Swinburne University of Technology - Melbourne Australia
Future Students - Courses
Duration
Contact Hours
Campus
Prerequisite
Corequisite
1 Semester
36 Hours per Semester
Prahran
Nil
Credit Points: 12.5 Credit Points
To challenge participants to explore the distinctive principles and design processes of information design for print, for the web or for related standalone applications in multimedia design. To allow participants to investigate elements and methods that constitute a viable information design project, including concept and design development, design context, audience/user profile, technical requirements, project planning and project management. To enable participants to achieve advanced solutions in visual communication, through planned, systematic research collection, analysis and interpretation of information. To develop advanced understanding of design process and concept development for print and/or the web.
This is a lecture and discussion based unit of study with guest speakers where appropriate, group discussion of readings and research, and constructive critique of work in progress. Participants are expected to attend all seminars and present to the group.
100% project work. Assessable work comprises relevant design deliverables, documented evidence of contextual research, concept development, design process and rationale, plus the appropriate application of software. Project briefs clearly define conceptual parameters, detailed design deliverables, assessment criteria, presentation formats and due dates but participants are responsible for actively participating in this process to develop independently conceived projects and a sound understanding of assessment requirements. Formative feedback is given throughout the semester to allow participants to develop their work for final submission. Assessment occurs at the end of the semester and is based on the submission of a body of design work as specified in project briefs.
Graduates are capable in their chosen professional, vocational or study areas; Graduates are adaptable and manage change; Graduates are aware of environments in which they will be contributing;
Projects that will address diverse experiences in this most functional field of Communication and Multimedia Design, where design is the interface between the message and the user/reader. Participants respond creatively to a design brief to produce a print and/or web based project using information visualisation and interface design principles. These may include ‘wayfinding’ and signage systems or web design. Participants consider the structural and spatial organisation of information and issues of creativity, aesthetics and usability. The history of information design and the design innovations that have arisen out of digital technology are discussed.
Garrett, JJ, The Elements of User Experience, New York, AIGA New Riders, 2003. Jacobson, R (ed.) Information Design, Cambridge, MIT Press, 1999. Kinross, R ‘The Rhetoric of Neutrality’ in Victor Margolin (ed.) Design Disprogram, Chicago, University of Chicago Press, 1999, pp. 131-143. Meggs, PB, A History of Graphic Design, New York, John Wiley and Sons, 1998. Shedroff, N Experience Design 1: A manifesto for the creation of experiences, New York, New Riders, 2001. Tufte, ER Envisioning Information, Cheshire, Graphics Press, 1990. Tufte, ER Visual Explanations, Cheshire, Graphics Press, 2003. White, AW The Elements of Graphic Design, New York, Allworth Press, 2002. Wildbur, P & Burke, M Information Graphics, Innovative Solutions In Contemporary Design, New York, Thames & Hudson, 2001.
