Topic outline

  • Welcome to USchool Intro 2023!

    This course is targeted for students of USchool minor at Aalto and University of Helsinki. It takes place as a set of lectures/visits and online events to the three organizing units/departments (Aalto SCI, Aalto ARTS, UH Cognitive Science).

    After the completion of the course, the students understand a) the foundations and scope of human-centred design, and b) the need for and practices in multidisciplinary design. Furthermore, the intent is to get familiar with other students and teachers from the participating universities/disciplines.

    Participation to all sessions is mandatory. Passing the course requires participation at the lectures and completion of the group assigments including the presentation of the group work results.


    Lecture 1 (Wed 13-Sep-2022). The first lecture (lecturer: Marko Nieminen) will take place on Wednesday 13-Sept-2023 at 14:15 at Otaniemi in TUAS building (Maarintie 8) meeting room AS3 Saab Space (1021-1022). PLEASE NOTE: Despite information in Sisu, even the first lecture will be arranged in a co-located manner in the designated meeting room! Online participation (despite being discouraged) will be arranged for those who have no opportunity to participate on-site using the following Zoom link: https://aalto.zoom.us/j/62916520449

    Lecture 2 (Wed 20-Sep-2022 at 14:15-16:00). The second lecture (lecturer: Virpi Roto) is arranged at Aalto ARTS, in the Väre building (Otaniementie 14), room L101 on the ground floor. Online meeting is arranged for those who cannot participate on-site. Join Zoom Meeting https://aalto.zoom.us/j/67614383967.

    Lecture 3 (Wed 27-Sep-2022 at 14:15-15:45). The third lecture is arranged at University of Helsinki (lecturer: Anna-Mari Wallenberg). The location of the lecture is at room D113 in Topelia, Unioninkatu 38, Helsinki. Please reserve sufficient time to find your way to the on-site classroom!

    The October is reserved for working on the assignments, and the results of the assignments will be presented in each school in November as follows:

    Wed Nov 1st at 14:15-15:45 - Presentations of the Computer Science assignment. The location for the presentations is lecture room T5 (A133) at the Computer Science building (Konemiehentie 2, Otaniemi).

    Wed Nov 8th at 14:15-15:45 - Presentations of the Design assignment in Screen Room F005, which can be found by stepping down the stairs from Väre (Otaniementie 14) lobby and turning back right.

    Thu Nov 16th at 16:15-17:45 - Presentations of the Cognitive Science assignment
    The location is the same as for the 1st UH session:  room D113 in Topelia, Unioninkatu 38, Helsinki.


    A design solution for a wicked problem of communicating whether one wants lunch company or not.
         A design solution for a wicked problem of finding a seat in a full restaurant: A dice communicating whether one wants lunch company or not. Group 1 of USchool Intro course 2023.