Course Title: Future Scenarios for Print

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Future Scenarios for Print

Credit Points: 12.00


Course Coordinator: John Magnik

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 9462

Course Coordinator Email: john.magnik@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: Bldg 515, Room 515.1.02B, Brunswick


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

None


Course Description

The printing and graphic technology industry is facing major change. The industry requires employees who can think creatively, deal with new technology and who have the ability to problem-solve. This course will introduce the various print methods such as lithography, flexography, gravure, screen printing, letterpress and new digital technologies, and examine their applications and limitations in today’s environment. The course investigates where these processes are now and explores future scenarios for print companies using new technology. It will also cover industry sectors such as: commercial, web, newspapers, security, packaging, books and business forms printing. It challenges the idea that the printing department can remain isolated from the rest of the workflow, especially in the digital era the industry now finds itself in.
The questions of how to maintain profit and competitiveness during the transition to a future-oriented enterprise will be investigated and students will be required to conduct research into and report on these issues. The idea of a logistics platform base, specialising within an enterprise/sector for new markets is also introduced and discussed.
The course provides a solid understanding of print processes from which other new technologies can be explored and evaluated. It encourages participants to think proactively and analytically in order to develop strategic initiatives for new technology scenarios.


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

• Ability to describe and explain the various printing processes, their characteristics and how they differ from one another.
• Ability to identify and source printing materials and consumables such as; substrates, inks, chemicals, blankets, rollers, ancillary equipment, tools and parts.
• Ability to use and understand current printing terminology.
• Knowledge of and ability to explain industry sectors such as; commercial, digital, newspapers, heat-set and cold-set web, business forms, security, metal decorating, and packaging.
• Ability to recognise process applications and limitations.
• Ability to explore and evaluate new technology.
• Ability to use basic scenario planning tools to investigate and implement new technology.


Having participated in this course, you should be able to:
• identify and list the major print methods as presented during the course
• identify and list the key components/elements of each of these print processes
• identify and source a range of consumables and ancillary equipment as pertinent to each specific process.
• demonstrate an ability to be able to recognise both the possible strengths and limitations of each specific process
• identify and analyse industry specific sectors, eg newspaper, commercial, sheet- fed, web, books
• identify, source and analyse the use of varying print consumables as used in the various print production processes and their possible environmental impacts
• identify and demonstrate an ability to correctly apply and use printing terminology
• explore and research both actual and possible future industry trends and the impact of new technology
• demonstrate an ability to use basic scenario planning tools to cope with the advent of new technology and change


Overview of Learning Activities

This course will require you to develop and demonstrate an ability to gather information from a range of sources.
You will then be required to analyse, interpret, record and present this information


Overview of Learning Resources

Text Based:

Kipphan, H. Handbook of Print Media, Springer. Berlin 2001

Web Based:

www.bluelinemedia.com.au
www.print21online.com


Overview of Assessment

Research project
Criteria for assessing the project will be presented in class. The format, content and print items to be included will be described by the lecturer.
Collaborative research presentation
Students will nominate their team members up to a maximum of 5. Student contracts will be written and a written paper will be presented to the lecturer. Each member of the student team will be assessed individually on their input into the presentation and will be asked to present their component in a group presentation.
Individual report
The assessment criteria of the report will be outlined during the course by the lecturer. It will however, involve elements of the Research project and Collaborative research project.