Study Guide

Teaching methods

The difference making and the related product semantics are a key tools for all designers who want to design visually and emotionally relevant products and puzzles. Product semantics studies cultural and symbolic meanings. It helps designers understand how different cultures and communities may interpret visual elements in different ways. Design that communicates meaning and evokes positive emotions creates a deeper connection with users. The course gives designers tools to help products stand out in the market, increase the value of products, and increase user loyalty.

Implementation
- Learning together and reflection on learning 0.5 ECTS
- Theory of Difference Design, Reflective Tasks and Presentations 1.5 ECTS: Group work and peer discussions during the project work
- Working life-oriented group work project 3 ECTS

Contact teaching, peer discussions, independent assignments and group work project

Criteria for assessment
OUTSTANDING 5
At an acclaimed level, the student has managed to exceed the learning objectives of the course. The student's work is professional, insightful, goal-oriented and experimental.
VERY GOOD 4 / GOOD 3
The good performance level of the course corresponds to the average achievement of the learning objectives described in the curriculum. The student's work is professional and goal-oriented.
SATISFACTORY 2 / AVOID 1
The satisfactory level of performance of the course corresponds to the minimum level of competence that everyone must achieve. The student's competence in superficial and professional work is to be developed.

Alternative implementation methods

exchange students cannot complete the course through the AHOT-protocol

Student workload

The minimum scope of the course is 5 credits, which means 135 hours of work for the student.

You can apply for a project pass, and if you do more than 135 hours of work, you can use the project pass to accept additional work as credits.

The average amount of work per week is around 12h including contact teaching, independent study and group work (including independent work week 42).

Attendance at close range around 42h. The share of independent studies is approximately 92h, which includes reading and studying materials, compiling presentations and working in groups on a working life-oriented project.

In addition to the above, the schedule includes the exercises and performances of the TEOT performance:
- Exercises 2 h / group run from 10.-11.12.
- Screenings 12.-14.12. at 17.00--20.00In-house choreographer's screening 2 × 3 h / group. The schedule will be specified. ITAK Stage (Sotku: https://itak.fi/itak-nayttamo/)

Please note that not all hours of independent work are shown in your reading order.

Components of the implementation and their planned time resources:
- Learning together and reflection on learning 0.5 ECTS, total 14h, of which in joint start (2h) and reviews (4h) it is necessary to be present to complete the course successfully. Independent section 8h, which includes setting goals for one's own skills and thinking about learning in the learning diary.

- Theory of meaning design, pondering tasks and performances 1.5 ECTS, total 40h, of which there are approximately 8h of close guidance. Independently: reading and studying the chosen theory/source (16h) / reflection in an essay (8h) and 5min. crystallizing the presentation (8h).

- Working life-oriented group work project 3 ECTS, total about 80h work from each student. The project's up-to-date guidance at around 26h, including various guiding workshops and a study trip to the Habitare fair in Helsinki. Independent working, group work and peer discussions in project work, compilations and productions total 54h.

Practical training and working life cooperation

Working life cooperation:
-Visit Habitare fair and Helsinki Design Week 11.-12.9. A self-sustaining journey. Included in the implementation part Learning together and reflecting on learning (Inspiration and orientation for the course)
- ANTI Festival 10.-15.9. Kuopio: participation in a self-selected ANTI festival event. Included in the implementation part Working life-oriented group work project.
- Working life-oriented collaboration project: FDC project and dance pedagogy students together. The course combines with choreography 2 courses. Designers develop visual concepts for TEOT presentations.

The topics of projects carried out during the course may relate to products (jewelry, costume jewelry, costumes), services, visual materials and performance technology, as well as art, depending on the interests of the project team.

The Future DiverCities project (FDC) aims to develop unused urban environments using cultural and art-based methods in a number of locations across Europe. In many cases, cultural and artistic orientation means shaping meanings and perceptions in order to make the activities of the residents of the target area more communal and more supportive of biodiversity in accordance with the objectives of the project.

TEOT are unique performances by Savonia dance students, featuring students' own choreographies. TEOT consists of solo works, duets and/or group works by students.

Qualifications

Basic design studies

Materials

To be announced later.

Further information

Note in Moodle:
- Orienting assignment, weeks 36-37
- Theory assignment: reading, essay and presentation of material, weeks 36-39

Presence on the first lesson 4.9. mandatory!

The course is open to all design students who are interested in meaning within products and services. The course is suitable for all design students who have completed their first-year studies (60 credits) and at least half (30 credits) of their second-year professional studies.

Be prepared for plenty of independent and group work. Schedules and implementation plan may change depending on the working life-oriented project.