Category: Faculty of Design

“EKA in Kenya. Implementing the Upmade System”
EKA Gallery 5.–26.04.2024
Open Tue–Sun 12–6 pm, free entry
Opening: 4.04.2024 at 6 pm

Supervisors: Reet Aus, Maria Pukk
Participants: Marta Konovalov, Susanna-Belinda Kõgel, Eva-Liis Lidenburg, Kaisa Moora, Anu Muiste, Doreen Mägi, Maria Rojko Nisu, Eva Reiska, Katrin Lepa-Ruben, Lisandra Türkson, Maris Vahter

The exhibition “EKA in Kenya. Implementing the Upmade System” focuses on the effort to reduce and recycle waste from the textile industry. The students of circular design of the Estonian Academy of Arts spent the month of February in 2024 in Kenya, in the city of Eldoret. On site, they learned about the production at the Rivatex factory, followed the product development process, performed analyzes and applied upcycling principles. Twelve different product concepts created by students will be displayed in EKA Gallery, including accessories, clothes, lampshades and a modular tent.

The international project “Transferring Upmade Know-How to Kenya” is part of a longer cooperation between Moi University and DiMa, the Sustainable Design and Materials Lab at the Estonian Academy of Arts. DiMa has contributed to reducing the environmental impact of the fashion and textile industry through various international projects. The aim of the project is to increase the circulation of Kenya’s textile industry by introducing the UPMADE method at the Rivatex factory. The approach enables the recycling of textile waste generated during manufacturing, thus supporting more environmentally friendly production.

The project has been made in cooperation with the Stockholm Environment Institute Tallinn Center (SEI Tallinn) and Moi University, with the support of the Erasmus+ study mobility program and the Environmental Investment Centre (KIK).

Opening drinks from Punch Club.

More info:
Transferring Upmade Know-How to Kenya

If 2023 was the year in which AI entered our life through our browsers, the future will see more and more AI entering our machines ! This year’s Tangible Design exhibition investigates what can be done when using tools like ChatGPT to animate interactive installations.

Students of the IxD.ma master went on building devices that listen, watch and talk, offering entertainment in ways that were unimaginable just a few years ago:

• An automatic LEGO improv theatre powered by GPT. Set the characters in the studio, tune in the comedy (or drama) level and let the robots improvise for you
• ‍❤️‍ A perfect partner visualiser. You’ll use a switchboard-like device to set the characteristics of the partner of your dreams. Then, you’ll see that visualised (powered by Dall-E)
• A future telling oracle. Using GPT and Dall-E, it will read your drawings on coffee grounds and figure out what your future looks like.
• A children’s storytelling monster. Pick a character, place it on the board, hear every time a different story told by a one-eyed monster.

Join us on Saturday 23rd in Telliskivi Creative City, next to Nihe Kohvik, to immerse yourself in a future where public installations use an additional layer of intelligence.

More info on Facebook: https://fb.me/e/3Az7S6gU3

——

IxD.ma is an international masters at EKA focused on humanity centred innovation. This Tangible Design course was led by Ottavio Cambieri and Anna Jõgi, with participating students YaChuan Chen, Rainer Pits, Tunahan Zilyas, Iie-Mall Püüa, Alisa Butenko, Carol Alice Tõniste, Rain Jaaksoo, Janeli Pelska, Helena Väinmaa, Marianna Zvereva, Jon Tastad and Monika Juríková.

“When flying off-center, a new centerpoint shall be found to regain the balance” 

The opening of Mart Talvar’s first solo exhibition Out of Center is taking place at 22 nd of March at HOP gallery from 6 PM and is talking about finding balance within the process of transformation.

The theme of the exhibition began to unfold during his studies in the jewellery and blacksmithing department at the Estonian Academy of Arts in 2022 and is still an ongoing process. During the metal spinning process, a copper object unexpectedly
jumped off-center, resulting in a unique object. The artist became interested in what lies behind an experience that we could perceive as failure. From that moment, a thorough practice of metal spinning began with the outcome to be shared with a wider audience.

At the gallery, the techniques of metal spinning and porcelain slip casting meet each othernas opposites in nature. The copper work refers to the occurrence of flying off-center as a possibility to redefine the concepts of being centered and off-center, failure, and balance. The porcelain objects demonstrate the transformation of traces, that have transferred on
from the copper material and have significantly reduced in size after the firing process.

The design method of material empathy offers symbolic meaning to the “dialogue” between the materials. This blurs boundaries between the public space and social context, and leaves the viewer plenty of room for personal interpretations.

Location HOP gallery

The opening 22.03.2024 kell 18:00
Opening times N-T 22.03-16.04 11:00-18:00

Curator Liisi Kõuhkna

Graphic design Cristopher Siniväli

Technical aid HOP gallery; Valge Kuup Studio

Support Estonian Academy of Arts, Cultural Endowment of Estonia, Shroomwell OÜ,
Põhjala Brewing AS, Tuulmet Holding OÜ

18.00–18.30
Performative gathering “ “
Yuko Kinouchi, Tea Lemberpuu, Jane Muts, Maria Elise Remme, Jake Rhys Shepherd, Elo Vahtrik

We warmly invite you to slow down with us through a guided participatory gathering.

We were searching for a pause, stillness. So we ran through forests, we slept in caves, we followed the waters. Everything to escape the noise man has created. The rumor about the man-made room for silence reached our ears. We met John. He told us that after a while all you hear is the blood running within you. Heartbeat and all the sounds we were made of. There are things we can’t turn off.

In “ “ we ask you to join us to slow down, pause, and turn the attention within.

P.S. We ask you to leave your shoes and phone outside the room on arrival.

18.30–20.00
Workshop “Leaf Pounding”
Chloé Geinoz, Sven-Aleksander Mantsik, Vitor Pascal, Liza Tsindelian

The ‘Leaf pounding’ (this is the name of the technique of hammering plants onto paper or fabric in order to print them on it) project is a printing workshop using ecological and sustainable materials.

Our workshop is based on the different practices of the people in the group. It was important for us that everyone’s personal artistic touch could be found in the project: Liza uses second-hand materials, Chloé uses plants a lot, Vitor and Sven have a practice linked to printing techniques and critical text.

18.30–20.00
Installation “I Like Earth and Earth Likes Me”
Eleftheria Kofidou, Jana Mätas, Caroline Pajusaar, KitKit Para, Kadri Vahar, Edgar Volkov

The vertebral column is the main supporting structure of the body and mind, as the nerve cells within the spinal cord carry all the signals that are required to sustain the organism. These interlinked systems – all connected with our spine – control our every activity; our waking, dreaming, and sleeping and our stability depends on their successful collaboration. Our tired bones are only resting when lying on this soil, yet the Earth’s skin is becoming more and more occupied. What would become of our body landscapes after all? Our artificial remains shall be Earth’s new spine.

18.30–20.00
“Can I speak to the manager? It’s about the anthropocene”
Yvette Bathgate, Mihhail Boitsov, Katariina Kesküla, Merilin Põldsam, Kristi Vendelin

Collectively we explore interconnection through the process of binding; artworks, papers and text. A short manifesto style text, alongside five artworks will bind our individual expressions together and will be presented in installation and hand bound booklet formats.

The works have been made as part of the “Art in the Age of the Anthropocene” course for the EKA Contemporary Art and Design & Crafts MA students (instructors Sandra Kossorotova, Linda Kaljundi).

Open Design Lecture: “Go Hack Yourself!” by Jordi Closa / Adidas Maker Lab

In the dynamic world of arts and design, where innovation is the heartbeat of progress, we often find ourselves facing complex challenges that demand fresh perspectives and out-of-the-box thinking. That’s where hacking steps in—a powerful and transformative problem-solving tool that can revolutionize the way we approach creativity, adaptability, and sustainable design.

With over two decades of experience as an influential product designer and a fervent advocate for hacking as a means of problem-solving, Jordi Closa has redefined what it means for him to create and innovate.

From his explorations in furniture, lighting, sports gear, and even food design, Jordi demonstrates a deep commitment to pushing the boundaries of conventionality. Drawing inspiration from the very ingredients that fuel our bodies and excite our senses, he has harnessed the transformative potential of materials in ways that captivate and leave an indelible mark on our experiences.

It is his passion for upcycling, his efforts to repurpose and reinvent materials and objects, that truly sets him apart. By extending the life of discarded products, Jordi boasts an unwavering commitment to diverting waste from landfills, protecting our precious oceans, and cultivating a more sustainable future.

Together, let us delve into the captivating realm of the Adidas MakerLab Network, a vibrant community of creatives, inventors, and problem solvers united by their insatiable curiosity and shared dedication to pushing the boundaries of design. Here, Jordi’s vision of hacking as a problem-solving tool has flourished. Through collaboration and experimentation, he has uncovered unique and thought-provoking solutions to even the most complex design challenges.

Let us embrace the power of hacking as a catalyst for creativity, innovation, and sustainable progress.

The lecture is in English and will be recorded for EKA TV. Everyone is welcome to join!

Morning Coffee: “From Numbers to Sneakers – Unconventional Design Story” by Thomas Ayme / Adidas Originals

Thomas Ayme is a French footwear color-and-material designer currently working at adidas Originals. However, his journey as a designer was not straightforward and began in a very different field.

After graduating in Mathematics, Economics, and Finance, Thomas joined Adidas, initiating his ten-year tenure at the brand as a business analyst. Realizing that analytics was not his true calling, he embarked on a journey toward becoming a footwear designer, navigating through multiple countries and jobs along the way. His unique background now informs his approach to design and has become one of his greatest assets.

Learn more about Thomas’ journey and his advice on how to reach your personal goals and ambition.

On January 25, 2024, the EKA Design Showcase gala will present to the audience the best cooperation projects of EKA students from the last year with companies and public sector organizations.

We are waiting for all current and future cooperation partners of EKA and those interested in future design to take part in the event!

REGISTRATION

Concepts, prototypes and ready-made solutions of innovative products and services created by students of the Faculty of Design of EKA during the last year for companies and organizations such as the Estonian National Library, Estonian Prison Service (Ministry of Justice), Antonius ÕU (Tartu Creative Economy Center), Eesti Energia, Pagulasabi MTÜ, Cignomet OÜ, Liven AS, GraceFit, Swedbank, Xarus Cosmetics OÜ, Integration SA (Ministry of Culture) and PERH will be presented.

The most influential and innovative projects will also receive awards!

These are projects created within the framework of the new business cooperation program LAETUS of the EKA Faculty of Design.

EKA has accumulated a very strong wealth of experience in carrying out cooperation projects over the years, and the LAETUS program, launched in 2022, has further expanded this field of activity. The program brings together EKA’s design field courses and business challenges of companies, offering synergy and fruitful cooperation, resulting in sustainable research and development projects that move all parties forward.

Come to the Design Showcase and get new knowledge and inspiration on how to take your organization’s products or services to the next level with the help of new generation design and open innovation in cooperation with EKA!

THE PROGRAM

15:00 EKA house tour for those interested (pre-registration required)

16:00 Start
Welcome words by moderator Jan Teevet and dean of EKA’s Faculty of Design Ruth-Helene Melioranski.

16:15-17:30 Presentations of cooperation projects

“Service Design Sprint with Real Life Challenges in Tallinn’s Biggest Hospital” – MA students of social design and service design and PERH

“Personal City – Let’s Walk!” – MA students of social design and Integration SA (Ministry of Culture)

“How to Become President?” – MA students of social design and Integration SA (Ministry of Culture)

“What Happens when a Schoolchild gets to the National Library?” – interaction design MA students and the Estonian National Library

“Nuclear Energy Experience in 2035” – MA students of interaction design and Eesti Energia

“Making Estonia a Stepping Stone” – MA students of interaction design and Pagulasabi NGO

Sustainable Natural Cosmetics Brand Concepts “PIXEL” and “æsce” – BA students of design and innovation and Xarus Cosmetics OÜ

17:20-17:45 Coffee break

17:45-18:50 Presentations of cooperation projects

“Giving Agency to Prison Inmates by Establishing Digital Communication in Tallinn Prison” – Design & Technology Futures MA students and Prison Service (Ministry of Justice)

“Empowering your fitness journey on GraceFit” – MA interaction design students and GraceFit

“National Library Service System to Support Adults with Dyslexia” – BA students in digital product design and the Estonian National Library

“Onboarding for Swedbank Based on Design Thinking” – BA students of digital product design and Swedbank

“Modular Storage of Electric Bicycles for Public Space and Apartment Associations” – BA students of industrial design and Cignomet OÜ

“Small forms of the Outdoor area of the New Residential Quarter” – BA students of design and innovation and Liven AS

“Rebranding of Antonius Õu Located in Tartu’s Historic Jaani Quarter” – BA students of design and innovation and Antonius ÕU (Tartu Creative Economy Center)

18:50 Acknowledgments and presentation of awards

19:00 The End

Presentations will be held in Estonian or English, without translation.

It is possible to participate both on site at EKA (room A101) and watch the broadcast http://tv.artun.ee/ .

We look forward to hearing from all current and future cooperation partners of EKA and those interested in future design!

Watch a video reminder of last year’s event: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ykpI2Jevyn0

We are delighted to invite you for a thought-provoking and inspiring lecture on “Embracing Purpose through Art and Design for a Future We Want.”

In an era marked by rapid change and global challenges, the role of art and design becomes increasingly crucial in shaping a future that aligns with our aspirations and values.

Mariana Amatullo (PhD) is Vice Provost and Academic Dean of Continuing and Professional Education (CPE) and Associate Professor of Strategic Design and Management at Parsons, The New School. Mariana publishes and lectures internationally about design and social innovation, serving on various executive, editorial, and advisory boards in design and the arts. Her latest publication, Design for Social Innovation: Case Studies from around the World (Routledge, 2021), presents an overview of the design field for social innovation through 45 global case studies. Her upcoming monograph positions design as a leadership capability for the 21st century.

Mariana has a twenty-year-long trajectory in senior executive administration positions in art and design education. She is an experienced strategist, award-winning educator, and practitioner-scholar. Mariana’s research and teaching bridge the art and design education and management disciplines and examine the role of a design attitude as a cognitive approach to social innovation and organizational learning. Initially trained as an art historian and curator, she has been a pioneer in developing the design for social innovation field, where she remains an active scholar globally. Before joining The New School in 2017, Mariana co-founded and was at the helm of the social impact award-winning program Designmatters at ArtCenter College of Design in Pasadena.

Q&A session after the lecture is an opportunity for participants to seek insights directly from the expert.

We kindly ask you register here:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScZB4FDJKMc31UNTp30It-tszhsBl3DyzwA72zpzlnxfMN8Dw/viewform

The department of Interaction Design MA at EKA will contribute to the World Usability Day Estonia (WUD) with a public talk and workshop.

Conference FB event

Nesli Hazal Oktay’s Talk

Tanel Kärp’s Workshop

Conference LinkedIn event

World Usability Day Estonia (WUD) is an annual UX-, web- and interaction design conference, the largest in the Baltics. WUD 2023 topic is Collaboration and Cooperation.

This year’s WUD theme encompasses the essence of effective teamwork and smooth interaction in the realm of User Experience (UX). We aim to shed light on the significance of synergy and collective effort in driving innovation and fostering a cohesive UX community.

The event is in English and this year we will continue with the hybrid format which combines a live event (Kultuurikatel) with an online event.

November 21-23rd – workshop days
November 23rd – pre-event at Tallinn University (Narva mnt 25, Tallinn)
November 24th – conference day – the hybrid format – combines a live event (Kultuurikatel, Põhja puiestee 27a, Tallinn, ESTONIA) with an online event

You can watch the conference till the end of the year 2023!

More information on the event website

#wud2023 #ux #conference

You are invited to the opening of the exhibition LET’S GET PHYGITAL and a guest talk, where the organisers Anneleen Swillen, Mala Siamptani and Darja Popolitova will discuss contemporary jewellery practices through the prism of digital technologies.

The exhibition opening and a guest talk is on the 30th of November, 17:00–18:30.

The exhibition is open from 30.11 to 18.12.2023.

If you can’t join IRL, sign up for a Zoom guest talk via this link

Meeting ID: 912 0263 6427
Passcode: 202810
Topic: Let’s Get Phygital vestlusõhtu
Time: Nov 30, 2023 05:00 PM Helsinki 

Exhibition Information:

LET’S GET PHYGITAL is a students’ exhibition celebrating the 3rd edition of a collaborative project between the jewellery departments of the London College of Fashion (LCF), the Estonian Academy of Arts (EKA) and the PXL-MAD School Of Arts.

The exhibition acknowledges how digital experiences advance artistic thinking and practice by creating an IRL space for digital adornment. By using Augmented Reality filters as tools, the students investigated how contemporary adornment can exist in non-physical forms, be wearable and interact with their audience.

Information About Speakers:

• Anneleen Swillen is a postdoctoral researcher and tutor at PXL-MAD School of Arts Hasselt and Hasselt University, located in Belgium. She explores jewellery in a phygital culture through research in the arts, education, curation, and writing. In 2020, she co-founded Artificial Intelligems in collaboration with composer Greg Scheirlinckx. As a fluid and interdisciplinary collective, currently working on the intersection of jewellery, graphic design, music, XR-performance, dance, and data science, they aim to explore more-than-human co-creation.
• Mala Siamptani is a design practitioner with substantial experience in the research, development and delivery of creative projects in Fashion, Design and Art sector. After obtaining two Masters degrees and currently conducting a PhD research, Mala runs her studio in east London specializing in the design and manufacture of products and sculptural objects. Mala has designed and manufactured jewellery and object collections which have been exhibited in Cyprus, Greece, Spain, Italy, Australia, Germany and the UK. Following extensive material research, Mala’s work attempts to connect traditional craft with digital technology. She has recently presented her research projects at the Global fashion Conference (Leon), the Creativity Researchers Conference (UK) and the 1st World Symposium for Fashion, Jewellery and Accessories (Shanghai). Through her design work and research, Mala demonstrates both the use and need for material research and its acknowledgment of experiential knowledge to advance craft thinking and practice.
• Darja Popolitova is a contemporary jewellery artist, curator, lecturer and PhD student at the Estonian Academy of Arts; born in 1989 in Sillamäe and based in Tallinn. An ironical view of nowadays drives her process, which fuels her to blend digital craft and video performances with fiction. She finds jewellery’s haptic and symbolic nature a generous medium that allows her to conceptualise ideas. For her artistic practice, she was honoured with numerous awards and scholarships such as Annual Award of Estonian Cultural Endowment (2020), the EAA Research Publication Award (2020), Adamson-Eric Scholarship (2018) and the Artist Laureate Salary (2022). She took part in the shows at the Smack Mellon Gallery in New York (2022), the Arnhem Museum in the Netherlands (2020) and the Museum of Arts and Design in New York (2019).