Berrak Karaçelik from Istanbul is a third-year architectural and environmental design student at Bilkent University in Turkey, who joined Aalto University Summer School to deep-dive into Nordic design, which she feels must be experienced firsthand rather than through books alone.
‘For me, the idea of getting a different cultural approach led me to the Nordic Design Futures summer course at Aalto University. Nordic design is one of the most futuristic and modern design cultures there is, and I really wanted to experience that together with Nordic design thinking and the history of it,’ says Berrak.
‘Campus as a whole left me speechless. Alvar Aalto has always been a great source of inspiration, so being able to walk, work, and learn in buildings he actually designed was a highlight for me during the course,’ Berrak continues.
Most of the lectures and workshops of the Nordic Design Futures summer course take place at the , a hub for product development, design education, research and practice.
‘During the first day, we got a tour of the facilities and the Design Factory. The first thought that came to my mind was “Wow”. How can a public university be this amazing? Our group also got a tour of the School of Arts. Every corner of the school offered opportunities for students to practice and collaborate in arts and design,’ says Berrak.
I have already considered Aalto University a top option for my master’s studies in design and aim to apply to a degree program at the School of Arts, Design and Architecture next year for my master’s. Summer School at Aalto has been the perfect opportunity to get a sneak peek of the campus, student life, and Finland as a country.
In September, I will take part in an exhibition in Turkey, and being surrounded by this type of legendary architecture and design has truly given me inspiration for my upcoming works.
Our need for biodegradable materials is growing, and the sustainable approach of Nordic design is increasingly relevant. It is something we should all learn more about and eventually take greater responsibility for on an individual level.
This course helped me look at design from a more forward-thinking perspective instead of a historical one. It challenged me to imagine how things will evolve for both future generations and societies.
In general, meeting and discussing design with students from different countries and fields added a valuable layer to the course that I didn’t expect to appreciate as much as I actually did.
I would give this course a grade of 9.5/10. I think it could have been a bit longer to allow for even more depth, as the lectures and days just flew by. Every field can benefit from incorporating design thinking into its processes, which is why I believe anyone could learn something tangible and useful from this course.
Design thinking is a problem-solving methodology that helps organisations and individuals to identify challenges and create solutions in many industries. This course explores the Nordic aspect of design, emphasising sustainability and ecological thinking, as well as functionalism and critical design.
Aalto University Summer School offers high-quality academic summer courses and programs at Aalto University during the winter and the summer.
The application period for Winter School 2027 runs from 15 September to 15 November 2026.
