COMMUNICATION DESIGN 1

Single discipline educational activity

Course Sheet

Course code:

D07

Academic Year of enrolment:

2020

Year of supply:

2020/2021

Type of Course:

Basic

Degree:

Course of 1st Cycle Degree in DESIGN

Disciplinary Sector:

Industrial Design

Location:

PESCARA

Credits:

Programme Year:

Professor and Collaborators:

GADDI Rossana

Cycle:

Single Annual Cycle

Obligatory attendance:

Yes

Hours of classroom activity:

120

Individual study hours:

180

Prerequisites:

None

Objectives

The course aims to:
- introduce students to the complexity and meaning of communication in its various forms, as well as the basic concepts and topics of communication design and visual communication;
- introduce students to the methods, tools, techniques and technologies of communication, from perceptive mechanisms to visual languages, from chromatic systems to elementary techniques of visual representation, from knowledge of the rules and basic typographic glossary, to editorial standards, to styles and typefaces, to the layout design.

The use of specific software for editing raster and vector images, for vector drawing and desktop publishing (Adobe Creative Suite: Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InDesign) is envisaged.

Contents

The course represents a first approach to communication design, an extremely complex area of skills that implies the knowledge of broad notions such as the laws of perception, the methodologies, tools and practices of visual design, the material and immaterial channels through which communication takes place, the production and process systems that manage the results.

The course is structured in two integrated and coherent modules, related to both theoretical and practical knowledge:
1) Theoretical knowledge (first semester)
Meaning and value of communication, the different forms of communication, the declinations of communication design, from visual communication to graphic design.
In-depth study of the basic tools of graphic design, the principles and elements of the project: images, colors, typography, layout.

Exercise 1
Analysis and redesign of a graphic design project

2) Practical knowledge (second semester in presence)
Practical application of theoretical tools, in order to define an editorial project.

Exercise 2
Development of a coordinated graphic design project (typographic logo, brochure, website layout)

Exercise 3 (final project)
Ideation, design and development of a coordinated communication plan (logo, offline campaign, online campaign)

Extended Syllabus

Communication Design 1 Course
1st year (ICAR 13, 12 Cfu)
Academic Year 2020-2021
prof. Rossana Gaddi

Contents:
1) Theoretical knowledge (first semester)
During the first semester, the lessons will be oriented towards the acquisition of the basic principles that guide communication design and visual communication. Specifically, the lessons will focus on the following topics:
1- INTRODUCTION TO VISUAL DESIGN
The aims and the functions of Communication Design:
- Images and colors (Introduction)
Bitmap/raster images raster VS vector images; image formats; CMYK subtractive synthesis vs RGB additive synthesis; diagram of primary colors.
- Typography and layout (Introduction)
Functional value and iconic value of typography; macro categories of typefaces; layout, formats and grids (editorial and web)
2 - IMAGES and COLORS (In depth analysis)
Types of images; theory of perception and psychology of shapes. Gestalt principles; Vision and perception; psychology of color; contrasts and color combinations; construction of a professional moodboard.
3 - TYPOGRAPHY (In depth analysis)
Hints of the history of typography and printing; anatomy of a type; choice of fonts; typographic couplings; text management and formatting; fonts for the web and for printing.
4 - LAYOUT (In depth analysis)
Print formats and digital formats; composition and grid; study of the typographic grid and applications (Insertion of images in the typographic grid and alignment of the texts); content management; paste-up; complex grids.

2) Practical knowledge (second semester)
During the second semester the lessons will be oriented towards putting into practice the theoretical knowledge acquired during the previous semester, through exercises and tests of theoretical knowledge.
In addition, external interventions by professionals in the sector are foreseen, on the following topics:
- the communication strategy;
- the construction of the layout;
- photography for design;
- the choice of paper and binding.

Recommended Bibliography

Bruno Munari, Design e Comunicazione visiva, Laterza, Roma, 2007

Massimo Vignelli, The Vignelli Canon. Il Canone Vignelli, Postmedia Books, Milano, 2012

Johannes Itten, Arte del colore, Il Saggiatore, Milano, 1992

Robert Bringhurst, Gli elementi dello stile tipografico, Sylvestre Bonnard, Milano, 2001

Gavin Ambrose, Paul Harris, Il manuale del graphic design, Zanichelli, Bologna, 2009

Furthermore, all the slides of the course will be published by the professor on the Teams channel of the course.
During the course, the professor will provide a list of useful tools for an in-depth analysis the topics addressed during the lessons (films and documentaries, podcasts, books, magazines, websites, ..)
Recorded video courses will be provided by the professor, in order to support the student in the acquisition phase of 2D graphics software.

Teaching Methods

The course includes lectures (theoretical lessons by the teacher and external interventions with national and international guests); practical exercises and written tests with ongoing assessments; single and collective reviews; presentations and joint discussions of the projects.

Evaluation methods

Verification of learning:

The student will be evaluated on the basis of the ongoing results of individual and group exercises and written tests that will take place during the academic year, as well as the results of the final project.
The ongoing assessments include both written assessments and marks out of thirty, and partially contribute to the final assessment (in a non-arithmetic way but focused on the analysis of the individual student's growth path).
The exam is individual and is based on a critical discussion of the personal contribution given to the final project, also taking into account the judgments and marks of the ongoing exercises.
The projects will be considered on the basis of originality, technical performance, consistency and feasibility with respect to the design purpose.

Contacts/More Information

Student reception: Tuesday from 11am to 1pm, by email appointment to rossana.gaddi@unich.it

Università degli Studi
"G. d'Annunzio"

Chieti - Pescara

Aree