Introduction to Graphic Design (10 credit points)

Course Times & Enrolment

This course is currently unavailable.

Course Summary

The course will introduce students to the building blocks of graphic design, exploring and experimenting with the principles of visual communication and culminating in the development of their own graphic language. This will be a hands-on approach to graphic design utilising a mix of mediums such as paper based, digital and photographic exercises to explore type and compositional design and the social and cultural context of visual communication which will lead to a more focused project.

Course Details

Pre-requisites for enrolment

No previous graphic design experience required.

Special Information

Materials you will need to bring to the first class:

Sketchbook (at least A5)
Drawing materials: pencils, pens, coloured pencils / pens with varying tip sizes
Rubber and sharpener

In addition to the course fee, students are expected to provide the following list of indicative 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 and sharpener
Scissors or scalpel / craft knife
Ruler (metal or plastic, up to 30cm)
Pritt stick, masking and scotch tape
USB or external hard drive

Content of Course

Over the class sessions the course will cover:

What is Graphic Design?
Introducing the principles and elements of design, composition and experimentation.
Effective graphic design, examples and workshop.
Image making for Graphic Design.
Typography 1: (Analogue)  Exploring the use of collage, hand drawn, and DIY materials to create inspirational typographical ideas. 
Typography 2: (Digital)  Utilising the Adobe Creative suite, photography and scanned imagery to combine ideas from Typography 1 and to create and develop further ideas. 
Introduction and development of a personal project.
Individual project research and design workshop.
Formative Assessment and Feedback: An opportunity to review work so far in discussion with tutor and discuss how well the work is meeting the learning outcomes.
Finalisation and Presentation. Individual presentations of body of work completed.

Teaching method(s)

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.

Learning outcomes

On completion of this course, the student will be able to:

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.
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.
Demonstrate an appropriate judgment to select, edit and present a coherent body of exploratory studies and resolved works.

Sources

Core Readings

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.
JARRETT, M.S 2019. Ray Gun: The Bible of Music and Style. Rizzoli International Publications, 2019
OLIVER, V., BROOK, T., SHAUGHNESSY, A., 2020. Archive ('Materials And Fragments') Unit Editions

Assessment

Details of the Art and Design assessment requirements can be found on the short course website. Please click on the following link for more information: Submission and Assessment Information

Studying for Credit

If you choose to study for credit you will need to allocate significant time outwith classes for coursework and assessment preparation. Credit points gained from this course can count towards the Certificate of Higher Education.

Queries

If you have questions regarding the course or enrolment, please contact COL Reception at Paterson's Land by email COL@ed.ac.uk or by phone 0131 650 4400.

Student support

If you have a disability, learning difficulty or health condition which may affect your studies, please let us know by ticking the 'specific support needs' box on your course application form. This will allow us to make appropriate adjustments in advance and in accordance with your rights under the Equality Act 2010. For more information please visit the Student Support section of our website.