Finnish Design Push launches second round with new company partners
How can design boost Finnish industry and generate new innovations? This is being investigated in the Finnish Design Push initiative, the second round of which started at the beginning of September. The project is bringing together design students, faculty and technology companies to explore how design can drive innovation in Finnish industry.
The initiative is a joint effort between Aalto University鈥檚 School of Arts, Design and Architecture and the Technology Industries of Finland, with the aim of strengthening students鈥 transition into working life and expanding the role of design in business.
鈥淒esign can have an important role to play in furthering growth and development. Unfortunately, companies are not always fully aware of the opportunities available to them in working with designers. Collaboration with the Technology Industries of Finland has therefore been invaluable in finding company partners for the course鈥, says Associate Professor Oscar Person.
The second round kicked off on 4 September at the KIDE building on Aalto鈥檚 Otaniemi campus with the Digital Service Design Project course. Six companies 鈥 Dewaco, Mivepa, MyData, Norelco, Vitec and Wideflow 鈥 presented their project challenges to the students, who will now begin developing design-driven solutions in dedicated teams.
Led by lecturers N煤ria Solsona and Antti Salovaara, the course encourages students to work hands-on with real-world problems, while companies gain fresh perspectives and innovative approaches. By bridging education and industry, Finnish Design Push is building new pathways for collaboration, creativity and competitiveness.
Read more on the initiative and join!
Aalto University's Finnish Design Push: Empowering SMEs and Design students
The Finnish Design Push, a joint initiative between School of Arts, Design and Architecture and Technology Industries of Finland, started collaboration with five SME technology companies by exploring design integration into their digital services.
Read more news
Major funding powers development of next-generation machine technology aimed at productivity leap in export sectors
The BEST research project is developing new types of sealing, bearing, and damping technology.
The TAIMI project builds an equal working life 鈥 a six-year consortium project seeks solutions to recruitment and skill challenges
Artificial intelligence (AI) is changing skill requirements, the population is aging, and the labor shortage is deepening. Meanwhile, the potential of international experts often remains unused in Finland. These challenges in working life are addressed by the six-year TAIMI project funded by the Strategic Research Council, and implemented by a broad consortium.
Unite! Seed Fund 2026: Call opens on 20 January 2026
Gain an early overview of the Unite! Seed Fund Call of Spring 2026. The call includes three funding lines: Student Activities, Teaching and Learning, and Research and PhD.