Aalto IDBM

About IDBM

The International Design Business Management (IDBM) program is a joint offering between the Aalto University School of Art, Design and Architecture, School of Science and School of Business. Since 1995, it has delivered world-class multidisciplinary and systemic research as well as learning in global business development through design and technology. The aim is to educate global producers and leaders of innovation in new product, service and business development. The program builds on the premise that new wealth, meaningful social innovation and solutions are increasingly created in the spaces between disciplines and thus there is a need to educate interdisciplinary professionals. IDBM is offered as a master and a minor program.

Industry collaboration

The core offering of the program includes an eight-month long learning-by-doing (embedding both practice and project-based learning) industry project with a real-life business enterprise setting, within small (4-5 student) multidisciplinary teams that are balanced in terms of background including necessarily business, design and engineering students. Every team coached by multidisciplinary faculty and expert industry tutors. The project includes a student trip to a destination related to the case and funded by the industry partners. At the end, student teams will develop innovative products, services and business concepts.

The quaint little island of Lonna, located a few minutes by ferry from Kauppatori in Helsinki, was the venue for the IDBM Industry Project final presentations in 2015. This one-day event consists of pitches, an exhibition, and of course a magnificent party.

Watch the teasers of the 11 projects of 2015:

Info pack

Read more about the program, the industry projects, and research papers published by IDBM community.

+ The IDBM Book 2015
+ IDBM program
+ IDBM industry projects
+ IDBM papers vol. 1
+ IDBM papers vol. 2

All Master students from the three tracks (Arts, Technology, Business) will study the same compulsory IDBM courses during the first year of studies. At the core of the program is the industry project, lasting a full academic year, where multidisciplinary student teams work together on real-life challenges provided by industry partners. Students taking IDBM Master’s degree are expected to commit to full-time studies especially during the first year of their degree.

1st YEAR

IDBM Industry Project 15 ECTS

Compulsory courses 33-35 ECTS
Not all the courses below are compulsory for the three tracks. Please read the specific degree structures.

Creative Teamwork

Design business Management

Business Model Design

Creative Leadership

Innovation Management

Interdisciplinary Product Development

Integrated Design Management

Design and Culture

Design Research

2nd YEAR

Master’s thesis 30 ECTS

School specific Master studies
Elective and optional courses
Minor studies
Exchange studies

40-42 ECTS

Each track has its specific requirements. Please read the specific degree structures.

School specific degree structures

The admission to Master’s Degree Program in IDBM is done through three tracks depending on the targeted degree of the applicant. Please refer to the detailed degree structure for each track.

M.Sc. Econ.

M.A.

M.Sc.Tech.

IDBM MINOR STUDIES

Minor studies in IDBM consist of the Industry Project (15 ECTS) and two compulsory courses from the first year (5 ECTS each). For more detailed information please visit the Aalto University Minors Guide.

ADMISSION INFORMATION

Application for IDBM master’s studies.

Admission to the Master degree program in IDBM is done through three different schools based on the targeted degree of the applicant. The application period for Master studies starts on 15th of December 2016 and ends on 25th of January 2017.

Apply for the School of Business

Apply for the School of Arts, Design and Architecture

Apply for the School of Science

Application for IDBM minor studies.

Students from Aalto University and other Finnish universities can apply for IDBM minor studies. Deadline for application for minor studies for the next academic year is 15th of May. Applicants can send their CV, motivation letter as well as transcript of studies to IDBM Program Coordinator Anna-Mari Saari. A completed bachelor degree is required for applicants.

Apply for minor studies

IDBM Program Coordinator
Anna-Mari Saari
Mobile (+358) 40 353 8333
anna-mari.saari(at)aalto.fi

IDBM Program Director
and IDBM Director of School of Business
Markku Salimäki
Tel. (+358) 50 383 7385
markku.salimaki(at)aalto.fi

Study Coordinator at the School of Business
Emilia Karlén
Mobile (+358) 50 3667 355
emilia.karlen(at)aalto.fi

IDBM Director of School of Arts, Design
and Architecture
Peter McGrory
Department of Design, Arabia campus
Tel. (+358) 50 3036 543
peter.mcgrory(at)aalto.fi

Study Coordinator at the School of Arts, Design
and Architecture
Naoko Nakagawa
Department of Design, Arabia campus
Tel. (+358) 50 3613 928
naoko.nakagawa(at)aalto.fi

IDBM Director of School of Science
Matti Vartiainen
Department of Industrial Engineering and Management, Otaniemi campus
Tel. (+358) 50 5553 380
matti.vartiainen(at)aalto.fi

Study Coordinator at the School of Science
Kirsi Polvinen
Department of Industrial Engineering and Management, Otaniemi campus
Tel. (+358) 50 5715 678
kirsi.polvinen(at)aalto.fi

Postal address:
Aalto University School of Business
P. O. Box 21230
FI-00076 AALTO

Visiting address:
Runeberginkatu 22-24
00100 Helsinki
Finland