Course Title: Information and Interface

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Information and Interface

Credit Points: 12.00

Terms

Course Code	Campus	Career	School	Learning Mode	Teaching Period(s)
GRAP2140	City Campus	Postgraduate	335H Applied Communication	Face-to-Face	Sem 1 2006, Sem 1 2007, Sem 1 2008, Sem 2 2008, Sem 1 2009, Sem 2 2009
GRAP2140	City Campus	Postgraduate	345H Media and Communication	Face-to-Face	Sem 1 2010, Sem 1 2011, Sem 2 2011, Sem 1 2012, Sem 2 2012, Sem 1 2013, Sem 2 2013, Sem 2 2015

Course Coordinator: Russell Kerr

Course Coordinator Phone: Admin office: +61 3 9925 1243

Course Coordinator Email: russell.kerr@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: Building 9, level 1, Room 03

Course Coordinator Availability: By appointment or via email.

Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

None.

Students applying through a Single Course Application should be aware that an appropriate undergraduate program and presentation and approval of a Folio is a requirement for entry into this course.

Course Description

In this course you will analyse and integrate information from a range of media including textual, visual, tabular, 3D, functional and imaginative, and effectively communicate it to specific audiences. You will address design production issues that relate to both print and interactive media.

Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to:
•    describe information design, interface design, and the role/s of the graphic designer in its production;
•    analyse the requirements of the user and implement user-centred design research techniques to develop an effective design solution;
•    apply design, cognitive and communication principles to develop effective and sustainable information-based messages for local and international audiences;
•    implement testing processes necessary to refine an information design project; and
•    design and produce universal and accessible information design outcomes.

In this course you will develop the following program capabilities:
•    analyse client-based and user-based audiences and contexts which visual communication solutions must address, including the recognition of the physical, cognitive, cultural, environmental and social human factors that shape design solutions;
•    create, develop and reflect on visual form in response to communication problems, including articulation of principles of visual organization, information hierarchy, symbolic representation, typography, aesthetics and the construction of meaningful images; and
•    solve visual communication problems using strategies for problem identification, research and information gathering, analysis, generation of alternative solutions, prototyping and evaluation of outcomes.

Overview of Learning Activities

You will be actively engaged in learning that involves a range of activities including lectures, studio, tutorials, class readings, group class discussion and critique, group activities and individual research.
You will also have the opportunity to undertake practical interactive exercises where you will put into practice the skills and knowledge discussed in class. Peer and self-critique is an integral part of the learning and teaching philosophy of the course. This course adopts a combination of lecture/tutorial style delivery and practical interactive exercises where you will have the opportunity to put into practice the skills and knowledge discussed in class. Peer and self-critique is an integral part of the teaching and learning philosophy of the course.

Overview of Learning Resources

A list of recommended learning resources will be provided by your lecturer, including books, journal articles and web resources. You will also be expected to seek further resources relevant to the focus of your own learning.
Macintosh computers and industry-standard software and fonts are available on campus.

Overview of Assessment

Assessment will cover both theoretical and practical aspects of your learning. Assessment will occur during and at the end of the course. Methods may include any combination of assessment tasks such as reports, projects, folio and presentations.