Course Title: Extend expertise in a specialised art form to professional level

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term2 2017

Course Code: VART6349C

Course Title: Extend expertise in a specialised art form to professional level

School: 320T Architecture & Design

Campus: Brunswick Campus

Program: C6152 - Advanced Diploma of Graphic Design

Course Contact: Alistair Briggs

Course Contact Phone: +61 9925 9446

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


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Andrew Phillips

andrew.phillips@rmit.edu.au 

Nominal Hours: 80

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

In this course you will maintain and develop specialist knowledge and ideas in your professional design practice. You will build skills to respond to more complex technical and conceptual challenges. You will investigate individual and experimental ways to approach a design problem and gain experience in presenting the outcomes to the public.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

CUAPPR606 Extend expertise in a specialised art form to professional level

Element:

1 Maintain currency of specialised knowledge in professional practice

Performance Criteria:

1.1 Initiate own exposure to contemporary practice in chosen art form
1.2 Proactively identify and explore the potential of new and emerging technologies, materials and methodologies relevant to own art form
1.3 Evaluate impacts of current and emerging trends on the creation of ideas, production of work, and management of professional creative practice

Element:

2 Evolve ideas in a specialised art form

Performance Criteria:

2.1 Research historical and contemporary themes and concepts in chosen art form
2.2 Analyse the motivations, philosophies and cultural origins of different works in chosen art form
2.3 Identify new sources of ideas and research opportunities and consider any intellectual property requirements
2.4 Identify the potential for individualised and/or specialised research based on current practice
2.5 Evolve own ideas, and develop innovative approaches and a strategy to realise them
2.6 Hone and adapt concepts for work based on emerging ideas and research

Element:

3 Manage specialised resources

Performance Criteria:

3.1 Evaluate the requirements for the set-up, handling and storage of specialised materials, tools and equipment
3.2 Create resource management systems that support professional practice

Element:

4 Refine specialised technique to professional level

Performance Criteria:

4.1 Integrate command of technique, materials and process to create finished work of professional standard suitable for the public domain
4.2 Extend techniques and the expression of ideas in work
4.3 Challenge, adapt and refine the evolving creative work

Element:

5 Resolve technical and conceptual challenges

Performance Criteria:

5.1 Troubleshoot technical challenges that arise when creating the work based on detailed understanding of specialised materials and processes
5.2 Develop innovative solutions that allow for experimental approaches
5.3 Apply solutions that enhance the conceptual integrity of the work

Element:

6 Finish and prepare work for public presentation

Performance Criteria:

6.1 Finish work to a professional standard using specialised techniques for the chosen art form
6.2 Develop and apply effective approaches to safety and sustainability in the final preparation of work

Element:

7 Evaluate professional work

Performance Criteria:

7.1 Seek and apply constructive feedback from others
7.2 Evaluate work against planned strategy for own creative practice
7.3 Evaluate own work in the context of work by others
7.4 Adjust work processes and practice to improve technical, conceptual and commercial outcomes


Learning Outcomes



Details of Learning Activities

This course addresses the design process in a holistic way. It will support students to develop skills in areas such as design problem solving, concept development, design research, audience analysis, design production, application of design principles and design delivery. There is an emphasis on projects that simulate real world industry situations and finished graphic design work suitable for inclusion in an industry ready portfolio.

Learning activities will take place in a studio, workshop or classroom 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 may 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

 

Week

Activity

Due dates

1

Course Introduction and Assessment Requirements.


INTRODUCTION - Developing specialist knowledge and ideas for your professional design practice. How to build skills to respond to more complex technical and conceptual challenges.


Project 1.0: Corporate Identity Design and Style Guide.

CRITICAL CLASS ATTENDANCE

2

PRESENTATION - Brand Strategy specialisation and how graphic design enables business to engage with audiences.


ACTIVITY - Use observation and interpretation to express ideas visually. Investigate and develop a range of design solutions for logo marks. Explore and develop iterative design processes.

 

3

CLASS PRESENTATION - Present multiple concept directions to the group. Discuss brand identity in relation to target audience.

CRITICAL CLASS ATTENDANCE

4

PRESENTATION - The purpose of a Style Guide in maintaining corporate identity through future branding applications.


ACTIVITY - Prepare Style Guide document. Finalise core branding assets and language across all project components.

 

5

ACTIVITY - Refine design solution for Corporate Identity Project.
Source and test paper stocks for all project components.

 

6

ACTIVITY - Initial PROOFING of Corporate Identity Branding in hard copy. Use iterative processes to ensure that expectations for consistency and accuracy are met across all components.

CRITICAL CLASS ATTENDANCE

7

ACTIVITY - Identify solutions to problems. Demonstrate ability to conceive of the project in its totality. Respond to feedback and incorporate responses to improve work.

 

8

SUBMISSION

Present FULL COLOUR hard copy print of Project 2.0.

Digital presentation PDF file DUE on Blackboard.

Digital working files DUE on RMIT Server.


Project 2.0: Direct Mail Product Promotion.

CRITICAL CLASS ATTENDANCE


Project 1.0 DUE

Packaged Digital Files/Printed copy.

9

PRESENTATION - Direct Mail Marketing for Paper Sampler. Exploring product design as a way to engage the audience.


ACTIVITY - Paper Personality Profiling. Utilising paper mechanics to reveal a product and surprise the viewer. Working with a range of paper stocks to create blank envelopes, folders, die cut shapes, and paper mechanics. Explore and develop prototypes. Concept development exercises.

CRITICAL CLASS ATTENDANCE

10

CLASS PRESENTATION - Present multiple concept directions to the group. Discuss engagement expected by the target audience. Formal midway milestone presentation. Feedback from peers.

CRITICAL CLASS ATTENDANCE

11

NO CLASS - SELF DIRECTED LEARNING ON/OFF CAMPUS

 
 

MID-SEMESTER BREAK / 2 WEEKS

 

12

ACTIVITY - Ensure tone is appropriate for target audience and concept. Realise creative ideas FLAT (digital) for all components making sure all surfaces for design treatment are identified.

 

13

ACTIVITY - Focus is on the details of your creative approach and plan for consistent execution across all product components. Engage in consultation to identify improvements for 3D prototype.

 

14

ACTIVITY - Initial PROOFING of Direct Mail Product in hard copy. Use iterative processes to ensure that expectations for consistency and accuracy are met across all components.

CRITICAL CLASS ATTENDANCE

15

ACTIVITY - Refine design solution for Direct Mail Product.  Demonstrate ability to conceive of the project in its totality.

 

16

SUBMISSION

Present FULL COLOUR hard copy print of Project 2.0.

Digital presentation PDF file DUE on Blackboard.

Digital working files DUE on RMIT Server.

Project 2.0 DUE

Packaged Digital Files/Printed copy.


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References


Other Resources

Ellen Lupton, 2011, Graphic Design Thinking: Beyond Brainstorming, Prinston Architectural Press

Debbie Millman, 2008, The essential principles of graphic design, Cinncinnati, Ohio : How Books

Timothy Samara, 2007, Design Elements: A graphic Style Manual, Rockport Publishers


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/or exercises.
The assessment tasks are:
Exercises
Major projects incorporating design and printed outcomes
Research report/s
An assessment charter summarises your responsibilities as an RMIT student as well as those of your teachers.


Assessment Tasks

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 are:

  • Design Project 1 (50% of final grade)
  • Design Project 2 (50% of final grade)

Tasks in this course are either formative or summative. Feedback throughout the course may be written, verbal or a combination of both.

Formative tasks provide the basis for ongoing feedback and can be considered essential building blocks for the more substantial summative assessment tasks and you should engage in all formative tasks.

This course has two Summative Tasks, all of which must be completed. Each task has an allocated percentage of the total grade. You are required to demonstrate all learning outcomes to a satisfactory standard.

 

Formative Assessment tasks:

During this course you will undertake a range of formative assessment tasks including:

  • Design constraints exercises
  • Client analysis
  • Audience analysis
  • Explorative drawing exercises
  • Moodboard development
  • Thumbnail and compositional production
  • Creating visual elements
  • Client presentation

 

Summative assessment task 1:

Corporate identity – Due week 8

Summative assessment task 2:

Direct mail package – Due week 16

 

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


Assessment Matrix

An assessment matrix demonstrating alignment of assessment tasks with the relevant Unit of Competency is available from the course contact person (stated above).

Other Information

Attendance

The major aspect of your 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 for success.

 

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

 

Submissions

When submitting work for assessment you are required to complete a declaration of authorship. This must be done for every summative assessment task. This statement acknowledges that you are aware of the plagiarism implications. For non-digital submission use the printed form provided. For digital online submission please use e-Submission process.Information regarding the e-Submission process

 

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: Work submitted late will be assessed for competency only. Submissions are only permitted during the period that the competency is scheduled.

 

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. Academic Integrity

Course Overview: Access Course Overview