This module is concerned with visual exploration and communication in its many forms. Through practical projects you will explore a problem visually, tackling them in a number of ways. Through a process of selection informed by appropriate research you will experiment with both creative visual thinking and a variety of media in order to identify a suitable visual solution. You will be addressing many aspects of the design process, which will include semiotics and communicating to a mass audience in order to resolve the problem in an appropriate manner and media and to place your work in a professional context. This can be paper based or screen based. Your enquiry throughout the module will be explored through a mid-semester formative presentation of your work through curatorial displays.

You will present for assessment a body of work as outlined in the module information pack. This is likely to include:
Notebooks, layout pads and research blog demonstrating development of digital exploration of themes and technologies leading to final designs documenting your research, experimentation and ability to identify effective relevant visual solutions in the development of your project. [Learning Outcomes 1, 2, 3, 5]
A Finished body of work [Learning Outcomes 2, 5]
Team presentations to peers and tutors [Learning Outcome 4]

Key Information Set:
100% coursework

Project work will provide the framework through which learning will take place, it will integrate the practical with the theoretical and the technical aspects of visual exploration. There will be studio work, including introductory seminars/lectures, followed by group tutorials and crits to present findings/visuals. There will also be group instruction in the use of image manipulation software.

Key Information Set:
24% scheduled learning and teaching activities
76% guided independent learning

1. USE APPROPRIATE RESEARCH BOTH TEXTUAL AND VISUAL IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF YOUR SOLUTION TO THE GRAPHIC DESIGN BRIEF.

Enquiry

2. EFFECTIVELY APPLY RESEARCH OR KNOWLEDGE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF A SOLUTION TO YOUR GRAPHIC DESIGN PROBLEM.

Application

3. VISUALLY EXPERIMENT AND ARRIVE AT A RELEVANT SOLUTION TO THE GRAPHIC DESIGN PROBLEM.

Problem Solving

4. WORK EFFECTIVELY AS A MEMBER OF A TEAM.

Working With Others

5. DEMONSTRATE YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF ANY PRACTICAL OR THEORETICAL LIMITS IN YOUR KNOWLEDGE THAT REQUIRE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT THROUGH YOUR ANSWER TO THE GRAPHIC DESIGN BRIEF.

Learning

Studio workspace and seminar room with digital projector and computer facilities
Computer workshops
Specific Skills Modulettes will be assigned to this module
Print Facilities including: Black and White A3 printer, Colour Printer, Screenprint etching and monoprinting, RISO printing, Digital Print Bureau

The Blackboard virtual learning environment will be available (where relevant) to support this module. Details will be provided in the module handbook.

Drate S. & Salavetz J. Extreme Design (2001) How Design Books

Johnson M. Problem Solved (2002) Phaidon

Odling-Smee A. The new handmade graphics (2002) RotoVision.

Poyner R. No more rules Graphic design and Postmodernism. (2003) Laurence King Publishing

Street R. & Lewis F. Touch Graphics The Power of Tactile Design (2003) Rockport

Klanten, R (Editor) Hellige, H (Editor) (2011) Illustrators Unlimited, The Essence of Contemporary Illustration. Gestalten.

This module is concerned with visual exploration and communication in its many forms. Through practical projects you will explore a problem visually, tackling them in a number of ways. Through a process of selection informed by appropriate research you will experiment with both creative visual thinking and a variety of media in order to identify a suitable visual solution. You will be addressing many aspects of the design process, which will include semiotics and communicating to a mass audience in order to resolve the problem in an appropriate manner and media and to place your work in a professional context. This can be paper based or screen based. Your enquiry throughout the module will be explored through a mid-semester formative presentation of your work through curatorial displays.