Communication for Design
Overview
This unit enables students to develop their foundational communication skills in design. Key outcomes are based upon conceptual and problem solving skills in order to design effective communication solutions in academic and workplace environments. Students will be introduced to the exploration of typographic form and the photographic process - whilst using design elements and principles (DEPs) to create meaningful and effective communications. A critical awareness of the relationship between content (information) and form (arrangement of information) will be developed through these fundamental and universal skills. Students will be introduced to the exploration of typographic form and the photographic process and will develop a logical and effective design process which includes testing, feedback and refinement.
Requisites
31-January-2025
30-May-2025
26-September-2025
30-January-2026
Learning outcomes
Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:
- Identify and utilise design elements and principles (DEPs) in order to communicate information
- Create effective visual solutions using research, experimentation, and documentation, whilst applying contemporary industry processes
- Apply both photographic and typographic principles as a means of visual communication, whilst within context
- Construct appropriate narratives between type and image in order to communicate effectively
- Develop a critical framework in order to distinguish between effective and ineffective design solutions
- Refine design solutions by applying constructive analysis, evaluation, and external feedback
Teaching methods
Hawthorn
| Activity Type | Activity | Total Hours | Number of Weeks | Hours Per Week | Venue Type and Activity Detail |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Live Online | Workshop | 12 | 12 weeks | 1 | Online Workshop |
| On-campus | Lab | 24 | 12 weeks | 2 | Lab 1 |
| On-campus | Lab | 24 | 12 weeks | 2 | Lab 2 |
| Unspecified Activities | Independent Learning | 78 | 12 weeks | 6.5 | |
| Total Hours: | 138 | Total Hours (per week): | 11.5 | ||
Assessment
| Type | Task | Weighting | ULO's |
|---|---|---|---|
| Project 1 | Individual | 30-50% | 1,2,6 |
| Project 2 | Individual | 25-35% | 1,3,4,5,6 |
| Project 3 | Individual/Group | 25-35% | 1,3,4,5,6 |
Content
- Design elements and principles
- Basic camera controls and image capture
- Resolution, colour and lighting
- Composition exploration
- Research and documentation of ideas
- Using typography and photography to develop and achieve communication objectives Typographic history, terminology, conventions and technology.
- Type form, families and classification
- Type legibility and expression
- Hierarchies, composition, spatial manipulation and layout.
- Grids, proportions, page and document structure
- Synthesis of Form and Content
Study resources
Reading materials
A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.