Enrolment options

ARTX-C1013 - Thematic Studio II, Lecture, 7.1.2025-10.4.2025

Please note! Course description is confirmed for two academic years, which means that in general, e.g. Learning outcomes, assessment methods and key content stays unchanged. However, via course syllabus, it is possible to specify or change the course execution in each realization of the course, such as how the contact sessions are organized, assessment methods weighted or materials used.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Students who successfully complete this course should be able to:

- use artistic, scientific and research methods to set goals and directions for their work when designing with and for systems.

- position users and their interests within broader communities of people and societal systems.

- explore systems, relationships and flows for use in design.

- turn ideas into coherent presentations of concepts and prototypes.

- Work in a group setting towards shared design goals.

Credits: 12

Schedule: 07.01.2025 - 10.04.2025

Teacher in charge (valid for whole curriculum period):

Teacher in charge (applies in this implementation): Antti Hietaniemi

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 studio course, students explore contemporary phenomena through thematically-framed design projects. The course is organized in tandem with Thematic Studio I with the same theme(s) being explored by students in the two courses. In smaller groups, students work collaboratively in articulating design challenges in relation to the yearly theme and in devising solutions to real-world problems. Building on what the students have learnt in Thematic Studio I, the course supports students in acquiring knowledge and skills to organize design work as a group and in taking a systems view when designing. Students learn systematic ways of finding and utilizing users- and systems-related data, creating concepts and, finally, turning the concept into an early prototype that can be tested with users. 

    The contact teaching in the course is organized around a combination of assignments, lectures, tutoring and workshops. The typical format of a week includes an introductory lecture with examples and small hands-on exercises, followed by independent group work, documented in a report and supported by tutoring, and finally presenting the results to others.

Assessment Methods and Criteria

  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    To pass the course, students need to complete the given group assignments, actively participate in class, create a concept and an early prototype, and document their progress in a report. Grades will be based on the successful completion of the steps, the quality of the report and the design outcome.  

Workload

  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    The total workload for the course amounts to 324 hours, consisting of 100 hours of lectures, hands-on exercises and presentations in class, 20 hours of tutoring and 200 hours of independent group work. 

DETAILS

Study Material

  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    Readings as provided in class.

Substitutes for Courses
Prerequisites
SDG: Sustainable Development Goals

    12 Responsible Production and Consumption

FURTHER INFORMATION

Further Information

  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    Teaching Language: English

    Teaching Period: 2024-2025 Spring III - IV
    2025-2026 Spring III - IV

    Registration:

    Only open for students in English-medium BA programme in Design. The course has 42 study places. Min 15 students. Registration in Sisu.

Rules of Conduct - Students´ Rights and Responsibilities (in force from 1 August 2020)

Aalto University Code of Academic Integrity and Handling Violations Thereof

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