Study Guide

Learning outcomes

The student is able to:
- explain the principles of Transition Design
- apply Transition Design approach and basic tools in a case study
- reflect the usability of Transition Design methodology in futures working life

Teaching methods

The study unit is implemented in cooperation with Metropolia and Haaga-Helia.
Enrollment for the course through the 3amk.fi website.

Transition Design bounds together futures, design and system thinking and their methodology. Its aim is to tackle complex, even wicked problems, to create concrete multi-stage plans to achieve preferable futures. Transition Design is transdisciplinary field that stresses the role of societies and individuals as actors for any system level change. The aim of the study unit is to provide the 3UAS students understanding how to apply Transition Design in their working environment.

How does transition design approach help us to understand our agency in today's world?
• It helps you to understand systemic, wicked problems such as climate change or over consumption from individual's, community's, or society's perspective.
• It helps you to unlock your creative potential to imagine alternative and preferable futures
• It let’s you to practice how individuals, communities and societies create transition pathways to these futures

Location and time

The five ECT study unit is equivalent to 135h of work and consists of pre-tasking, 3-day Transition Design sprint, individual course report and a peer review. To pass the study unit, the student is required to submit the pre-tasking, individual course report and a peer review and to participate in all three days of the Sprint. It is not possible to participate in the sprint remotely.

1. Pre-tasking: 31 October – 21st November (The tasking will be sent to the registered students NLT 31st October)
2. Transition Design Sprint: 24th November – 26th November, daily between 09:00-17:00, at Haaga-Helia's Pasila Campus at Ratapihantie 13, Helsinki.
3. Peer review: DL 11th December (The tasking will be published NLT 24th November)
4. Individual Course Report: DL 11th December (The tasking will be published NLT 24th November)

Learning materials and recommended literature

The pre-reading and other material will be published at Canvas study platform.

Alternative completion methods of implementation

The course cannot be accredited. Participation in the Sprint is mandatory.

Important dates

1. Pre-tasking: 31 October – 21st November (The tasking will be sent to the registered students NLT 31st October)
2. Transition Design Sprint: 24th November – 26th November, daily between 09:00-17:00, at Haaga-Helia's Pasila Campus at Ratapihantie 13, Helsinki.
3. Peer review: DL 11th December (The tasking will be published NLT 24th November)
4. Individual Course Report: DL 11th December (The tasking will be published NLT 24th November)

Forms of internationality

The study unit is suitable for exchange students.

Students workload

The five ECT study unit is equivalent to 135h of work and consists of pre-tasking, 3-day Transition Design sprint, individual course report and a peer review. To pass the study unit, the student is required to submit the pre-tasking, individual course report and a peer review and to participate in all three days of the Sprint. It is not possible to participate in the sprint remotely.

Further information for students

The study unit is implemented in cooperation with Metropolia and Haaga-Helia. Enrollment for the course through the 3amk.fi website.

The five ECT study unit is equivalent to 135h of work and consists of pre-tasking, 3-day Transition Design sprint, individual course report and a peer review. To pass the study unit, the student is required to submit the pre-tasking, individual course report and a peer review and to participate in all three days of the Sprint. It is not possible to participate in the sprint remotely.

Evaluation methods and criteria

“The evaluation of competence is based on the descriptions of objectives in the curricula and the evaluation criteria provided in the study unit’s implementation plan” (Laurea degree regulations).

1. Pre-tasking: PASS/FAIL
2. Transition Design Sprint: Participation Mandatory
3. Peer review: PASS/FAIL
4. Individual Course Report: 1-5

After completing the course, the student is able to:
• explain the principles of Transition Design
• apply Transition Design approach and basic tools in a case study
• Master Level (YAMK)/EQF7: reflect the usability of Transition Design methodology in futures working life

To achieve grade 5 (excellent) the student must be able to:

- create a consistent framework/knowledge base making use of both national and international scientific sources in a critical analytic fashion. (Knowledge base)
- solve demanding problems in research, development and/or innovation activities where new knowledge and competence is created as well as to apply and combine information from different fields. (Problem solving)
- develop the activities of the competence area in a target-oriented and communal fashion. (Development)
- communicate convincingly both orally and in writing to audiences within and exterior to the field. (Communication)

To achieve grade 5 (good) the student must be able to:

- gather, process, produce and evaluate information critically and widely making use of both national and international scientific sources. (Knowledge base)
- use concepts of the area of expertise fairly. (Knowledge base)
- solve problems in research, development and/or innovation activities by applying and combining information from different fields. (Problem solving)
- create target-oriented, justified development plans considering the community. (Development)
- communicate in a competent, clear and consistent manner both orally and in writing. (Communication)

To achieve grade 1 (satisfactory) the student must be able to:
- gather, process, produce and evaluate information widely. (Knowledge base)
- use concepts of the area of expertise systematically. (Knowledge base)
- solve problems in research, development and/or innovation activities. (Problem solving)
- recognise and analyse focuses of development making use of the knowledge base. (Development)
- communicate clearly both orally and in writing. (Communication)


All staff and students of Laurea are expected to adhere to good scientific practices, which includes appropriate referencing. Familiarise yourself with the practices and, if needed, ask for more information. All study assignments are to be done as individual work unless otherwise instructed.

Further information

This study unit is meant for master level students.