2024/25 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

DESN1070 Graphic and Communication Design Principles

40 creditsClass Size: 80

Module manager: Joe Gilmore
Email: j.gilmore@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2024/25

Module replaces

DESN1947 & DESN1948

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Module summary

This module provides students with an understanding of fundamental Graphic and Communication Design principles by examining the relationship between type and image. Students will explore typography, layout, and image making approaches that are informed by, and contextualised within, design histories, practice, and contemporary disciplinary discourse.   A playful approach to experimentation will allow students to generate creative ideas and outcomes for a range of briefs.

Objectives

This module aims to equip students with knowledge of key graphic design principles as well as skills in visual research and ideation.
The objectives are to 1) introduce key skills in visual research and visual analysis 2) provide design skills in the careful and considered use of typography and image and knowledge of its histories 3) support students to understand the graphic design process and to generate ideas in response to a variety of graphic design challenges.
Learning activities are varied. To achieve objective 1, students will learn how to select and analyse examples of type and image through a series of interactive workshops. To achieve objective 2, lecture material and practical workshops will inform students of key skills and enable them to practice them throughout the module. To achieve objective 3, students will work independently and in groups to practice and reflect on their processes and ideas.

Learning outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes relevant to the subject:
1. Experiment with a wide range of processes and techniques to generate graphic design ideas and outcomes in response to a brief.
2. Apply knowledge of key principles of typography
3. Understand and apply key principles of image-making for graphic design and visual communication.
4. Demonstrate varied approaches to layout, hierarchy and visual harmony that evidence understanding of layout principles.

Skills Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following skills learning outcomes:
5. Demonstrate skills in reflection as students critique theirs and others’ work.
6. identify relevant research resources in the context of graphic and communication design challenges

Syllabus

Details of the syllabus will be provided on the Minerva organisation (or equivalent) for the module

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lecture	7	1.00	7.00
Practical	10	2.00	20.00
Practical	21	3.00	63.00
Seminar	9	2.00	18.00
Independent online learning hours			87.00
Private study hours			205.00
Total Contact hours			108.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			400.00

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

There will be opportunities for formative feedback at many touchpoints during the module. Informally staff will give group-oriented feedback most weeks. In semester 1 there will be two formal opportunities for structured peer-led individual formative feedback and one individual formative feedback session with a member of staff. In Semester 2 there is additional peer-led formative feedback opportunities and two feedback opportunities with staff members.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Portfolio	A portfolio of visual research, design ideas, final outcome and evaluation	100.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

The coursework in Sem 2 will follow a formative submission in Sem 1 in which students have practiced their skills prior to refining them for assessment in Sem 2.

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 06/09/2024

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