Undergraduate Course: Introduction to Graphic Design (LLLA07163)
Course Outline
| School | Edinburgh College of Art |
College | College of Humanities and Social Science |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 7 (Year 1 Undergraduate) |
Availability | Not available to visiting students |
| SCQF Credits | 10 |
ECTS Credits | 5 |
| Summary | The course will introduce students to the building blocks of graphic design, exploring the principles of visual communication and culminating in the development of their own graphic language. |
| Course description |
The course will introduce students to the building blocks of graphic design, exploring the principles of visual communication and culminating in the development of their own graphic language. There will be a mix of paper based and digital exercises to explore compositional design and the social and cultural context of visual communication which will lead to a more focused project.
The course teaching is delivered over weekly class sessions totalling 27.5 hours. Depending on the specific timetable of the occurrence of the course, this will either be delivered over ten weeks of 2.75 hour class sessions, eleven weeks of 2.5 hour class sessions or five weeks of 5.5 hour class sessions. Over the class sessions the course will cover:
Introduction
Group discussion: What is Graphic Design?
Sense of Order
Introducing the principles and elements of design and composition.
Sense of Order 2: Design Area
Introducing the concept of design area and its importance in effective graphic design.
Typography 1
Looking at the anatomy of letterforms, and introducing Adobe Illustrator.
Typography 2
Covering the basics of typesetting with an introduction to Adobe InDesign.
Typography 3
Working with type within layout: introducing grid systems.
From A to B: The Process of Design
Overview of the historical development of graphic design. Beginning concept development for 4-week main project based on branding.
Branding + Audience
Introduction to branding followed by individual research into different brands.
Define and Refine
Developing a logo for an imaginary brand using Adobe Illustrator.
Promotional Item
Developing an item promoting the imaginary brand. Acts as an opportunity to make use of the practical and conceptual skills gained in the past few weeks.
Finalisation and Presentation
Individual presentations of body of work completed for imaginary brand exercise (idea, logo, and promotional item.) Consolidation of the course.
This course will be based and delivered in specialist 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.
Each week, students' progress will be monitored and supported by the tutor who will negotiate and agree a Directed Study Plan for work to be undertaken out with the class hours each week. This will include researching a range of suggested artists or designers and their associated movements to engender a contextual awareness of the discipline being taught as well as how to annotate and evidence this within a sketchbook and practical outcomes.
Teaching will include practical demonstrations, one to one tuition, group discussions and critiques.
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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.
Access to appropriate IT facilities and programmes
Printing credit of £10 per student
Additional printing in excess of credit
In addition to the course fee, students are expected to provide the following list of indicate tools, materials and equipment:
A4 or A3 layout pad
Sketchbook (at least A5)
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 key
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Course Delivery Information
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| Academic year 2017/18, Not available to visiting students (SS1)
|
Quota: 10 |
| Course Start |
Lifelong Learning - Session 1 |
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:
A digital journal documenting a summary of the learning journey as evidenced in the portfolio
weighting: 20%
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
weighting: 80%
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.
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| Feedback |
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.
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.
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| No Exam Information |
|
| Academic year 2017/18, Not available to visiting students (SS1)
|
Quota: 10 |
| 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:
A digital journal documenting a summary of the learning journey as evidenced in the portfolio
weighting: 20%
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
weighting: 80%
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 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.
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 (33.3%) Employ a range of strategies effectively for recording and developing visual communication, exploring conceptual ideas and documented in a sketchbook or visual journal, supported by contextual references.
- Practice, skills and techniques (33.3%) Demonstrate a practical knowledge to develop a personal graphic language, experimenting with type, collage and image, both on paper and through the use of digital software applications.
- Selection, presentation and reflection (33.3%) Demonstrate an appropriate judgment to select, edit and present a coherent body of exploratory studies and resolved works.
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Reading List
Recommended
Kane, J., 2002. A Type Primer. London: Laurence King Publishing.
Fletcher, A., 2001.The Art of Looking Sideways. London: Phaidon Press.
McAlhone, B. and Stuart, D., 1996. A Smile in the Mind. London: Phaidon Press.
Heller, S., 2000. Graphic Style: Victorian to Digital. New York: Harry N. Abrams.
Gatter, M., 2010. Production for Print. London: Laurence King Publishing.
Lupton, E. and Abbott Miller, J., 2006. The ABCs of the Bauhaus and Design Theory. London: Thames & Hudson.
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Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Using digital imaging tools effectively
Ability to deploy compositional devices for visual communication
Ability to undertake research and reflective practice and apply these in the context of graphic design within visual culture
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| Keywords | design,graphic,Graphic design,introduction,sketchbook,sketchbook,research,journal,reflective |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Mr Robbie Bushe
Tel:
Email: |
Course secretary | Mr David Lonergan
Tel: (0131 6)51 4832
Email: |
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