Credit Points: 15
Study Time: 150 Hours

This unit will introduce you, through practical projects and lectures, to screen based communication and an appreciation of the changing role of technology in the contemporary creative industries.

You will explore the relationship between media, message and context. Expanding on the work achieved in Visual Thinking and Ideas Generation, you will be introduced to digital design opportunities, practices and methodologies, as well as undertaking research activities, tutorials and workshops to expand your knowledge of the potential of screen based media as a means of communication. Through this work you will have the opportunity to develop motion graphics that explore issues such as: rhetoric, ethics, persuasion, identity, sequence and narrative.

Through this you will develop skills of information design, navigation, user participation, viral media and the implications and opportunities afforded by ever-expanding design contexts.

Outline Syllabus
An indicative guide to the content covered by this unit. 

• Design for screen based media. 
• Planning, organising and structuring content for screen based media: research methods, storyboarding, flow charts and visual journals. 
• Exploration of the context of motion graphics: to explain, to inform, to comment, to promote. 
• The purpose, meaning, effectiveness and use of interactivity and screen based media as a means of communication. 
• The impact of digital technology within a social, ethical, political and cultural context. 
• Inter-relationship between traditional creative visual communication and screen based media.

Method of Delivery
Studio-based studies supported by study notes, critiques, lectures, seminars, tutorials and demonstrations.

Aims

A1 To provide you with an understanding of how digital technologies relate to your role as a visual communicator.
A2 To explore the potential of image, text, sound and motion in a digital environment to communication ideas effectively.
A3 To understand the importance of planning, structuring and analysing within screen based media.
A4 To provide you with the necessary technical skills and knowledge in order to communicate ideas and concepts within screen based media.

Learning Outcomes
On completion of this unit you will be able to:

LO1 Demonstrate an understanding of the role of the designer and the user within contemporary society.
LO2 Demonstrate your ability to understand and exploit the use of image, text, sound and motion in order to produce creative solutions in a screen based environment.
LO3 Demonstrate your ability to analyse tasks, plan and structure content in order to convey meaning to the user.
LO4 Demonstrate that you can apply the appropriate technical knowledge in order to communicate ideas and concepts within screen based media.

Reference Material

Key
Tufte, E. (1990) Envisioning Information, Graphics Press USA
Klanten, R. (2008) Data Flow: Visualising Information in Graphic Design, Die Gestalten Verlag
Klanten, R. (2010) Data Flow: v. 2: Visualising Information in Graphic Design, Die Gestalten Verlag
Helfand, J. (2001). Screen: essays on graphic design, new media, and visual culture. New York: Princeton Architectural Press
McCandless, D. (2010) Information is Beautiful, Collins

Recommended
Woolman, M. (2005) Type in Motion 2: No. 2, Thames & Hudson
Begleiter, M. (2001). From word to image: storyboarding and the filmmaking process. CA: Michael Wiese
Bellantoni, J. (2000). Type in motion: innovations in digital graphics. London: Thames and Hudson
Drate, S. & D. Robbins (2007) Motion by Design, Laurence King
Curren, S. (2001). Motion graphics: graphic design for broadcast and film. Rockport, MA: Rockport Press
Walter, S. (2008) Motion Blur 2: Multidimensional Moving Imagemakers: v. 2, Laurence King; Pap/DVD edition
ONEDOTZERO (2005) Motion Blur: Graphic Moving Imagemakers, Laurence King
McLuhan, M. (1994). Understanding media: the extensions of man. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press
Donoldson, T. (2008) Shapes for sounds, Mark Batty Publisher
Codrington, A. & Poyner R (2003) Kyle Cooper, Monographics
Troika; Freyer, C; Noel, S; Rucki , E (2008) Digital by Design: Crafting Technology for Products and Environments, Thames & Hudson

Magazines and Journals
Baseline // Computer Arts // Digit // Eye Magazine // Graphik // ID // Internet // .net