Units

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Sample subject outline - Semester 2 2013

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

Rationale

Visual communication techniques are essential in capturing the attention of an increasingly visual literate society. Understanding how to design well is growing in importance in a society that is time poor and overloaded with competing sources of media. You will learn how to apply design theory in a variety of visual communication contexts relevant to the journalism, media and communication industries.

Aims

You will gain an understanding of the role of design as a communication tool in a variety of outputs including newspapers, magazines, online publications and other integrated communication resources. You will develop critical and practical skills in evaluating visual communication resources, researching audience, writing and designing resources. You will earn how to balance design principles with the strategic purpose of the client and audience.

Objectives

On completion of this unit students will be able to:
1. Communicate effectively using fundamental design principles
2. Use desktop publishing packages to produce a range of publication outcomes
3. Demonstrate how text, images and design work together in both print and electronic resources
4. Demonstrate an understanding of relationships between all stakeholders including clients, audience and production personal.
5. Write and structure integrated visual communication resources.

Content

This unit addresses the following:
· The theory of design
· Designing across formats ie. newspapers, magazines, online publications
· Use of desktop publishing software
· Integrating words, pictures and design to effectively communicate to a specific audience
· Principles of typography and design
· Developing stakeholder relationships (Photographers, printers etc)

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

A prime tool for learning in this unit will be weekly formative and summative tasks that will generate active learning in the tutorials. The interactive lecture program provides impetus, context and continuity, throughout the unit. Students are expected to produce and critically analyse their publications for inclusion in a portfolio.

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 complete Creative Industries Faculty Assessment Information please refer to the Blackboard site for this unit.

Assessment name: Tutorial Exercises
Description: Classes will generate tasks required for personal submission and discussion in tutorials.
Relates to objectives: 1,2
Weight: 20%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Throughout Semester

Assessment name: Publication Design
Description: Students will design pages for publication exemplifying an understanding of theories of design and layout.
Relates to objectives: 1,2,3
Weight: 30%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Mid Semester

Assessment name: Design Folio
Description: Students will create a folio of finished art work using technical skills. The fully designed folio items will be accompanied with a project plan outlining a rationale detailing why the visual resources are best practice. Reasoning based on how choices balance client and audience needs and demonstrate practices of management techniques is required. The assessment will include written and design components.
Relates to objectives: 1,2,3,4,5
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

Highly Recommended Texts

Cohen, Sandee.(2011). InDesign CS5 for Windows and Macintosh. Berkley, CA: Peachpit Press

Recommended References

Farkas, D., & Farkas, J. (2001). Principles of web design. London/New York: Longman.

Garrand, T., (2001). Writing for multimedia and the web (2nd ed). Boston, MA: Focal Press.

Johnson, M. (2002). Problem solved: A primer in design and communication. London: Phaidon.

Nielsen, J. (2000). Designing Web usability. Indianapolis, IN: New Riders Press.

Rosenfeld, L., & Morville, P. (1998). Information architecture for the World Wide Web. Sebastopol, CA: O'Reilly.

Schriver, K. (1997). Dynamics in document design: Creating text for readers. New York: John Wiley & Sons.

Technical Communication. (2000). Special issue on information design. 47(2).

Tufte, E. (1997). Visual explanations: Images and quantities, evidence and narrative. Cheshire, CT: Graphics Press.

Risk assessment statement

There are no out of the ordinary risks associated with 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: 25-Mar-2013