Please note! Course description is confirmed for two academic years, which means that in general, e.g. Learning outcomes, assessment methods and key content stays unchanged. However, via course syllabus, it is possible to specify or change the course execution in each realization of the course, such as how the contact sessions are organized, assessment methods weighted or materials used.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The aim of the course is to provide challenging environment for action, where the students are encouraged to experiment their ideas related to a given theme with a brave and open-minded attitude. The main objectives of the course are (1) to nourish the creative process with material exploration and experiments with different techniques and (2) to support the self-managing of the creative process with documentation, reflection and discussions. Students who successfully complete the course should be able to:

* Identify suitable ways to document their ideas, processes and outcomes

* Understand how creative process proceeds

* Implement their ideas in to a form of an artefact by using a variety of skills, tools and materials

* Organise the issues related to their creative process in a written format

* Coordinate their own creative process

* Produce a tangible art/craft piece or design and reflect on its birth and meaningfulness in written format

Credits: 10

Schedule: 26.02.2019 - 04.04.2019

Teacher in charge (valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022): Maarit Mäkelä

Teacher in charge (applies in this implementation): Maarit Mäkelä

Contact information for the course (valid 04.02.2019-21.12.2112):

Maarit Mäkelä

maarit.makela@aalto.fi

tel. +358 50 3722168

CEFR level (applies in this implementation):

Language of instruction and studies (valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022):

Teaching language: English

Languages of study attainment: English

CONTENT, ASSESSMENT AND WORKLOAD

Content
  • Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:

    Each year the course have special theme and the course starts with five-days excursion to the theme-related destination in Finland. The starting point of the course is an idea of a researching artist/designer with a capability to conceptualize the perceived phenomena and experience. For supporting the process, the students keep working diary throughout the course. In the diary, the students reflect the working process by sketching and writing. In addition, the students document the entire process by photographing, videotaping or with other recording media. The students can utilise different studios when elaborating their individual tasks and producing their final artefact. This work is supported with tutoring sessions, shared discussions, lectures, excursions and literature assignments. The course consists in three phases: (I) collecting information (excursions, lectures, literature); (II) processing and interpreting the collected data (working in studios, sharing the process in group sessions); and (III) presenting the interpretation (final artefact and related exhibition).

  • Applies in this implementation:

    During the second week of the course 3-9.3.2019 we will travel with night train for a 6 nights journey in Northern Finland. Travels and accommodation are payed, but the students have to pay 100 euros for the food. The journey is elemental part of the course and the students who does not participate to the journey can not take the course.

    The exhibition will be built 8-10.4. Exhibition opening is Wednesday evening 10.4. and final critique takes place on Thursday 11.4.

    After the course, the students have one period time to write and deliver the final reflection the deadline being 31.5.

Assessment Methods and Criteria
  • Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:

    For passing the course, the student has to participate in excursion, lectures and group activity (80%), and present the final artefact. After the course, the student has to deliver learning diary. Evaluation criteria: activity during the course, the creative process, quality of the final artefact and learning diary.

  • Applies in this implementation:

    Activity during the course 25 %

    Creative process 25 %

    Qualiiy of the final artefact 25 %

    Learning diary 25 %

Workload
  • Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:

    270 h / 10 cr

    Journey 54 h / 2 cr

    Briefing, reviews, lecturing and tutoring sessions 54 h / 2 cr

    Independent art/craft/design work 108 h / 4 cr

    Learning diary 27 h / 1 cr

    Personal reflection 27 h / 1 cr

  • Applies in this implementation:

    The workload is calculated so that it is 6 weeks full time working (10 study credits).

    During the 7th week the students build up an exhibition. Showcasing the work in the exhibition is credited with 2 extra study credits.

DETAILS

Study Material
  • Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:

    Kosonen, Krista & Mäkelä, Maarit (2012). Designing platform for exploring and reflecting on creative process. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences 45, 227 238. Other literature sources will be given during the course. Other literature sources will be given during the course.

  • Applies in this implementation:

    Kosonen & Mäkelä is the first reading in the course and has to be read for Thursday 28.2.

Registration for Courses
  • Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:

    WebOodi

    Max 15 students. Priority to Contemporary Design students who have this course accepted in their personal study plan. 

    The order of priority for admitting students to courses at Aalto ARTS 1.1.2018 onwards (approved by The Committee of Arts, Design and Architecture on 10.10.2017)

    The order of priority is as follows:

    1. students for whom the course is compulsory for their major/programme and who have scheduled it for the current academic year in their personal study plan (HOPS);
    2. exchange students for whom the course is a part of his/her officially approved learning agreement and scheduled to be taken during the current semester;
    3. students for whom the course is compulsory for their major/programme and who have not completed it yet;
    4. students, for whom the course is part of his/her major s or programme s alternative studies and has been scheduled in the student's PSP (HOPS) for the current academic year
    5. students, for whom the course is part of his/her major s or programme s alternative studies and who have not completed the requisite number of credits for alternative studies yet;
    6. students for whom the course is compulsory for their minor;
    7. students, for whom the course is part of his/her minor subject s alternative studies and who have not completed the requisite number of credits for alternative studies yet;
    8. students who have applied for the course through a student mobility scheme (internal mobility within Aalto University, flexible study right (JOO) studies etc.);
    9. other students.

     

    Courses that are intended to be multidisciplinary (e.g. UWAS courses) may apply an order of priority based on the learning outcomes of the course, while bearing in mind the university obligation of enabling students to complete their degrees within the normative duration of study set for the degree. The order of priority does not apply to courses organised by the Centre for General Studies or doctoral courses.

    This decision on the order of priority does not influence the right of the teacher to define prerequisites for the course.

     

  • Applies in this implementation:

    After getting the course acceptance, the student has to send a confirmation e-mail to the teacher.

SDG: Sustainable Development Goals

    4 Quality Education

FURTHER INFORMATION

Further Information
  • Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:

    Please notice that the enrollment time ends two weeks before the course starts. The acceptance will be informed to all applicants one week before the start of the course.

    The course will start with 5 days journey to a destination in Finland. The travel and accommodation costs will be covered by Aalto, but the student has to pay 120 € for the food.

     

     

  • Applies in this implementation:

    After getting the course acceptance, the student has to send a confirmation e-mail to the teacher.

Details on the schedule
  • Applies in this implementation:

    The weekly schedule follows the below timeline:

    Mondays: Writing weekly reflection

    Tuesdays 9.15 - 17.00: Contact teaching / going through weekly assignments

    Wednesday: Reading assignment & Taking further personal assignment

    Thursday 9.15 - 12.00 or 15.00: Contact teaching / going through weekly reading assignment + lectures + excursions

    Friday: Possibility for personal tutoring & Personal assignment