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

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2020

Course Code: VART6349C

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

School: 375T Vocational Design and Social Context

Campus: Brunswick Campus

Program: C6152 - Advanced 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

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:	■■ Initiate own exposure to contemporary practice in chosen art form ■■Proactively identify and explore the potential of new and emerging technologies, materials and methodologies ■■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:	■■Research historical and contemporary themes and concepts in chosen art form ■■Analyse the motivations, philosophies and cultural origins of different works in chosen art form ■■ Identify new sources and research opportunities ■■ Identify the potential for individualised or specialised research based on current practice ■■Evolve own ideas and develop innovative approaches ■■Hone and adapt concepts for work based on emerging ideas and research
Element:	3 Manage specialised resources
Performance Criteria:	■■Evaluate the requirements for the set-up, handling and storage of specialised materials, tools and equipment ■■Create resource management systems that support professional practice
Element:	4 Refine specialised technique to professional level
Performance Criteria:	■■ Integrate command of technique, materials and process to create finished work of professional standard suitable for the public domain ■■Deepen individual engagement with techniques, ideas and the relationships between them ■■Apply critical and creative thinking to challenge, adapt and refine the creative work
Element:	5 Resolve technical and conceptual challenges
Performance Criteria:	■■Trouble shoot technical challenges that arise in the creation of work based on detailed understanding of specialised materials and processes ■■Develop innovative solutions that allow for experimental approaches ■■Find solutions that enhance the conceptual integrity of the work
Element:	6 Finish and prepare work for public presentation
Performance Criteria:	■■Finish work to a professional standard using specialised techniques for the chosen art form ■■Develop and apply effective approaches to safety and sustainability in the final preparation of work
Element:	7 Evaluate professional work
Performance Criteria:	■■Seek and apply constructive criticism from others ■■Evaluate work against planned strategy for own creative practice ■■Evaluate own work in the context of work by others ■■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

 

2020 SYLLABUS / SEMESTER 1 - Wednesday

 

Week	Activity	Due dates
1	Course introduction - Developing specialist knowledge and ideas for your professional design practice. Building resources that help respond to complex technical and conceptual challenges. Gain experience in presenting outcomes to the public. Assessment Requirements.	ORIENTATION WEEK
2	Branding strategy - Strategic thinking for Branding as an area of graphic design specialisation. Case studies that examine how graphic design services help businesses to engage with their audiences. Assignment 1.0: Corporate Identity Design and Style Guide.	INTRODUCTION ASSIGNMENT 1.0 ASSESSMENT CHECKLISTS
3	Brand presentation - Critiquing a Brand Mark’s success for conceptual, technical, and audience suitability. The role of the Brand Style Guide and how to set it up for production.	DRAFT DUE
4	Branding systems - Generating Corporate Guidelines across print and digital branding applications. Extending the brand vocabulary.
5	Brand presentation - Refine design solution to improve communication objectives. Development of Brand Collateral. Strategies for maximising engagement across a range of customer touch points.	DRAFT DUE
6	Brand development - Ensure expectations for consistency and accuracy are met across all components. Identify solutions to problems.
7	Brand development - Demonstrate ability to conceive of the project in its totality. Respond to feedback and incorporate responses to improve work. Populate Style Guide.
8	Resolve project - Submit FIRST DRAFT of Brand Style Guide for proofing, technical and conceptual feedback. Resolving project against checklists.	DRAFT DUE
9	Final presentation - Individual presentations for assessment.	Assignment 1.0 DUE
	EASTER BREAK / 1 WEEK
10	Marketing introduction - Magazine Insert Marketing for Paper Sampler. Exploring product design as a way to engage the audience. Utilising substrates to reveal a product and surprise the viewer. Assignment 2.0: Magazine Insert Product Promotion.	INTRODUCTION ASSIGNMENT 2.0 ASSESSMENT CHECKLISTS
11	Collaborative activities - Present multiple concept directions to the group. Source and incorporate feedback from peers. Discuss the potential impact of spot colour varnish and strategies for use.
12	Project development - Present artwork development. Refine use and critique impact of spot varnish colour. Ensure illustration/visual solution tone is appropriate for target audience and concept.
13	Project development - Refine visual solutions. Realise creative ideas FLAT (digital) for all components making sure all surfaces for design treatment are identified.	DRAFT DUE
	Receive feedback - Incorporate alterations and generate FINAL PROOF for submission and printing. Prepare Style Guide for final print Production using checklists.	RECEIVE FEEDBACK FOR ASSIGNMENT 1.0
14	Resolve project - Assess resources for production. Demonstrate ability to conceive of the project in its totality.
15	Final presentation - Produce final printed items for assessment.	Assignment 2.0 DUE
	Final submission - Print final Style Guide.	PRINT Assignment 1.0
16	Production week - Studio time and resources for folio production.

 

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

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 
Research report 
An assessment charter summarises your responsibilities as an RMIT student as well as those of your teachers.

Assessment Tasks

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. 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 9

Summative assessment task 2: Direct mail package – Due week 16

 

At the completion of the course you will be assessed for competency.

Competency assessment is as follows:

CA Competency Achieved 
NYC Not Yet Competent
DNS Did Not Submit for Assessment

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 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

Credit Transfers and Recognition of Prior Learning 
Credit transfer is the recognition of previously completed formal learning (an officially accredited qualification).  Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is an assessment process that allows you to demonstrate competence using the skills you have gained through experience in the workplace, voluntary work, informal or formal training or other life experiences.

Recognition of Current Competency (RCC). 
RCC applies only if you have previously demonstrated competence in a unit of competency, and now require to be reassessed to ensure that the competence is being maintained.

Please speak to your teacher if you wish to discuss applying for Credit Transfer, RPL or RCC for the unit(s) of competency addressed in this course.

Course Overview: Access Course Overview