Course Title: Refine 2-D design ideas and processes

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2025

Course Code: GRAP5427C

Course Title: Refine 2-D design ideas and processes

School: 515T Creative Industries

Campus: City Campus

Program: C5411 - Diploma of Photography and Digital Imaging

Course Contact: Nat Morawski

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 5583

Course Contact Email: nat.morawski@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Martin Reftel

reftel.larsmartin@rmit.edu.au

Nominal Hours: 70

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

Nil

Course Description

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to extend understanding and use of two-dimensional (2-D) design ideas and processes for the production of work at a professional level. It involves developing ideas for 2-D design, planning a design process and presenting design solutions according to brief requirements. It also involves maintaining expertise in refining 2-D design ideas and processes.

The unit applies to those who work with a wide and potentially complex range of ideas about 2-D design.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

CUAACD536 Refine 2-D design ideas and processes

Element:

1. Originate ideas for 2-D design

Performance Criteria:

  • 1.1 Obtain design brief from required personnel
  • 1.2 Research and explore information and generate ideas for design concepts
  • 1.3 Develop initial design concepts consistent with aim of the work or specifications in the brief
  • 1.4 Evaluate and explore options that meet design brief requirements
  • 1.5 Refine options and select approach that best meets design brief requirements

Element:

2. Plan design process

Performance Criteria:

  • 2.1 Develop clear plan and schedule for design realisation
  • 2.2 Organise and allocate resources to meet design brief requirements
  • 2.3 Discuss design process with others involved in design realisation as required
  • 2.4 Monitor process and confirm purpose and quality of the design is maintained
  • 2.5 Identify difficulties or problems and take action to rectify as required
  • 2.6 Maintain documentation according to organisational policies and procedures

Element:

3. Refine and consolidate process

Performance Criteria:

  • 3.1 Develop 2-D designs and design processes that meet design brief requirements
  • 3.2 Develop and document a designprocess that reflects own style and approach
  • 3.3 Identify opportunities for refinement and review and make adjustments as required
  • 3.4 Communicate the design process and final solution according to design brief requirements and organisational policies and procedures
  • 3.5 Prepare and present 2-D design solutions to required personnel

Element:

4. Maintain expertise

Performance Criteria:

  • 4.1 Improve own design skills using feedback from others
  • 4.2 Maintain currency of industry standards and seek opportunities to further develop technical and conceptual skills
  • 4.3 Source new ideas and trends through regular review of the work of others
  • 4.4 Keep informed about new creative approaches, techniques, materials and equipment for 2-D design

Learning Outcomes


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


Details of Learning Activities

Learning Activities may include but are not limited to:

 

  • class exercises to review discussions/lectures  
  • practical demonstrations in studio  
  • Blog/Wiki or other online discussion and participation  
  • analysis/critique of relevant reading material  
  • seminars/workshops  
  • design activities or projects  
  • group projects  
  • peer learning  
  • guest lecture/presentation  
  • class presentations  
  • group discussion  
  • research  
  • independent project-based work  
  • group activities/projects  
  • ‘workshopping’ of student projects including peer/lecturer feedback  
  • visits to galleries and events  
  • practical placement  
  • simulated workplace activities.  


Teaching Schedule

Please refer to Canvas for detailed info and updates.

This is a clustered course with the unit CUADIG304 Create visual design components.

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.

Semester 1 2025WeekDateTopicAssessment / Learning activities

Week 1

w/c 10/2

Delivery: Introduction to the subject, including a subject overview, assessment requirements and timeline.

Class topic:  Introduction to branding and brand application

 Learning activity: Who’s your favourite photographer? How do they project themselves to the world?

Week 2

w/c 17/2

Delivery: Logo design, types of logo, type in logos 

Class Activity: 

Learning activity: Pick a brand you’d like to be like and why

Week 3

w/c 24/2

Delivery:  The design process

A01 due what to submit

Class Activity: 

 ASSIGNMENT 1: Brands research due

Week 4

w/c 3/3

Delivery:  Introduce assignment 2 and 3

Class topic: Book design and page layout

  • Set up, margins and columns
  • Facing pages
  • Styles
  • Book layout

Learning activity: Basic image layout with captions. Create book design from supplied images and copy
Week 5 w/c 10/3

Delivery:  Stationery and collateral

 Learning activity: pick out business cards and sketch a website home page to build a brand.
Week 6 w/c 17/3

Delivery: Intro to Adobe Illustrator

  • Set up
  • Artboards
  • Tools

Present book research
Week 7 w/c 24/3

Delivery:  InDesign

  • Pagination
  • Links Panel
  • Print booklet

Learning activity: Print booklet from week 4, or test of own book and mock-up

Week 8

w/c 31/3

Delivery:  

Adobe Illustrator spit and polish

Class topic: logo variations

Colour mixing in PMS, CMYK, RGB, and hex

Class activity: Demonstrate logo cleanup.

Class activity: Watch The September Issue
Week 9 w/c 7/4

Delivery:  Workshop to complete logos

ASSIGNMENT 2: Brand identity due
Week 10 w/c 14/4

 

Delivery:  Introduce assignment 4

Class topic: Presenting work in print and online portfolios (print, digital and web), including social media

 Learning activity: 

MID SEMESTER BREAK

w/c 21/4

NO CLASSES 

  

Week 11

 w/c 28/4

Delivery:  How to export the book. PDFs from InDesign. 

 Learning activity:  Design workshop, getting the job done.
Week 12 w/c  5/5

Delivery: Web layout, information Architecture, wireframing. 

Learning activity: Map out the website with Post-it notes (Miro or other software ok)
Week 13 w/c 12/5

Delivery: 

Managing projects and using business stationery content and requirements

Workshop to complete book

ASSIGNMENT 3: Book design and artwork due
Week 14 w/c 19/5

Delivery: Style sheets and brand guidelines

 Learning activity: content for style sheet
Week 15 w/c 26/5

Delivery: Finished art for business card artwork

 Learning activity: print out cards and mock-up
Week 16 w/c 2/6

Delivery: Workshop to complete the assignment

ASSIGNMENT 4: Brand application and folio due


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References


Other Resources

The library provides free study support services and resources to help you build your academic skills. This includes subject specialist expertise, research advice, help with referencing and other services. You can also access one-on-one consultations through the library. For further information:  

https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/support-services/study-support


Overview of Assessment

Assessment for this course is ongoing throughout the semester. Your knowledge and understanding of course content is assessed through participation in class exercises, oral presentations and through the application of learned skills and insights to your written tasks. Full assessment briefs will be provided and can be found on CANVAS.


Assessment Tasks

Please see Canvas for the specific details of your assessments. 

Students enrolled in Vocational Education and Training qualifications are assessed for Competency. To be assessed as Competent means you have consistently demonstrated the required knowledge and skills at a standard expected in the workplace.   

To be assessed as Competent in this course, you will need to complete each assessment task to a satisfactory standard. You will receive feedback from the teacher at the conclusion of each assessment task. 


Assessment Matrix

The assessment matrix demonstrates alignment of assessment tasks with the relevant unit of competency. These mapping documents are available through Program Administration if required.

Other Information

Attendance:  
Your learning experience will involve class-based teaching, discussion, demonstration and practical exercises.   

It is strongly advised that you attend all timetabled sessions. This will allow you to engage in the required learning activities, ensuring you the maximum opportunity to complete this course successfully.  
  
Information about your studies:  
You can access My Studies through the RMIT website for information about timetables, important dates, assessment dates, results and progress, Canvas etc.  
 https://www.rmit.edu.au/students  
  

Assessment:  
Information on assessment including Special consideration, Adjustments to assessment, (eg. applying for an extension of time):  
https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-exams/assessment  
  
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.  
https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-exams/academic-integrity  
  
Credit Transfer 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.    
Please speak to your teacher if you wish to discuss applying for Credit Transfer or RPL for the unit(s) of competency addressed in this course.  
https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/enrolment/apply-for-credit

Course Overview: Access Course Overview