LEARNING OUTCOMES
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- Discuss the implications of epistemological and methodological decisions on research processes and outcomes;
- Explain the relationships between design practice, research-driven exploratory design, and academic design research;
- Apply selected research methods (including appropriate data collection and data analysis methods) suitable for a variety of design research tasks;
- Reflect on the appropriateness of diverse research methods for addressing intended research questions.
Credits: 4
Schedule: 02.09.2024 - 06.06.2025
Teacher in charge (valid for whole curriculum period):
Teacher in charge (applies in this implementation): Martina Caic, Andrea Botero Cabrera
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:
In this course, students learn to understand a range of various relationships between design practice, research-driven exploratory design, and academic research. They become familiar with different orientations within design research and gain basic knowledge to independently deepen their competence. Orientations include collaborative design, practice-led design, design management, design leadership, material-driven design, more-than-human design, and design for sustainability. Following this theoretical introduction, students experientially learn using a selection of design research methods relevant to their field of inquiry and master's thesis.
Design Research is one of the four compulsory courses for all the master's students at the Department of Design. The students are expected to take it during their 1st study year, and the course needs to be completed before starting the master's thesis. There are two alternative paths to complete this course: attendance or independently. The 1st year students select the 'Participation in Teaching' path. The independent study path is meant for the 2nd (or further) year students who have not yet taken the Design Research course.
Assessment Methods and Criteria
valid for whole curriculum period:
For the independent study, the course assessment is based only on a written assignment.
Workload
valid for whole curriculum period:
4 ECTS is equal to a 108-hour workload. When students select Design Research - Independent Study, they work independently to complete a written assignment (a report, max 15 pages) based on the study materials specified below and a reflection on their own research.
DETAILS
Study Material
valid for whole curriculum period:
Muratovski, G. (2016/2022). Research for Designers. Sage.; Self-study materials available on 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 IV - V
2025-2026 Spring IV - VRegistration:
Registration in Sisu. Minimum 5, maximum 120 students.
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