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 conceptual development and presentation of an idea or visual message. The ability to apply drawing to such a task promotes the development of varied capabilities and technical skills: observation, description, meaning-making, recording, synthesis, interpretation and presentation in visual form. This unit will provide knowledge of the history and techniques of drawing, as well as core skills, and an understanding of its application for concept development, prototyping, and storyboarding. This will provide an important foundation for existing and evolving modes of constructing and presenting effective visual communication.

Aims

The aim of this unit is to provide you with the skills necessary for the application of drawing to visual and kinetic design in order to deliver effective communication. Through the process of image production you will learn to see, understand, and manipulate the visual aspects of drawing as a powerful communicative tool.

Objectives

On completion of this unit you should be able to:
1. apply strategies, processes and knowledge of traditions in drawing such as:
- narrative
- figurative representation
- animated movement
- conceptualization and design proposals;
2. articulate individual concepts through your drawing skills for your creative practice;
3. demonstrate knowledge of materials and media and apply them within a range of drawing contexts, practical projects and applications;
4. communicate visually and orally, in a cohesive presentation, to accepted industry standards;
5. apply creative and practical design skills to achieve an innovative solution to a visual communication problem;
6. produce, redraft and meet deadlines;
7. develop critical/reflective frameworks for the contextualization of traditions and contemporary practice in drawing.

Content

This unit content addresses the practical application of drawing to idea development and visual communication. It investigates: line; form; structure; spatial relationships; drawing technologies and media; systems and conventions of kinetic organisation; traditional and contemporary practice.

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

The course work in this unit is directed at exploring the skills involved in the development and presentation of ideas through the use of a range of traditional and contemporary drawing processes. It will involve lectures on the history and theory of drawing for visual communication. A study of the working methods of historic and contemporary visual design practitioners will supplement these themes. Directed tutorials and workshop sessions, which will include demonstrations of media and technical applications, will allow you to apply this knowledge and acquire practical drawing skills. They will also provide a forum for feedback and assist the development of creative outcomes.

Assessment

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

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

You will be awarded a final grade on a 1 to 7 scale.

Assessment name: Portfolio
Description: Formative and Summative) Discussion & Studio Exercises. You will present, both in-class and as a portfolio, drawings completed in studio sessions. Your submission will also include all field notes, journals and personal research that reflect the development of ideas and related graphic skills.
Relates to objectives: 1,2,3,4,7
Weight: 50%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Mid Semester

Assessment name: Project (applied)
Description: (Summative) Graphic/Kinetic Design Project. You will produce a visual and text-based project, which utilizes elements drawn from the unit's studio exercises. This submission will also include all field notes, journals and personal research that reflect the development of ideas and related graphic skills and contexualise your work in the field of drawing practice.
Relates to objectives: 1,2,3,4,5,6
Weight: 50%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: End of 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 Texts

There is no set text for this unit.

Recommended References

Barber, Barrington (2004) The complete book of drawing: essential skills for every artist. London: Arcturus

Mattesi, Mike (2008) Force: Character Design from Life Drawing [electronic resource]. Burlington: Elsevier

Mattesi, Mike (2006) Force: Life Drawing for Animators [electronic source]. Burlington: Elsevier

Micklewright, Keith (2005) Drawing: mastering the language of visual expression. London: Laurence King Publishing

St. Aubyn, Jacklyn (2006) Drawing Basics. Belmont, CA: Thomson/Wadsworth

Useful online sites:

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: 06-Aug-2012