Course Title: Design 2
Part A: Course Overview
Course Title: Design 2
Credit Points: 12
Course Code |
Campus |
Career |
School |
Learning Mode |
Teaching Period(s) |
GRAP2357 |
City Campus |
Undergraduate |
345H Media and Communication |
Face-to-Face |
Sem 2 2011,
Sem 2 2012, Sem 2 2013 |
Course Coordinator: Helen Dickson
Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 9816
Course Coordinator Email:helen.dickson@rmit.edu.au
Course Coordinator Location: building 7, level 3, room 32
Course Coordinator Availability: contact Helen Dickson via email to make an appointment, if necessary.
Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities
Linkages between Design 2 & other courses within the first year of the program:
Imaging 2,
Design Studio 2,
Media Cultures 2.
Pre-requisites for this course from within the program include:
Design 1,
Imaging 1.
Course Description
The course further develops design theory and practice of visual communication within the first year of the Bachelor of Arts – Animation and Interactive Media program.
This design course is a sequential learning program structured over semester two, of first year.
Learning is focused on the development of skills and knowledge, which can be utilised in a student-centred learning environment and in future professions.
You will be required to extend skills developed in Design 1, to show an understanding of the design processes and practices.
The course will contribute to development of your understanding of the relationship between idea generation and the practicalities of producing innovative design solutions through applied digital studies and exercises.
You will be expected to demonstrate the ability to research information that will enable you to creatively resolve design problems that may arise.
You will consider various ways that ideas can be shaped and presented to communicate effectively to the audience, producing effective, engaging design solutions in response to the brief.
You will gain an appreciation of issues surrounding the use of various design elements and the critical knowledge to enable you to evaluate the use of these elements, in the production of innovative solutions for use in design production.
During this course you will be presented with opportunities to evolve while exploring your creative potential.
The production of designs will develop your individual way of thinking and interpreting visual ideas.
Throughout this course, you will incrementally acquire an expanding knowledge base of design and production strategies via the experience of practical production on projects that reflect a professional and communicative practice.
Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development
To further develop the ability to think conceptually to produce original content suitable for the production of original design solutions in response to the brief.
Apply design process and design practice to visual communication, information design, graphic design, typography, image creation, and digital design.
Apply both visual and verbal skills, as used within design practice, to present articulate and engaging ideas and design solutions.
Develop the capability to investigate and apply skills in visual semiotics as is applied to visual communication theory.
Design using innovative and appropriate concepts which apply typographic principles and illustrative techniques to create visual solutions.
Form a synthesis between intellectual understanding, critical analysis, techniques and genres, aesthetics and their relevance to visual communication principles.
Encourage the exploration of design as practiced within a broader cultural, ethical and professional context.
Respond confidently and imaginatively to challenges associated with the course, initiating and contributing to new developments.
Develop critical and analytical capacity to evaluate design solutions.
Develop confidence in presenting work in group situations.
Prepare, evaluate and collect visual & text based material to use in the creation of visual design solutions.
Explore and experiment with visual media in the production of multiple design solutions.
Research, identify, record and incorporate visual and conceptual influences in the production of solutions .
Apply conceptual knowledge to design processes, analyse concepts in the development of creative design solutions as responses to the brief.
Overview of Learning Activities
The course will be taught as a series of weekly lectures, demonstrations and computer laboratory workshops and tutorials.
Various hypothetical design briefs will be prepared by the lecturer and supplied during class.
You will be expected to attend tutorial sessions, within computer laboratories, where tutorials and discussion will encompass current design concepts and developments.
During this course you will apply advanced critical, conceptual and practical skills appropriate for expanding your understanding of visual communication principles.
This will include research and reference compilation, appropriate problem solving techniques, idea evaluation, concept development and exploration of ideas.
You will be expected to demonstrate the ability to research and resolve design-based problems.
While developing effective design solutions, you will be expected to write or verbalise a rationale for concepts.
In addition while engaging design principles, you will be encouraged to explore the use of different materials, manage projects and develop presentation techniques.
You will engage in brainstorming, planning and problem solving activities that encourage self-reflection on creative processes.
The learning approach in this course will be student-centered and project-based.
The exploration of existing models, theories and new paradigms will allow you to develop your skills and creative strategies.
You will further enhance their knowledge through practical application providing creative, conceptual solutions to visual communication problems.
The course, as in Design 1, will be taught as a series of weekly lectures, demonstrations and computer laboratory workshops and tutorial.
The lecturer will prepare various hypothetical design briefs.
You will be expected to consider these and propose design concepts to address the specific requirements of the brief.
You will be expected to talk about your design and concepts and receive criticism or advice accordingly.
Themes underlying project-based design will relate to the intention of the design as a professional piece of communication.
You will have the opportunity to nominate areas that you may require further assistance within the design course.
As in Design 1, consultation is available on an individual and/or group basis during course sessions.
You are also encouraged to present your design concepts to these workshops for class discussion and problem solving.
A session of peer feedback will follow, giving you input that you may need to further refine your ideas.
In addition you are to complete individual design project/s.
These will require you to effectively resolve design related issues sometimes in collaboration with fellow students.
The exploration of innovative visual possibilities using design principles to produce work to a high standard will be encouraged.
There is an expectation regarding your continued progress and the quality and quantity of work produced.
Overview of Learning Resources
With many of the resources students you be expected to use are computer-based or computer peripherals and these resources will be provided in the school’s computer laboratories for use in classes.
You may need to use digital content acquisition tools such as cameras and sound recording equipment.
These will be available for loan. You will organize the loan of such equipment from the school’s equipment store.
You should make use of wider university resources such as its libraries, their print and audio-visual collections and, if appropriate, the University’s Learning Skills Unit.
You will need to supply visual diaries to record creative work.
You will also be expected to supply computer materials such as computer storage devices, CDs, DVDs, videotapes, colour printouts, folio’s for presentation of work, if appropriate.
Along with standard computer peripherals and materials (CDs, DVDs, Books, etc) you will be required to read certain texts and access web resources.
A list of recommended texts will be provided in class.
Overview of Assessment
Assessment is based on progressive assessment of assigned briefs. Each brief must demonstrate the knowledge that you have acquired through the planned learning experience.
Assessment will progress through each developmental stage and you will receive feedback in the form of a written feedback sheet,
and feedback when you participate in group critiques (formal & informal) and review during the course of the design project.
The work will be assessed in terms of the quality of concepts, production and how well it addresses the design brief.
You will also be asked to record creative work in their journal.
Assessment Tasks:
Assessment will take the form of ongoing progressive assessment and of a formal folio submission at the end of the semester.
Each brief must demonstrate the knowledge that you have acquired through the planned learning experience.
Assessment will progress through each developmental stage and you will receive feedback through a written feedback sheet,
and participation in group critiques (formal & informal), and review during the course of the design project.
Assessment elements will comprise of:
• Sketch book/s
• Design development files
• Briefed exercises
• Briefed projects
Breakdown of Assessment Result:
Class Exercises - 20 percent of your expected result.
Class Projects - 80 percent of your expected result.