LEARNING OUTCOMES
After successfully completing this course, students are able to:
(1) Understand the ecological implications, processes and potential of working with biomaterials in the context of design for sustainability;
(2) Analyse and evaluate material values, aesthetics and new/old crafting methods in the socio-ecological context they are introduced to.
(3) Conduct, record, analyse and present their research and experimental design process individually or in small teams.
(4) Combine hands-on material exploration with conceptual thinking and research to create prototypes and design concepts;
Credits: 9
Schedule: 05.09.2023 - 18.10.2023
Teacher in charge (valid for whole curriculum period):
Teacher in charge (applies in this implementation): Anna-Marie van der Lei, Julia Grundmann
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:
As biomaterial is a broad and currently widely used term, the students wil explore and discover new perspectives to biomaterials within their systems and understand how to create their own creative approach towards these materials. In the course we explore, understand and work with bio-materials and their systemic contexts: natural / social / lifecycle. Depending on the annual topic, the course may be executed in collaboration with a company or organization. The core of the course is to design an innovative concept in the given context, and to execute process-driven, hands-on material experimentation that aims to use material exploration as a source for practice-based design research. The background research, process documentation and final presentation/exhibition are an important part of the learning process.
Assessment Methods and Criteria
valid for whole curriculum period:
Documentation and content of background research, material design process and hands-on experimentations; quality of personal learning diary; visual and verbal communication skills. Passing the course requires attending 80% of the contact sessions (lectures, excursions, group meetings and feedback discussions) and personal learning diary kept throughout the course.
Evaluation criteria: activity during the course, the creative process, quality of the final artefact and learning diary.
Workload
valid for whole curriculum period:
Course workload 9 ECTS = 243 h
Contact teaching: lectures, site visits, group discussions, assignments and final presentation 90 h
Independent work: literature study, writing assignments, studio work in groups and individually 122 h
Personal reflection 30 h
Course evaluation 1 h
DETAILS
Substitutes for Courses
valid for whole curriculum period:
Prerequisites
valid for whole curriculum period:
SDG: Sustainable Development Goals
12 Responsible Production and Consumption
14 Life Below Water
15 Life on Land
FURTHER INFORMATION
Further Information
valid for whole curriculum period:
Teaching Language : English
Teaching Period : 2022-2023 Autumn I
2023-2024 Autumn IEnrollment :
Minimum 10, maximum 24 students. Compulsory for 1st year Contemporary Design major students.
Registration for Courses in 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