summer school 2022 courses
Lectures and Learning material

Individual studies

A) Design for Regenerative Cultures

The teaching session “Design for Regenerative Cultures” aims to expose the basis of reflection and questions necessary to address the current crisis situation, taking us by the hand to a critical reflection, which leads us to the approach of a paradigm shift where we evolve from a paradigm of reducing anthropogenic impact, from a paradigm of impact compensation, as proposed by sustainability, to a paradigm of positive impact, where we understand the development in combination with the achievement of welfare and happiness and always taking into account its burden on the natural environment and its environmental cost. In this sense, the design for regenerative cultures bets on the co-creation of processes that restore, renew or revitalise the socio-ecological environment from the reading of the place, its potential and from the community and collective capacity.

https://mycourses.aalto.fi/pluginfile.php/1793923/mod_folder/content/0/CARLOS%20COBREROS%20VIDEO-LECTURE.mp4?forcedownload=1

by Carlos Cobreros Rodríguez (Tecnologico de Monterrey)

B) Scenarios for system changing: Transforming our now for sustainable futures

https://aalto.cloud.panopto.eu/Panopto/Pages/Viewer.aspx?id=3a67ef18-4ccd-4cc2-aed7-aee10071edbe

by Idil Gaziulusoy (Aalto University)

C) Design Justice I

Reading package and exercises by Caroline Dionne (Parsons School of Design)

Despite our best intentions as designers, designed “things” aren’t neutral: design can be empowering, but it can also be exclusive or reinforce the oppressive structures of social inequities and inequalities (of race, gender, or class). This session will be devoted to a student-led set of explorations on the theme of Design Justice. First, students will engage individually in an online/asynchronous discussion of two selected essays. In teams, students will then conduct a swift research exercise to gather examples and precedents that speak to a design justice problem or cause (see detailed instruction packet). The findings gathered through this exercise will, in turn, serve as a point of departure for the speculative/scenario-building exercise “Design Justice II” on 9 August.

Please find the materials and instructions for this study in this document.

Please read the instructions carefully. the study is composed of two steps: 

(1) Online discussion – Use the document shared for this discussion(2) Blitz research exercise – There is a Mural board for this step. (Password: JustDesign)

D) Co-design and steering sustainability transitions

by Sampsa Hyysalo (Aalto University)

Video lecture composed of 3 parts:

Part I & II: here
Part III: here

E) Sharing, rhythms and Practices

by Mikko Jalas (Aalto University)

There are three video lectures in this session: 

  1.  Prime-time access for whom?
  2. Biochar? For designers?
  3. Circular Economy – Starting points for designers
F) Whole System Mapping  & Product service systems

by Jeremy Faludi (TUDelft – Delft University of Technology)

Whole System Mapping is a simple way to make systems thinking concrete and actionable; industry designers and engineers value it for driving innovation and sustainability, and sometimes also reducing costs.  In it, you collaboratively draw a system map of your product, set priorities based on LCA & business strategy, then brainstorm solutions on the system map itself to provide more thorough and radical ideas.  Finally, you choose winning ideas based on your priorities. 

Whole system mapping intro

Whole system mapping deep dive

Circular Business Models 1 – Types of Product Service System

Circular Business Models 2 – How to Choose a Business Model

Optional: you might further read examples of Whole System Mapping and an example of PSS.

assignments

Essay assignment to test what was learnt

During Arts Summer School 2022

The final exhibit of the Summer School was the creation of a dystopian scenario ‘How will the circular economy work in 2035?’. Using the knowledge gathered during the two weeks of intensive learning the students had to conceptualise an immersible scenario for their chosen circular economy approach.

The students were asked to discuss their interests on the circular economy principle, frame the problem to be solved at the system level (and/or at product design level) as a group, and finally envision what would be required for that specific scenario within a certain geographical context (futures and large-scale changes targeted long-term). 

Building a scenario within specific products, production, use, and recycling in mind allowed for the design of a prototype in different ways, focusing on slowing down (extending the use phase and proposing new business models), closing the material loop (recycling the product at the end of its life), creating a new system model and building products suitable for this new system. 

A)    The teams: 

1. Sustainable systers 

2. Infinite City 

3. Project Melvin 

4. People next door 

5. Beautifully Broken 

6. Fashion Scenarios 

7. Extremely 

8. BathPlant (the situation of Mexico) 

9. Baby Steps

 B)     Photos from workshops 

         a. Making-of 

         b. ‘Products’/prototypes

At the end of the two weeks programme an exhibition was assembled presenting each group’s process as well as final solution proposal. The exhibition enabled the students to share their insights, their preliminary sketches and drafts, the system maps and visions which were the building blocks of their group’s proposal. 

C)      Final exhibition photos 

       a. 12 projects

                I. Picture of the stand 

               II. Team picture

              III. Short description of the activities

     b.  Some pictures of the event as a whole

For students taking the course online (individual essay)

Would you like to pass this course? Aalto University student: if you plan to complete the course independently and want credits, please contact the summer school coordinator Venla Luukkonen at venla.luukkonen@aalto.fi. Students from other universities can communicate with the person responsible for academic performance at their own school.

Guidelines

Essay length: circa 6 pages (around 3000 words – excluding references)

Write an essay about your idea of the following scenario: How will the circular economy work in 2035?​. The essay should be critical and include your approach to circular economy by: ​

–       Describing What interests do you have in relation to circular economy?​

–       Framing what is the problem you want to solve at the system level and/or at product design level as a group? ​

–       Envisioning what you are interested in including into the scenario building for your approach?

–       Assessing which futures and large-scale changes do you target in the long-term? ​

Please remember that the most important aspect in product design for CE is to slow down (extend the use phase + new business models), close the material loop (recycling at the end), create a new system model and build products suitable for this new system. ​

Currently the material throughput in the system is fast and products are sent to landfill after very short use time. In the linear system (design-manufacturing-saleuse-dispose) we are wasting valuable materials in huge amounts. Not only materials, however, but also many other resources, for example water and energy needed for manufacturing are wasted if the product life-time is very short. It has been estimated that even 80% of all products turn into “waste” and are thrown away within the first six months. Products are not made to last longer and be durable in the current linear model and might even be that consumers are not even looking for the best quality when they are purchasing new products. They might search for more fashionable items, newest trends, change and fun and through buying they are getting “emotional highs” and therefore they are tight to frequently buying new stuff which are meaningful for them for very short time, which after products are easy to discard. Circular economy proposes a change for this and the aim is to slow down and create better sustainability balance in the system level of production-consumption. In the future products need to be designed so that they last longer, are repairable, perhaps upgradable and at the end of their life the materials are possible to recycle back to industrial production (closing the material loop). This approach changes the business logic, the design and manufacturing processes as well as the aesthetic of the product world and moreover the consumption practices.

Design in Circular Economy

by Kirsi Niinimäki, Aalto University
Find the lecture materials here

Currently the material throughput in the system is fast and products are sent to landfill after very short use time. In the linear system (design-manufacturing-saleuse-dispose) we are wasting valuable materials in huge amounts. Not only materials, however, but also many other resources, for example water and energy needed for manufacturing are wasted if the product life-time is very short. It has been estimated that even 80% of all products turn into “waste” and are thrown away within the first six months. Products are not made to last longer and be durable in the current linear model and might even be that consumers are not even looking for the best quality when they are purchasing new products. They might search for more fashionable items, newest trends, change and fun and through buying they are getting “emotional highs” and therefore they are tight to frequently buying new stuff which are meaningful for them for very short time, which after products are easy to discard. Circular economy proposes a change for this and the aim is to slow down and create better sustainability balance in the system level of production-consumption. In the future products need to be designed so that they last longer, are repairable, perhaps upgradable and at the end of their life the materials are possible to recycle back to industrial production (closing the material loop). This approach changes the business logic, the design and manufacturing processes as well as the aesthetic of the product world and moreover the consumption practices.
As we examine the world through a circularity framework, what cross-disciplinary ideas and tools can be useful? During this session, we will look at the theories and methods that can help us better understand the inscrutable phenomena in research and engage key research stakeholders through speculative practices.

Complexity science and speculative design

by Jeongki Lim, Parsons School of Design
Click here to see the slides!

As we examine the world through a circularity framework, what cross-disciplinary ideas and tools can be useful? During this session, we will look at the theories and methods that can help us better understand the inscrutable phenomena in research and engage key research stakeholders through speculative practices.
In this interactive session, we will introduce the growth of cities and the study of urban metabolism (UM). UM is a framework to quantify the inflows, outflows, and accumulation of resources, such as materials, energy and water, in a metropolitan area. The study of resource stocks and flow exchanges in cities offers a perspective for urban systems analysis, and to take deliberate next steps towards achieving self-sufficiency, efficiency, and resilience.

Sustainable cities and urban metabolism

by Peter Ortner and Lynette Cheah, Singapore University of Technology and Design

In this interactive session, we will introduce the growth of cities and the study of urban metabolism (UM). UM is a framework to quantify the inflows, outflows, and accumulation of resources, such as materials, energy and water, in a metropolitan area. The study of resource stocks and flow exchanges in cities offers a perspective for urban systems analysis, and to take deliberate next steps towards achieving self-sufficiency, efficiency, and resilience.
This interactive session introduces the history of scenarios in urban planning and design and engages students with a hands-on scenario creation exercise for circular economy transitions. Scenarios are used in urban and environmental modelling (and originally in military planning) to prepare for multiple eventualities and to develop pathways to attain complex goals. While the history of scenarios for urbanism is mixed, with examples of misuse, we will discuss how scenarios can foster transparency and consensus for transitions to a circular economy. Building a simple scenario together in silico.app will help students understand the logic behind scenario creation and appreciate the need for transparency on data sources, assumptions and results.

Circular city scenarios

by Peter Ortner, Singapore University of Technology and Design

This interactive session introduces the history of scenarios in urban planning and design and engages students with a hands-on scenario creation exercise for circular economy transitions. Scenarios are used in urban and environmental modelling (and originally in military planning) to prepare for multiple eventualities and to develop pathways to attain complex goals. While the history of scenarios for urbanism is mixed, with examples of misuse, we will discuss how scenarios can foster transparency and consensus for transitions to a circular economy. Building a simple scenario together in silico.app will help students understand the logic behind scenario creation and appreciate the need for transparency on data sources, assumptions and results.
In this introduction, students will get to learn about Life Cycle Thinking and determine the energy “hotspots” of a product. They will be introduced to the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of a product based on the type of material used, and the amount of energy required during the “use” phase of the product. Students will get to discuss ways to improve a product through analysis and design.

Introduction to product life cycle thinking

by Mei Xuan Tan, Singapore University of Technology and Design

In this introduction, students will get to learn about Life Cycle Thinking and determine the energy “hotspots” of a product. They will be introduced to the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of a product based on the type of material used, and the amount of energy required during the “use” phase of the product. Students will get to discuss ways to improve a product through analysis and design.
In this interactive session, we will introduce the growth of cities and the study of urban Students will apply what they have learnt in “Introduction to Product Life Cycle Thinking” to examine different brands of capsule-type coffee machines. This interactive online session involves a virtual disassembly of a coffee machine to take a closer look at the inner parts and design of coffee machines. Energy consumption during the usage of the coffee machine will be measured and analysed. Students will discuss how energy consumption during usage can be further optimised.

Product disassembly of coffee machine workshop

by Wei Lek Kwan, co-teachers Mei Xuan, Maggie Pee, Apple Koh, Singapore University of Technology and Design. Assisted by co-teachers: Mei Xuan Tan, Maggie Pee, Apple Koh

In this interactive session, we will introduce the growth of cities and the study of urban Students will apply what they have learnt in “Introduction to Product Life Cycle Thinking” to examine different brands of capsule-type coffee machines. This interactive online session involves a virtual disassembly of a coffee machine to take a closer look at the inner parts and design of coffee machines. Energy consumption during the usage of the coffee machine will be measured and analysed. Students will discuss how energy consumption during usage can be further optimised.
In this introduction, students will get to learn about Life Cycle Thinking and determine the energy “hotspots” of a product. They will be introduced to the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of a product based on the type of material used, and the amount of energy required during the “use” phase of the product. Students will get to discuss ways to improve a product through analysis and design.

Biomimicry: Patterns, cycles, systems and functions

by David Sanchez Ruano,
Tecnologico de Monterrey
Click here to see the slides!

In this introduction, students will get to learn about Life Cycle Thinking and determine the energy “hotspots” of a product. They will be introduced to the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of a product based on the type of material used, and the amount of energy required during the “use” phase of the product. Students will get to discuss ways to improve a product through analysis and design.
We will talk about novel materials from organic waste developed by designers through a DIY materials tinkering approach. A wide number of case studies will be shown highlighting the processes involved in developing inspiring and inventive materials drafts able to question multiple waste streams proposing inventive and sustainable solutions. Among those, projects proposing disruptive approaches endorsing industrial symbiosis solutions will be presented as an introduction of this concept and its novel relation with the new generation designers’ practice.

From DIY materials to industrial symbiosis

by Luca Alessandrini, Politecnico di Milano
Click here to see the slides!

We will talk about novel materials from organic waste developed by designers through a DIY materials tinkering approach. A wide number of case studies will be shown highlighting the processes involved in developing inspiring and inventive materials drafts able to question multiple waste streams proposing inventive and sustainable solutions. Among those, projects proposing disruptive approaches endorsing industrial symbiosis solutions will be presented as an introduction of this concept and its novel relation with the new generation designers’ practice.
This session will address design strategies and toolkits to design products, spaces and services that minimise waste and maximise resources. The session starts by defining core principles such as modularity, prototyping, prefabrication, collaboration and deconstruction. Then, case studies are presented that demonstrate how these strategies and toolkits are applied to create sustainable products, spaces and processes.

Tools and strategies for designing sustainable products, spaces and processes

by Erminia D’Itria, Politecnico di Milano and Pedro Damian Pacheco Vásquez, Tecnologico de Monterrey
Click here to see the slides!

This session will address design strategies and toolkits to design products, spaces and services that minimise waste and maximise resources. The session starts by defining core principles such as modularity, prototyping, prefabrication, collaboration and deconstruction. Then, case studies are presented that demonstrate how these strategies and toolkits are applied to create sustainable products, spaces and processes.
Who is ‘designer’ and what do we mean by ‘participation’? As we envision a new type of economy through circular concepts, how can we seek to install values of equity and justice in its process and outcome? This session will examine and critique the foundational concepts and practices of participatory design practices. Students will be asked to apply them to their research projects and develop a critical perspective on what meaningful roles the communities can actually play in the practices.

Participatory design Practices

by Cynthia Lawson Jamarillo & Jeongki Lim,
Parsons School of Design

Who is ‘designer’ and what do we mean by ‘participation’? As we envision a new type of economy through circular concepts, how can we seek to install values of equity and justice in its process and outcome? This session will examine and critique the foundational concepts and practices of participatory design practices. Students will be asked to apply them to their research projects and develop a critical perspective on what meaningful roles the communities can actually play in the practices.
This workshop will draw from information and findings gathered through the online independent study on Design Justice I. This will be a generative session of creating speculative/scenarios where you will develop insights regarding your stakeholders, through a design justice lens.

Design Justice II 

by Cynthia Lawson Jamarillo & Jeongki Lim,
Parsons School of Design
Click here to see the slides!

This workshop will draw from information and findings gathered through the online independent study on Design Justice I. This will be a generative session of creating speculative/scenarios where you will develop insights regarding your stakeholders, through a design justice lens.
Designing for the circular economy requires new business models to make the physical product designs viable. There is a wide variety of different business models in product service systems (PSS). This workshop will be a short brainstorm session on a few different PSS types, to spur creative exploration.

Product-Service Systems

by Jeremy Faludi, TUDelft – Delft University of Technology
Click here to see the slides!

Designing for the circular economy requires new business models to make the physical product designs viable. There is a wide variety of different business models in product service systems (PSS). This workshop will be a short brainstorm session on a few different PSS types, to spur creative exploration.

Additional Resources

The impossibilities of the circular economy

Fashion & repair related materials

Vaatelaastari/Fabpatch company

Additional reading material:

  • Marium Durrani’s dissertation (about garment mending practices)
  • Sustainable fashion in a CE 
  • FINIX prototypes of the future 2030 
  • Article about repair groups and approaches in Finland:
    • Niinimäki, K., Durrani, M. & Kohtala, C (2021) Emerging DIY Activities to Enable Well-being and Connected Societies, International Journal of Craft Research, 12:1, pp. 9–29.
  • Book chapter which talks about fashion leasing: 
  • Niinimäki, K. (2021) Clothes Sharing in Cities; the case of fashion leasing. In J. Corcoran and T. Sigler (Eds.), The Modern Guide to the Urban Sharing Economy. Cheltenham Glos, UK: Edward Elgar publisher, pp. 254-266.
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