Module Descriptors
DESIGN CONCEPTS AND GRAPHICS
COWB50263
Key Facts
Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Sciences
Level 5
15 credits
Contact
Leader: Russell Campion
Email: R.J.Campion@staffs.ac.uk
Hours of Study
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities: 36
Independent Study Hours: 114
Total Learning Hours: 150
Assessment
- ASSIGNMENT weighted at 100%
Module Details
Module Texts
Louis, B, (2011) Adobe Photoshop CS5: In Simple Steps, Pearson, ISBN978-0-273-73682-0
Hartman, A, (2011) Exploring Adobe illustrator CS5: A designers guide to the art of digital illustration, Delmar Cengage Learning, ISBN-13-978-1-111-13036-7
Botello, C, (2011) Adobe Illustrator CS5 Revealed, Delmar Cengage Learning, ISBN-13-978-1-111-13048-0
Park, J, Young Jin, (2008) Visual Communication in Digital Design ISBN-10: 8931434340
Samara, T, (2007), Design Elements: A Graphic Style Manual, Rockport Publishers, ISBN-10: 1592532616
MacNab, M, (2008), Decoding Design: Understanding and Using Symbols in Visual Communication, How Publishing, ISBN-10: 1581809697
Hartman, A, (2011) Exploring Adobe illustrator CS5: A designers guide to the art of digital illustration, Delmar Cengage Learning, ISBN-13-978-1-111-13036-7
Botello, C, (2011) Adobe Illustrator CS5 Revealed, Delmar Cengage Learning, ISBN-13-978-1-111-13048-0
Park, J, Young Jin, (2008) Visual Communication in Digital Design ISBN-10: 8931434340
Samara, T, (2007), Design Elements: A Graphic Style Manual, Rockport Publishers, ISBN-10: 1592532616
MacNab, M, (2008), Decoding Design: Understanding and Using Symbols in Visual Communication, How Publishing, ISBN-10: 1581809697
Module Special Admissions Requirements
None.
Module Resources
Design applications such as Adobe Photoshop, and Illustrator
Module Additional Assessment Details
100% assignment (Learning Outcomes 1-4)
A student design portfolio consisting of design elements and supported by 1000 words
Students will be given numerous scenarios for which they must design some aesthetic web design components. In essence the purpose of the portfolio is to document the students approach to the design of the elements, and their final design solutions to given design briefs. The portfolio will typically include design notation and roughs, including brainstorming notes, sketches, design posters, recorded notes from focus groups, design rationale notation, and design rating reviews. As the portfolio is a visual document most of the students efforts will be in producing the designs, and using text just for worded explanations and support.
A student design portfolio consisting of design elements and supported by 1000 words
Students will be given numerous scenarios for which they must design some aesthetic web design components. In essence the purpose of the portfolio is to document the students approach to the design of the elements, and their final design solutions to given design briefs. The portfolio will typically include design notation and roughs, including brainstorming notes, sketches, design posters, recorded notes from focus groups, design rationale notation, and design rating reviews. As the portfolio is a visual document most of the students efforts will be in producing the designs, and using text just for worded explanations and support.
Module Indicative Content
Fundamentals of design (including typography, visualization, and colour aesthetics)
Representation of designs using practiced design notation (e.g. brainstorming, sketching, scrapbooks, posters, portfolios, focus groups, design rationale, rating, critiques, and prototypes etc.).
2D graphic design (use and optimisation of graphics for the web)
Mental models
Creating consistent design presence
Learning of industry standard design tools and the application to different design situations (including Photoshop and Illustrator)
Multimedia graphics
Representation of designs using practiced design notation (e.g. brainstorming, sketching, scrapbooks, posters, portfolios, focus groups, design rationale, rating, critiques, and prototypes etc.).
2D graphic design (use and optimisation of graphics for the web)
Mental models
Creating consistent design presence
Learning of industry standard design tools and the application to different design situations (including Photoshop and Illustrator)
Multimedia graphics
Module Learning Strategies
The weekly lecture will support the one lab session of two hours each week. The lab sessions will support the development of the student portfolio and will provide opportunity for the student to explore their design ideas and get feedback through critiques. Group discussions will also take place in these sessions to encourage many design ideas and perspectives to be explored. Lab sessions will focus heavily on developing the students design skills using applications such as Photoshop and Illustrator.