Historical and Critical Contexts

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge and Understanding

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

• the importance of contextual research.
• key historical and contextual developments related to graphic arts.
• the broad social, environmental and ethical dimensions of graphic arts.

Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• begin to inform your practice through reflection of your research and relevant critical and contextual concepts.
• start to apply critical enquiry and reflection to evaluate your work.

Transferable and Generic Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• plan your time effectively and work to deadlines.
• communicate your ideas in writing and utilise supporting visual material effectively.
• employ digital literacies to support your learning.

Indicative content for this module normally includes:

introductory sessions will demonstrate recognised academic research approaches, you will progress to examine a range of key historic impacts, ideas and concepts that have contributed to and informed the development of graphic arts historically.

You will be encouraged to contextualise these ideas before developing your research further by using the learning resources provided by the University to support the development of your critical writing skills.

In response to lecture content you will be asked to respond to a series of questions via a written and illustrated blogpost that will utilise relevant research and visual material.

Creation of blogposts that will evidence your developing research skills, your understanding of the historical context of your subject and how this influences the contemporary context of the Graphic Arts.

Teaching and learning methods

Teaching methods include

• Lectures
• Seminars
• Supporting material distributed via online learning environments such as Blackboard and Panopto.

Learning activities include:

• Peer group discussion in seminars
• Review and revision of material provided within the lectures
• Guided independent research
• Written communication and the creation of a series of blogposts
• Study skills hub

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

This module will be directed by lectures that will support the development of the intellectual rigor necessary to enable you to apply critical, evaluative, reflection and contextualisation skills in the context of your ideas and work. Seminars and formative tutorials will enable you to analyse material provided and extend your knowledge and understanding via independent research. Written communication and digital literacies will be enhanced by the production of a series of illustrated blogposts. Seminars and formative tutorials will help you plan your time and work effectively to deadlines. Intellectual and research skills will be supported and enhanced using guidance and material distributed via virtual learning environments such as Blackboard, Panopto and Library Services.

Resources & Reading list

General Resources

Helvetica.. The movie.

panopto. via blackboard

Internet Resources

Design Observer.

academic skills.

EdShare - (This will house most of your teaching materials, videos, slides and documents).

Eye. the International Review of Graphic Design..

The library Academic Skills website.

Blackboard (E:learning).

study skills.

Textbooks

Berger, J. (2008). Ways of Seeing. Penguin.

Hollis, Richard. (2007). Swiss Graphic Design..

Poynor, Rick. (2006). Communicate. Independent British Graphic Design.

Armstrong, H. (2014). Graphic Design Theory. Johanneshov:MTM.

Meggs, Phillip B. Meggs’ (2006). History of Graphic Design.

Eskilson, Stephen J.. Graphic Design, A New History..

McQuiston, Liz (2006). Graphic Agitation.. Phaidon Press.

Poynor, R. (2013). No More Rules: Graphic Design & Postmodernism. London: Laurence King.

McLuhun, M & Fiore, Q. (2016). The Medium is the Massage. Ginko Press.

Aynsley, J. (2004). Pioneers of Modern Graphic Design. London: M. Beazley.

Heller, Steven & Chwast Seymour (2008). Illustration. A Visual History..

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 & External