Inspired by its namesake, forefather of Finnish design Alvar Aalto, Aalto University’s School of Arts, Design and Architecture encourages its Collaborative and Industrial Design graduate students to experiment with new ideas and techniques in multi-disciplinary teams. Constantly providing opportunities for students to learn more about collaboration, the school’s product development project – more commonly known as the PDP course – teams up students from all disciplines with real companies to provide hands-on design experience. The annual PDP gala showcases the exceptional work students have done to solve problems for clients such as Lifa Air, a personal air purifier manufacturer and Saab, a developer of counter-drone technology. In 2022, this course celebrated the completion of its three hundredth project with teams sponsored by companies such as Konecranes and Ensto.

Beyond a grounding in concept design, co-design, service design, strategic design and design research, the school provides the student body – which is both international and multicultural – with access to top-of-the-line facilities. During their studies, students work with faculty to develop a personal study plan that will guide a path through the degree.

Notable alumni

Eero Aarnio, Kaj Franck, Harri Koskinen, Stefan Lindfors, Timo Saarnio