This module is concerned with conveying meaning and information in its many different forms and deals with the practical issues of image making and visual problem solving within the broad field of visual communication. You will be encouraged to experiment with a range of media approaches in order to discover the ways in which different media carry different meanings and to express information in visually exciting and varied forms. A number of platforms will be explored in the pursuit of understanding visual perception and aesthetic appreciation. These platforms will be determined by your project enquiry. This module is designed to build on knowledge and skills gained in previous modules by encouraging you to review, extend, develop and apply the use of creative visual thinking, visual language manipulative skills and a variety of communication methods towards fresh and innovative solutions.


You will work on visual communication problems in order to, (i) identify a problem, (ii) gather appropriate information, (iii) experiment with media in order to generate ideas and (iv) propose and evaluate potential solutions, refined to highly finished pieces and appropriately prepared for presentation.



You will also concentrate on the practical exploration of composition, communicating through pictures, visual metaphors, and cultural aspects of image making.


The importance of effective mark-making is emphasised and encouraged. This will be explored through traditional drawing skills and scamping ideas and concepts. Also explored in a controlled studio environment using both still life and life drawing within and Illustration context. Practical projects and exercises address specific aspects of the image making experience. Diverse mark making methods and techniques are explored, and you will be encouraged to adopt an experimental and investigative approach to the use of media (Digital formats).


This module requires studied application of both conventional and unconventional media and visual problem solving, which promotes invention and media exploration.

You will present for assessment a body of work as outlined in the module information pack. This is likely to include:

Finished visuals, together with layout pads and sketchbooks showing research containing appropriate annotation into a diverse range of traditional and digital image making techniques as well as practicing artists and designers (Learning Outcome: 1), design development work, providing evidence of your ability to: identify, research and analyse a communication problem, generate a range of creative proposals and select and present solutions in appropriate visual forms. [Learning Outcomes 2,4]


Produce and select solutions that demonstrate a developing aesthetic judgment based on sound research and observation, [Learning Outcomes 1,5]


Demonstrate an awareness of creative production processes. [Learning Outcome 3] WEIGHTED at 70%.

Finished projects and tasks that utilise digital platforms and processes. [Learning Outcomes 2, 3, 4,6] WEIGHTED at 30%

KEY INFORMATION SETS
100% Coursework

Project 1 WEIGHTED at 70% FINAL

Project 2 WEIGHTED at 30%

Project work will integrate practical (technical, aesthetic) and theoretical aspects of visual communication.
You will be required to participate in:
Introductory lectures
Seminars,
Technical workshops/ Academic workshops (formal technical instruction sessions and library, design collection and design museum/exhibition-based activities).
Group tutorials
Critique and feedback sessions
Group work
Life drawing classes
Formative assessments
Independent study in support of your practical work.

KEY INFORMATION SETS
24% scheduled Learning & Teaching activities
76% guided independent learning

1. MAKE APPROPRIATE CREATIVE DECISIONS WHILST WORKING THROUGH THE VARIOUS STAGES OF THE DESIGN PROCESS AND IN THE IDENTIFICATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF SPECIFIC VISUAL COMMUNICATION SKILLS.

Reflection

2. CONVEY INFORMATION AND MEANING EFFECTIVELY IN ITS MANY DIFFERENT FORMS USING A RANGE OF CREATIVE TECHNIQUES AND APPROACHES.

Communication

3. CREATIVELY APPLY KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS GAINED THROUGH RESEARCH AND EXPERIMENTATION WITH A VARIETY OF MEDIA TO THE PRODUCTION OF AN APPROPRIATE SOLUTION SUPPORTED BY CLEAR DEVELOPMENT AND PREPARATION WORK.

Application

4. EVALUATE THE APPROPRIATENESS OF DIFFERENT APPROACHES THROUGH EXPLORATION AND EXPERIMENTATION, USING A RANGE OF ALTERNATIVE MEDIA AND TECHNIQUES TO ARRIVE AT A RELEVANT SOLUTION TO A VISUAL COMMUNICATION PROBLEM.

Problem Solving

5. IDENTIFY THE SEPARATE VISUAL ELEMENTS THAT PLAY A PART IN THE PERCEPTION OF A VISUAL COMMUNICATION IMAGE, EVALUATE AND INTERPRET IMAGE MAKING TECHNIQUES TO SOLVE CREATIVE PROBLEMS.

Visual Analysis

6. DEMONSTRATE KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF IMAGE MAKING TECHNIQUES, THE VALUE OF TRADITIONAL MIXED MEDIA EXPERIMENTATION AND DIGITAL APPLICATIONS, SHOWING AN AWARENESS OF APPROACHES TAKEN BY OTHER PRACTITIONERS.

Knowledge & Understanding

Studio workspace and seminar room with presentation and projection facilities.
Computer Workshops
Specific skills modulettes will be assigned to this module.
Library
Internet access
Design studio
Experimental workshop resources for mixed media experimentation
Controlled studio environment for life drawing classes.
Macintosh G5s
Software: Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign,
Black and White A3 printer
Colour Printer (computer workshops)
Animation Workshops
The Blackboard virtual learning environment will be available (where relevant) to support this module. Details will be supplied in the module handbook.

Albers, J. (1963) Interactions of Color: Yale University Press
Hyland, A. 2003. Hand to Eye: Contemporary Illustration. Laurence King
Johnson M. 2002. Problem Solved: A Primer in Design & Communications. Phaidon Press
McAlhone.B & Stuart D. 1999. A Smile in the Mind. Phaidon Press
McLuhan, M., Fiore, Q. & Agel, J. 1967. The Medium is the Massage. Penguin
Muybridge E. 1995. 'The Human Figure in motion'. Dover Press
Muybridge E. 1967. 'Animals in Motion' Dover Press Noble, I. 2003. Picture Perfect. Rotovision
Odling-Smee A. 2002. The New Handmade Graphics. Rotovision
Roberts L. & Thrift J. 2001. The Designer & the Grid. Rotovision
Rudy VanderLans R., et al. 1993. Emigre: Graphic Design into the Digital Realm. John Wiley & Sons
Smagula, J. 2002. Creative Drawing. Laurence King
Zeegen, L. 2005. The Fundamentals of Illustration. AVA Publishing
2001-2012. D&AD Annuals. Taschen
Eisner, W. (2008) Graphic Storytelling and Visual Narrative. Principles and Practices from the Legendary cartoonist. W.W.Norton & Company Inc. NY
Lee, S. (2011) Stan Lee's How to Write Comics. Watson-Guptill Publications NY

Male, A (2019) The Power and Influence of Illustration: Bloomsbury
Maintbrough, S. (2007) How to Draw Noir Comics. The Art and Technique of Visual Storytelling. Watson-Guptill Publications NY
Mateu-Mestre, M. (2010) Framed Ink Drawing and Composition for Visual Storytellers. Design Studio Press. USA
McCloud, S. (2000) Reinventing Comics. How Imagination and Technology are Revolutionizing an Art Form. Harper Collins Publishers Inc. NY
Moore, A. (2008) Alan Moore's Writing For Comics. Avatar Press. UK
Edwards B (2001) The New Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain HarperCollins
Stanchfield W & Hahn D (2009) Drawn to Life: 20 Golden Years of Disney Master Classes: The Walt Stanchfield Lectures - Volume 1 & 2 Focal Press

Wigan, M (2014) Thinking Visually for Illustrators: Bloomsbury


Periodicals:
Grafik: Journal of the Best in International Graphic Design, (Monthly) www.grafikmagazine.co.uk
Eye: The International Review of Graphic Design, (Quarterly) www.eyemagazine.com

This module is concerned with conveying meaning and information in its many different forms and deals with the practical issues of image making and visual problem solving within the broad field of visual communication. You will be encouraged to experiment with a range of media approaches in order to discover the ways in which different media carry different meanings and to express information in visually exciting and varied forms. A number of platforms will be explored in the pursuit of understanding visual perception and aesthetic appreciation. These platforms will be determined by your project enquiry. This module is designed to build on knowledge and skills gained in previous modules by encouraging you to review, extend, develop and apply the use of creative visual thinking, visual language manipulative skills and a variety of communication methods towards fresh and innovative solutions.