1. Challenging
the

2. Challenging the mindset:

3. Challenging the mindset:
Method or Madness?

4. Challenging the mindset:
Method or Madness?
NO!

5. Challenging the mindset:
Method or Madness?
NO!
Just a different context!

6. Challenging the MINDSET
was a workshop held in
Helsinki, Finland from
June 03 to June 14, 2013.

7. It brought together students and mentors
from various fields of Aalto University,
Monterrey Institute of Technology, and the
National Autonomous University of Mexico
AALTO LAB MEXICO will focus on a Mayan community in Calakmul, in the Yucatan
Peninsula, in Mexico. The LAB will take place from Sept. to Dec. 2012. A two weeks field
trip will take place in November.
“Making the world a better place”
There is just one of each positions described in the boxes above. If you think
you are who we are looking for, please write a short essay and explain why.
Send it to: claudia.gardunogarcia@aalto.fi
More info: https://blogs.aalto.fi/freedomabyadesign/
Creative
Sustainability
Aalto University
School of Economics
Mechanical
Engineering
Aalto University
School of Engineering
Creative
Sustainability
Aalto University
School of Engineering
Computer
Science and
Engineering
Aalto University
School of Engineering

8. The industry:
Greenfain and
Finnish Consulting Group

9. and the public sector:
Viikinmäki Water treatment plant,
GovJam

10. It was all about towers,
dragons, grassroots,
dungeons, dirt, and silence.

11. TOWERS

12. Tower Challenge 1
Building a tower out of 3
A4 paper sheets, it should
carry a weight on its top.
Appearance also counts

16. Tower Challenge 2
Imagine and frame everyday
challenges in a slum.
Then be challenged by reality:
look at this tower built greatly
without architects.

18. Tower Challenge 3
1 Marshmallow
20 spaghetti sticks
1m. tape
1m. thread

19. JanAhlstedt©

20. JanAhlstedt©

21. JanAhlstedt©

22. DRAGONS

23. Professor Pekka Korvenmaa
Aalto ARTS Vice Dean

24. Professor Tuuli Mattelmäki
Aalto ARTS-DOD Head of Research, Vice Head

25. Mikko Heiskala
Aalto Service Factory Education Coordinator
JanAhlstedt©

26. Tiina Laurila
Creative Sustainability Study Coordinator
JanAhlstedt©

27. Kalevi Ekman
Aalto Design Factory Director
JanAhlstedt©

28. Jung Joo Lee
Posdoc Researcher / Aalto ARTS

29. Susu Nousala
Postdoc Researcher/ Aalto ARTS
JanAhlstedt©

30. GRASSROOTS

31. Sandra Viña
Doctoral student in design / Aalto ARTS
JanAhlstedt©

32. Elina (and Venla) Lappalainen
MA Social Policy

33. Suvi Hjorth
Water specialist / FCG

34. Janne Salovaara
Creative Sustainability student / Aalto ARTS

35. Claudia Garduño
Doctoral student in design / Aalto ARTS
JanAhlstedt©

36. DUNGEONS
&
DIRT

37. Jan Ahlstedt ©

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39. Jan Ahlstedt ©

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41. and SILENCE

42. and SILENCE

43. They were not immediately
aware of it, but it was about
developing capabilities.

44. Learning how to
work alone

48. And how to
work in groups

51. Jan Ahlstedt ©

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54. and how to work as
groups that are a
part of larger groups.

55. Jan Ahlstedt ©

57. In groups, they were
critical with themselves

58. Jan Ahlstedt ©

61. and they were critical
with others,

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66. andindoingso,theygained
not only self awareness

67. andindoingso,theygained
not only self awareness
but group awareness.

68. Jan Ahlstedt ©

69. Brainstorming,

70. Jan Ahlstedt ©

71. scenario building,

73. rapid prototyping,

74. JanAhlstedt©

75. role playing.

76. Jan Ahlstedt ©

77. They experienced the process
of learning how to follow
methods that work against
preventive thinking system of
‘immediate solution’.

78. And they had a quick
dive into complexity and
complex systems, even
within their own groups.

80. JanAhlstedt©

81. They learned how to take
a snapshot of mindsets in
a current situation

82. JanAhlstedt©

83. and they imagined what to
do about it from wherever
they were standing.

84. JanAhlstedt©

85. And there was a moment
when they got lost

86. Jan Ahlstedt ©

87. and doubted if it would
actually work, if they
weren’t creating more
damage instead of
changing for good.

89. Jan Ahlstedt ©

90. They have learnt that
no one knows all, and
it shouldn’t stop them
from trying!

91. Jan Ahlstedt ©

92. And they have learnt
what they don’t know or
why it is important to be
comfortable with being
uncomfortable.

93. HC SVNT DRACONES
JanAhlstedt©

94. DRAGONS?!
JanAhlstedt©

95. They learned to
experience the process
(which is all that mattered)

96. because no one
learns on their own.

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104. Oh! And we’re very proud
they have learnt to use
Helsinki transportation
system!

105. Jan Ahlstedt ©

106. And just when they thought
we could no longer challenge
them, we restricted their
verbal communication!

108. And we eagerly watched
their group work on
Governance and Water
outcomes!

110. Challenging
the
This acknowledgement is awarded to:
for participating in
Challenging the Mindset SUMMER WORKSHOP
Held in Helsinki, Finland from June 03 to June 14, 2013
through the collaboration of Creative Sustainability Programme
with Aalto Service Factory, Aalto Media Factory, Aalto Design Factory,
Pamela Chantiri Dorantes
Thanks!
Text by Susu Nousala and Claudia Garduño
Photos by Jan Ahlstedt, Claudia Garduño and
Johanna Laukkanen
Presentation by Claudia Garduño