The Aaltoliike concept, created by Laura Isoniemi, is an interdisciplinary product design course at Aalto University, School of Arts, Design and Architecture. The Aaltoliike concept was rewarded as a promising business concept in the Aalto University’s Idea Competition, held in the spring of 2009. The first Aaltoliike Project took place in February 2010 and it has been held since on an annual basis.

I developed the Aaltoliike course based on an idea combining design, marketing and technology.  Student projects have included tasks such as the development of a business idea for a store and the design of corporate gifts for the top management of Aalto University. In a recent course, students created artworks and postcards for the Aalto management from recycled books.

Characteristics of the Aaltoliike project are the application of the Aalto brand and visual identity to various products, as well as the integration of creativity and sustainability in the design exercises and exhibition projects. 

Teaching sustainability
My teaching experience at the Aalto Creative Sustainability study programme has led me from the Helsinki Arabia area to Shanghai, where my teaching responsibilities have included prototyping workshops, design projects for University campus surroundings, and the Tongji-Aalto cooperation.

At the Aalto University Media Factory, I have collaborated in a multi-disciplinary, international Package project, which focused on the design of sustainable packaging. A joint environmental course in 2011-2013 focused on the potential impact of art on sustainable development.