UNIT OUTLINE

Course unit: IF94, IF95, IF96

Unit title: Graphic Design
Unit Code: KVP100
Discipline Code: CKV
Credit Points: 12
Semester(s) of Offer: 2
Year(s) of Offer: 2004 onwards
Prerequisite(s): Nil.
Corequisite(s): Nil.
Coordinator: Assoc Prof David Hawke
Ph: 3864 3249
Fax: 3864 3974
Email: d.hawke@qut.edu.au

1. Rationale

New modes of reproduction, display platforms and transmission devices are reshaping the way text,
image and message can be communicated. As creative advertisers, it is important for you to develop
new ways of approaching graphic design processes in order to confidently utilise traditional and
contemporary media, as well as produce innovative cross-media outcomes. It is also important that
you are flexible and responsive to the needs of clients, with the ability to articulate and graphically
present multiple options for production. This unit emphasises skills and understandings that contribute
to innovative outcomes of client briefs, which places it after units dealing with introductions to media
and advertising issues within this course.

2. Aims

The aim of this unit is to provide you with skills and strategies to deliver creative and effective graphic
outcomes in a range of mediating technologies, with an emphasis on experimental, critically reflective
and flexible processes. Graduate capabilities developed within this unit are based on professional
knowledge and skills, critical, creative and analytical thinking, effective problem-solving and
communication in a variety of contexts and modes. You will also be introduced to cultural and
historical perspectives as they relate to graphic design.

3. Objectives

On completion of this unit, you should:

1. be able to apply creative, experimental graphic processes to individual advertising concepts.

2. understand and use appropriate strategies for accommodating a wide range of traditional and
emerging technologies in graphic design
3. be able to articulate frameworks for presenting aspects of individualised graphic design
outcomes.
4. have knowledge of exemplary practice in the field of graphic design and be able to develop
criteria for evaluating your own and others practice.

Unit Outline prepared by: (Victoria Garnons-Williams) Last updated: 10 March, 2003
Unit Outline reviewed by: (enter name/s of review team) Approved:
4. Content

This unit covers the following: Technique and innovation in typography, composition, design principles
and image production; output applications and printer options; photo-mechanical, digital and traditional
graphic processes; production, presentation and material considerations for projects; exemplary
practice in historical and contemporary graphic design; client briefs.

5. Teaching and Learning Approaches

This unit will involve:

1. tutorials, which focus on analysing traditional and contemporary applications of graphic

design, linked with group discussion and individual critiques.
2. demonstrations and workshops based on media and technical applications.
3. studio/lab practice and project work.

6. Assessment

1. Type: Written and visual paper (equivalent of 1000 words)

Formative and Summative

Description: You will be required to critically evaluate and graphically analyse an example of
graphic design, based on concepts undertaken in this unit. Relates to objectives 3 and 4.

Due date: Week 5

Weight: 20%

2. Type: Seminar presentation

Formative and Summative

Description: You will be required to present a tutorial seminar of twenty minutes outlining the
conceptual and material considerations of your selected graphic design brief. Relates to
objectives 2 and 3.

Due Date: Week 9-11

Weight: 20%

3. Type: Project
Summative
Description: You will be required to develop and present a body of work based on the
exploration of an individual concept brief in multiple applications. This submission includes all
notes, journals and research that reflect the development of ideas and skills. Relates to
objectives 1, 2 and 4.

Due date: end of semester

Weight: 60%

Formative Assessment will be ongoing throughout the major project. As well, you will be given an
individual review of your work at mid-semester.

Unit Outline prepared by: (Victoria Garnons-Williams) Last updated: 10 March, 2003
Unit Outline reviewed by: (enter name/s of review team) Approved:
7. Resource Materials

References

Bierut, M.(ed.) (1994) Looking Closer: critical writings on graphic design. Saint Paul, MN: American
Institute of Graphic Arts

Cato, K. (2000) Design by Thinking. North Ryde, NSW: Craftsman House

Gordon, B. and M. (2002) The complete guide to digital graphic design. London: Thames and Hudson

Heller, S. and Balance, G. (2001) Graphic Design History. NY: Allworth Press

Lavin, M. (2001) Clean New World: culture, politics and graphic design. Cambridge, Mass: MIT Press

Ocepek, L. (2003) Graphic Design: Vision, process and product. Toronto: Prentice Hall

Triedman, K. (2002) Colour graphics. Gloucester: Rockport Publishers

8. Risk Management

You will be instructed on safe procedures and the required safety gear for all studio and workshop
processes that are demonstrated. Health and Safety files are readily available for all materials and
machinery in all studios areas. Technical supervision is mandatory for 3D workshop and print studio. A
minimum of three students is required for after hours access to studios. Risk assessment forms must
be completed and submitted before project work starts.

9. Academic Integrity

Students are expected to display complete integrity in all their academic work. In particular, activities
such as plagiarism and cheating or any activity designed to defeat the purposes of assessment are
breaches of academic integrity. QUT's policy on academic dishonesty is at Student Rule 29
(http://www.qut.edu.au/admin/mopp/Appendix/append01cst.html). Details of University definitions of
cheating and plagiarism and range of penalties will be provided in the documentation students receive
in week 1.

Unit Outline prepared by: (Victoria Garnons-Williams) Last updated: 10 March, 2003
Unit Outline reviewed by: (enter name/s of review team) Approved: