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

On successful completion of ANY studio course, you will be able to:

- identify your most important individual learning goals

- distinguish important milestones in your working process

- document your working process

- present and defend your creative choices and design decisions

- discuss and debate the work of others, and give constructive feedback

 

In addition, on successful completion of Studio: Self-organised Publishing course, you will be able to:

-        identify the acts of observing, collecting, editing, recycling, remaking, appropriating, borrowing, hoarding, summoning and outsourcing as legitimate pathways for a creative process

-        plan and design a publication while paying particular attention to its context

-        consider the notion of publishing in a contemporary creative setting

-        distinguish the 'distribution of ideas' as a way of motivating and building sustainable long term practices

Credits: 12

Schedule: 02.03.2021 - 07.05.2021

Teacher in charge (valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022): Arja Karhumaa

Teacher in charge (applies in this implementation): Tuukka Kaila, Arja Karhumaa

Contact information for the course (valid 08.02.2021-21.12.2112):

Course Teacher: Tuukka Kaila

e-mail: info@tuukkakaila.com

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:

    General description for VCD Studios

    The studio course is where you dedicate time and space for an investigative communication design project either individually or in a group. The thematics of the course may vary yearly, and activities can range from autonomous projects to experimental collaboration with an organisation, company, or community. Your task is to plan and execute a practice-based design/research project where learning goals are set both by you individually as well as on a common trajectory with your studio group. Background research in both theory and praxis as well as documentation are an important part of the process. Individual feedback sessions, milestone presentations, peer discussions and readings provide structure and support for your work.

    The four parallel studio courses share joint lectures as well as work-in-progress clinics out of which you can choose those which provides best support to your concept and execution. The final results of all the studio courses are presented in a joint exhibition/installation.

     

    Studio: Self-organised Publishing

    This studio course looks at contemporary publishing as an ecosystem of overlapping identities and diverse practices with the shared aim of making public. The course encourages you to explore the potential of publishing in relation to your own work and as a hospitable environment for setting up self-organised initiatives. With distribution of ideas in mind you work towards identifying, accessing, appreciating and cultivating the hidden elements of your practice.

    Within this context, you will realise a practical project in the form of a publication. The theoretical framework is outlined through lectures and site visits. You develop ideas and content for your publication in tutroials and through discussing existing artists' books and zines.

Assessment Methods and Criteria
  • Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:

    The assessment is a synthesis of your design process, required milestones submitted on time, and the final outcome of the design project. Successful completion of this requires minimum 80 % attendance. 

  • Applies in this implementation:

    Numerical Grading 1–5
    Grade evaluation is divided as follows:

    • Classroom discussion, participation and engagement: (35%)
    • Small assignments:  (10%)
    • Individual project commitment and process, including studio diary or other relevant documentation: (35%)
    • Individual publication final outcome: (20%)


    As evaluation criteria, the following are considered at the end of the course:

    • reflective approach to one's personal practice
    • active participation in conversation: commenting, sharing, listening and respect towards fellow students’ work
    • practical work demonstrates appreciation / understanding of the theoretical framework discussed during the course
    • submitting all assignments on schedule
    • individual project shows originality of concept and its imaginative realisation as well as care and dedication in craft and presentation
    • all assignments must be submitted in order to pass the course

    Note: Students will be required to give course feedback/reflection in order to successfully complete this course.

Workload
  • Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:

    12 ECTS = 324 h, of which

    •       27 h joint lectures shared by all studios
    •       90 h studio teaching
    •       39 h working independently OR in joint clinics according to need
    •       168 h independent work

  • Applies in this implementation:

    This course gives participants a fair amount of freedom but demands a certain degree of discipline in terms of time management. It will be an opportunity to be generous with the time spent on concept development, background research, discussion and reflection of one's own
    practice, all of which should be evident in the final outcome.


    Sessions consist of practical workshops, discussions, individual tutorials, site visits, lectures and browsing, discussing and befriending bookworks and artists' publications together as a group.


    The course requires practical work and access to equipment in the print making studio. Due to the current covid restrictions some of the contact teaching will have to take place in smaller groups or pairs. For individual students this will unavoidably mean more independent work, while split in smaller groups or during other students' individual tutorials. For the successful completion of the course it is therefore very important to take responsibility of planning one's own time carefully to make the most of the time available for practical work at the print making studio.

DETAILS

Study Material
  • Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:

    Study materials will be provided in the beginning of the course.

Prerequisites
  • Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:

    Students from outside VCD are accepted at the teachers' discretion. Upon registration, these students are required to send a portfolio to the responsible teachers. The portfolio should be a pdf consisting of maximum of 5 projects and 10 pages, including one page with a brief letter of intent. These should demonstrate previous experience and/or potential in the area of interest relevant to the studio course.

Registration for Courses
  • Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:

    Visual Communication Design major alternative studies. VCD major and exchange students are prioritised. For students from other MA programmes, see prerequisites.

  • Applies in this implementation:

    The course will take place on campus in P106 (homebase), in the print
    making studio, online and at one or two Helsinki locations outside
    campus during site visits. Because of the practical nature of this
    course, we will meet several times in person as a group. It is extremely
    important that everyone follows the current covid restrictions, wears a
    mask and only attends these meetings feeling completely healthy, so
    that we can keep each other safe. If you are not comfortable with
    meeting people despite great care for safety restrictions, it will be
    difficult to make the most out of this studio course.

SDG: Sustainable Development Goals

    10 Reduced Inequality

    12 Responsible Production and Consumption

FURTHER INFORMATION

Further Information
  • Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:

    The four studio courses run parallel and share some teaching events, and the space bookings have been divided between these courses. Contact Arja Karhumaa 040 570 7777 if you have questions about bookings! This applies to
    DOM-E2111 Studio: Self-Organized Publishing
    DOM-EGGG Studio: Visual Narratives
    DOM-E2GGG  Studio: Information
    DOM-E2HHH Studio: Type and Written Language

  • Applies in this implementation:

    The course will take place on campus in P106 (homebase), in the print
    making studio, online and at one or two Helsinki locations outside
    campus during site visits. Because of the practical nature of this
    course, we will meet several times in person as a group. It is extremely
    important that everyone follows the current covid restrictions, wears a
    mask and only attends these meetings feeling completely healthy, so
    that we can keep each other safe. If you are not comfortable with
    meeting people despite great care for safety restrictions, it will be
    difficult to make the most out of this studio course.

Details on the schedule
  • Applies in this implementation:

    A detailed, provisional schedule will be provided at the start of the course.