course-details-portlet

TPD4116

Visual Communication

Assessments and mandatory activities may be changed until September 20th.

Credits 7.5
Level Third-year courses, level III
Course start Spring 2027
Duration 1 semester
Language of instruction English and norwegian
Location Trondheim
Examination arrangement Portfolio

About

About the course

Course content

This course provides an introduction and practical training in various forms of visual communication. The teaching is aimed at different ways of conveying information and knowledge, and provides the candidate with basic knowledge of visual communication through theory and ideas from graphic design and communication studies. Combined with relevant design tools and insight into how aesthetics can help to support a message, the candidate will gain a good foundation for strengthening the visual communication in their work.

Learning outcome

Knowledge

The candidate

  • Has insight into how principles of visual perception work
  • Has an overview of central theories within visual communication and different approaches to graphic design
  • Has knowledge of principles for universal design, (as well as knowledge of the WCAG standard and relevant legal requirements)
  • Has insight into copyright and the use of other people's image material in visual representations
  • Has an understanding of how to produce appropriate visual representations
  • Has general competence in layout, aesthetics and typography

Skills

The candidate

  • Can independently design and produce well-thought-out visual representations
  • Understands the importance of universal design in visual communication
  • Can design reader-friendly figures, illustrations and data visualizations

General competence

The candidate

  • Has knowledge of communication situations
  • Can assess and justify own design choices
  • Can work independently and in a structured manner

Learning methods and activities

The course is taught through video lectures. The student is responsible for working independently and iteratively with project work towards final portfolio submission. The student must familiarize themselves with the course's framework for academic support and feedback. Feedback sessions are offered digitally/physically each week where students are given the opportunity to receive individual support.

The course is offered to incoming exchange students and is therefore taught in English.

Further on evaluation

The portfolio consists of three parts:

- Project A (45%)

- Project B (45%)

- Reflection note (10%)

Physical supervision is offered once a week, and digital supervision once a week, throughout the semester.

All work is submitted together at the end of the semester. Individual work.

To retake an exam, all parts of the portfolio must be submitted again. Postponed exams can be given in the next exam period. In the event of a voluntary retake, all assessments in the course must be repeated.

Required previous knowledge

No specific previous knowledge is required.

Course materials

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

Credit reductions

Course code Reduction From
TPD4114 5 sp Autumn 2023
This course has academic overlap with the course in the table above. If you take overlapping courses, you will receive a credit reduction in the course where you have the lowest grade. If the grades are the same, the reduction will be applied to the course completed most recently.

Subject areas

  • Design Methodology

Contact information

Course coordinator

Lecturers

Department with academic responsibility

Department of Design

Examination

Examination

Examination arrangement: Portfolio
Grade: Letter grades

Re-sit examination - Autumn 2026

Portfolio
Weighting 100/100 Exam system Inspera Assessment

Ordinary examination - Spring 2027

Portfolio
Weighting 100/100 Exam system Inspera Assessment