During the summer school, participants had a chance to work with other students from different countries with different knowledge, which provided not only interesting but also very valuable results for the design task. Between the two weeks spent in the summer school, we worked as a computer supported remote collaboration group. Since a virtual team can have difficulties with managing the project or the usage of tools, we could improve our skills and competences in these fields as well. During the design process, we gained new knowledge in the aspects of business (business models, strategies), and detailed design (by creating a CAD model with mechanism) etc. Beside these, we were encouraged creating not only a product but a solution for a problem, that results creative attitude. All in all, I would definitely recommend the IPD Summer School, since it can provide professional support and very good relationships at the same time.

IPDSS was a memorable experience. The combination of theory and practice-based lectures helped me to get familiar with different aspects of new product development, which I might have been previously neglecting due to the engineering design background. Also, I got equipped with diverse kinds of methods and tools applicable to both research and practice in the context of integrated product development. The project-based assignments gave me an opportunity to experience most of the product development activities through individual and teamwork, and to test the provided methods and tools. Moreover, for at least some weeks of the summer, I was able to escape the (comfort) zone of my research and see and discuss why and how other PhD colleagues investigate IPD-related phenomena. Seeing other PhD students' research projects was not only refreshing but also enabled receiving plenty of advice and adopt best practices. Last, but not least, travelling to new destinations and networking with friendly people are always desirable side effects of taking part in such projects.

The IPD summer school fulfilled a valuable practical collaboration objective in addition to achieving its scientific mission in terms of lectures and discussions. In this setting, PhD students from different parts of the world were brought together. This unique opportunity gave us a chance to exchange our work/study experiences with each other and led us to work together as a team both closely and remotely during a few months. The collaboration spirit established by the group project among the team members even later continued in the form of academic teamwork to write paper.

The IPD Summer course was a great experience, not just thanks to the new knowledge gained from the experts, but from the opportunity to explore and discuss new approaches and possibilities. The course allowed me to incorporate and involve these in the research I was doing. However, I must say that the group project was a challenge. It allowed me to apply and take this new knowledge from the individual disciplinary sphere to a practical level, integrating them in a surprising process, where not only did we learn about product development but also about the team's cultural heterogeneity, excellence and diversity. Overall, I can say that the IPD is a challenging course which pushes you to explore new horizons.

The IPD Summer School was great! I was at the beginning of my PhD when I attended this summer school (1^st year). The IPD SS was the first opportunity for me to meet other young researchers and learn about their work. I remember that participants had very diversified backgrounds, which was really helpful to open my mind to new ideas for my research. In addition to learn about IPD and to discover other participants' research, we were brought to work in a project for a couple of months in order to apply the IPD learned concepts. We had then the opportunity to attend to the IPD Workshop, where we presented our work. And of course, the icing on the cake was the opportunity to discover this great country Malta! In conclusion, the IPS SS means to me: knowledge, fun, magnificent landscapes, excellent weather and we fabulous people!

Being part of the 2016 summer school was inspiring but challenging. Challenging because of the rewarding group work between the week in Malta and Magdeburg. Inspiring, because working together in a real international, cross-disciplinary team of motivated PhD candidates was a unique experience definitively wouldn’t miss. Discussing about your PhD with other candidates and the supervisors really focused my work and gave quite a lot of good input for my thesis. The atmosphere along the days was unique. Last but not least, I’m really looking forward for meeting new friends I’ve met there during all international DESIGN society events.

IPDSS allowed me to know different people with different backgrounds, experiences, languages, cultures and mindsets. Different people with the same goal: understanding how to develop products able to satisfy producer, user and every other stakeholders. IPDSS gave me the chance to follow interesting multidisciplinary lectures and to have productive debates with the other students, experts and professors. This helped me to clarify my research goal and to view the same problem from different perspective.

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