Syllabus

LEARNING OUTCOMES

After successfully completing this course, students should be able to: 

-increase their artistic expression, design skills, and conceptual thinking in the field of ceramics design 

-execute independent studio work in model, mold, and prototype making in ceramics 

-compare and evaluate the aesthetics and physical qualities of the material 

Credits: 9

Schedule: 27.02.2024 - 17.04.2024

Teacher in charge (valid for whole curriculum period):

Teacher in charge (applies in this implementation): Nathalie Lautenbacher

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

Nathalie Lautenbacher: nathalie.lautenbacher@aalto.fi

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:

  The practical realization of a design project in ceramics, the theme of which changes yearly: From tabletop to surface design or material and technology exploration. The assessment starts from gathering research material, sketching and presenting the concept ideas, proceeding to studio work, and resulting in the making of prototypes from ceramics. The concept development, designing, and evaluation are processed theoretically in project seminars, where the manufacturing techniques and working methods, as well as other chosen solutions, are discussed. Students write a learning log referring to the readings, lectures and reflecting those to their creative learning process. 

• applies in this implementation

  2024 THEME: BUILDING BLOCKS

  THE BRIEF: To design and produce a series of “Building Blocks” with one single shape (max. measures 270 x 130 x 75 mm) with ceramics or geopolymers.

  Techniques: Any ceramics techniques like hand building, casting, mold pressing, extruding, and 3D printing are possible. The geopolymer shapes are produced by casting in a mold.

  Material options: stoneware, slip-cast porcelain, geopolymers

  Note: In their project, each student may consider combining two different techniques and two materials.

  
  

Assessment Methods and Criteria

• valid for whole curriculum period:

  To pass the course, the student must participate in lectures and group activities (80%) and present the final artifact.

  Evaluation criteria: activity during the course, reflection on theory through the learning log, the quality and finalization of the final artifact/project and the content of the final presentation, covering the artistic process. 

Workload

• valid for whole curriculum period:

  Total workload 9 credits = 243 h. 80% attendance is required.

  • 54 h Contact teaching: lectures, seminars, tutoring, excursions, and evaluation
  • 140 h Independent work: studio work, learning log
  • 48 h Personal reflection
  • 1 h Course evaluation

DETAILS

Study Material

• valid for whole curriculum period:

  Ceramic Handbook (aalto.fi) 

  Pallasmaa, Juhani 2009. The Thinking Hand Existential and Embodied Wisdom in Architecture. John Wiley & Sons Ltd. Ponti Tipocolor, Italy P. 47-69 

  Yanagi, Soetsu 1972. Adapted by Leach, Bernard. The Unknown Craftsman A Japanese Insight into Beauty. Kodansha USA, Dai Nippon Printing Co. Ltd, South Korea P.109-112 

  These and other readings related to the yearly subject will be handed out at the beginning of the course. 

• applies in this implementation

  All reading materials will be provided at the beginning of the course.

Substitutes for Courses

• valid for whole curriculum period:

  Substitutes for Courses

Prerequisites

• valid for whole curriculum period:

  Prerequisites

SDG: Sustainable Development Goals

9 Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

12 Responsible Production and Consumption

FURTHER INFORMATION

Further Information

• valid for whole curriculum period:

  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 course starts.

  Teaching Language : English

  Teaching Period : 2022-2023 Spring IV
  2023-2024 Spring IV

  Enrollment :

  Minimum 8, max. 15 students. Priority to first-year Contemporary Design major students.

  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

   

   

Details on the schedule

• applies in this implementation

  First 2 weeks´ introduction lectures (on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays) are mandatory for participating in the course. After that, the work is more scheduled more freely, and concentrates in independent and tutored studio work.

  Excursion day on Thursday 29.2.!

  The detailed schedule will be shown on this Mycourses-pages a week before the course starts.

Description