LEARNING OUTCOMES
After successful completion, the student is able to:
- Understand different forms of research-based knowledge and concepts that are used in support of fashion and textile design processes;
- Understand and explain the role of research-based knowledge in the creative process (e.g. in data collection, documentation, and reflexive self-evaluation);
- Show ability to use research-based knowledge in their own design practice;
- Undertake design research to build knowledge to support and justify the practical work, and to possibly apply for education leading to a Doctor of Arts degree.
Credits: 3
Schedule: 13.01.2025 - 10.02.2025
Teacher in charge (valid for whole curriculum period):
Teacher in charge (applies in this implementation): Kirsi Niinimäki
Contact information for the course (applies in this implementation):
Emmi Pouta emmi.pouta@aalto.fi
Kirsi Niinimäki kirsi niinimaki@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 course consists of lectures, readings, discussion sessions and own reflections on research through design approaches in the fashion and textile field. Research through design, practice-based, constructive design research, design ethnography and user-centered research approaches will be presented. Students will also rehearse how to do reflective writing.
- Overview of different forms of research-based knowledge in fashion and textiles and especially in MA thesis work in FaCT.
- Understanding the research through design approach and how to use it in MA thesis work
- Basics for information and visual retrieval and use of references.
Assessment Methods and Criteria
valid for whole curriculum period:
Passing the course requires attending contact teaching sessions and completion of all individual and group assignments. 100% active attendance, of which 20% can be covered with additional assignment.
Workload
valid for whole curriculum period:
Overall workload 3 cr = 81 h in total.
- 27 h Contact teaching
- 43 h Independent work
- 10 h Personal reflection
- 1 h Course Evaluation
DETAILS
Study Material
valid for whole curriculum period:
Selected reading delivered at the beginning of the course through MyCourses
Substitutes for Courses
valid for whole curriculum period:
Prerequisites
valid for whole curriculum period:
FURTHER INFORMATION
Further Information
valid for whole curriculum period:
Teaching Language: English
Teaching Period: 2024-2025 Spring III
2025-2026 Spring IIIRegistration:
Min. 5 students, max. 40 students. The course is intended only for FaCT students. Please note: The course is recommended to be taken in the 1st study year.
Registration for courses Sisu.
Details on the schedule
applies in this implementation
texts/pre-readings
13.1.
13.15.-17.00
Course starts
- How to do the course
- Positioning your MA thesis
- Reflective documentationFirst task: the reflective journal
Koskinen, I., & Krogh, P. G. (2015). Design accountability: When design research entangles theory and practice. International Journal of Design, 9(1), 121-127.
Mäkelä, M. (2016). Personal exploration: Serendipity and intentionality as altering positions in a creative process. Form Akademisk-forskningstidsskrift for design og designdidaktikk, 9(1).
20.1.
(13:15-14:15)
Art and design practices in research
- applied textile thinking
- prototyping
- researcher positionality(14:30-16:30)
panel discussion
group discussionIndependent task: divide into groups and select an MA thesis for reading
TBA
27.1.
Information retrieval (13:15-16)
Väre/R102Group task guidelines (16-17)
MA thesis guidelines
Reflective journal deadline 26.1.
3.2.
Visual retrieval (13:15-15)
Väre/R102Presentation of group tasks (15:15-17)
10.2.
13.15-17.00
User centered approach
Participatory design
Co-design
Marium Durrani: Ethnography
Please select one text from the following and read it before the session:
Hirscher, A. & Niinimäki, K. (2013) Fashion Activism through Participatory Design, Crafting the future conference. 10th European Academy of Design Conferences 17-19 April, 2013. University of the Gothenburg, Sweden.
Brent Luvaas (2018) Introduction: Anthropology, Street Style, Bloomsbury Academic
17.2.
13.15-17.00
Feedback from reflective journals
Discussion on the pre-reading
Summary of the course - what have we learned
Positioning your own interest in MA thesis
Clemens Thornquist (2014) Basic Research in Art: Foundational Problems in Fashion Design Explored through the Art Itself, Fashion Practice, 6:1, 37-57.
Tasks:
Reflective journal. Deadline 31.1.
Group task: analysing one MA thesis. Presentations on 3.2.
Active participation to group discussions
Short reflective text: positioning own MA thesis work. Deadline 21.2.