Course Title: Design and manipulate complex layouts

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term2 2015

Course Code: GRAP9454C

Course Title: Design and manipulate complex layouts

School: 320T Architecture & Design

Campus: Brunswick Campus

Program: C5316 - Diploma of Graphic Design

Course Contact: Alistair Briggs

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 9152

Course Contact Email: alistair.briggs@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Lisa Robertson

lisa.robertson@rmit.edu.au

Nominal Hours: 65

Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites

None

Course Description

In this unit you will develop the skills and knowledge required to design complex publication layouts. This involves combining creative design skills with technical software proficiency.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

CUVGRD505A Design and manipulate complex layouts

Element:

1. Analyse design needs

Performance Criteria:

1.1 Confirm communication objectives for the publication based on the design brief and consultation with relevant people as required
1.2 Evaluate particular specifications of the design brief
1.3 Source and evaluate other information pertinent to the project

Element:

2. Develop and refine layout ideas

Performance Criteria:

2.1 Identify relevant sources and conduct research to inform layout ideas
2.2 Consider the opportunities and constraints offered by different techniques and technologies
2.3 Assess the different elements that need to be incorporated into the overall layout
2.4 Create and refine ideas and options by working with the fundamental elements and principles of design
2.5 Refine ideas through use of ongoing technical experimentation
2.6 Evaluate and select approaches based on their potential to meet the communication need
2.7 Produce and present visual representations of design ideas and communicate with others to confirm as required

Element:

3. Create and manipulate layouts

Performance Criteria:

3.1 Set up the document using the capabilities of appropriate software
3.2 Manipulate and enhance the layout through use of an extended range of tools and features
3.3 Support communication objectives with effective integration of text and visuals
3.4 Identify and resolve technical problems based on developing expertise
3.5 Achieve desired outcomes through application of design skills and technical expertise
3.6 Enhance outcomes by allowing the creative and technical processes to work together
3.7 Establish and follow safe work practices in the work process

Element:

4. Evaluate design work

Performance Criteria:

4.1 Critique the layout from both a functional and aesthetic perspective in the context of the design objective
4.1 Seek feedback from others as required, and make appropriate adjustments
4.3 Make assessment of own work and identify key learnings to inform future work
 

Element:

5. Finalise technical aspects

Performance Criteria:

5.1 Edit and refine layouts to meet technical requirements
5.2 Follow correct protocols for saving, exporting and storing files
5.3 Establish appropriate file formats for output and appropriate colour management profiles

Learning Outcomes


On successful completion of this course, you will have developed and applied the skills and knowledge required to demonstrate your competency in the above elements.


Details of Learning Activities

Your learning activities will take place in a computer laboratory using industry software. You will complete exercises and industry style briefs. You will also be required to undertake independent study.

Details of Learning Activities
In class activities may include:

  • Lectures
  • Peer teaching and class presentations
  • Group discussion
  • Online research
  • Independent project based work
  • Teacher directed group activities/projects
  • Class exercises to review discussions/lectures

Out of class activities may include:

  • independent research
  • independent project based work
  • online tutorials and activities
  • review and revision


Teaching Schedule

Please note: While your teacher will cover all the material in this schedule, the weekly order is subject to change depending on class needs and availability of speakers and resources.

Week Activity Performace Criteria
1

Formative Task 1: Tabs & Tables

  • Creating simple tables in InDesign
     
 1.2, 1.3, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3
2

Formative Task 1: Tabs and Tables

  • Creating more complex forms in InDesign using tables or tabs & rules
 1.2, 1.3, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3
3

Summative Task 1: 16pp Magazine

  • Intro to brief and resources
  • Previous student and real-world examples
  • Target audience
  • Brainstorm masthead titles and design concepts
  • Set up document
 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3
4

Summative Task 1: 16pp Magazine

  • Grids
  • Master pages revision
  • Mixing & matching typefaces (TypeKit)
  • Approval of title
  • Develop layouts
 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3
5

Summative Task 1: 16pp Magazine

  • Graphs
  • Baseline grid revision
  • Paragraph spacing revision
  • Develop layouts
 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3
6

Summative Task 1: 16pp Magazine

  • Anchored Objects (form design)
  • Lists
  • Develop layouts
 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3
7

Summative Task 1: 16pp Magazine

  • Test output
  • Peer review/feedback
  • Design and finished art checklists
 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3
8

Summative Task 1: 16pp Magazine DUE

  • Printing and submission
 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3
9 Summative Assessment Task 2: Type Booklet
  • Intro to brief
  • Assignment of groups and topics
  • Previous examples
  • Project planning
  • Assign tasks
  • Research topic
  • Brainstorm concepts
  1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3
10 Type Booklet
  • Successful group work
  • Collaborative tools e.g. Google Docs, Dropbox, private facebook group
  • Discussion of paper stocks
  • Present visual and written research
  • Concept development and approval
  1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3
11 Type Booklet
  • Print Booklet function
  • Discussion of binding methods
  • Test print on paper stock
 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3
12 Type Booklet
  • Development and refinement
  • Problem solving
  1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3
13

Type Booklet

  • Development and refinement
  • Problem solving
  1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3
14

Type Booklet

  • Group peer review
  • Individual group member assessment
  • Prepare presentations
 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3
15 Summative Assessment Task 2 DUE

Output
Submission and presentations
Revision
 

 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3
16 Summative Assessment Task 3: In-Class Knowledge Test  1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts

None required.


References

French, N, 2014, InDesign Type: Professional Typography with Adobe InDesign (3rd Edition), Adobe Press

Bosler, D., 2012, Mastering Type, HOW Books

Coles, S., 2012, The Geometry of Type, Thames & Hudson

Williams, J., 2012, Type Matters, Merrell

Kane, J., 2011, A Type Primer, Laurence King

Highsmith, C., 2012, Inside Paragraphs, Font Bureau

Tselentis, J., 2012, Typography, Referenced, Rockport Publishers

James, C., 2012, Designing With Type (5th Edition), Random House

Lupton, E., 2010, Thinking With Type (2nd Edition), Princeton Architectural Press

Spiekermann, E., Ginger E.M, 2003, Stop Stealing Sheep, Adobe Press

Loxley, S., 2004, Type. The Secret History of Letters, I.B Tauris

Bringhurst, R., 2013, Elements of Typographic Style (4th Edition), Hartley & Marks

Heller, S, Fili, L., 2011. Scripts. Elegant Lettering from Design's Golden Age, Thames & Hudson

Garfield, S., 2011, Just My Type, Gotham Books


Other Resources

You are advised to look at the course myRMIT site (Blackboard) and also for Google Docs and Google Groups via your student Google Account for ongoing updated information. A range of learning resources and references are provided throughout the year. Additional information relating to this will be provided on an ongoing basis. A digital resource folder resides on network server. Further information regarding access to this is available in the information provided during orientation.

You will require a personal storage device and tools as outlined in the tool kit list.

Amongst the library’s electronic resources is the ability to access Lynda.com for online tutorials and lessons. You may be given these tutorials (and other resources) to supplement your classroom learning.

RMIT will provide you with resources and tools for learning in this course through our online systems and access to specialised facilities and relevant software. You will also have access to the library resources.


Overview of Assessment

Assessment is on-going throughout the course. Assessment tasks will require you demonstrate the application of knowledge and skills through practical projects and/or written tasks.  Assessment tasks in this course are:

  • Design Project 1 
  • Design Project 2 


Assessment Tasks

Assessment tasks in this course are either formative or summative. Formative tasks provide the basis for ongoing feedback and can be considered essential building blocks for the more substantial summative tasks. Summative assessment tasks in this unit are graded. To demonstrate competency in this course you need to complete each one of the following pieces of assessment and have a satisfactory outcome in the summative assessments.

Formative assessment
1. In-Class Exercises - Tabs and Tables - Students will learn how and when to best utilise tabs and tables when presenting data sets.

Summative assessment
Brief 1: Type Directors Club Magazine 45% - Students will design a multiple-page magazine for the Type Directors Club. Due week 9.
Brief 2: Type Booklet 30% - Students will design and set the text for a multiple-page booklet. This will be a group project and will be presented in class in week 15
Brief 3: In-Class Knowledge Test 25% - Students will complete an in-class task which will demonstrate all of the skills they have acquired over the course of the semester. Due week 16 (end of class).

Students can also further their skills by using the lynda.com website for tutorials outside of class.

Students will be tutored with a verbal and/or written evaluation of their progress, within class time. A final assessment of Competency Achieved or Not Yet Competent will be given at the end of the course when students have submitted all completed work. A graded assessment will also occur for this course. To be deemed competent students must demonstrate competency in all Learning Elements and related Performance Criteria.

Grades which apply to courses delivered in accordance with competency-based assessment, but which also use graded assessment:
CHD - Competent with High Distinction
CDI - Competent with Distinction
CC - Competent with Credit
CAG - Competency Achieved Graded
NYC - Not Yet Competent
DNS - Did Not Submit for Assessment


Assessment Matrix

The assessment matrix demonstrates alignment of assessment tasks with the relevant Unit of Competency. These are available from the course contact person (stated above).

Other Information

Attendance
The major learning experience involves studio based exercises, demonstration and production. It is strongly advised that you attend
all sessions in order to engage in the required learning activities, ensuring the maximum opportunity to be successful in this course.

Feedback
You will receive verbal and written feedback by teacher on your work. This feedback also includes suggestions on
how you can proceed to the next stage of developing your projects.

Student feedback at RMIT:
Pick the following link to access the Student feedback  webpage

Student Progress
Monitoring academic progress is an important enabling and proactive strategy to assist you to achieve your learning potential.
Pick the following link to access the Student progress policy webpage


Cover Sheet for Submissions
You must complete a submission cover sheet for every piece of submitted work. This signed sheet acknowledges
that you are aware of the plagiarism implications.
Pick the following link for Cover sheet for submission of works

Special Consideration Policy, Late Submission & Extensions
All assessment tasks are required to be completed to a satisfactory level.
If you are unable to complete any piece of assessment by the due date, you will need to apply for an extension.
Pick the following link for details on applying for Special consideration
Any student seeking an extension, should aim at doing so a minimum of 2 days before the deadline. Work submitted late and without an extension at any point will incur late penalties in accordance with university policy.
If you require an extension you must complete an extension form with evidence supporting your application and hand this to your instructor. Further links - Application for extension of time

On Time Submission and Impact of Late Submission
On time submission is an important factor in your assessment. Employability skills are embedded in all courses and these include Planning & Organising and Self-management. For this reason, late work impacts on your overall grade for each assessment task.
The following adjustments for late submission will be made: Grades will be reduced by 10% for each day (or part thereof), for the first two days. If submissions are three days or more late, the work will only be assessed as a pass or fail – it will not be graded. Submissions seven days or more late should still be handed in, however they will not be assessed and will be kept as a record only.

Academic Integrity and Plagiarism
RMIT University has a strict policy on plagiarism and academic integrity.
Pick the following link for more information Academic Integrity

Course Overview: Access Course Overview