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 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 in different face-to-face workshop at the DF Labs prototyping facilities. This course also provides access to the DF Labs spaces outside of regular working hours.

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.

PRODUCT SUSTAINABILITY (MEC-E3007) 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.

FOUNDATIONS IN PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT (MEC-E3200) covers product development process and theories shaping contemporary thinking on product development and innovation. The course explores the dynamics and nuances of product development, its intersections with other organizational functions and managing such efforts.

PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT IN STARTUPS (AAN-C2060) explores key practices and organization of product development in new ventures. Through real startup cases and hands-on exercises, you’ll learn to understand user and customer needs, identify and test key assumptions in product ideas, and use feedback to guide development. Lectures and workshops introduce practical tools for ideation, prototyping, assumption testing, and MVP development.

DEVICE DESIGN (AAN-C2014) 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.

ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING IN PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT (AAN-C2015) 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.

GREEN PRODUCT DESIGN PRINCIPLES (AAN-C2016) explores essential principles and practices for designing environmentally friendly products. Students learn to integrate ecological considerations—such as material selection, energy efficiency and waste reduction into every phase of the product development process, working in multidisciplinary teams to create a set of products that represent the core principles explored in the course.

DESIGN THINKING FOR INNOVATION (JOIN-E3911) is a self-study online course covering the basics of design thinking and what it looks like in product development efforts in companies.

DESIGNING FOR FUTURES (JOIN-E3940) is a self-study online course covering the basics of speculative design in an innovation context.

EFFECTIVE IDEATION (JOIN-E3921) is a self-study online course introducing idea generation methods, facilitating ideation, as well as different tools and methods that enhance creativity when developing new solutions.

INTRODUCTION TO PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT (EKO-C2100) introduces the key stages of product development and deepens understanding of the role of product development as part of company operations. Various product development processes and methods are covered in the course, with a focus on the objectives of engineering work at different stages of development through practical examples.

ENGINEERING IMPACT (MEC-E1000) 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 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.

INDUSTRIAL DESIGN ENGINEERING (JOIN-C2200) is open to ENG and ARTS students. The course explores product development from both engineering and design perspectives. The course integrates theoretical foundations with user-centered, visual, and process-oriented methods with knowledge in manufacturing, materials, and mechanical engineering.

ENTREPRENEURSHIP LAB (TU-E4101) teaches students how to identify, explore, validate and develop product and opportunities for scalable business. Course provides students both insight and experience in the entrepreneurial process by combining key aspects of entrepreneurship: 1) discovering business opportunities and creating customer value, and 2) setting up and managing the organization for delivering the customer value.

DESIGN AND INNOVATION IN CONTEXT (TU-E4060) develops a design-driven entrepreneurial mindset, teaching students to frame challenges empathetically, apply design thinking, craft persuasive messages, and drive innovation. Students will explore how expert entrepreneurs navigate uncertainty by spotting patterns, understanding customer needs, prototyping solutions, and leveraging intuition.

FOUNDATIONS OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP (MNGT-E3005) is an intensive course exploring entrepreneurship as a multifaceted phenomenon from individual, team, and institutional perspectives. Through hands-on activities, students analyze entrepreneurial behaviors, apply startup-driven tools in real-life contexts, and reflect on both the opportunities and challenges of entrepreneurship within the Aalto ecosystem.

OPPORTUNITY PROTOTYPING (TU-E4040) explores how expert entrepreneurs transform ideas into opportunities in uncertain environments. Students will learn to distinguish ideas from opportunities, explore creative possibilities, spot patterns, communicate effectively, and understand the entrepreneurial mindset. Through hands-on exercises and a group challenge, they will apply design-driven processes, prototype ideas, and engage co-creators to shape viable opportunities.

Sustainable development goals as Entrepreneurial Business Opportunities explores the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as business opportunities, emphasizing impact-driven entrepreneurship. Students will learn to evaluate SDG targets, assess net impact and stakeholder effects, and analyze real-life cases of successful SDG-related ventures. Through lectures and hands-on exercises, they will use startup ideation tools to identify and validate entrepreneurial opportunities that align profit with positive societal impact.

NEPPI – Networked Partnering and Product Innovation equips students with the knowledge and skills to create functional IoT prototypes, covering hardware, embedded software, and network-based services. Students will gain hands-on experience in IoT concept design, from contextual research to final handover, while working in multidisciplinary teams. They will learn to plan and execute user-centered design processes, define technical requirements, and develop interactive prototypes to demonstrate IoT concepts.