Course Title: Creative Practice and Skills A

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Creative Practice and Skills A

Credit Points: 12


Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

GRAP2322

City Campus

Undergraduate

335H Applied Communication

Face-to-Face

Sem 1 2006,
Sem 1 2007,
Sem 1 2008

Course Coordinator: Shelley Kirby

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 2582

Course Coordinator Email:shelley.kirby@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: Building 9, Level 2, Room 38

Course Coordinator Availability: By appointment only


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

None


Course Description

This course introduces students to the theory and practice of design and art direction. Students will develop a broad understanding of the function, philosophy and role of design and art direction in contemporary society and will begin to acquire a comprehensive design vocabulary through a series of structured problem solving activities. The fundamental aspects of typography, composition and layout, image and graphic development are introduced.

Students will develop experience in a range of design related skills and technologies and will examine several concept and visualisation building techniques that underpin the professional practice of Art Direction. A key aspect of this course will be the development of a systematic approach to creative problem solving and concept development, encompassing such processes as semiotic analysis, lateral thinking and brainstorming.

Students will learn the fundamentals of how computers work, examine Macintosh-based operating system and learn how to manage and structure their work. Students are introduced to word processing, vector drawing and bitmap editing programs in current industry and will learn how these programs inter-relate at several levels. Whilst developing skills in troubleshooting, scanning, problem solving and systems management issues, including font management, file transfer and Internet.


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

During this course, you will learn to apply appropriate and creative design solutions to given problems, and to follow these solutions through several production and presentation phases in a manner suited to the selected presentation process.

Capabilities

After taking the course, you will:

Become familiar with innovative and self-directed design and art direction research methodologies.

Develop a basic understanding of Macintosh operating system.

Be able to engage with introductory technological and theoretical design and art direction concepts.
Develop an understanding of fonts and font management software.

Demonstrate a basic understanding of traditional and digital production processes and apply this knowledge in the formulation of creative work.

Achieve a suitable level of technical proficiency in operating, maintaining and troubleshooting personal computer systems.

Utilise available computer software and information resources at a basic level for creative, research and technical purposes.

Develop a range of analytical and critical skills related to design and art direction practice.

Ability to access a broad range of information and resources related to design and communications based computing activities.

Be able to produce effective visuals, using limited colour, images, text, and graphic symbols.

Be able to reflect upon and evaluate your own learning processes through your participation.



Overview of Learning Activities

A lecture will be presented each week, followed by practical exercises
During this course, you will learn to apply appropriate and creative design solutions to given problems, and to follow these solutions through several production and presentation phases in a manner suited to the specified presentation process.


Overview of Learning Resources

Blackboard – RMIT Online (internet) and Applied Communication internal server.
All students have sole use of a computer during class time and access outside of class time.

Computer Storage – Memory stick, ipod or blank CDRW.

The prescribed text can be purchased at the RMIT book shop.


Overview of Assessment

Four major individual assignments.