Undergraduate Course: Developing Graphic Design (LLLA07114)
Course Outline
| School | Centre for Open Learning |
College | College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 7 (Year 1 Undergraduate) |
Availability | Not available to visiting students |
| SCQF Credits | 10 |
ECTS Credits | 5 |
| Summary | THIS IS A FOR-CREDIT ONLY COURSE OFFERED BY THE CENTRE FOR OPEN LEARNING (COL); ONLY STUDENTS REGISTERED WITH COL SHOULD BE ENROLLED
This course aims to consolidate existing skills in graphic design and develop new ones to enable students to produce outcomes that consider audience, application and professional contexts. The course content will be driven by the interests of individual students within the framework of a given brief, and will broaden their practical and professional understanding of the discipline. |
| Course description |
The course teaching is typically delivered over weekly class sessions of around 3 hours each and totaling 30 hours. Alternatively, the course can be delivered more intensely or as a block if required.
Over the class sessions the course will cover:
Introduction
1. Presentation and group discussion: Graphic Design and Audience. A look at different forms of communication in relation to their audience.
2. Short brief: Visualising a phrase/idiom according to an assigned audience.
Research & Documentation
1. Group discussion: What is research? A look at 'the sketchbook', and different visual research/documentation methods.
2. Drawing and collage based sketchbook warm-up exercise.
What's the Big Idea?
Students begin determining the project idea they would like to focus on in the coming weeks and the elements their project will be made up of. (One-to-one discussion.) The following weeks will be structured as 'modules' focusing on graphic design subject areas and mediums that will feed into each student¿s on-going individual project.
Process of Design
1. Thinking about the practical processes a designer goes through while working from a brief to a final outcome. A selection of case studies will be presented.
2. Finalisation of individual project plans with one-to-one discussion.
Sense of Order
Considering the importance of 'composition' in graphic design. How do elements fit together and how does that shape the message. A presentation of a selection of book covers, magazine designs and posters where the composition is the message will be given.
Designing with Type
Following on from the previous week, introducing the importance of typography within design, and exploring ways of using it effectively, on its own, as well as combined with other media. A presentation of relevant works and approaches will take place.
Colour
Looking at ways of utilising colour in design. Developing colour schemes according to relevant meanings and connotations. A presentation of examples will take place.
Interlude/Peer Feedback
This will be an opportunity for all students to talk about their work up to date and receive critical feedback from each other.
Presentation of Work
Group crit where students will present their finalised work and critically reflect on the research, development and design processes they have been on during the course.
The Learning Experience
The teaching will be based and delivered in specialist art and design studios or workshops and will typically include a range of practical exercises, introductions to techniques, processes and concepts, and set projects which lead to more focused and personal exploration. Over the course, students' progress will be monitored and supported by the tutor. Teaching will include practical demonstrations, one to one tuition, group discussions and critiques.
For work required to be undertaken after the class hours are complete, the course tutor will set students a 'directed study plan' which can be undertaken without the need for specialist workshops or access to models.
Directed study will include research into a range of suggested artists and their associated movements to engender a contextual awareness. Students are expected to demonstrate how their research has informed their work through annotated sketchbooks, a visual digital journal and practical outcomes.
The Directed Study Plan will include preparing evidence of research and practical work to form an appropriate presentation for assessment.
|
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
|
Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
| Additional Costs | Unless otherwise stated, all students on this short course pay a published course fee per enrolment.
In addition to the course fee, students are expected to provide the following list of indicate tools, materials and equipment:
Estimated cost: £20 - £50 depending on usage.
- A4 or A3 layout pad
- Sketchbook (at least A4)
- Drawing materials: pencils, pens, coloured pencils/pens with varying tip sizes, rubber, sharpener
- Scissors or scalpel/craft knife
- Ruler (metal or plastic, up to 30cm)
- Pritt Stick, tape
- USB stick |
Course Delivery Information
|
| Academic year 2019/20, Not available to visiting students (SS1)
|
Quota: 12 |
| Course Start |
Lifelong Learning - Session 2 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
100
(
Supervised Practical/Workshop/Studio Hours 30,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 2,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
68 )
|
| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
|
| Additional Information (Assessment) |
Summative Assessment
(Occurs at least 2 weeks after the last taught class)
Two weeks after the end of the class teaching, this course will be assessed by the submission of:
Formative Assessment (required for all credit courses).
(Occurs in weeks 6 or 7 of the 10 week course)
A formative assessment session will occur in week 6 or 7 of the taught element of the course. Each student will undertake a 5 minute verbally presentation with their practical work in progress to other members of the class group followed by a 5 minute group critique supported by the course tutor. Each student will also electronically submit their work in progress digital journal to the course tutor.
Indicative and supportive feedback will be summarised in written form on the digital journal which will give an indication of what areas requires to be address in order to meet the published learning outcomes. This will comprise of short written summary of action points.
Summative Assessment
(Occurs at least 2 weeks after the last taught class)
Two weeks after the end of the class teaching, this course will be assessed by the submission of:
A digital journal documenting a summary of the learning journey as evidenced in the portfolio
(Indicate time spent: 20 hours)
This will include a summary of idea development, media exploration, contextual research, critical reflection and outcomes through notes, annotation, illustration and photography.
A portfolio of visual art/design works
(Indicate time spent: 80 hours)
This will include a selection of resolved design works, sketchbook works, preparatory studies, visual research and evidence of a contextual awareness.
The Digital Journal and Portfolio must be presented in a clear and professional manner appropriate to the discipline. The submission should include work undertaken within the class as well as directed and independent study out with the class.
The combined Digital Journal and Portfolio submission will be assessed against the three learning outcomes for this course. These are equally weighted (33.3% each) and each will be given a percentage grade. To pass, students must achieve a minimum of 30% in each learning outcome and an overall combined mark of 40% minimum.
|
| Feedback |
Formative Assessments
This will comprise of short written summary of action points of areas requiring addressing to meet the learning outcomes, but no indicative grades will be given.
Summative Assessments
On completion the assessment - each student will receive a % mark for each learning outcome along with written feedback putting in context the % mark and outlines areas for development.
|
| No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Research, context and ideas: Demonstrate a range of creative ideas and thinking processes for visual communication, supported by contextual references and practical research.
- Practice, skills and techniques: Show a confidence in utilising a range of graphic design methods, approaches and processes that are appropriate to the ideas and concepts which considers the audience.
- Selection, presentation and reflection: Evidence appropriate judgement to document, select, edit and present a coherent body of graphic design work.
|
Reading List
Recommended
Bringhurst, R., 1992, The Elements of Typographic Style, Canada: Hartley & Marks
Baldwin, J., & Roberts, L., 2006, Visual Communication: from Theory to Practice, Lausanne: AVA Publishing
le Coutre, M. & Purvis, A., 2002, A Century of Posters, Aldershot: Lund Humphries
Hollis, R., 2005, Graphic Design: A Concise History, New York: Thames & Hudson
Lupton, E., 2010, Thinking With Type, New York: Princeton Architectural Press
Lupton, E., 2008, Indie Publishing: How to Design and Produce Your Own Book, New York: Princeton Architectural Press
|
Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Considering the audience with regard to visual communication.
Ability to undertake research and reflective practice and apply these within the context of graphic design and visual culture.
Using graphic design tools effectively and efficiently.
|
| Keywords | Graphic,Design,Digital |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Mr Oliver Reed
Tel:
Email: Oliver.Reed@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Ms Kameliya Skerleva
Tel: (0131 6)51 1855
Email: Kameliya.Skerleva@ed.ac.uk |
|
|
University Homepage