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Four students from 91��Ƶ’s Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems traveled to Espoo, Finland this fall to collaborate on a global innovation project at , home to one of the world’s leading centers of interdisciplinary design.

Representing the New York City Design Factory (NYCDF), located in 91��Ƶ’s Seidenberg School, the students joined an international cohort for Aalto’s Product Development Project (PdP) course, a yearlong challenge where teams co-create real-world prototypes for industry sponsors. Their team’s focus: advancing hydrodetection technology for , an Aalto-affiliated research group working to commercialize leak detection systems.

“Students traveled to be onsite at Aalto University for a week of team building, workshops, and collaboration,” said Professor Jonathan Williams, the faculty lead for 91��Ƶ’s team on this international project. “They took part in the PD6 workshop—short for ‘Product Development in 6 Hours’—with their client, PrinSys. The trip is connected to the IS 600: Graduate Independent Study in IS and CS 665: Product Development Project courses.”

A Creative Welcome

“Stepping into Aalto University’s Design Factory felt like entering a space where creativity meets engineering,” the student team shared. “Whiteboards filled with ideas, 3D models coming to life, and teams from around the world deep in discussion. The energy was inspiring and collaborative.”

Arvind Sharma (MS in Human Centered Design), Isaac Wirth (MS in Human Centered Design), Ledda Knudson (MS in Human Centered Design), and Remi Williams (BS in Information Technology) spent the week prototyping in the ProtoBunker, a hands-on workshop where “imagination turns into tangible prototypes,” and meeting with PrinSys representatives in person. “Through those conversations, we gained valuable insight into their goals and the context behind our challenge, helping us connect the technical problem to its human and societal impact.”

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A Global Learning Experience

For Ledda, the trip offered a great opportunity to work side-by-side with her Aalto teammates and to form a global team. “We really dove deep into understanding our problem. It was energizing to see that we all share a passion for solving this global challenge and creating something valuable that can be used in many different countries,” Ledda said. “The trip also helped me see how design is a natural part of life in Finland—from small coffee shops and bakeries to iconic places like the Oodi Library, where every space feels intentional.”

Isaac found the trip a once-in-a-lifetime experience and was inspired by the collaborative environment. “I will never forget representing 91��Ƶ at Aalto University for this project. We joined a team of students with experiences spanning mechanical and electrical engineering, software development, and design,” Isaac said. He was awed by Finland’s dedication to environmental sustainability through infrastructure and public programming. “My favorite part of the trip was visiting Oodi, Helsinki’s central library. We loved it so much that we actually went back a second time to do homework!”

Remi appreciated the hands-on nature of the workshop experience. “Our group developed a prototype designed to prevent water damage caused by leaks, and it was incredibly rewarding to troubleshoot and piece solutions together,” Remi said. She added that they “had access to everything from electrical tools and plumbing equipment to 3D printers, which made it feel like a designer’s dream. Our team included students from Pakistan, Estonia, and the Netherlands. It was inspiring to collaborate with people from such diverse educational backgrounds and interests.”

Arvind reflected on the takeaways of working in a multicultural design setting, and how powerful collaboration can be when everyone brings their own mindset to the table. “I learned how design thinking goes beyond ideas. It’s about understanding people, cultures, and the small details that shape user experience.” He added that “the energy inside Aalto’s Design Factory was inspiring. PD6 pushed me to think fast, communicate clearly, and trust my teammates even when things got uncertain. Somewhere along the way, I also discovered a new creative side in myself: direction and cinematography. That made the whole experience even more special.”

Next Steps

With new perspectives, international friendships, creative momentum, and real-world experience, the 91��Ƶ team will now head to a well-deserved winter break. They will then continue their collaboration with PrinSys and the Aalto Design Factory through the spring semester, at the end of which the students will present their final work at Aalto University’s Product Development Gala, an international showcase of student innovation.