James Cook University Subject Handbook - 2002

GA3111:03

Graphic Design Major Study 3

Townsville

HECS Band 1

13 hours lectures, 13 hours tutorials, 26 hours practicals. Semester 1.

Available to students enrolled in the BCommunication Design degree.

This is the third semester of a six semester advanced program for students studying Graphic Design. Students completing this subject will examine the influences, visual cultures and sub-cultures of our contemporary society with examination of how communications can be focussed to match the requirements and profile of their intended audience. Informative, directional, persuasive, entertaining, instructional and subliminal communication forms will be examined and a range of examples of these will be analysed from a selection of media.

Students will study and become familiar with the following aspects of design practice: the role of colour in communication design; the selection and application of type; iconography and symbolism; the social, aesthetic and economic roles and responsibilities of the graphic designer; identifying, creating and responding to corporate and/or group identities; implications of cultural and customary practice; creative problem solving from aesthetic, cultural/subcultural and commercial viewpoints and identifying, accessing and applying appropriate marketing, research and information resources.

Learning Objectives:

  1. demonstrate an awareness of the multifaceted communications needs of clients and audiences and devise effective solutions utilising appropriate media;
  2. familiarity with a range of available design and market related resources (technical, commercial, research, marketing and production related);
  3. demonstrate a growing familiarity with traditional and digital pre-press processes as well as a familiarity with digital media;
  4. generate appropriate and creative design solutions to given problems and implement these solutions through several production phases in a manner suited to the production process;
  5. develop a range of analytical and critical skills related to national and international communication design practice.

Assessment by tutorial presentation (20%); three practical assignments (60%); semester examination (20%). Attendance of less than 80% at practical workshops will render students ineligible for assessment unless prior written approval has been obtained from the lecturer, academic adviser or Head of College.