Master's Programme in International Design Business Management - Master of Arts

Objectives of studies

We do not work in silos, so why should we study in one? IDBM students tackle complex, real-life challenges in multidisciplinary teams and develop holistic perspectives of tomorrow’s challenges. The programme embraces design more broadly as a method, mindset and competitive advantage. It does so by focusing on product, service and business design, technology and innovation management. IDBM graduates have:

• The ability to work in and lead diverse teams. Graduates have discovered and unlocked their potential in multidisciplinary teams. They have developed important interpersonal and communications skills through collaborative industry projects. Become an effective team player by improving vital project management skills.
• A forward-looking view of the world. Graduates possess knowledge about current and future trends shaping organisations and societies.
• Not only business sense but design and tech-savviness. Graduates have expanded their competence achieved in business by bringing in design and technical perspectives to gain a more holistic view on how to create value for end-users.
• Competence to manage, develop and lead design-driven strategies. Graduates have gained insight into how design is managed and how can its impact be evaluated and analysed. They have learnt from industry leaders how to create new ideas and execute them with design-driven strategies and processes.

Upon graduation from the IDBM programme, graduates are ready to take on significant roles in teams working in the intersection of design, business and technology. They are able to drive innovation and lead initiatives to undertake new business ventures in global environments.

Content of the studies

As an IDBM student you complete courses together with an international, tight and diverse community of students. Compulsory IDBM core studies are linked to an extensive industry project and related teamwork, which enables students to learn how to utilize and apply different knowledge, tools and methods in practice. Moreover, the IDBM industry project deepens the understanding of students about real-life processes of the participating firms in global design-intensive businesses. Skills in project management and business planning are developed through the projects.

For further details on the education content, see the study guide for the academic years 2020-2022.

Structure of studies

Students from all of the tracks will study the same compulsory IDBM major studies during the first academic year.

The two-year master’s degree studies in International Design Business Management in the field of design consist of the following modules:

• Compulsory IDBM studies
• Compulsory studies in Department of Design
• Master’s thesis
• Alternative and Elective studies

The first year of the IDBM programme consists of IDBM compulsory studies and a six-month-long industry project. During the second year, students can complement their studies by completing an exchange semester, minor studies or choose elective courses depending on their interest.

See further information on the course content on the programme website and Into student portal.

Tracks/Majors within the programme

Admission to the IDBM programme is granted through six tracks in three different fields depending on the applicant's background and the targeted degree.

Internationalisation

You will study with an ambitious and diverse group of students from around the world. You can complete an intense industry project for a global organisation in multidisciplinary teams and participate in trips to destinations related to the challenges presented in the project. You can also complete a part of the studies abroad in an international partner university as an exchange student.

Aalto University is international by nature, welcoming thousands of degree and exchange students from abroad each year. These students join the diverse Aalto community not only through studies, but also multiple free time events, activities and celebrations around the campus. Programme administrators, active student tutors and student support services work rigorously to help international students integrate into the Nordic culture and feel at home in Finland.

Post graduate opportunities

IDBM graduates are eligible to apply for doctoral studies.

Career opportunities

IDBM prepares you for a career in creative industries and in organisations that draw on creativity, design and technology as key components of their competitive positioning. These career opportunities exist both in large multinationals and in start-ups, in a variety of fields as organisations are starting to recognise the importance of design in retaining their relevance and creating better value. In positions ranging from service design to design and strategy, IDBM graduates leverage design to create new products and services, often involving the latest technology.

Focus areas of research

Our research focuses on industrial and societal developments that evolve the design practice. We strive to devise actionable strategies for management and strategic planning of design in companies and in the public sector. Our research interests revolve around organisational adoption of design, leadership of designers, and implementation of design-driven development practices. We also aim to provide a deeper understanding of the processes behind design’s role in creating change.

Collaboration

IDBM is a truly multidisciplinary programme that embodies the vision of Aalto: a community of bold thinkers, where science and art meet technology and business. You have the entirely unique opportunity to study and work together with ambitious students from the schools of ARTS, Business, Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Electrical Engineering and Science. 

Aalto University is well-known for bridging disciplines of business, arts, technology and science. The lively campus and freedom of choosing elective courses across the University bring students from different fields under one roof. This spontaneous multidisciplinary environment sparks new ideas, gathers enthusiasts around them and gives birth to friendships, networks, and every so often, startups.

Study-option-specific evaluation criteria

Applicants meeting Aalto’s general eligibility criteria for master's studies will be evaluated and ranked according to the evaluation criteria that has been decided in advance for each study option. The applications to Master’s Programme in International Design Business Management (IDBM) Master of Artswill be evaluated based on the following criteria.

Phase I

Phase II

Evaluation process

The applicants will be first evaluated based on Aalto’s general eligibility requirements. Applicants meeting the general eligibility criteria for master's studies will be evaluated and ranked according to the evaluation criteria that has been decided in advance for each study option.

The selection process for applicants who meet the general eligibility criteria comprises of two phases: 

Phase I

In Phase I, the applicants are evaluated based on the following criteria

• Artistic and/or design practice
• Relevance of previous studies
• Suitability/Motivation letter
• Other areas of competence

Only the applicants who are ranked highest in the Phase I evaluation will be invited to phase II in the selection process.

Phase II

In Phase II, the evaluation is based on the following criteria

• Suitability/Interview

Part of the applicants are invited to the second phase. The invitation to the second phase is sent to the applicants at latest seven days in advance.

The second phase consist of a face-to-face interview, which can be conducted online.

After the evaluation conducted in Phase II, the best applicants will be selected based on the joint evaluation from Phases I and II.

Study-option-specific documents requested

The documents requested from all applicants are listed on the Aalto University website (https://www.aalto.fi/en/study-at-aalto/applying-to-masters-programmes). In addition, applicants to this study-option are requested to provide the following study-option-specific documents:

Portfolio

A portfolio consisting of the applicant’s own works is mandatory. Please upload a single PDF-file to the application system before submitting the application.

In the portfolio, applicants display work that illustrate their design skills and artistic expression. The portfolio must contain diverse samples of the applicant’s previous design, scientific, professional and/or artistic activity and interests. Artwork/project work can be provided as technical drawings, illustrations or photographs. If you present a work that has been undertaken as a team, please clarify your particular role in, and contribution to, the project. The work contained in the portfolio must be catalogued, listing at least the title and/or theme, materials utilized, size, purpose and year of completion of each piece. The catalogue must also detail where and when the work has been exhibited, displayed or otherwise published.

The portfolio should be uploaded as a single PDF-file. Maximum size for the portfolio is 1.0 GB. Name the file as: Portfolio-surname-firstname.pdf.The intake committee will only evaluate the material displayed in the PDF-file. Links to external material (e.g. website) or video material will not be considered during the intake process.

Motivation letter

The applicant must convey his/her motivation for studying in the IDBM Master’s Programme by writing a motivation letter. The letter should address the following questions:

• Why am I applying for admission to the IDBM Master’s Programme?
• What am I expecting to learn or gain by participating in the IDBM Programme?
• What can I contribute to fellow students and to the continued success of the IDBM Programme?

The maximum length of motivation letter is 4000 characters.

(The lack of this application document will adversely affect the evaluation of your application.)

CV

The professional experience of the applicants is looked at broadly and is considered to include work experience relevant to the IDBM programme as well as experience in artistic and scientific work, including entrepreneurship and other relevant civic activities.

Language of application documents

All the application documents must be submitted in English.

An applicant can apply to the IDBM programme through more than one School. Such an applicant, however, can be selected only through one of the Aalto University Schools. An accepted student completes the master’s degree of the School which he/she is accepted to.

Note: The criteria mentioned here is for the IDBM programme in the Department of Design at Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture. Applicants with a bachelor’s degree in architecture can apply both through the science/technology field and through the design field, depending on the applicant’s background studies and career intentions or aspirations. Students graduating from the School of Arts, Design and Architecture will complete and be awarded a Master of Arts (MA) Degree in International Design Business Management (IDBM).

Read more about International Design Business Management (IDBM) community on their website