Community

6.5.2019

Student Centre — name and logo competition

Community, Press releases, Student Union Leave a comment

Please note! The jury has decided to continue the competition until 9th June at 23:59 (only electronic submission).

The Student Centre is a collaborative project of Aalto University Student Union (AYY), Aalto University Business Students (KY) and Teknologföreningen (TF) for a collective building for students in a central location on the Otaniemi campus, next to the metro station entrance and opposite the Harald Herlin Learning Centre.

We are now looking for a collective visual identity for the Student Centre project in the shape of a name and logo competition! In the future, the name and logo will be used e.g. on the project’s brochures, website and social media. The competition starts on 6 May 2019, and its deadline is 9th June at 23:59. The reward paid in the contest is a total of 500 €, which may be split into multiple parts by decision of the panel of judges.

Competition’s rules

1. Competition duration and right of participation

The competition period runs from 6 May 2019 to 9th June at 23:59
All Aalto University students have a right to participate in the contest.

2. Design instructions

In its assessment, the panel emphasises personal touch and a solution that reflects the student culture of Aalto, not forgetting visual quality. The name and/or logo of the Student Centre should indicate in some way that this is a project and future meeting place shared by AYY, KY and TF. The look may incorporate elements from the existing visual materials of AYY, KY and TF, but this is not a requirement.

Consider the following aspects, for example, when creating your proposal:

How do the name and logo represent the student culture of Aalto and the new building shared by its students? Be bold and unique with your proposal!
How do the name and logo represent the students of Aalto? Think about which elements constitute the collective identity of Aalto people and how this could be expressed in the visual look. Also, think about how the project’s three organisations are visible in your proposal.
What is a good name or logo like? Is the logo made up of the name, a part of it or another element? Note that the name should be memorable and short enough.
What is special about the name and logo you are proposing? Make sure that the panel picks up on the great qualities of the visual identity you have designed. Provide explanatory descriptions of your choices. Give short and sweet reasons for your decisions.
How does the name work in everyday language? Is it inviting? Does the name give the impression that the place tempts visitors? How does the name work in different languages?

3. Submission of proposals

The proposal must be fitted onto one sheet that is A3-sized at most. The competition proposals can be submitted electronically OR as a physical copy. The competition is anonymous.

Electronic submission

Submit your proposal as an email attachment to nimikisa@opiskelijakeskus.fi by 23:59 on Sunday 9th June 2019 at the latest. The email should contain:

the proposal equipped with an alias as a pdf file (the proposals are handled anonymously, and the panel of judges cannot see the sender’s contact details) and
the contact details of the maker(s) in the message field (name, study field, email, tel. no.).
Write “Student Centre name competition” in the subject field.

If you want, you can submit a name suggestion only at https://forms.gle/n3tMruuKLTUMmXM19 . The name suggestions submitted alone are not handled as part of the competition.

Any questions regarding the competition can be sent to nimikisa@opiskelijakeskus.fi.

4. Design framework

The look (which can be sketch-like) should contain at least the following:

name and logo proposal
colours (at least 2 main colours)
font map
other possible graphic elements

The proposal must be fitted onto one sheet that is A3-sized at most.

5. Choosing the winner

The winner of the name and logo competition is chosen by the panel of judges appointed by AYY, KY and TF. The panel consists of representatives of AYY, KY and TF as well as a specialist member on visual communication design. Panel members cannot take part in the competition themselves. The panel will give feedback on the submitted works and choose the winner.

6. Finalising the winning proposal

Possible finalising work on the winning proposal will be agreed upon separately with the designer. The existing resources of the different parties will be utilised in the finalising work.

7. Other

AYY, KY & TF reserve the right to make changes.

Any questions regarding the competition can be sent to nimikisa@opiskelijakeskus.fi.

18.2.2019

Information on the Teekkari cap process

Community Leave a comment

Clarifications regarding the Teekkari cap were begun in autumn 2018, and they have proceeded. Attached is a revision of what has happened thus far.

Participation in Teknologföreningen’s freshman education and other operations was made accessible to all Aalto people when Aalto University was established. Last year, Interior Design was transferred from the Department of Design to the Department of Architecture, as a result of which the responsibility over new Interior Design students transferred to the Guild of Architecture. These facts have led to also other students than those of the technology field participating in both associations’ Teekkari freshman education.

In October 2018, the Guild of Architecture and Teknologföreningen approached AYY and the Teekkari Section with a letter expressing the wish to clarify the possibility of also other students than those of the technology field to receive a Teekkari cap.

Due to the letter, the Board of AYY decided in November 2018 to establish a working group to clarify the community’s views on the matter. The working group consisted of members of the Board and the Teekkari Section.

During the charting process in November–December 2018, eight parties were interviewed:

Freshman Committee,
AYY Board,
Teekkari Section,
Council,
Guild of Architecture,
Teknologföreningen,
Ikiteekkari (Eternal Teekkari) and
Guild Eldest of the Guild of the Round Tower.

A unanimous stand on the topic could not be formed based on the interviews, and the Board was presented with multiple solution models.

In December 2018, the AYY Board make the following decision:

“If the Teekkari Section and the Guild of the Round Tower (PTK) are in favour of this, permission to wear the Teekkari cap can in special cases be granted to persons who have completed their freshman education. These concessions are to be treated as individual cases.

The Board authorises the Freshman Major to design a proposal for the concession process in collaboration with Julius Luukkanen and the Chair of the Teekkari Section. The process will be approved by the Teekkari Section and a PTK panel.

This decision stands for the present and will be readdressed after the possible Wappu 2019 in the body in charge of Teekkari matters as defined by the community structures project. The TKY-period Cap Regulations must be updated, if possible, in connection with this.”

The concession process mentioned in the decision was prepared during January 2019. The Teekkari Section and the panel of the Guild of the Round Tower ry approved the process in the beginning of February 2019.

The process enables permission to wear the cap to be granted solely to freshmen who begun their Teekkari freshman education in autumn 2018 and whose degree does not lead to the title of Bachelor of Science (Technology), Master of Science (Technology), Architect or Landscape Architect. The cap must be applied for separately, and both the Teekkari Section and the panel of the Guild of the Round Tower must approve the application in order for a cap to be granted. Through the process, the cap can only be granted to a freshman demonstrating particular Teekkari spirit and interest towards the technology field.

Freshmen have been notified of this opportunity, and the application period is ongoing.

If applications are received, the Teekkari Section and the panel of the Guild of the Round Tower will address them later in the spring and either grant or not grant the permissions to wear the cap in time for the possible Wappu 2019.

This is a temporary operating model designed for use this spring only. Matters regarding the Teekkari cap will be readdressed once AYY’s community structures project is completed after the summer of 2019. The Teekkari Section has expressed the wish that there would be time to have the entire Teekkari community participate more actively in the readdressing.

17.12.2018

Pioneers of the Aalto community awarded at the Hugo Gala

Community, Student Union Leave a comment

On the evening of Friday 7 Dec 2018, a diverse group of the Aalto community’s active operators gathered in Smökki to celebrate the first Hugo Gala in history. The Gala celebrated the Aalto community and its pioneers, but this time, we were not talking about individuals but bringing to the limelight the amazing accomplishments of the associations operating in the Aalto community.

What is the Hugo Gala and where did the idea come from? “Individual persons are often awarded at annual celebrations. We now wanted to thank and award specifically associations and groups for their amazing accomplishments and the work they do for the community,” explains Kaisa Talvitie, the Aava member in charge of community, of the origins of the Hugo Gala.

During the autumn, Aava collected suggestions of parties deserving recognition. Suggestions could be left in previously defined categories, which were new students, sports and wellbeing, integration of international students and interdisciplinarity. In addition to these, it was possible to suggest a different category.

A large number of suggestions was made. It was difficult to decide on winners as there were plenty of good and well-reasoned applications. “It feels like we really hit the right nerve. There are associations that do great work but have not previously received recognition for their toil. We were able to meet this need with the awards of the Hugo Gala,” says Kaisa.

In the end, seven awards were handed out. One of the awardees was Radiodiodi, who received the award of Community Builder 2018. “Radiodiodi enables the outward visibility and audibility of the community. They work to make others look good and have their voices heard while remaining in the background themselves,” reasons Talvitie about Radiodiodi’s award. A list of all award recipients can be found at the end of this story.

Radiodiodi fick priset Årets gemenskapsbyggare 2018 Foto: Henri Heilala

The Hugo Gala was organised by Aalto University Student Union’s Aalto Community Section Aava. The plan is to make the Gala an annual tradition.

Further information: Kaisa Talvitie, Community Section Aava’s member in charge of community, kaisa.talvitie@ayy.fi

Awards handed out at the Hugo Gala on 7 Dec 2018:

Community Builder 2018: Radiodiodi

Internationality Innovator 2018: Polyteknikkojen partioklubi Teepakki ry

Aalto Community Bridgebuilder 2018: Hosts and Hostesses 2018

Paving the Way for the Aalto Community 2018: Aalto Beer Pong ry

Freshman Education Trailblazer 2018: Nuoret Designerit ry

Student Wellbeing Pathfinder 2018: Teekkariratsastajat ry

Interdisciplinary Pioneer 2018: Otanko ry

17.10.2018

Otaniemi Night of Arts succeeded beyond expectations

Community Leave a comment

On 6 Oct, Otaniemi Night of Arts gathered Aalto people, Aalto alumni and residents from the area to celebrate creativity with more than 50 interartistic subevents.

Otaniemi Night of Arts had something in the programme for all ages, from architectural tours and outdoor cinema to a vocal group matinee and a rap night. Many of the workshops enabled participants to express their own creativity, for example, by painting park benches or welding car parts into a sculpture. In addition to students, an exceptional amount of families and Aalto alumni were seen moving around Otaniemi.

Among the guests was also the Mayor of Espoo, Jukka Mäkelä: “This is so much fun. I really wish from the heart that Otaniemi Night of Arts is continued and expands further.”

Aalto Vice President Petri Suomala, Mayor of Espoo Jukka Mäkelä and Espoo Council member Saara Hyrkkö queuing up for the Free Painters’ paintball art wall. Photo by Heikki Isotalo

A district event is not created overnight. Otaniemi Night of Arts has been under preparation at the Student Union’s office ever since February.

“In terms of the setup, the event went smoothly, and it was great to see the festival attract people of all ages,” says the event’s producer, Executive Manager for TOKYO and AYY’s Advocacy Expert for ARTS students Tero Uuttana.

Otaniemi Night of Arts was a celebration of volunteer work. The programme and practical setup were arranged by the fifty involved communities and associations and around twenty volunteers.

“Without the community’s input, we could not have made Otaniemi Night of Arts happen,” remarks the Board member responsible for Artistic Activities Julius Luukkanen.

Host of the Chemistry Guild Lotta Wallinmaa presents a chemically-executed lava lamp. Photo by Heikki Isotalo

Host of the Chemistry Guild Lotta Wallinmaa directed the lava lamp workshop, which proved to be a hit with the audience. “This is a really quite simple demonstration of how acids and bases behave in a water solution,” says Wallinmaa of the workshop’s content. The number of participants reaching into hundreds exceeded also Wallinmaa’s expectations: “We’ve had to wash up some glasses and recycle oil.”

17.9.2018

Associations wish you welcome

Community, New Students, Student Union Leave a comment

On Wednesday 5 Sept, the semester was kickstarted with the Aalto Party, at which 106 associations operating within Aalto University Student Union showcased their operations to new students. In this story, active association members give pointers on things that can be done in the Aalto community.

Associations at Aalto Party. Photo: Aleksi Leskinen

Altogether, there are more than 200 associations operating within AYY. Some of them are closely related to specific study fields, but there is also a vast number of leisure-time organisations operating in Otaniemi that are open to all Aalto people.

One of the newest Aalto associations is the Aalto Formula Team, founded in early 2018. Its goal is to build an electric racing car fit for the Formula Student competition in collaboration with the whole university.

“There’s much more to this than a car driving around the race track. Student marketing, business collaboration, electrical work, materials choices, design… If you have the skills, you will get to use them,” promises Kalle Kekäläinen, secretary of the Aalto Formula Team.

Some of the Aalto associations have more history behind them. The association for electronic media, OUBS, continues the traditions of the cable channel that went by the name Otaniemi Underground Broadcasting System and now focuses on the live streaming of student events, for example.

“With us, you’ll get to learn a lot about videography. You don’t need to know anything beforehand. At all gigs, you’ll get full instruction, you’ll get to film on your first go and to edit on your second,” promises Ville Tuominen, president of OUBS.

Not all associations focus solely on one hobby; there are also other themes that can unite Aalto people from various study fields. GAYY brings together Aalto’s LGBT-spirited students and aims to bring acceptance and good vibes onto campus. The association has organised, for example, a rainbow-sitsit and a get-together to watch the Eurovision Song Contest.

“Some of the guilds in Otaniemi can feel male-dominated and a bit macho. Students might feel that they won’t find other LGBT people or that they cannot come out in the big guilds. For them, GAYY is an easy place to come to,” says Jarna Verho, president of GAYY.

People visiting OUBS’s tent. Photo: Aleksi Leskinen

AYY’s association register is alive and growing all the time.

During 2018, in addition to the Aalto Formula Team, the ranks have been joined by, for example, the heat-enjoying Polyteknikkojen Saunaseura (the Polytechnicians’ Sauna Club), the Aalto Artificial Intelligence Society who focus on AI, and the Chinese Student & Scholars Association at Aalto University uniting students with a Chinese background.

Active association members are hoping that lots of new students would fearlessly investigate the activities. The threshold for joining has been made as low as possible. Doing an online search of the association’s name already gets you to a good start.

Many association websites offer the chance to become a member for free, and it is possible to keep track of your association’s events by following Telegram groups and newsletters, for example. Introductory evenings will also be organised for new members during the autumn.

Partygoers at Aalto Party. Photo: Aleksi Leskinen

But what will make busy students spend their sparse leisure time on association activities? Active association members mention that you can gain experiences through the activities which cannot be gained in lessons or even in the dos of your own special status association.

“Thanks to various video projects, I have attended events that I would otherwise not have gone to. I have been able to see all the cool things that can be accomplished by a large group of people,” says Tuominen.

“You see things actually moving forward here. We got the formula idea from nowhere around the end of November. Now, we have facilities, teams, sponsors and cooperation with the University. And the car design is progressing, too!” adds Kekäläinen happily.

“The best thing is networking and getting to know people from different schools through the association. My perspective on Otaniemi has broadened and I have noticed that I had no reason to worry. People really are very open here,” says Verho.

There are more than 200 subject organisations, guilds, sports clubs and hobby clubs operating in the Aalto community. Get to know the whole selection and find yourself a new hobby or a suitable club on the List of Associations page.

30.8.2018

Otaniemi Night of Arts invites you to enjoy art on campus

Community, Culture Leave a comment

PRESS RELEASE

For release from 22 Aug 2018

Aalto University Student Union combines forces with student organisations and sets up Otaniemi Night of Arts, an interartistic art festival, on Saturday 6 Oct. The free event is aimed at all residents of the metropolitan area and celebrates the creativity and teekkari spirit of the Aalto community.

Otaniemi Night of Arts is a new kind of art festival organised for the first time on the Otaniemi campus of Aalto University. The event, taking place on the first Saturday of October, is characterised by student initiative and a broad conception of art.

“We wanted to create an event concept that would enable students to contribute something to the programme that’s creative, free and uniquely theirs – a bit like the Helsinki Night of the Arts,” says Julius Laakkonen, who’s in charge of artistic activities on the Board of the Aalto University Student Union.

Lava lamps and orchestral schlagers on the programme

There will be around thirty subevents during the Otaniemi Night of Arts, all free of charge.

The programme includes, for example, different types of music, dance, media art – and a painting to be collectively coloured in using paintball guns. Other events combining technology and art include a lava lamp workshop and a work of installation art to be collectively welded onto a car rim.

“We were delighted with the wide variety of event registrations. The programme includes events we would never have expected, let alone be able to come up with ourselves,” laughs Luukkanen.

The full programme of the Otaniemi Night of Arts will be published in mid-September.

The student community shows its creativity

Otaniemi Night of Arts is part of Aalto University Student Union’s theme year, the Year of Art. Its purpose is to highlight the collective creativity of Aalto University’s interdisciplinary student community.

Hence, the festival is being organised by a combination of students from all Aalto schools as well as several student associations from hobby clubs to guilds, i.e. the subject organisations of the students of technology.

The free event is aimed at all citizens. The organisers hope to welcome as many people as possible at Otaniemi to enjoy the creativity of the Aalto community.

“At the Student Union, we see daily that the Aalto community is capable of a multitude of things. I’m excited that we can now invite the whole metropolitan area to get to know the artistic, surprising side of our community,” remarks Luukkanen.

For more information and interview requests, please contact Tero Uuttana, Student Advocacy Specialist for ARTS students , 050 520 9439 or tero.uuttana@ayy.fi.

http://otanieminightofarts.fi/

The event on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/2220457434854832/