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 this course, students will be able to:

(1) elaborate product concepts of high aesthetic and stylistic appeal and sophistication and to create argumentation on their design

(2) identify the premises of form giving such as design strategy, brand positioning, trends, cultural differences in consumer preference and such not forgetting their personal insight

(3) specify and communicate the goals of visual design and they develop advanced skills in converting these premises to solutions that are expressed in 3-dimensional form.

Credits: 10

Schedule: 26.10.2020 - 03.12.2020

Teacher in charge (valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022): Simo Puintila

Teacher in charge (applies in this implementation): Anssi Ahonen, Simo Puintila

Contact information for the course (valid 06.10.2020-21.12.2112):

simo.puintila@aalto.fi

+358505175036

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:

    The topics of the course belong to the fundamentals of design capability. The course gives the students an opportunity to focus on form and aesthetics and deepen their skills. They learn to master a reflective process of visual design and build personal repertoire of visual design principles. The course gives the students advanced skills in form giving and the aesthetical design of physical industrial products. The course addresses a critical viewpoint of understanding dominant aesthetic conceptions and ways of perceiving products, design and form. Individual design processes and form giving is reflected against these perceptions. Students get to experiment with and perfect their skills with a range of visual manual and digital design tools and methods such as mood boarding, sketching, design drawing and computer aided design tools. They become competent with contemporary techniques in design visualisation and they learn to justify their solutions visually and verbally.

    The focus of the course is mainly on design concept development and communicating developed concept further with the help of visual media such as sketching, drawing and rendered images.

  • Applies in this implementation:

    This year our topic is kitchen. The task is to focus on essential activities in small scale kitchen. The primary material and manufacturing method is concrete casting.

    I just received confirmation that this year we are going to collaborate with finnish company named ORAS :)

    We will collaborate with Professor Jouni Punkki (Çoncrete Technology, Construction).

    The first stage (Product and Form 1) is about background research, concept design and some material experimentation.

    The second stage (Product and Form 2) is dedicated for prototyping (at period 4).

Assessment Methods and Criteria
  • Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:

    The students on the course work in design studio mode elaborating their individual assignments under the super vision of the instructor(s). The elaboration is supported by lectures, excursions and literature assignments. Active participation in lectures, excursions and group activity (80%), design assignments and personal reflection. Evaluation criteria: process/reflection, participation, concept development design/aesthetics, visualisations/renderings, general evaluation.

  • Applies in this implementation:

    Evaluation criteria (scale 0-5)

    process/reflections

    - process in general

    - submitting weekly reflections

    - content of weekly reflections

                                                                                                            participation                                                                                                   

    - participation in general

    - using of personal tutoring sessions                                                                 

                                                                                                                                       

    concept development                                                                 

    - development process of idea

    - the process from idea to concept

     

    design/aesthetics                                                                 

    - general appearance

    - materiality and structures

                                                                                                                                       

    visualisations /renderings                                                                 

    - layout of posters and presentations

    - renderings and visualisations

    - general composition

                                    

    general evaluation                                                                 

    - general performance

    - professional attitude

     

    average                                                                                                  

    grade                                                                                                  

     

Workload
  • Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:

    270 h

    Contact teaching including lectures, group discussions, assignments and presentations 80 h

    Independent work including literature study and independent design work 160 h

    Personal reflection 30 h

DETAILS

Study Material
  • Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:

    Hara, Kenya (2007). Designing Design. Zurich: Lars Müller Publishers. (selected chapters)

    Pye, David (2000). The Nature and Aesthetics of Design. London: A & C Black. (selected chapters)

    Zumthor, Peter (1998). Thinking Architecture. Basel: Birkhauser Verlag.

    Additional reading will be announced in the beginning of the course.

  • Applies in this implementation:

    You are devided in reading groups to share and discuss the articles you read.

Substitutes for Courses
  • Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:

    This course replaces course MUO-E3019 in the old degree requirement

Prerequisites
  • Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:

    BA degree completion is required before registering to this course

    Students should master the Basics of 3d modelling. Previous experiences in model making and hands on prototyping is beneficial but not prerequisite.

Registration for Courses
  • Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:

    WebOodi

    Priority to Contemporary Design students and Product and Spatial Design students (10 places) and Collaborative and Industrial Design students (6 students) who have this course accepted in their personal study plan. Priority will be given to the students who will continue in Product and Form II course.

    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:

    It is highly recommended that if you take Product and Form 1 you would also participate Product and Form 2 in 4th period. Most of you already have previous experience in conceptual product design but actually most of the important design decisions take place while prototyping.

SDG: Sustainable Development Goals

    9 Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

    11 Sustainable Cities and Communities

    12 Responsible Production and Consumption

FURTHER INFORMATION

Further Information
  • Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:

    Max 16 students. Priority to Contemporary Design students (10 places) and Collaborative and Industrial Design students (6 students) who have this course accepted in their personal study plan. Exchange students who has both Product and Form 1 and 2 in their study agreement are included in Contemporary Design and Collaborative and Industrial Design quota.

     

    The students can continue deepening their skills in developing high-fidelity designs and exhibiting them in Product and Form II course in period IV (10 cr).

  • Applies in this implementation:

    It is highly recommended that if you take Product and Form 1 you would also participate Product and Form 2 in 4th period. Most of you already have previous experience in conceptual product design but actually most of the important design decisions take place while prototyping.

Details on the schedule
  • Applies in this implementation:

    Most of the Product and Form 1 course is done online. this includes reading tasks, some visiting lecures, concept design and tutorings. Material experiments we arrange in Otaniemi (varying locations/Väre/Concrete Technology workshop).


    Note that at least these following days we meet at Väre for the start of the course, some mid term reviews and consept sharing sessions.


    There is also a small change in starting the course on monday. We shall meet at 13:15 not 09:15 as was previously planned.

    Mo 26.10.20 13:15-17:00 R028L101


    Tu 27.10.20 09:15-17:00 R028L101



    Thu 05.11.20 09:15-17:00 R028L101



    Thu 19.11.20 09:15-17:00 R028L101



    Tu 01.12.20 09:15-16:00 R028L101


    Thu 03.12.20 09:15-16:00 R028L101


    More specific schedule will be shared at the beginning of the course.

    NOTE: This course require full time working so do not take other courses simultaniously.