PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT PROJECT (MEC-E3001) is aimed at students interested in developing new products, solutions or consumer goods. The problems are given and sponsored by both domestic and foreign industrial companies, who are searching for innovative cooperation with the next generation of product developers. Over the recent years students have also pursued their own projects and startup ideas in PDP. 

PROTOTYPING FOR INNOVATION (MEC-E3005) is a six-week-long course diving into different purposes and techniques of prototyping. Open to all Aalto students, The course offers a combination of theory, company cases and hands-on practice in purpose driven prototyping for innovation. Groupwork is utilized during class time, but all outside-class assignments are individual assignments.

Design thinking and creativity for innovation (MEC-E3006) is a modular self-study online course – pick modules to your interest from a changing collection of contemporary topics relevant to product development, innovation management and creative efforts in organizations.

METHODS IN EARLY PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT (MEC-E3020) covers the product development process from initial scoping to concepting. The course complements other courses in product development and is recommended to be combined with PdP, but can also be taken on its own.

GLOBAL INNOVATION PRACTICES (MEC-E3080) is a new course launching in Fall 2024, representing a collaboration of Design Factories across the world. This hybrid course combines cases and insights from different countries with face-to-face lectures on the Aalto campus to prepare you for global collaboration.

PROTOTYPING TOOLS AT THE DESIGN FACTORY (MEC-E3900) This course introduces the prototyping equipment at the Design Factory, including both safety procedures as well as familiarisation how to use the electronics, machining, 3D printing workshops as well as the range of other tools available (painting, woodwork, sewing, vinyl cutting etc.). The course starts with an online self-study introduction and safety preparation that can be completed at any time, after which you can enrol to the face-to-face workshop at the DF Labs prototyping facilities. This course is necessary to gain access to the DF Labs spaces outside of regular working hours.

PRODUCT ANALYSIS (AAN-C2006) deep dives in a product exploration that draws from the perspectives of design, business, and engineering. Students work in interdisciplinary teams, with each team being assigned a product. The analysis is supported with lectures and workshops related to manufacturing techniques, materials, services, users and many more.

PRODUCT SUSTAINABILITY (AAN-C2007 or MEC-E3007 masters level equivalent) takes interdisciplinary teams of students through a range of steps to reimagine an everyday product in more sustainable way. Each team selects a product from a range of products. The product is deconstructed and then analysed from a life-cycle perspective. The outcome of the course is presented in a final product showcase during which students discuss their products with visitors.

DESIGNING an ELECTRONIC DEVICE for BUSINESS & PRODUCTION (AAN-C2009) focusses on design processes and production technologies. Teams of students are given design constraints related to series size and branding, and work in teams to develop a product to solve an open-ended problem. They take a small electronic device from the initial idea stage to a production-ready plan and produce a rapid prototype.

ADD BASICS: Additive manufacturing: from idea to business (AAN-C2012) is a course that introduces students to additive manufacturing (commonly known as 3D printing), and how is it used in product design. Students explore the capabilities and limitations of additive manufacturing as well as the business models associated with additive manufacturing. In practice the course shows students how to ideate and evaluate product concepts for additive manufacturing.

USER RESEARCH in PRODUCT DESIGN (AAN-C2013) explores how we can learn from people in the innovation process. Students work individually and in interdisciplinary teams on a relevant real world concept or challenge. The course introduces students to the fundamentals of user-centred design principles and the role of user research in the product design process. Students collect, record, and analyse user research data, including qualitative and quantitative techniques. Ethical concerns in user research, along with practical exercises are included.

Mechanical Engineering in Society (MEC-E1001) is a compulsory course for master’s level mechanical engineers, exploring how mechanical engineering links to sustainability, creative solutions and the society at large. Students work on individual and group assignments to identify how products, technologies and careers link to sustainability goals and what we can do to advance the positive impact the field can have.