Introduction to the Graphic Arts Studio 1a (Dalian)

Learning Outcomes

Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• begin to evaluate specialist concepts and methods in relation to contemporary practice;
• make informed choices regarding the direction of your work by selecting and applying information
• apply critical thinking through your application of specialist techniques and processes;

Transferable and Generic Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• conduct research for information relevant to your studies;
• gather information, experiment and analyse your outcomes;
• communicate your ideas.
• manage and complete an assignment to a deadline;

Knowledge and Understanding

Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

• how to generate ideas to support your practice;
• basic concepts and methodologies associated with exemplified artists or designers
• a range of methodologies to extend the context of your practice.
• how to apply a range of techniques in graphic arts and graphic design;

Subject Specific Practical Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• generate outcomes using appropriate material or media;
• acknowledge traditional graphic arts and graphic design skills within contemporary practice.
• demonstrate safe working practices when completing practical tasks;
• complete a range of tasks to demonstrate competency;

This module provides you with an opportunity to engage with the basic theories and practice of graphic arts as a creative discipline and to begin to develop your understanding of its practices, techniques, methodologies and skills.

You will have the opportunity to experience a range of different processes and concepts through project work and related workshop inductions. The projects of this module will provide a focused context to the development of your practical skills; you will be encouraged to experiment with a range of traditional and current techniques and processes in the different areas of graphic arts and graphic design.

Through introductions to content and ways of thinking relevant to your chosen subject, you will explore your ideas and develop an understanding of a variety of applications. Through the introduction to relevant artists or designers you will further your understanding of art and design processes.

Students studying BA (Hons) Graphic Arts you will learn key graphic design theories and knowledge including areas like basic composition, colour theory and basic typography concepts.

Teaching and learning methods

Teaching methods include:

• lectures
• project briefings
• tutorials
• group critiques
• workshops inductions

Learning activities include:

• lectures
• seminars
• project briefings
• group critiques
• tutorials
• peer group learning
• self-assessment

Relationship between the teaching, learning and assessment methods and the planned learning outcomes

In this module learning and teaching activities focus on helping you to develop skills through which you can explore a set outcome specific to graphic arts. You will take part in a variety of technical and digital workshops, which are designed to give you an introduction to basic design techniques and processes through which you can experiment and explore further.

Lectures will introduce you to the key themes in the study of graphic arts and graphic design and will further your awareness of how to contextualise present, record and evaluate your outcomes. Seminars and group critiques will allow you to reflect on and discuss the key design ideas and concepts you have learned about and their influence on your practical work and that of others.

You will have tutorials that will help you review your progress and offer formative feedback. Feedback on your general progress and development will be given through group critiques and tutorials. Informal feedback in a studio setting will provide opportunities for peer group learning and self-evaluation.

You will be taught by a module staff team in sessions timetabled across the week. You will also have timetabled technical workshops. When taught time is not scheduled to take place you are expected to work independently in the studio on work for your project and your assessment. Your independent study is crucial to your development and positive achievement in this module. The work and outcomes of your independent study will be discussed in tutorials and group critiques.

Resources & Reading list

Internet Resources

Harvard citing and referencing support including citethemright online resource .

Academic Integrity support.

Study Skills Workshops .

Blackboard Blackboard .

The Academic Skills Library page for study skills support .

Textbooks

Smith, M. ((2015) ). People of Print: Innovative, Independent Design and Illustration.. Thames & Hudson.

Leborg, C. ((2006) ). Visual grammar.. New York: : Princeton Architectural Press.

Hall, A., & London, E. ((2011) ). Illustration.. London: : Laurence King.

Heller, S., & Talarico, L. ( (2010)). Graphic: Inside the sketchbooks of the world's great graphic designers. . London: : Thames & Hudson.

Zeegen, L. ((2006) ). The Fundamentals of Illustration. . Worthing: : AVA Publishing.

Dodis, A. (1974). A Primer of Visual Literacy. . Cambridge: : The MIT Press.

Webb, J. ( (2010) ). Basics Creative Photography 01: Design Principles. . AVA Academia.

Hofmann, A. ((2004) ). Graphic design manual: Principles and practice. . Sulgen: : Niggli Verlag.

Schmidt, C. ((2010) ). Print workshop: Hand-printing techniques and truly original projects. . New York: : Potter Craft..

Heyne, R (2009). The photograms: Catalogue raisonné. . Ostfildern: : Hatje-Cantz.

Ingledew, J. ((2005) ). Photography. . London: : Laurence King.

Donnell, T ( (2009) ). Sketchbook: Conceptual drawings from the world's most influential designers. . Beverly:: Rockport.

Assessment strategy

The assessment of your work will be by a practical portfolio. A portfolio of work is the collection of your work undertaken during this module. The work in your portfolio will demonstrate your experimental engagement with both the topics and specialist subject workshops. Your portfolio must include evidence of workshop inductions and every item must be clearly labelled. It will also include for example sketchbooks, drawings, photographic references, samples, other visual experiments.

Formative

This is how we’ll give you feedback as you are learning. It is not a formal test or exam.

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.

Repeat

An internal repeat is where you take all of your modules again, including any you passed. An external repeat is where you only re-take the modules you failed.

Repeat Information

Repeat type: Internal