In October 2015, four students from Yonsei University's Underwood International College took part in the Product Development Project (PdP) in collaboration with Aalto University in Finland — marking an exciting step in DFK's growing international network.

The project kicked off on October 24th, when the four Yonsei students travelled to Finland to participate in PD6 (Product Design in 6 hours) alongside Aalto University students. PD6 is a compact yet intensive workshop designed to simulate the early and exploratory phase of product design, incorporating the same core elements as a full product development process — but condensed into a single, fast-paced session.

Working as part of team KONE, the students tackled a real design challenge and developed a new mechanism for an elevator, producing a working prototype through the process. The experience gave students a firsthand look at how product development unfolds in practice — from initial discussion and ideation to subgroup formation and hands-on prototyping.

The collaboration continued into the new year, when on January 28th, 2016, postgraduate students from Aalto University visited Design Factory Korea. Representing all six Aalto schools, the visiting students were part of Bit Bang — a multidisciplinary postgraduate course at Aalto University. The visit brought together students and faculty from both institutions for an open exchange on the new digital world and the future of education in Finland and Korea.

The PdP collaboration with Aalto University offered Yonsei students a unique opportunity to engage with a world-class design institution, experience cross-cultural teamwork, and apply design thinking in an international setting — all values at the heart of what DFK stands for.