DF Monthly Insider (vol.1)
The start of the year has been incredibly busy, but we’re thrilled to have all the students back, hard at work on their projects. We’re launching DF Monthly Insider to give you a behind-the-scenes look at what’s been happening here. Our goal is to inspire, inform, and spread the word about all the exciting things in the works. Thanks for being part of this journey with us!
We’re closer than ever, visit us on the 1st floor
After spending over 1.5 years in the Viima 2nd-floor offices, it was time for a change. Just before the holidays in late 2024, we packed up once again, this time for a short move, and settled into our new offices on the Viima 1st floor. As part of this transition, we also said goodbye to the old Cut & Ink/Pixelhub and Wave spaces.
Our new setup shifts from an open office to dedicated smaller office rooms, giving each team their own space and more flexibility to shape their work environment. You can now find all of us on the 1st floor, including DF Admin and Cut & Ink, PDP, Research & Teaching, DFGN, and the rest of the teaching staff, all in their dedicated office rooms, ready for chat and support. On a practical level, being on the same floor as the rest of our activities makes collaboration smoother and helps students find us more easily.
As a bonus, we now have a new booking system that runs fast and smoothly. If you need to book a space for Aalto University-related use, feel free to use it, it makes the process much easier and saves us tons of time.
We’re looking for two new team members. Is that you?
DFGN student position
In this role, you’ll be part of the Design Factory Global Network (DFGN) team at Aalto Design Factory in Espoo, Finland. The deadline for application is on the 4th of February of 2025.
Your work will involve:
Organizing events and training for international university representatives, including International Design Factory Week and both virtual & on-site programs.
Helping new Design Factories set up and establish themselves.
Hosting international guests at Aalto Design Factory.
Coordinating collaboration projects across the global network.
Currently, there are 38 Design Factories worldwide, with more universities eager to join the network. Read more about the position and application process here.
Postdoctoral Researcher in Interdisciplinary Product Design and Education
In this role, you’ll be part of the academic team at Aalto Design Factory in Espoo, Finland. Our team focuses on product development collaboration and interdisciplinary education on a global scale. The deadline for application is on the 2nd of March of 2025.
Your work will involve:
Conducting research as part of ongoing projects at Aalto Design Factory.
Co-teaching in our courses related to product development and design.
Engaging with the Design Factory Global Network (DFGN) by fostering global educational collaboration.
This position is a fixed-term Postdoctoral Researcher role (100%) until December 2026, starting in April 2025 or as soon as possible. It’s a great opportunity to contribute to advancing new ideas in product development education while working in an innovative and dynamic academic environment. Read more about the position and application process here.
Aalto University turns 15 and we’ve been along for the ride
On January 8th, Aalto University celebrated its 15th anniversary with a vibrant event at Dipoli, bringing together students and staff. The celebration included speeches, discussions, and reflections on Aalto University’s journey, along with exhibitions and showcases highlighting the work of Aalto’s students and professionals. And Design Factory also took part, we wanted to offer visitors a hands-on, interactive experience, staying true to our core values of co-creation and shared inspiration.
Our contribution: A co-creation workshop
Sushant Passi and Rohan Sachdeva led an engaging two-step workshop, inviting participants to reflect on Aalto’s past and imagine its future. The first step of the workshop was focused on introspection. Participants guided a marble through a maze to one of six pillars that resonated most with them: High-quality research, Interdisciplinary approach, Innovation & Creativity, Entrepreneurial mindset, Collaboration, and Sustainability.
Second part was focused on imagination. After choosing a pillar, participants envisioned what Aalto could look like in 15 years in that area. They wrote down their ideas and then brought them to life by creating a symbolic piece with a 3D pen.
Continuing the hands-on fun
To highlight what education at DF can be and the power of collaborative innovation, SAAB brought a flight simulator to the booth, originally developed by a student team during the PDP course a few years ago. Visitors had the exciting opportunity to try it out firsthand.
We also set up a DF-style photo booth, where visitors could dress up as a true DFer using props straight from DF - the classic work jacket, safety gear, and small tools. The booth was a huge hit, with a long queue throughout the event. Every group walked away with a Polaroid photo as a fun keepsake of the experience.
The Nordic Product Design course running for the second time at DF
In January, we hosted the Nordic Product Design course - a two-week interdisciplinary course exploring product, material, and system design in a Nordic context. After a successful debut last summer, the course returned for its second edition this winter, bringing together 25 enthusiastic students from around the world.
Taught by Sushant Passi, the course explores design thinking themes by connecting them to current developments in Nordic design, focusing on functionalism, ecological principles, sustainable futures, aesthetics, materiality, and critical design. The good news is the course will run again this summer as part of the Aalto University Summer School.
DF courses started or continuing in Period III
Prototyping for Innovation (MEC-E3005)
This course is all about purpose-driven prototyping, hands-on, and creative work that blends theory with real-world practice. Students explore company cases, tackle challenges, and bring ideas to life at Design Factory's prototyping facilities. This course consists of engaging weekly workshops & online materials, hands-on prototyping with real company cases, and teamwork in class or individual assignments outside.
Designing an Electric Device for Business And Production (AAN-C2009)
Part of the Aaltonaut bachelor’s Product Development minor, this course teaches teams how to tackle open-ended problems, turning ideas into production-ready plans and rapid prototypes while mastering design, branding, and production.
User Research in Product Design (AAN-C2013)
Another course that’s part of the Aaltonaut minor, teaches students user-centered design principles and the role of user research. They can explore methods like surveys, interviews, and usability testing, and master data collection, analysis, and creating user personas. Or learn how to tackle ethical concerns through practical exercises and real-life projects.
Product Development Project (MEC-E3001)
PDP is an 8-month project course where students tackle a real-life product development challenge, typically provided by partner companies. The course is currently at its halfway point, which will be celebrated with the PDP Halfway Show on January 31st. During the event, all teams will showcase their progress and share their plans for refining and improving their prototypes moving forward.
This year, we're fortunate to collaborate with 18 companies and organizations from a variety of industries. Here are the amazing partners we're working with:
Have you heard of DF Fika?
You might remember DF Breakfast, well, this is just like that, but later in the day!
The word Fika comes from Swedish, meaning a social coffee break with pastries like cookies and cake. It's not just about the coffee though, it’s about coming together and catching up. Sounds a lot like DF Breakfast, right?
So far, we’ve had three Fikas, and we’d love to see you at the next one. They happen every two weeks on Monday at 12:30, and for just 1.50€, you get coffee/tea and a pastry.
Here are the dates of the upcoming Fikas for the next month, we hope to see you there (by clicking on the date you can add the event to your calendar):
Super Insider insight: Klaus’s cinnamon buns
Klaus, our Head of Community, has officially become a professional korvapuusti baker! Coffee and pulla were enjoyed by many, and who knows, you might just find a surprise treat waiting for you outside of Fika time.
At DF, there's always something cooking, whether it’s a new product or a fresh batch of cake. You never know what delicious surprise might be around the corner.
Thanks for joining us today!
Kisses & hugs, ADF Staff
PS: We’d love if you could share the DF Newsletter with like-minded people who might find it useful. Let’s spread the word and showcase all the amazing things happening here!