The basics of design

Subject description

Selected topics from the history of graphic design. Art and science, design and technology.
Graphic elements, colour theory, composition – practical work: visual studies, colour studies.
Typography: the basics and the principles of use.
Structuring of the graphic layout with visual and typographic elements.
Digital image and the principles of montage of images.
Structuring of the message according to the communication medium and with respect to the social context of the communication.
The concept of interactivity in new media.
Designing of user interfaces: – 1. with focus on the innovative concept of the human-computer interaction design; – 2. with focus on the effective visual communication of the graphical elements of the interface that guides the interaction.
Data visualisation. Project work.
The Adobe software package: practical work.

The subject is taught in programs

Objectives and competences

The aim of the course is to introduce the students of computer and information sciences to the elements of visual language and the strategies of visual communication. The students will employ design methods to conceptualize new media interfaces, they will be able to effectively use graphic design elements to visualize data and present the contents of electronic documents and web pages.

Teaching and learning methods

Lectures, practical work in school, project work at home. Emphasis on continuous work parallel to the lectures. Team-work experience on a complex multimedia design project.

Expected study results

After successful completion of the module, students will be able to:

– recognize the laws of visual expression,

– remember the elements of visual language and the principles of image composition,

– decode visual messages,

– use adequately typography and colour,

– use graphic design methods and the design software to design web pages, computer interfaces and visualize information,

– conceptualize, develop and realize a design product,

– interpret graphic design process as an integral part of the human-computer interaction design,

– explore the state of the art design solutions,

– test, evaluate and redesign own design projects.

Basic sources and literature

Data Flow: Visualising Information in Graphic Design. Berlin: Gestalten, 2008. Kubel, H., Williams, S.Type: New Perspectives in Typography. Laurence King, 2015.
Colborne, G. Simple and Usable Web, Mobile, and Interaction Design (Voices That Matter). New Readers, 2010.
Lal, R. Digital Design Essentials: 100 Ways to Design Better Desktop, Web, and Mobile Interfaces. Rockport Publishers, 2013.
Manovich, L. The Language of New Media. MIT, 2001.
Samara, T. Design Elements: A Graphic Style Manual. Rockport Publishers, 2007.
Tufte, R. E. The Visual Display of Quantitative Information. Graphics Press LLC, 2001.
The Design Annual.
Virtualni učitelji in priročniki za programe Adobe: Illustrator, Photoshop, After Effects, Premiere.