Course Title: Research visual communication history and theory
Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term1 2020
Course Code: COMM7341C
Course Title: Research visual communication history and theory
School: 375T Vocational Design and Social Context
Campus: Brunswick Campus
Program: C5359 - Diploma of Graphic Design
Course Contact: Alistair Briggs
Course Contact Phone: +61 9925 9988
Course Contact Email: alistair.briggs@rmit.edu.au
Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff
Dale Nason
Nominal Hours: 55
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 required.
Course Description
While undertaking this course you will research visual communication history and theory and apply that research to your own professional practice. Visual communication professionals inform and enrich their practice through their understanding of history and theory. This study will provide context, inspiration and reference for your design solutions. History and theory may relate to a particular period of time, a particular aspect of visual communication, or be broader in nature.
National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria
National Element Code & Title: |
CUAGRD501 Research visual communication history and theory |
Element: |
1 Select focus for research |
Performance Criteria: |
1. Select a focus for visual communication research based on specific needs and perspectives 2. Challenge own assumptions and preconceptions about the research process and potential information sources 3. Select relevant historical and contemporary sources for investigation |
Element: |
2 Conduct critical analysis |
Performance Criteria: |
1. Identify and investigate issues and ideas in the development of visual communication 2. Evaluate ways in which meanings, messages and information are communicated in both a historical and contemporary content 3. Seek out and compare the critical views of others in chosen area of inquiry 4. Allow the process of analysis to take exploration of issues in new and potentially unintended directions |
Element: |
3 Present ideas about visual communication history and theory |
Performance Criteria: |
1. Develop substantiated opinions and ideas about visual communication history and theory 2. Make informed contributions to professional discussions of visual communication practice as a result of research 3. Present ideas in writing with clarity and accuracy |
Element: |
4 Develop own practice from research |
Performance Criteria: |
1. Determine potential for integration of research findings into own work 2. Relate visual communication history and theory to business practice considerations 3. Recognise connections and associations between history, theory and contemporary practice 4. Develop relevant ideas about how research impacts on own professional practice and its future direction |
Learning Outcomes
Details of Learning Activities
Learning activities will take place in a studio and computer laboratory using industry standard tools and resources. You will complete exercises and industry style projects. You will also be required to undertake independent study.In class activities will include:
- class exercises
- tutorials
- practical demonstrations
- workshops
- group discussion
- review and revision
- peer learning
- peer teaching and class presentations
- teacher directed group activities/projects
- workshopping of student projects including peer/lecturer feedback
Out of class activities may include:
- independent research
- independent project based work
- studio practice
- online tutorials and activities
- review and revision
Teaching Schedule
This course, COMM7341C - Research visual communication history and theory - is delivered face-to-face in combination with COMM5974C - Make a Presentation. The combined timeline is presented here as a complete reference to the combined session delivery. The courses are clustered on Canvas under the title: HISTORY, THEORY & PRESENTATION.
Additionally 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. There will be a number of prescribed tasks and projects (see Assessment Tasks below).
Week |
Topics & Activities | Feedback & Assessment | Learning Elements COMM7341C |
Learning Elements COMM5974C |
Week 1 |
O'Week Timetable | |||
| Week 2 | Design Project #1: briefing |
AT1 AT2 AT3 discussed AT1 Quiz discussed |
1 - 4 | 1 |
| Week 3 |
Project Development: First ideas workshop | 1 - 4 | 1 | |
| Week 4 |
Feedback: Critical discourse & concept generation AT #1: Discussion & development |
Feedback | 1 - 4 | 1 |
| Week 5 |
Project Development: Concept development and graphic design production. Presentation development. |
1 - 4 | 1 - 2 | |
| Week 6 |
AT #3: Presentation #1 Design Project #1: design concept & rationale. |
AT #3 Presentation #1 |
1 - 4 | 1 - 2 |
| Week 7 |
Project Development: Individual tuition & production |
1 - 4 | ||
| Week 8 |
Design Project #1 |
Design Project #1 Submission Version #1 |
1 - 4 | 1 |
| Week 9 | Project Development: Individual tuition & production | 1 - 4 | 1 - 3 | |
| Week 10 | Design Project #1: Completion Display of outcomes. Design Project #2: Research / Presentation task due. AT #3: Presentation #2 Presentation #3 Groups assigned. |
Design Project #1 Final Submission, Display & Review Design Project #2 Research Task Due AT #3 Presentation #2 |
1 - 4 | 1 - 3 |
| BREAK | *** Mid Semester Break *** | |||
| Week 11 | Project and Presentation development. AT #1 QUIZ - discussion, question and answer session. |
1 - 4 | 1 - 2 | |
| Week 12 | Design Project #2 Presentation - with group |
AT3 Presentation #3 Peer Feedback |
1 - 4 | 1 - 3 |
| Week 13 | Project Development: Test print or hand draw/make and mock-up Present Version #1 to small group review. |
Feedback | 1 - 4 | 1 |
| Week 14 | Project Development: Layout development, content finalization | 1 - 4 | 1 | |
| Week 15 | Project Development: Print & Book construction towards final outcomes | 1 - 4 | 1 - 2 | |
| Week 16 |
Design Project #1: Finalization & documentation AT #1 #2 #3: All Outcomes due by end of session. Photographic documentation during session. |
Design Project #2 Final Outcome Due AT #1 #2 #3 Due Display & Review of outcomes. |
1 - 4 | 1 - 3 |
Learning Resources
Prescribed Texts
References
Other Resources
Prescribed Texts
There are no compulsory prescribed texts in this course. This course has recommended books listed under ‘References’
You are advised to look at the Learning Hub at myRMIT site for ongoing updated information. A range of learning resources and references are provided throughout the year.
You will require a personal storage device and tools as outlined in tool kit list.
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.
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. The University Library has extensive resources for Design students. The Library has produced a subject guide that includes quality online and print resources for your studies.
http://rmit.libguides.com/graphicartanddesign The Library provides guides on academic referencing
http://www.rmit.edu.au/library/referencing and subject specialist help via your Liaison Librarian
http://www.rmit.edu.au/library/librarians/dsc
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 knowledge assessments. The assessment tasks include:
Project and knowledge assessment.
An assessment charter summarises your responsibilities as an RMIT student as well as those of your teachers.
Assessment Tasks
Assessment tasks in this clustered unit provide opportunity to achieve competency in all required assessment criteria.
Feedback throughout the course may be written, verbal or a combination of both.
This course has 3 Assessment Tasks. ALL 3 must be completed & submitted.
You are required to demonstrate all assessment criteria to a satisfactory standard to achieve competency.
The assessment outcome of this clustered unit is recorded as either CA Competency Achieved, or NYC Not Yet Competent
Assessment Tasks
Assessment Task 1: Quiz
DUE: Week 16
Assessment Task 2: Portfolio Comprising 2 Design Projects
Design Project #1: Poster.
DUE:
Week 8 (Version #1)
Week 10 (Final Version)
Design Project #2: Booklet.
DUE:
Week 16
Final Portfolio of 2 Design projects due Week 16
Assessment Task 3: Presentation
DUE: Week 16
_
Critical Feedback is given during each of the Design Projects with an aim to provide you the best opportunity to create work of a high standard.
Your expectations of the quality of your work should be discussed with your teacher to maximize the opportunity to achieve the desired outcomes.
_
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 gain the competency.
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
Student Progress
Monitoring academic progress is an important enabling and proactive strategy to assist you to achieve your learning potential. Student progress policy
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 competency assessment.
Submissions that are assessed as Not Satisfactory can be re-submitted once and this is only permitted during the period that the competency is scheduled.
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. Submission cover sheet
Academic Integrity and Plagiarism - RMIT University has a strict policy on plagiarism and academic integrity. Please refer to the website for more information on this policy go to Academic Integrity
Course Overview: Access Course Overview