Undergraduate Course: Graphic Design 2A: Applied Graphic Design (DESI08102)
Course Outline
| School | Edinburgh College of Art |
College | College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 8 (Year 2 Undergraduate) |
Availability | Not available to visiting students |
| SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
| Summary | This course defines the creative potential of Graphic Design, and establishes the key areas of productive output for a contemporary graphic designer. The course encourages students to explore new methods of seeing and thinking in order to stimulate the creation of alternative solutions to graphic design. It will equip students with useful skills in interpreting and responding to project briefs by generating creative ideas, research methods, experimentation in colour and materials, production, prototyping and digital visualisation techniques including moving image and audio. |
| Course description |
Graphic Design is a form of communication combining art and technology to convey a clients ideas, key messages or information targeting specific audiences. This course provides students with a variety of practical and design skills in preparation of a career path in Graphic Design.
This course encourages students to focus on conceptual thinking, by encouraging a broad range of approaches to the graphic design process and how to apply and transfer those skills to a variety of solutions. The course places focus on historical research, examining how it has inspired and influences our understanding of contemporary graphic design methods and aesthetics. Students are encouraged to explore the development of concepts and themes, questioning cultural and political trends whilst benefitting from the technical advancements of the graphic design industry today.
Students on the course will participate in a series of graphic design projects, exploring both conventional approaches and new developments within the graphic design industries. Through practical projects and professional collaboration, students will engage with the graphic design discipline, through the generation of ideas, concepts, verbal and non-verbal communication, pitching and presentation skills. The course guides students through visualization techniques, digital imaging, motion and interactive design, including traditional relief print and production methods.
Students will develop essential skills in observation techniques, analytical skills and documentation through sketchbooks. They will discover how to plan and manage their projects effectively, by considering and recognising their strengths and weaknesses through the exploration of their design process. Students will demonstrate visualisation techniques and employ different methods of production to resolve design problems. Evaluating and choosing appropriate software for a variety of design solutions is a key learning experience on this course.
This Course will comprise multiple projects, leading to a final, summatively assessed submission of preliminary work (approx. 2-3 sketchbooks); final resolved piece(s) (approx. 3-5); and a presentation both verbal and digital.
Wks 1-5 - Theory and Practice of Graphic Design
Lectures: Workshops/Projects
History and Contemporary Theories
Principles of Design and Layout
Verbal and Non-Verbal Communication
Concept Development
Wks 6 - Mid-Course Formative Review and Feedback
Wks 7-10
Lectures: Workshops/Projects
Practical Projects in Graphic Design and Visual Narrative
Visualisation Techniques
Software Applications: Digital Layout and Motion Graphics
Print Production Methods
Presentation and Pitching
Wk 11
End of Course Summative Assessment and Feedback
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
|
Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | If this course is core to your programme you will be automatically enrolled. This course is unavailable for non-Graphic Design students. |
| Additional Costs | Approx £100 for:
Studio Costs; Basic Graphic Materials - pens, pencils, cutting tools, paper, ruler, sketchbooks, portable USB stick
Printing Costs; Print Workshop Materials (depending on specific needs) |
Course Delivery Information
|
| Academic year 2022/23, Not available to visiting students (SS1)
|
Quota: 0 |
| Course Start |
Semester 1 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
200
(
Lecture Hours 3,
Seminar/Tutorial Hours 5,
Supervised Practical/Workshop/Studio Hours 32,
External Visit Hours 3,
Online Activities 3,
Feedback/Feedforward Hours 15,
Formative Assessment Hours 0.5,
Summative Assessment Hours 0.5,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
134 )
|
| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
|
| Additional Information (Assessment) |
Formative Assessment¿
Mid-way through the Course, students will submit 250-word self-reflection statement
Summative Assessment
At the end of the Course students will submit a multi-page assessment document (pdf format). This assessment document will comprise 100% of the final course summative grade and will contain:
Development of sketch and workbooks showing all experimentation.
Evidence and documentation of field visits, skills and technical workshops.
Presentation of graphic design solutions.
Worksheets or sketchbooks which show evidence of workshop experience, documentation of research themes, evaluation and critical analysis, illustrating their approach to the design process.
A 250-word self-reflection statement
Summative assessment document is assessed against all three course Learning Outcomes. Each Learning Outcome is equally weighted, and therefore comprises 33.33% of overall final course grade. |
| Feedback |
Formative Feedback
Mid-way through the Course students will be given verbal feedback during individual tutorials.
Summative Feedback
At the end of the Course students will be given written feedback plus summative grades. |
| No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Demonstrate an increasingly inquisitive and inventive approach to Graphic Design research.
- Formulate ideas aligned to the Graphic Design briefs and show a range of techniques.
- Evidence you can plan a project timeframe from research, idea development and experimentation through to resolution.
|
Reading List
Lupton, E., Graphic Design Thinking: Beyond Brainstorming, Princeton Architectural Press; 2011
Ambrose, G; Harris, P; The Fundamentals of Graphic Design; AVA Publishing 2008
Hall, Sean; This Means This, This Means That: A User's Guide to Semiotics Laurence King Publishing, 2012;
Baldwin, j; Roberts, L; Visual Communication: From Theory to Practice; AVA Publishing 2006
Budelelmann, Kevin; Kim, Yan; Essential Elements for Brand Identity: 100 Principles for Designing Logos and Building Brands (Design Essentials) Rockport Publishers, 2013 |
Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Enquiry Carry out routine lines of enquiry and develop connections and relationships to resolve problems.
Personal Effectiveness Take a lead on planning familiar or defined contexts.
Communication Convey increasingly complex information to a range of audiences and situations. |
| Keywords | Concepts,innovation collaborations,creativity,experimentation,communication,visualising techniques |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Ms Mary Asiedu
Tel: 0131 221 6110
Email: |
Course secretary | Mr Rhiordan Langan-Fortune
Tel: (0131 6)51 5926
Email: |
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