ARTX-C1019 - Introduction to Research in Design and Media, Lecture, 5.9.2022-5.12.2022

In order to do artefact analysis, you need to have an artefact that triggers your interest, appeals to you or that you find meaningful. Working in pairs (2 people) or alone, please create a description that includes the physical as well as the intangible characteristics of an object selected from the collection of the Aalto University Archives. Some of the artefact dimensions you will seek to describe include:

Material: Description of the different characteristics and parts of the item.  For example, if it is a cup, list the parts.

Design: Typology, What kind of artefact is it? If it is a digital artefact such as a 3D model, What is it used for and how?

Provenance: This includes historical data (even if it is a recent history) the author(s), date(s), changes it might have undergone. 

Context: What is the environment in which the artefact is was used? Who used it? For what purpose?

Significance: What makes this artefact different from others? For example, a penciI or a pen. In what ways is it similar? How do they differ?

Interpretation: This is a brief summary of the findings in the previous categories. 

Doing artefact analysis

Use the artefact analysis method as outlined in the description above. Create a narrative of not more than 750 words in length with a title and your names(s) describing the work done. Include a visual representation of the artefact in your text. Have it ready to share with your colleagues in class next week.