ISM-C4007 - Design Strategy, Lecture, 2.6.2025-29.8.2025

Please note! Course description is confirmed for two academic years, which means that in general, e.g. Learning outcomes, assessment methods and key content stays unchanged. However, via course syllabus, it is possible to specify or change the course execution in each realization of the course, such as how the contact sessions are organized, assessment methods weighted or materials used.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Design has been a major source to create innovations and elicit competitive advantages – functioning as an organizational capability rather than an individual skill. Yet, design still faces misconceptions and is barely integrated when it comes to organizational and business decision-making. 

This course will equip you with competencies to master the basics of design in product/ service/ business development and will get you started on how to transmit a design-driven approach in organizations, their operations and strategic domains. To immerse learning into the opportunities and challenges of design, the course combines theory with applied assignments and practitioner talks.

 

Credits: 6

Schedule: 02.06.2025 - 29.08.2025

Teacher in charge (valid for whole curriculum period):

Teacher in charge (applies in this implementation): Victor de Bruin

Contact information for the course (applies in this implementation):

CEFR level (valid for whole curriculum period):

Language of instruction and studies (applies in this implementation):

Teaching language: English. Languages of study attainment: English

CONTENT, ASSESSMENT AND WORKLOAD

Content

  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    Design domains, processes and methods

    Innovation management 

    Value creation

    Design and its consequences

    Ecosystems & Long-term thinking

    Types of strategizing

    Design maturity 

    Design Strategy & Strategic Design

Assessment Methods and Criteria

  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    Class participation
    Individual and team assignments

Workload

  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    Total 160 h (6 ECTS)
    Lectures 42 h
    Independent and teamwork: 118 h
    Compulsory attendance, max. 3 absences

DETAILS

Study Material

  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    Articles and other materials provided on the course.

Substitutes for Courses
Prerequisites

FURTHER INFORMATION

Further Information

  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    Teaching Language: English

    Teaching Period: 2024-2025 Summer
    2025-2026 Summer

    Registration:

    Registration for courses will take place on Sisu (sisu.aalto.fi). The course is available only for the minor students in the Information Technology Program (ITP). Application to the program through itp.aalto.fi.

Rules of Conduct - Students´ Rights and Responsibilities (in force from 1 August 2020)

Aalto University Code of Academic Integrity and Handling Violations Thereof