Learning objectives
This course provides an introduction to today's tools and techniques in advertising and editorial graphics. The purpose of the course is to enable students to learn and develop the basic tools for understanding graphic design languages and to enable a smooth dialogue with professionals in the field.
The course includes the study and implementation of the basic tools of graphic design through a historical, technical and practical course. From images, to typography, students will be able to try their hand at a simulation of a real professional situation.
A final group work will allow the application of the basics of the course and the experience of collective work.
Prerequisites
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Course unit content
- Design and industry, overview of design fields with a main focus on graphic design.
- Scope of graphic design, from branding to publishing and its purposes, commercial, cultural and social.
- The basics of Gestalt, visual perception and colors.
- The tools of graphic design, typography, colors, images, papers
- Digital and paper formats, how best to choose and use them
- Typography, typefaces, their shapes and proper use.
- Cages and layout, rules and mistakes to avoid.
- Advertising graphics, communication and structure.
During the workshop students will use Photoshop, Indesign, Illustrator so they will have the basics of graphic design in every aspect, photos, text and illustration.
Full programme
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Bibliography
"Critica portatile al Visual Design" by Riccardo Falcinelli, publisher Einaudi. 2014
"Il manuale del graphic design, progettazione e produzione" by Gavin Ambrose e Paul Harris, publisher Zanichelli, second edition 2017
Teaching methods
The course is organized in a series of theoretical lectures in which contemporary examples of the use of graphic design and its languages are shown.
In the workshop phase, students will have the opportunity to explore and interpret the languages and tools shown during the theoretical lectures, actively using dedicated software.
Assessment methods and criteria
At the end of the course, students, divided into groups, will have to finish a periodical editorial project, a magazine, initiated during the classes, of which they will be the editors, creators and makers.
Each student, within his or her group, will have to realize a 16th editorial, including, images, texts and illustrations, as well as 2 advertising pages.
In addition, each student is required to create his or her own personal brand, with an abbreviated version of the manual.
The exam consists of evaluation of individual work, and group workflow management.
Non-attending students are required to study the recommended books and take an oral exam, as well as a part of a graphic design paper.
Other information
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