Project partners
Western Finland Design Centre Muova
Muova is a research and product development centre of the Aalto University School of Art and Design. Muova promotes international competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises. Muova was founded in 1998. From January of 2006 Muova has been a shared research centre of School of Art and Design and University of Vaasa. School of Art and Design is one of the three universities that form the Aalto University.
Muova combines cross-disciplinary research, innovative thinking and user-centred design. Muova specializes in creating brands, design management, user-centred design and industrial design. Muova is developing an international network to virtually develop and test innovative ideas. Muova works with many international universities. Examples of international university partners include Delft University of Technology Netherlands, Interactive Institute Stockholm, the University of Oxford Great-Britain, the Royal College of Art London and the Estonian Academy of Art.
Muova has completed over 200 projects. These include numerous international research and design projects, which have combined for example, brand research, user-centred design and industrial design, resulting in new and innovative product concepts for Finnish enterprises.
Contact information:
Western FinlandDesign Centre MUOVA
Wolffintie 36 A, 65200 Vaasa
Contact person:
Tanja Oraviita
Puh. 06-357 6332
e-mail: tanja.oraviita@aalto.fi
University of Vaasa, marketing department
http://www.uwasa.fi/markkinointi/
University of Vaasa is an internationally highly regarded multidisciplinary science university that carries out a high standard of research and education and offers an innovative learning environment. It is closely connected to its surrounding region of Ostrobothnia and values internationalization in its degrees and research. The teaching and research activities of the University are widely based, their focus being on business studies, administration, technology, languages and culture. The maritime campus offers a modern study environment for 5000 students. A closely knit study community, well-planned teaching and efficient student services promote academic progress and completion of degrees.
Within the faculty of business, the department of marketing is an innovative department with international, analytic and human centered approach. Both research and teaching is closely connected to regional companies and development organizations. Special attention has been put on the successive and cumulative process of studies. Each academic year some 40 Master’s degrees are completed. Two years in a row The Finnish Association of Consumer Research has given the award for best consumer behavior Pro Gradu-work in Finland. During their studies the students are facing real life business development challenges in multidisciplinary contexts. Problem-based and experiential learning pedagogies are emphasized. At the moment a new creative learning environment is under development in cooperation with Muova in order to enhance constructive and deep learning. Close contacts with international partners enable wide and deep international perspective in research and other development work in several contexts.
Contact information:
Vaasan yliopisto
PL 700, 65101 Vaasa
Contact person:
Minna-Maarit Jaskari
Puh. 06-324 8565
e-mail: minjas@uwasa.fi
Umeå Institute of Design
Umeå Institute of Design (UID) is a department within the Faculty of Science and Technology at Umeå University, Sweden. In 2007, the Umeå Institute of Design was – for the second year in a row, and as the only Swedish school – listed in Business Week magazine as one of the best design schools in the world. The core education at the UID includes a Bachelor program and three specialized Master programs in industrial design. Today, more than 60 percent of the students in the MA programs and one-year courses are international students, and come from 26 different countries. The education focuses on the planning and forming of industrial-made products, systems and services. As a step in the UID’s clear professional orientation, almost all practical projects are carried out in collaboration with an external partner. Each academic year, 14 project works and about 45 degree projects are completed.
UID cooperates regularly with a number of companies and organizations including Saab, Volvo Trucks, Volvo Cars, Ericsson, Nokia, ABB, Electrolux and Husqvarna, several of which are also strongly involved with the Institute’s research programmes. Other collaboration partners include Royal Institute of Technology at Stockholm, Faculty of Engineering at Lund, the International Business School at Jönköping and the KTH School of Technology and Health.
Contact information:
Umeå University
SE-901 87 Umeå Sweden