Course - Visual Identity 1 - IDG1009
Visual Identity 1
About
About the course
Course content
In this course, students learn to work with an existing design manual as a basis for developing cohesive and professionally produced publications across different media. Through practical work with design for both print and digital platforms, students gain insight into how visual guidelines are translated into concrete solutions, and how design decisions are influenced by the technical and material characteristics of each medium.
Visual Identity 1 is a theoretical and practical course focusing on the design process, prepress, printing, binding and finishing, as well as digital publishing. Students work individually with reformulation, exploration, analysis, concept development, sketching, design, and realization of a cross-platform project. Throughout an iterative design process, students become familiar with techniques and tools for designing for both digital and print media.
Prepress
Students will gain deeper knowledge of processes and practices related to digital source material and formats, image processing and preparation for print, basic color management, page layout, print optimization, digital workflow, and proofing (test prints).
Printing, Binding, and Finishing
The course provides students with knowledge of printing, binding, and finishing processes, with particular emphasis on imposition, substrate properties, and paper qualities.
Digital Publishing
Throughout the course, students will learn about file formats and standards for digital publications, including basic preparation of e-books.
Sustainability
The topic of sustainability is addressed in relation to paper production and how its environmental footprint compares to that of equivalent digital media.
Learning outcome
After completion of the course, the students shall have achieved the following:
Knowledge:
- have knowledge of design processes and idea development
- have knowledge of theories, processes, and tools related to the production of printed paper media
- have familiarity with production processes and materials/substrates with relevant properties for printed matter
- have knowledge of file formats, production processes, and preparation of digital material for both print and digital publishing
Skills:
- be able to apply disciplinary knowledge to practical problem areas, such as producing a printed product up to delivery for printing, as well as preparation for digital publishing
- be able to produce colour-managed files ready for print
- be able to produce files for ePub
- be able to produce files for digital publishing in various formats and platforms
General competence:
- be familiar with the modes of operation and capacities of software used in the production of printed matter and files for digital publishing
- master the theory in such a way that they are able to communicate central subject matter, such as theories and solutions, both in writing and orally
- have basic knowledge of colour composition and colour selection, and have familiarity with methods for application-based colour management
After having completed the course (that is, another course consisting of one or more practical design projects), the student has slowly but steadily developed as an explorer, concept developer, and designer. The student has also established an increasingly broad repertoire of solution types and common graphic design approaches, and can thus, as a designer, handle a range of typical genres within paper- and screen-mediated communication and interaction.
The student therefore has a good starting point for being able to develop and design strong and creative communication solutions as a professionally active designer. In addition, the necessary technical skills for the development and implementation of design solutions for paper and screen have slowly but steadily been refined and internalised.
Learning methods and activities
The course consists of lectures, workshops, and formative/iterative supervision on portfolio assignments. Students will complete a major design project prepared for both print and digital publication across various channels. The practical work is accompanied by a process journal documenting research, the creative process, production, and finalization of each component.
For students in the Bachelor in Graphic Design program, the assignments form part of their collection of practical design work and may, at the student’s discretion, be included in the portfolio presented at the conclusion of the third and final year of study.
Compulsory assignments
- Seminar presentations
Further on evaluation
Mandatory activities
- Midterm presentations
Assessment portfolio
The portfolio contains design solutions for nine touchpoints, printed and digitale, as well as a process diary. Additionally an oral presentation is held. The presented works are founded in a developed idea and concept. The development process and reflectation upon this is shown in the process diary. Final presentation of the project is carried out towards the end of the semester.
Tutoring is carried out in groups, but individual tutorials can be offered by demand.
Summative evaluation at the end of the semester: Pass / fail.
If a student fails a new assessment portfolio must be established during the next regular offering of the course.
Specific conditions
Admission to a programme of study is required:
Graphic Design (BMED)
Recommended previous knowledge
IDG1101Typografi 1
Required previous knowledge
The course is limited to students in the program Bachelor in Graphic Design
Course materials
The syllabus will be announced at the start of the semester.
Credit reductions
| Course code | Reduction | From |
|---|---|---|
| IMT1009 | 7.5 sp | Autumn 2019 |
Subject areas
- Design Methodology