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Visual Communication

Introduction to Graphic Design (Online) (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 the principles of visual communication and culminating in the development of their own graphic style. A series of short design exercises will explore typography, composition, colour and the social and cultural context of visual communication which will lead to a more focused personal project. 

Short 1:1 sessions with the tutor will be offered to students once a week within the times outlined below:
Wednesday 5.00-6.45 and 8.45-9.30pm

Course will be delivered via Blackboard Collaborate and Learn.

Course Details

Pre-requisites for enrolment

Students will be required to hold a licence to Adobe software in order to take part in the course. This can be purchased via Adobe directly. The cost for individual licences is £30.34 per month for the full Adobe suite. We recommend that students purchase a licence to the whole Adobe suite.

Ideally students would possess a working Knowledge of Adobe software, but this is not mandatory. 

Special Information

  • Computer with internet access

  • Adobe Creative Cloud and Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign.

  • Sketchbook (at least A5)

  • Drawing materials: pencils, pens, coloured pencils / pens with varying tip sizes, rubber, sharpener

  • Digital Camera or Smart Phone (for documentation)

Content of Course

Online Seminars:

1. Introduction to the course: What is graphic design?

2. The principles of design and composition.

3. Typography 1: The anatomy of letterforms.

4. Typography 2: Typesetting basics.

5. From A to B: The process of design: Overview of the historical development of graphic design.

6. Branding: Introduction to visual identity systems.

7. Define and refine: Developing a logo.

8. Promotional item: Developing brand collaterals.

Online Group Discussions + Tutorials:

1. Individual tutorials with students’ work. Advice will be given about selecting, developing, and  presenting work.

2. Students will give short presentations of their work, including their benchmarks, contextual influences, and development. 

Teaching method(s)

Ideally you should have;

• An up-to-date web browser (Google Chrome recommended) 

• Microphone (ideally headset) and Webcam 

• Strong Internet connection

Teaching will be fully online 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 students taking a course for credit you will be required to undertaken work outwith the class, which your tutor will outline, including practical directed study activities and by keeping a reflective Learning Journal. Directed study will include developing further practical work alongside 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 and reflections made within a digital learning journal.

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

  • Ambrose, G. & Harris, P., 2010. The visual dictionary of typography, Lausanne, Switzerland: AVA Pub. SA.

  • Saltz, I., 2009. Typography essentials 100 design principles for working with type, Beverly, Mass.: Rockport Publishers.

  • Anon, 2005. Fresh Dialogue Five: New Voices in Graphic Design, New York, NY: Princeton Archit.Press.

  • Lavin, M., 2001. Clean new world : culture, politics, and graphic design, Cambridge, Mass.: MIT Press.

  • Evans, P., Sherin, A. & Lee, I., 2013. The graphic design reference & specification book : everything graphic designers need to know every day, Beverly, MA: Rockport Publishers.

Web Sources

https://www.creativereview.co.uk

http://thegreatdiscontent.com

https://signalvnoise.com/posts/3024-questions-i-ask-when-reviewing-a-design

https://www.johnsonbanks.co.uk/thoughts/an-insiders-guide-to-the-design-presentation

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 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.