Syllabus

LEARNING OUTCOMES

After completing the course, students: 

• Have a deeper understanding of the experimental design process and the capability to see the advantages of it.
• Have the ability to execute a complex experimental project from ideation to finalization and presentation.
• Organize their creative process more efficiently and produce a broader array of ideas. 

Credits: 9

Schedule: 27.08.2024 - 04.10.2024

Teacher in charge (valid for whole curriculum period):

Teacher in charge (applies in this implementation): Anna-Marie van der Lei

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: Finnish, Swedish, English

CONTENT, ASSESSMENT AND WORKLOAD

Content

• valid for whole curriculum period:

  The course follows a pre-determined and changing topic or stakeholder that establishes the frame inside which the students work.   The first part of the course is done collectively, with students generating ideas and materials. The second part of the course is done individually where each student builds on top of their earlier findings.   Throughout the course students are encouraged towards a process-led experimental approach, re-thinking about the possibilities, processes, and materials. Students are taught to see design practice and research from a design process perspective. Students will conceptualize their creative work and learn how to translate process-led experiments into novel outcomes.

Assessment Methods and Criteria

• valid for whole curriculum period:

  Documentation and content of background research, material design process, and hands-on experimentations both at the individual level and in the group context; 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.

Workload

• valid for whole curriculum period:

  9 cr - 243 hours. 80% attendance is required. 

  • Contact teaching including lectures, group discussions, assignments and presentations 70 h 
  • Independent work including literature study, writing assignments and studio/Lab work 142 h 
  • Personal reflection 30 h 
  • Course evaluation 1 h

DETAILS

Study Material

• valid for whole curriculum period:

  A reading list is provided at the beginning of the course. The list will vary according to the theme.

   

Substitutes for Courses

• valid for whole curriculum period:

  Substitutes for Courses

Prerequisites

• valid for whole curriculum period:

  Prerequisites

FURTHER INFORMATION

Further Information

• valid for whole curriculum period:

  Teaching Language: English

  Teaching Period: 2024-2025 Autumn II
  2025-2026 Autumn II

  Registration:

  Registration in SISU. Min. 8 students - max. 16 students. Priority to Contemporary Design major students who have this course accepted in their personal study plan.

  1. CoDe students and CoDe exchange students;
  2. Department of Design (exchange) students;
  3. Students from the School of Arts. 

  Otherwise, 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  

Description