course-details-portlet

TPD4114 - Visual Communication

About

Examination arrangement

Examination arrangement: Portfolio
Grade: Letter grades

Evaluation Weighting Duration Grade deviation Examination aids
Portfolio 100/100

Course content

This course provides an introduction and practical training in various forms of visual communication. The focus will be on how to visually communicate research and knowledge to both experts and a general audience through the use of presentations, posters and videos. The course provides the candidate with a solid basic knowledge in visual communication through the presentation of relevant theories and ideas from the field of graphic design and communication. The implementation of the theories combined with the use of design tools will give the candidate the ability to produce higher quality reader-friendly figures, illustrations, and computer visualizations. The knowledge gained in this course has the potential to improve visual communication in master's thesis, articles, posters, presentations, and videos.

Learning outcome

Knowledge

The candidate

  • Has insight into how human attention works and why visual tools work in dissemination work
  • Has an overview understanding of different theories of visual communication and ways of thinking graphic design
  • Has basic knowledge of principles for universal design of visual communication
  • Has insight into copyright and the use of others' image material in presentations, posters, videos, etc
  • Has a solid basic understanding of how to use graphic software and tools to create and produce adequate visuals
  • Understands what a target audience is, why it is important and how to focus their communication for that target audience

Skills

The candidate

  • Can independently design and produce a higher quality visual presentation of their knowledge, while also making it reader friendly.
  • Can discuss and show knowledge around various visual communcation and design theories and ways of thinking.
  • Can understand the importance of universal design in visual communication, as well as produce visual communications that support universal design.
  • Can adequaltely design reader-friendly figures, tabels, illustrations, and data visualizations to be used in PowerPoints, texts, posters and videos.
  • Can demonstrate proper citation for images and the use of other creator's and designer's work in their communications, while adhering to and understanding copyright laws.
  • Can develop a message based on a target audience, and then focus and produce visual communications specifically to that target audience.

General competence

The candidate

  • Has general competence in layout, aesthetics, and typography
  • Has knowledge of various dissemination situations, ranging from lectures (conferences, teaching, guest lectures, etc) to publications (articles, theses, dissertations, etc)

Learning methods and activities

The course has a combination of lectures and practical exercises. These will give the candidate the knowledge and practical skills to disseminate professional knowledge.

Further on evaluation

The portfolio consists of three submissions:

  1. Infographic poster (45%)
  2. Video presentation (45%)
  3. Reflection note (10%)

The infographic poster and video (ca. 1 min in length) will present a popular science theme of the student's choosing, such that a broad spectrum of people will be able to understand it. The reflection will describe the candidate's thoughts and impressions around visual communication. The process and progression of the semester is not to be considered in the assessment. The three submissions will be delivered at specific times throughout the semester, as the candidates will have the opportunity to receive feedback and guidance from the lecturer, the teaching assistants and/or each other. The three submissions, after feedback and guidance, will be submitted to the external examiner at the end of the semester. The deadline for the final exam will be posted on Blackboard at the start of the semester. All submissions will be individual submissions, and will be the basis for grading.

For a re-take of an examination, all parts of the portfolio must be re-submitted. Re-take of examination can be done in the following semester.

Required previous knowledge

No specific previous knowledge is required.

The course may be chosen as a complementary course during semester 7 or 9 for Engineering students.

Course materials

Course material and litterature will be announced on the course pages on NTNU's learning platform.

Credit reductions

Course code Reduction From To
TPD4116 5.0 AUTUMN 2023
More on the course

No

Facts

Version: 1
Credits:  7.5 SP
Study level: Second degree level

Coursework

Term no.: 1
Teaching semester:  AUTUMN 2023

Language of instruction: Norwegian

Location: Trondheim

Subject area(s)
  • Design Methodology
  • Design
Contact information
Course coordinator: Lecturer(s):

Department with academic responsibility
Department of Design

Examination

Examination arrangement: Portfolio

Term Status code Evaluation Weighting Examination aids Date Time Examination system Room *
Autumn ORD Portfolio 100/100

Submission
2023-11-24


23:59

INSPERA
Room Building Number of candidates
Spring UTS Portfolio 100/100

Submission
2024-03-15


23:59

INSPERA
Room Building Number of candidates
  • * The location (room) for a written examination is published 3 days before examination date. If more than one room is listed, you will find your room at Studentweb.
Examination

For more information regarding registration for examination and examination procedures, see "Innsida - Exams"

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