Examination arrangement

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 which will give them the ability to produce higher quality and reader-friendly figures, illustrations, and computer visualizations, relevant for their field of study. The knowledge gained in this course has the potential to improve communication in master’s theses, 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 of various visual design theories and techniques, as well as tools one can use to convey professional knowledge
• Has insight into copyright and the use of other’s image material in presentations, posters, video, etc.
• Has basic knowledge of principles for universal design of visual communication
• Has a solid basic understanding of how to use graphic softwares and tools to create and produce adequate visuals
• Understands what a target audience is and how to focus their communication of their field of study 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 and based on principles for universal design.
• Can adequately design reader-friendly presentations, poster and videos.
• Can adequately design reader-friendly figures, tables, illustrations, and data visualizations to be used in powerpoints, texts, posters and videos.
• Can prepare visuals for presentations, posters and texts through use of various graphic softwares and tools.
• 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 is taught through video lectures, feedback sessions (in-person and/or digital), and practical exercises. These will give the candidate the opportunity to experience a design course in its structure. The candidate will have the opportunity to work on their projects throughout the course while receiving feedback for improvement.

Further on evaluation

The portfolio consists of three submissions: an infographic poster, a video presentation and a concise reflection. The poster that will be produced will be based on the idea of conveying a message of instruction, more specifically a "how to" poster to a broader audience. The video will be focused on the student’s own area of current study, will give them experience of sharing their own tacit knowledge with a broader audience. The reflection will argue the student’s choices and decision-making around their own visual designs. The process and progression of the semester will not be considered in the assessment. Rough drafts of the three submissions will be delivered at specific times throughout the semester, to give the student an opportunity for feedback and guidance from the lecturer, teaching assistants and/or each other. After feedback and guidance, the three submissions will be submitted at the end of the semester. The deadline for the final exam will be posted to Blackboard at the start of the semester. All submissions will be individual submissions and will be the basis for grading. 45% of the grade will be the poster, 45% will be the video and 10% will be the reflection.To retake the examination, all parts of the portfolio must be re-submitted. A postponed examination can be done in the following semester.

Recommended previous knowledge

The course is suitable for students at a bachelor level.

Course materials

Course material and literature will be announced on the course’s Blackboard page.

Credit reductions