Veidlapa Nr. M-3 (8)
Study Course Description
Graphic Design Basics
Course Code
SZF_206
Branch of Science
Media and communications
ECTS
3.00
Target Audience
Communication Science
LQF
Level 6
Study Type And Form
Full-Time; Part-Time
Study Course Implementer
Course Supervisor
Lāsma Šķestere
Structure Unit Manager
Ieva Puzo
Structural Unit
Faculty of Social Sciences
Contacts
Kuldigas Street 9C, Riga
About Study Course
Objective
The course aims to introduce students to the discipline of graphic design, its origins, ingredients, applicability and the development process. Students will learn how to design graphic design for analog and digital environments, how to distinguish decorative from functional design, and also understand the role of the design end consumer in the designer’s decision-making. The course places emphasis on the people-centered design approach, for which the user experience has been put as a key measure of design quality.
Preliminary Knowledge
Basic knowledge of design, art or communication.
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge
1.• understand the origin and application of the graphic design; • recognize graphic design components • to assess the quality of the graphic design (to be able to distinguish between “good” and “bad” design); • use the basic principles of graphic design to design it.
Skills
1.• Team building and collaboration • Troubleshooting • Communication skills to be able to find solutions to complex problems.
Competences
1.• Critically evaluate the usability of the graphical design of posts in analogue and digital environments; • Discuss and present graphic design projects individually and in groups; • Apply theoretical knowledge in practice.
Assessment
Individual work
|
Title
|
% from total grade
|
Grade
|
|---|---|---|
|
1.
Course project |
-
|
-
|
|
The final grade of the course shall consist of the practical work performed during the semester. Final assessment will consist of: Task 1 (groups): 100 compositions for tipographical layout. task 2 (indvidual): developing a poster in three versions. task 3 (groups): Development of the L logo and style book. task 4 (groups): Digital design for social networks and homepages. task 5 (groups): redesign homepage home design to improve user experience. task 6 (role play): developing a User travel card. Those students who will not have attended 80 per cent of lectures without justification will have a -1 point for final assessment. |
||
Examination
|
Title
|
% from total grade
|
Grade
|
|---|---|---|
|
1.
Test |
-
|
10 points
|
|
Evaluation Task 1 - 20% Task 2 - 20% Task 3-5 (draft course): 50% Task 6 (role play) - 10% |
||
Study Course Theme Plan
FULL-TIME
Part 1
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Introduction. Course requirements. Graphic design history.
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Form and function. Composition.
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
task 1 (groups): 100 compositions for tipographical layout.
Seminar presentation: in a group of two.
Time: 5 mins
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
task 1 (groups): 100 compositions for tipographical layout.
Seminar presentation: in a group of two.
Time: 5 mins
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Tipographics. Colour theory.
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
task 2 (individual): developing a poster in three versions. Seminar presentation. Time: 2 min
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
task 2 (individual): developing a poster in three versions. Seminar presentation. Time: 2 min
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Introduction to branding.
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
task 3 (groups): developing a logo and style book. Seminar presentation: in groups of 2-3. Time: 7 min.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
task 3 (groups): developing a logo and style book. Seminar presentation: in groups of 2-3. Time: 7 min.
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Foundations of digital design.
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
task 4 (groups): Digital design for social networks and homepages. Seminar presentation: in groups of 2-3. Time: 7 mins
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
task 4 (groups): Digital design for social networks and homepages. Seminar presentation: in groups of 2-3. Time: 7 mins
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Human-centered design. User experience Design Basics.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
task 5 (groups): redesign homepage home design to improve user experience. Seminar presentation: in groups of 2-3. Time: 7 mins
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Role play: developing a User travel card. Groups 6-7. At the end of the lesson, a presentation. Time: 7 mins
|
Total ECTS (Creditpoints):
3.00
Contact hours:
32 Academic Hours
Final Examination:
Exam
PART-TIME
Part 1
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Introduction. Course requirements. Graphic design history.
|
|
Form and function. Composition.
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
task 1 (groups): 100 compositions for tipographical layout.
Seminar presentation: in a group of two.
Time: 5 mins
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Tipographics. Colour theory.
|
|
Introduction to branding.
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
task 2 (individual): developing a poster in three versions. Seminar presentation. Time: 2 min
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
task 3 (groups): developing a logo and style book. Seminar presentation: in groups of 2-3. Time: 7 min.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Foundations of digital design.
|
|
Human-centered design. User experience Design Basics.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
task 4 (groups): Digital design for social networks and homepages. Seminar presentation: in groups of 2-3. Time: 7 mins
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
task 5 (groups): redesign homepage home design to improve user experience. Seminar presentation: in groups of 2-3. Time: 7 mins
|
|
Role play: developing a User travel card. Groups 6-7. At the end of the lesson, a presentation. Time: 7 mins
|
Total ECTS (Creditpoints):
3.00
Contact hours:
16 Academic Hours
Final Examination:
Exam
Bibliography
Required Reading
1.
Gavin Ambrose, Paul Harris, and Nigel Ball (2019). "The Fundamentals of Graphic Design." Bloomsbury Visual Arts Publishers.Suitable for English stream
2.
Josef Albers (2013). "Interaction of Color: 50th Anniversary Edition." Yale University Press. (jaunāku izdevumu nav)Suitable for English stream
3.
Susan Weinschenk (2020). "100 Things Every Designer Needs to Know About People (Voices That Matter)." New Riders Publishers.Suitable for English stream
4.
Ellen Lupton (2024). "Thinking with Type: A Critical Guide for Designers, Writers, Editors, & Students." Princeton Architectural Press.Suitable for English stream
5.
Tony Seddon, Sean Adams, Peter Dawson, and John Foster (2020). "Graphic Design Rules: 365 Essential Design Dos and Don’ts." Princeton Architectural Press.Suitable for English stream
6.
Alex White (2023). "The Elements of Graphic Design." Allworth Publishers.Suitable for English stream
7.
George Bokhua (2022). "Principles of Logo Design: A Practical Guide to Creating Effective Signs, Symbols, and Icons." Rockport Publishers.Suitable for English stream
8.
Uijun Park (2023). "Introduction to Design Thinking for UX Beginners: 5 Steps to Creating a Digital Experience That Engages Users with UX Design, UI Design, and User Research. Start Building Your UX Career." Independently published.Suitable for English stream
9.
David Airey (2014). "Logo Design Love: A Guide to Creating Iconic Brand Identities." Peachpit Press. (jaunāku izdevumu nav)Suitable for English stream
10.
Jon Yablonski (2020). "Laws of UX: Using Psychology to Design Better Products & Services." O′Reilly Publishers.Suitable for English stream
11.
Don Norman (2013). "The Design of Everyday Things: Revised and Expanded Edition." Basic Books Publishers. (jaunāku izdevumu nav)Suitable for English stream
Other Information Sources
1.
“The History of Graphic Design Styles - Part 1 - Bauhaus and Art Nouveau”Suitable for English stream
2.
“The History of Graphic Design Styles - Part 2 - Swiss Design and Art Deco”Suitable for English stream