Units

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Sample subject outline - Semester 1 2013

Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.

Rationale

There are many design principles and elements to consider in the creation of an effective visual message. The elements of typography and illustration share a complementary relationship where type can be image and image can be type. Traditionally, type is read and illustration expands, or explains, what is read. The ability to integrate and utilize these two forms facilitates description, meaning, recording, and synthesis in visual form. Core skills and knowledge of the history and emerging modes, uses, and processes of typography and illustration provide an important foundation for constructing effective visual communication.

Aims

The aim of this unit is to provide you with an historical and contemporary context for the application of typography and illustration to graphic design, and the skills necessary to deliver effective visual communication. Through the process of image production you will learn to see, understand, and manipulate the visual aspects of typography and illustration as powerful communicative tools.

Objectives

On completion of this unit you should be able to:
1. Display foundation knowledge of the history of typography and illustration;
2. Demonstrate an understanding of the mutual relationship between typography and illustration through your creative practice;
3. Display basic notions of the conceptual and technical aspects of type design;
4. Access and demonstrate an understanding of the substantial body of academic writing on the subject;
5. Communicate, in a cohesive presentation, to accepted industry standards;
6. Apply creative and practical design skills to achieve an innovative solution to a visual communication problem trhough the effective use of typography and illustration; to produce, redraft and meet deadlines;
7. Articulate various cultural and practical issues that may confront you upon entering the graphic design industry and/or engaging a continuing an interest in the subject.

Content

This unit content addresses an overview of the history and theory of visual communication through the fields of typography and illustration, for publishing, advertising, the electronic media. In addition, it investigates the work of notable graphic designers and social, cultural, economic and technological issues that have shaped the use of typography and illustration. It emphasizes the practical application of both mediums in the pursuit of innovative visual communication, and support the application of the medium through applied practice classes.

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

The course work in this unit is directed at exploring the creative potential involved in the study of the development of ideas through the use of various traditional and contemporary processes. It will involve lectures on the history and theory of visual communication design, typography, illustration, advertising, the web and visual literacy. A study of the working methods of historic and contemporary illustrators and typographers will supplement these themes. Through directed tutorial workshop sessions and demonstrations, you will be introduced to the methods of a graphic designer and concept development studio practice.

Assessment

LATE ASSESSMENT ITEMS
An assessment item submitted after the due date without an approved extension will not be marked. If you are unable to complete your assignment on time and you do not have an approved extension, you should submit on time whatever work you have done.

Faculty Assessment Information
To access complete Creative Industries Faculty Assessment Information please refer to the Blackboard site for this unit.FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT - Weight 0%
Description: You will receive formative feedback on your progress in this unit during tutorials and studio discussions throughout the semester.

Assessment Grading Schemas
On completion of the unit assessment requirements you will be awarded a final grade on a 1 to 7 scale.

Assessment name: Studio Assignment & Discussion
Description: (formative and summative)
Typographic Landscapes
You will undertake a visual experience research into the phsysical environment and represent your findings in a type based poster or moodboard. In conjunction with lecture themes, further research and reading, you will be encouraged to present your visual interpretations of the chosen enviroment and to establish defensible positions through seminar discussions with presentations. This will be supported by visual and text based documents.
Relates to objectives: 1, 2, 4, 5, 7
Weight: 20%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Group
Due date: Early Semester

Assessment name: Design Project
Description: (summative) Based on lecture themes and inspired on the work of a noted graphic designer, illustrator and / or typographer, you will design a typeface that re-interprets an aesthetic style or a designer's body of work. The project's development will be supported by historic reading and will seek to reflect the relationship of contemporary graphic design practice to historical continuum.
Relates to objectives: 1, 2, 3, 6, 7
Weight: 30%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Mid Semester

Assessment name: Research Project
Description: (summative)
Research Graphic Design Project
A visual and text-based graphic solution that presents a concept reflecting a contemporary social, cultural or political theme. Students will be encouraged to present their work creatively through media that helps showcase and empower their typographic / illustrative graphic concept. Students will also deliver a written document to support their visual solutions.
Relates to objectives: 1, 2, 4, 6, 7
Weight: 50%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: End Semester

Academic Honesty

QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.

A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.

Resource materials

Required Text

Ambrose, G., & Harris, P. (2006). The Fundamentals of Typography (1st ed.). London and New York: AVA Publishing.

Recommended References:

Armstrong, H. (2010). Graphic Design Theory: Readings from the Field.

Bringhurst, Robert. (1999) The Elements of Typographic Style. Vancouver: Hartley & Marks

Lupton, E. Thinking with Type: A Primer for Designers: A Critical Guide for Designers, Writers, Editors, & Students (1st ed.): Princenton Architectural Press.

Mills, J and Donnelly, D. (1999) WebWorks: Typography. Gloucester, Massachusetts: Rockport

Hollis, Richard. (1997) Graphic Design: a concise history. London: Thames and Hudson

White, Alex. (2002) The Elements of Graphic Design. New York: Allworth Press

Samara, T. (2006). Typography Workbook: A Real-World Guide to Using Type in Graphic Design (1st ed.). New York: Rockport.

Useful online sites:

ABC Typography: a virtual museum of typography
This site is a gateway to some of the key typefaces of 20th century graphic design with a short history of each example.

Fontsite.com
Digital typography & design site with magazine, fonts, interactive timeline & lists of web typesites.

All Graphic Design Portal
Large graphic design portal informing designers since 1997.

Design Directory
A portal of quality links made by designers for designers.

Intute: Arts & Humanities (formerly Artifact)
UK Portal with the best sites on graphic design, communications, media & culture.

Communication Arts
Site of the on-line graphic design magazine as well as other resources such as lists of typography related websites and web search directories.

Organisations/Associations:

International Council for Graphic Design Associations (ICOGRADA)
World body for professional graphic design & visual communication.

Australian Graphic Design Association (AGDA)
Industry events, news and articles for Australian graphic design professionals. Also links to graphic designers such as Frog Design, Tomato, Buro Destruct, etc.

Powerhouse Museum
Research collection of decorative arts & design, including environmental & graphic design.

American Institute of Graphic Arts
Information focused on American graphic design professionals.

Risk assessment statement

There are no out of the ordinary risks for this unit.

Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.

Last modified: 05-Oct-2012