workload
Preparation Exercises 2h
Contact hours, intensive course participation 30h
Individual or team student work 22h
Total 54h (2 ECTS)
The course is graded as pass/fail.
Please note that the undergraduate courses offered by Aalto University Summer School can not be included in Aalto degree studies.
This course does not require previous experience in the topic.
Participants must have completed a high school or vocational degree or equivalent by the time the course starts. However, they do not have to be a degree student at a university to participate in our courses.
Additionally, all summer school course students must be 18 years or older, as it is the legal age in Finland.
Please include a motivation letter or video in your application. In your motivation letter or video, describe your motivation for taking this course. The recommended length for the motivation letter is 150-250 words, and 1-2 minutes for the video.
Tuition fees for Summer School courses
One course: 1170€ (incl. VAT 25,5%)
- The course fee includes academic course sessions and assignments, an official digital Aalto University certificate and support from the Summer School team. The fee does not cover accommodation, daily meals, or transportation during the course
- Unfortunately, Aalto University Summer School does not offer scholarships for participants.
Social program fee
If you need a visa, we recommend applying by April 15th 2025.
- This is to ensure that we have enough time to process your application and that you have time to make the tuition fee payment, book a visa appointment and wait for the application to be processed.
- You can apply and be accepted to the courses after April 15th. In that case, we recommend that you pay at your earliest convenience so that we can deliver your invitation letter to you promptly.
- According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland, the processing time for a visa application is 15 days. However, the processing time may be longer if a more detailed application examination is required.
Learn about the Aalto University Summer School cancellation terms. You will receive the full terms before making the payment and confirming the course participation.
Teacher Information
Sushant Passi is a transdisciplinary designer and specialist for Creative Digital Productions & Prototyping at Aalto Design Factory. He holds a Master of Arts degree in Contemporary Design from Aalto University, with a minor in ChemArts, where he has fostered a deep interest in critical thinking, speculative design, materials futures, applied art and product development.
As a designer and researcher, he has collaborated with various design, innovation and social impact firms, such as the Godrej Innovation Centre in India and Scope Impact in Finland. Sushant has also taught and facilitated various design-centric courses and workshops at Aalto University and XAMK. His notable works have been exhibited at Iittala & Arabia Design Centre and Helsinki Design Week. Some of his recent publications can be found in the Journal of Virtual Exchange (2022) and with the DFGN-R Conference (2023).
Summer School teacher interview: Learn how to approach design challenges in the Nordic Product Design course by Aalto University Summer School
Aalto University Summer School offers a brand-new undergraduate-level summer course on Nordic Product Design for 2024.
Summer School Team
Information for Summer School Applicants
Get to know the application guidelines and tuition fees.
Summer School social programme and events
Get to know your coursemates and Finland through engaging extracurricular activities and social events organised by the Summer School team.
Travel arrangements for Summer and Winter School students
Learn about the guidelines for visa application and budgeting for your stay during the summer course.
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