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

At the end of the course, students should be able to:

- recognize different career paths for designers in culture, private and public sector.

- articulate a personal direction for what to pursue upon the completion of their studies.

- recognize basic business principles for sustaining a professional career as a designer as well as compile and present some of their design capabilities in marketable design offerings and/or services.

- compile a physical and/or digital portfolio in which they document and present their design expertise and experiences in visual and textual form.

Credits: 6

Schedule: 09.01.2023 - 09.06.2023

Teacher in charge (valid for whole curriculum period):

Teacher in charge (applies in this implementation): Simo Puintila, Tarja Nieminen, Namkyu Chun

Contact information for the course (applies in this implementation):

CEFR level (valid for whole curriculum period):

Language of instruction and studies (applies in this implementation):

Teaching language: English. Languages of study attainment: English

CONTENT, ASSESSMENT AND WORKLOAD

Content
  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    This course represents the final major course in the English-medium BA in Design and is designed to assist students in articulating for themselves and others what they have done throughout their studies and what they desire to pursue next.

    The course is organized around a lecture and workshop series with accompanying assignments through which students are challenged to reflect on what they have learnt and produced throughout their studies as well as the expanding role of design in society today. The focus of the discussion is on the professional landscape for design and the various ways through which designers develop and sustain a professional career over time. Topics discussed throughout the course include design work in public and private organizations, foundational principles for design business and consulting and life-long learning in design.

    Students compile a portfolio to showcase their personal interests and expertise in design. They also revisit a prior study project and improve upon it based on the knowledge and skills they have developed; e.g. repositioning a past project in relation to current developments and/or improve upon its execution to be showcased in an exhibition.

    Part of the course is organized in collaboration with Design Impact I and II.

Assessment Methods and Criteria
  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    The final grade for the course is based on in-class activity and the individual and group assignments that students complete throughout the course.

    Students must attend and display active participation in at least 80% of the contact sessions. Active participation in the introduction lecture as well as the presentations at the end of each study period is mandatory.

Workload
  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    The total workload for the course amounts to 162 hours (I ECTS credits = 27 hours).

    •  Contact teaching 56 hours
    •  Presentations and final event 14 hours
    •  Individual and group work 75 hours
    •  Personal reflection 16 hours
    •  Giving course feedback 1 hour

     

DETAILS

Substitutes for Courses
Prerequisites

FURTHER INFORMATION

Further Information
  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    Teaching Language : English

    Teaching Period : 2022-2023 Spring III - V
    2023-2024 Spring III - V

    Enrollment :

    Only open for major students in English-medium BA programme in Design. 

    The course has 26 study places.

    A minimum of 15 students are required for running the course. 

    Registration for courses: Sisu. Priority order to courses is according to the order of priority decided by the Academic committee for School of Arts, Design and Architecture, https://www.aalto.fi/en/services/registering-to-courses-and-the-order-of-priority-at-aalto-arts