Nordic Product Design

About

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.

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.

Course leader

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.

Target group

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.

Course aim

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.

Fee info