Universitat Internacional de Catalunya
Design
Teaching staff
Introduction
With an eminently practical focus, the course is an introduction to editorial graphic design. In addition, it will provide sufficient tools to be able to carry out an optimal presentation of the Final Degree Project.
Pre-course requirements
None.
Objectives
- Understanding the role of design as responsible for all aspects of graphics and visuals.
- Learning the tools necessary to formalize ideas and values.
- Identification of the fundamental features to convey.
- Definition of an adequate visual language for all parts and formats.
- To acquire the basics of image processing programs and composition.
Competences/Learning outcomes of the degree programme
- 07 CG - The ability to confront difficulties and resolve problems
- 28 CE - The ability to understand and apply production and editing techniques for newspaper, radio, television and Internet
- 32 CE - Knowledge and mastery of the image and its communicative abilities
- 45 CE - The ability and capacity to give a creative form to a journalistic message
- 46 CE - The ability and capacity to create and develop graphic components
Learning outcomes of the subject
The students:
1. They will handle graphic editing software.
2. They will know how to use graphic resources in journalistic or communication projects.
3. They will become familiar with journalistic design in line with the structural reality of the sector.
Syllabus
Module 1: Introduction to Design
1. Graphic Design: Characteristics and Elements
2. Color
3. Typography
4. Images
5. Composition
Module 2: The Principles of Artistic Composition
1. Division of Space
2. Unity
3. Emphasis
4. Balance
5. Direction
6. Continuity
7. Rhythm
8. Transitions
9. Movement
10. Figure-Ground Relationship
Module 3: Visual Communication
1. Problem Solving
2. Technical Problems
3. Semantic Problems
4. Effectiveness
5. Noise
Module 4: Composition of Text and Images
1. Introduction to Composition with Images and Text
2. Text Composition
a. Typographic Use and Function in Text
b. Typefaces and Characters
c. The Paragraph
d. Justification and Alignment
e. Line Length
f. Hyphenation
3. Composition of Images and Text
a. Visual Syntax
b. Balance
c. Tension
d. Leveling and Sharpening
e. Ambiguity
f. Attraction and Grouping
g. Positive and Negative
Module 5: Editorial Design
1. Typography and Legibility
a. Text Size and Body Type
b. Line Spacing
c. Line Length
d. Typographic Contrast
2. Grid
3. Visual Hierarchy
a. Typographic Sizes and Weights
b. Use of Color or Tonal Contrast
c. Strategic Placement of Elements
d. Separation using white space
4. Image and text-image relationship
5. Visual rhythm and coherence
6. Editorial style and identity
7. Color treatment
8. Format and medium
9. Technical quality and production
Module 6: Corporate Identity and Image
1. Introduction to corporate identity
2. Visual Identity Programs
3. Identity and Image
4. Corporate philosophy
5. Sign, Icon, and Brand
6. Symbol, logo, and color
7. Identity strategies
8. Visualization strategies
9. Principles
10. Basic construction of graphic identity
Module 7: Programs and Manuals
1. General structure
2. Basic units
3. Specific applications
4. Types of manuals
Teaching and learning activities
In person
Explanation of theoretical principles, case studies and technical procedures with practical exercises that strengthen the essence of each work platform will be combined.
The course is structured around individual practical short exercises. These exercises incorporate knowledge and concepts presented in class and help in formalizing the transverse exercise of the course, which is the Final Grade Project (in groups).
| TRAINING ACTIVITY | ECTS CREDITS |
| Focused Praxis. Handing in occasional exercises to learn theory through practice. | 0.6 |
| Lectures. In lectures, lecturers/professors not only transmit content or knowledge, but also, and above all else, attitudes, motivation, skills and values, etc. They also ensure that participants can express their opinions and arguments to the other students. | 1.0 |
| Coaching. Monitoring how students learn the content of the subject, either individually or in groups. In the coaching sessions, mistakes will be corrected, queries answered, and exercises and activities to achieve the established objectives will be suggested. | 0.4 |
| Meeting Point. Meetings will be organised with notable people from the professional and scientific fields or the international field, and students. These sessions will take the form of conferences, work sessions, discussions, or interviews, etc. | 0.2 |
| Practical workshop. A highly practical working activity, where students can acquire skills that are practical or also theoretical (intellectual skills, logical skills, critical skills, intellectual learning skills, study skills, quoting skills, etc). | 1.0 |
| Lab. Working groups that combine theory and practice. The aim of these is not to undertake already known techniques, but instead to make progress that is both theoretical and technical. These Lab sessions will culminate in the creation of a professional or semi-professional product. | 0.8 |
Evaluation systems and criteria
In person
First Session:
The assessment will be 100% practical, with the submission of various graphic design projects that will be explained throughout the course.
The faculty's regulations regarding spelling and plagiarism will be strictly enforced.
Second Session:
– Submission/assessment of practical exercises developed through continuous assessment (100%).