Study Guide

Objective

Students are able to use creative ideation methods and apply comprehensive and user-oriented design thinking to find new design opportunities.

Content

The module consists of the following components:
- Creative thinking and ideating methods

Evaluation scale

H-5

Objective

The student understands the life cycle aspects of products and services, different design requirements, and knows how to define design through them. The student is able to process the creative thinking outcomes into product and service concepts.

Content

The module consists of the following components:
- Applying creative thinking and ideating for concept designing

Evaluation scale

H-5

Objective

Student is able to observe the interactions between the human and the physical environment and different elements there, and apply the ergonomics principles for optimizing the human well-being and system's effectiviness.
Student is able to apply kognitive ergonomicsin in designing user interfaces and information.
Student is able to take the universal design principles and accessibility into account in designing public and working environments and products there.
Student understands the basic principles of the user centered design, can apply different methods for collecting user information and classify thembased on the design brief. Also student is able to analyze the data for defining the product features.
By usability design student is able to make the use of complex products and services easier and more effective, and that way lessen the needs of education for the use.

Content

Study module includes the following subjects:
- User centered approach, usability and accessibility
- Ergonomics design principles
- User research methods
- Usability design and methods
- Usability, ergonomics and accessibility standards

Evaluation scale

H-5

Objective

After the course student knows different definitions of design thinking and is able to apply design thinking viewpoint and some of the methods in different challenges and in multidisciplinary teams and different fields.

Content

Design thinking as a way of observing, seeing, and sensing the world.
Design thinking as methods of making sense of the complexity.

Design Thinking 5 ECTS course fits for anyone, who wishes to learn holistic human and experimental approach to be exploited in different challenges in different professional fields.

The course is structured in Introduction and in four main themes (A4DT - Approach Four Design Thinking):
1. Holistic View
2. Human View
3. Experimenting / prototyping
4. Concept Design

Each theme includes group tasks that are built on previous tasks.

Materials

Brown, T. 2019. Change by design: how design thinking transforms organizations and inspires innovation.
Cross, N. 2011. Design Thinking
Miettinen, S. (toim.). 2014. Muotoiluajattelu.
Miettinen, S. (toim.) 2021: Muotoilun avaimet älykkääseen teollisuuteen ja liiketoiminnan ketterään kehittämiseen.
Raami, A. 2020. Intuitio3: Yhteys mahdottomaan ratkaisuun.
Valtonen, A. & Nikkinen, P (toim.) 2022: Muotoilulla muutokseen, Kehitystyön uudet mahdollisuudet
VanPatter, GK; Pastor, E. 2016. Innovation Methods Mapping, De-mystifying 80+ years of innovation process design.
VanPatter, GK; Pastor, E.; Jones, P. 2020 Rethinking Design Thinking: Making sense of the future that has already arrived.

Teaching methods

Introductory lectures, co-learning, independent study and reflection

Student workload

In addition to face-to-face and distance learning sessions, the student's work includes independent guided study. As a guiding definition, 1 ECTS = 27 hours of student work.

Content scheduling

The theoretical basis of design thinking
- Introductions
- Reading and reflecting on written material
Application to practice
- Exercises
- Connecting to service design projects

Evaluation scale

H-5

Assessment methods and criteria

The course is evaluated on a scale of 0 to 5.

The grade is affected by active participation in completing tasks and teamwork, completing tasks and following the agreed schedule.

Evaluation criteria (individual exercises, group exercises):
- Coverage and utilization of information acquisition in work
- Reflection, understanding perspectives and understanding the whole
- Returning tasks in the agreed schedule

Self/peer assessment affects the formation of the grade in addition to the teacher's assessment.

Assessment criteria, fail (0)

Hasn't participated in meetings and doing things together much and hasn't done learning assignments/tasks.

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1-2)

Sufficient 1
Theory and methodology are poorly understood. The implementation in assignments are poor.
Research, communication and documentation are hardly acceptable.
Moderate participation.

Satisfactory 2
Appear to grasp theory and have made a start in showing its applicability in assignments.
Research, communication and documentation are acceptable.
Moderate participation.

Assessment criteria, good (3-4)

Good 3
Understanding of theory and applicability of methods in assignments, but work could be stronger.
Research, communication and documentation are good.
Active participation.

Very Good 4
General understanding of theory and methods, very good implementation in assignments.
Reliable research, innovative work and communication and documentation on good level.
Very active participation.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

Excellent 5
Mastery of theory and methods, proficiency of implementation of them in assignments.
Outstanding research, innovative work and excellent communication and documentation.
Very active participation.

Objective

- Student understands the meaning and possibilities of visual thinking and communication in design.
- Student is able to use the common computer craphics and presentation programs in professionally presenting the designs.
- Student is able to apply digital 2D- and 3D programs in the design process phases and multidiscipline working environment.
- Student is able to transfer and convert digital files for the digital manufacturing.

Content

Study module includes the following parts:
- 2D and 3D programs in digital product development environment
- Digital production process, CAD/CAM basics
- Presentation materials and skills

Evaluation scale

H-5

Objective

Student understands the service design concept and is able to apply service design methods as part of the user oriented design skill set.
Student is able to implement co-design processes in the organization and understands the possibilities of the design approach in society .
Student knows the elements of corporate image and is able to take part of designing it by the corporate strategy.

Content

Study module includes the following parts:
- Service design and strategic design

Evaluation scale

H-5

Objective

Students are able to use different degrees of models and prototypes to illustrate planned solutions, test their functionality, communicate plans, and plan ahead. The student is able to choose materials and techniques suitable for prototyping with regard the stage of design process, the application, the feasibility, the costs and the timetables.

Content

The module consists of the following components:
- Prototyping methods

Evaluation scale

H-5

Objective

- Student understands the meaning and possibilities of visual thinking and communication in design.
- Student can observe, use and analyze shapes, spaces, colors, lighting and the visual compositions of them.
- Student can apply hand drawing methods for observation documentation and communication

Content

Study module includes the following parts:
- Designerly observation
- Hand drawing methods and tools

Materials

Alan Pipes: Drawing for Designers, 2007
Betty Edwards: Drawing on the right side of the brain, 1999
Josef Albers: Interaction of colors
Harald Arnkil: Colors in the visual world, 2013
Harald Arnkil (ed.): Color and light – Concepts and confusions, 2015: https://shop.aalto.fi/media/filer_public/b3/d1/b3d15b01-7252-466b-bcaa-f277deb099c8/colourandlight_2nd_edition_1.pdf
Simon Seivewright: Research and Design, 2007
Randy Krum: Cool infographics: Effective Communication with Data Visualization and Design, 2013 eBook
Yuk M, Diamond S: Data Visualization for Dummies, 2014 eBook

Teaching methods

Learning by doing, Hands-on, Blended learning

Exam schedules

No exams, but approved assignments. Late returns will lower your rating.

International connections

Innovation pedagogy

Completion alternatives

-

Student workload

1 ects = 27 h Student´s work
8 ects = 216 h Student´s work

Content scheduling

The student understands the importance of visual thinking and communication in design. The student is able to observe, use and evaluate shapes, colors and their relationships.

Information Design
- Observation and hand drawing, Croquis
- Color perception
- Composition and modularity
- Mood board working and Concept presentation
- Data visualization

Evaluation scale

H-5

Assessment methods and criteria

Exercises and active participation and responsibility.
Late exercises and absences will lower your grade.

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1-2)

Exercises have been done, but there are shortcomings.

Assessment criteria, good (3-4)

The assignments have been carefully done and the participation has been active and responsible.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

The assignments have been done very carefully, the participation has been very active and the student has taken a strong responsibility for his/her learning.

Objective

Student understands the service design concept and is able to apply service design methods as part of the user oriented design skill set.
Student is able to implement co-design processes in the organization and understands the possibilities of the design approach in society .
Student knows the elements of corporate image and is able to take part of designing it by the corporate strategy.

Content

Study module includes the following parts:
- Service design and strategic design

Evaluation scale

H-5

Objective

After the course student knows different definitions of design thinking and is able to apply design thinking viewpoint and some of the methods in different challenges and in multidisciplinary teams and different fields.

Content

Design thinking as a way of observing, seeing, and sensing the world.
Design thinking as methods of making sense of the complexity.

Design Thinking 5 ECTS course fits for anyone, who wishes to learn holistic human and experimental approach to be exploited in different challenges in different professional fields.

The course is structured in Introduction and in four main themes (A4DT - Approach Four Design Thinking):
1. Holistic View
2. Human View
3. Experimenting / prototyping
4. Concept Design

Each theme includes group tasks that are built on previous tasks.

Materials

Brown, T. 2019. Change by design: how design thinking transforms organizations and inspires innovation.
Cross, N. 2011. Design Thinking
Miettinen, S. (toim.). 2014. Muotoiluajattelu.
Miettinen, S. (toim.) 2021: Muotoilun avaimet älykkääseen teollisuuteen ja liiketoiminnan ketterään kehittämiseen.
Raami, A. 2020. Intuitio3: Yhteys mahdottomaan ratkaisuun.
Valtonen, A. & Nikkinen, P (toim.) 2022: Muotoilulla muutokseen, Kehitystyön uudet mahdollisuudet
VanPatter, GK; Pastor, E. 2016. Innovation Methods Mapping, De-mystifying 80+ years of innovation process design.
VanPatter, GK; Pastor, E.; Jones, P. 2020 Rethinking Design Thinking: Making sense of the future that has already arrived.

Teaching methods

Introductory lectures, co-learning, independent study and reflection

Student workload

In addition to face-to-face and distance learning sessions, the student's work includes independent guided study. As a guiding definition, 1 ECTS = 27 hours of student work.

Content scheduling

The theoretical basis of design thinking
- Introductions
- Reading and reflecting on written material
Application to practice
- Exercises
- Connecting to service design projects

Evaluation scale

H-5

Assessment methods and criteria

The course is evaluated on a scale of 0 to 5.

The grade is affected by active participation in completing tasks and teamwork, completing tasks and following the agreed schedule.

Evaluation criteria (individual exercises, group exercises):
- Coverage and utilization of information acquisition in work
- Reflection, understanding perspectives and understanding the whole
- Returning tasks in the agreed schedule

Self/peer assessment affects the formation of the grade in addition to the teacher's assessment.

Assessment criteria, fail (0)

Hasn't participated in meetings and doing things together much and hasn't done learning assignments/tasks.

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1-2)

Sufficient 1
Theory and methodology are poorly understood. The implementation in assignments are poor.
Research, communication and documentation are hardly acceptable.
Moderate participation.

Satisfactory 2
Appear to grasp theory and have made a start in showing its applicability in assignments.
Research, communication and documentation are acceptable.
Moderate participation.

Assessment criteria, good (3-4)

Good 3
Understanding of theory and applicability of methods in assignments, but work could be stronger.
Research, communication and documentation are good.
Active participation.

Very Good 4
General understanding of theory and methods, very good implementation in assignments.
Reliable research, innovative work and communication and documentation on good level.
Very active participation.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

Excellent 5
Mastery of theory and methods, proficiency of implementation of them in assignments.
Outstanding research, innovative work and excellent communication and documentation.
Very active participation.

Objective

Students are able to use creative ideation methods and apply comprehensive and user-oriented design thinking to find new design opportunities.

Content

The module consists of the following components:
- Creative thinking and ideating methods

Evaluation scale

H-5

Objective

Students are able to use different degrees of models and prototypes to illustrate planned solutions, test their functionality, communicate plans, and plan ahead. The student is able to choose materials and techniques suitable for prototyping with regard the stage of design process, the application, the feasibility, the costs and the timetables.

Content

The module consists of the following components:
- Prototyping methods

Evaluation scale

H-5

Objective

The student understands the life cycle aspects of products and services, different design requirements, and knows how to define design through them. The student is able to process the creative thinking outcomes into product and service concepts.

Content

The module consists of the following components:
- Applying creative thinking and ideating for concept designing

Evaluation scale

H-5

Objective

Student is able to observe the interactions between the human and the physical environment and different elements there, and apply the ergonomics principles for optimizing the human well-being and system's effectiviness.
Student is able to apply kognitive ergonomicsin in designing user interfaces and information.
Student is able to take the universal design principles and accessibility into account in designing public and working environments and products there.
Student understands the basic principles of the user centered design, can apply different methods for collecting user information and classify thembased on the design brief. Also student is able to analyze the data for defining the product features.
By usability design student is able to make the use of complex products and services easier and more effective, and that way lessen the needs of education for the use.

Content

Study module includes the following subjects:
- User centered approach, usability and accessibility
- Ergonomics design principles
- User research methods
- Usability design and methods
- Usability, ergonomics and accessibility standards

Evaluation scale

H-5

Objective

- Student understands the meaning and possibilities of visual thinking and communication in design.
- Student can observe, use and analyze shapes, spaces, colors, lighting and the visual compositions of them.
- Student can apply hand drawing methods for observation documentation and communication

Content

Study module includes the following parts:
- Designerly observation
- Hand drawing methods and tools

Materials

Alan Pipes: Drawing for Designers, 2007
Betty Edwards: Drawing on the right side of the brain, 1999
Josef Albers: Interaction of colors
Harald Arnkil: Colors in the visual world, 2013
Harald Arnkil (ed.): Color and light – Concepts and confusions, 2015: https://shop.aalto.fi/media/filer_public/b3/d1/b3d15b01-7252-466b-bcaa-f277deb099c8/colourandlight_2nd_edition_1.pdf
Simon Seivewright: Research and Design, 2007
Randy Krum: Cool infographics: Effective Communication with Data Visualization and Design, 2013 eBook
Yuk M, Diamond S: Data Visualization for Dummies, 2014 eBook

Teaching methods

Learning by doing, Hands-on, Blended learning

Exam schedules

No exams, but approved assignments. Late returns will lower your rating.

International connections

Innovation pedagogy

Completion alternatives

-

Student workload

1 ects = 27 h Student´s work
8 ects = 216 h Student´s work

Content scheduling

The student understands the importance of visual thinking and communication in design. The student is able to observe, use and evaluate shapes, colors and their relationships.

Information Design
- Observation and hand drawing, Croquis
- Color perception
- Composition and modularity
- Mood board working and Concept presentation
- Data visualization

Evaluation scale

H-5

Assessment methods and criteria

Exercises and active participation and responsibility.
Late exercises and absences will lower your grade.

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1-2)

Exercises have been done, but there are shortcomings.

Assessment criteria, good (3-4)

The assignments have been carefully done and the participation has been active and responsible.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

The assignments have been done very carefully, the participation has been very active and the student has taken a strong responsibility for his/her learning.

Objective

- Student understands the meaning and possibilities of visual thinking and communication in design.
- Student is able to use the common computer craphics and presentation programs in professionally presenting the designs.
- Student is able to apply digital 2D- and 3D programs in the design process phases and multidiscipline working environment.
- Student is able to transfer and convert digital files for the digital manufacturing.

Content

Study module includes the following parts:
- 2D and 3D programs in digital product development environment
- Digital production process, CAD/CAM basics
- Presentation materials and skills

Evaluation scale

H-5