LEARNING OUTCOMES
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- Identify, understand and use a range of selected critical perspectives on contemporary design in terms of relationships between its production, consumption and the work of designers;
- Independently engage critical and theoretical viewpoints in the analysis and discussion of selected artefacts or topics;
- Develop independent ways of researching and expressing viewpoints in a selected example in design culture.
Credits: 4
Schedule: 02.09.2024 - 07.10.2024
Teacher in charge (valid for whole curriculum period):
Teacher in charge (applies in this implementation): Guy Julier
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:
Design Culture Now provides an introduction to some ways of understanding design in contemporary society. It goes beyond thinking of design as just the output of designers, to consider the relationships that produce, mediate and regulate design and how these relate to the domains of consumption and everyday life. Through lectures and seminar discussions, you will explore how design objects – be these products, services, spaces or, for example, digital environments – are active in confirming, contesting or extending social, cultural, economic and political conditions. To do this, we will draw on some theoretical tools from the humanities and social sciences to help us think about and analyse these examples. Ultimately, you are encouraged to build your individual approaches, interests and viewpoints in studying design culture. An assignment, where you also can develop your own ‘voice’ in writing about design culture, completes this course.
Design Culture Now is one of the four joint compulsory courses for all Master's students at the Department of Design. Others are INTRO, Design Research (1st year) and Thesis Seminar (2nd year).
Assessment Methods and Criteria
valid for whole curriculum period:
Passing the course requires attending and participating in contact teaching sessions and completing course assignments. Assignments. 100% active attendance, of which 20% can be covered with additional assignments.
Workload
valid for whole curriculum period:
Study methods include attending the contact teaching and doing the course assignments. Absence (max 20%) during contact teaching can be covered with additional assignments.
4 ECTS is equivalent to an 108 hour workload.
- Contact teaching 24h
- Independent studying 65h
- Personal reflection and thinking time 18h
- Course evaluation 1h
DETAILS
Study Material
valid for whole curriculum period:
Course literature will be announced in advance in MyCourses.
Indicative reading:
Du Gay, P., et al. (2013). Doing cultural studies: The story of the Sony Walkman, 2nd edition. London: Sage
Forty, Adrian (1986) Objects of Desire: Design and Society Since 1750. London: Thames & Hudson
Hebdige, Dick (1988) Hiding in the Light: On Images and Things. London: Comedia. chp.4* Object as image: the Italian Scooter Cycle , pp.77-115.
Julier, G. (2014) The Culture of Design, 3rd edition. London: Sage.
Julier, G. (2017). Economies of Design. London: Sage.
Juleir, G et al (2019) Design Culture: Objects and Approaches. London: Bloomsbury
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 Autumn I - II
2025-2026 Autumn I - IIRegistration:
Registration in Sisu. The minimum number of students is 5, and the maximum is 120.
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