IIEK AKMH

THE COURSE GRAPHIC DESIGN

IIEK AKMH

I.I.E.K AKMH | 2012

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AKMI is a private Institute of Vocational Training which operates in Greece and is recognized and supervised by the Greek Ministry of Education. The Institutes objective is to provide all types of vocational training, both initial and advanced, and to impart scientific, technical, professional and practical knowledge to its students in order to assure that they are well qualified and ready to integrate into the labour market. Training takes place at the Institutes facilities, as well as in businesses and industries. Each training year consists of two semesters (14 full weeks of training each semester). The first semester starts in October and ends in February and the second semester starts in February and ends in June. Students attend compulsory theoretical, laboratory and mixed lessons. They are assessed during the semester in the form of progress tests and at the end of the semester they take final examinations. The course on Graphic Design entails the study and application of the composition principles in order to create visual solutions for business applications. This course is taught 5 hours per week (70 hours per semester). Educational curriculum: 1) ASSIGNMENT: Harmony - Contrast (color schematic) APPLICATION: Composition of textures with color harmony 2) ASSIGNMENT: Composition Principles (point line straight line) APPLICATION: Composition of a decorative border using the basic geometric shapes 3) ASSIGNMENT: Simplification Schematizing -Symbolizing APPLICATION: Labeling logo. Combination of sign and logo

4) ASSIGNMENT: Layout APPLICATION: Entry (adaptation to magazine and newspaper)

5) ASSIGNMENT: Professional Uses APPLICATION: a) Card - Envelope - Letter (Corporate Identity) b) Invitation c) Folder d) Product packaging (box, spread & 3D) e) Book Cover 17*24 in spread

The Graphic Design laboratory course deals with the study and application of images and texts in the broader field of Graphic Design, using visual elements such as pictures, letters, texts and drawings. It is an introductory course and therefore no pre-requisite knowledge, IIEK AKMH page 2

apart from a secondary education degree, is required from students. Students, using their aesthetic culture, make their personal compositions such as posters, packaging for product promotion, illustration books etc. that meet certain requirements and depending on the capabilities of the designer, can be comparable to similar products. From the above, it is obvious that the creative work of a graphic designer, even though not exposed to art galleries or museums, is very important. It permeates our daily lives through the presentation of consumer goods and directly impacts the aesthetic level of society. Due to similarities in products, the involvement of the graphic designer is necessary in order to differentiate each of these products and therefore, secure a larger market piece. In addition, despite the technical means that modern technology offers, which result in new ways of working, the designer should be aware of their limitations and the production needs. For these reasons, the course curriculum is supervised and can be modified only by the Greek Ministry of Education which also certifies the students qualifications and professional rights. A graphic designer should have the necessary technical knowledge and be familiar with all the printing and production processes. He/she should also be able to provide the best presentation of the product, message or promotional concept and monitor the product developments as well as the changes in the prevailing ideological and thought systems. The job of the graphic designer is very important for the consumer society as it is directly associated with the promotion of ideas and consumer goods.

Based on the above, a graphic designers basic skills are:

A. Can carry out graphic design work based on the drafts of the artistic designer. B. Can create the model using various design techniques and graphic design software to create the final digital files. C. Can supervise the project during all stages of production (printing, bookbinding, etc.) He/she should also: Be familiar with the terminology of graphics and multimedia Be familiar with the stages of production of the printed material and the multimedia Be able to read and execute blueprints Be familiar with the operating systems Macintosh / PC Windows Be able to use peripheral supporting machines (printer, scanner, digital, modem, etc.) Be able to create draft pages with the use of computer Be able to enter text and pictures in the page Be able to intervene typographically in texts and pictures in the page Be able to intervene digitally in images Be able to design using digital tools Be able to use personal protection and hygiene

At the beginning of every semester, AKMI informs students about the educational material IIEK AKMH page 3

that the Greek Ministry of Education provides. The educational content corresponds to the market needs and gives students the skills and knowledge required. AKMI does not provide additional specialized educational material. In laboratory classes, students deal with the study and application of images, shapes and texts in order to create compositions that give specific messages. Under the guidance of their teachers, students learn how to use properly the educational material and thus, gain ease in handling experience. It is necessary to include in the course a special class on soft skills (communication and collaboration) in order to promote cooperation and entrepreneurship. In addition, the Institution organizes seminars in order to boost teamwork. More specifically, through the special class "Technical Communication - Entrepreneurship", students are taught the basic principles of Technical Communication (Part A) and the principles of Entrepreneurship (Part B). Below the modules taught once a week for 14 weeks are listed:

PART A: COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUES CHAPTER 1: COMMUNICATION 1. The Concept of Communication 2. Communication and Decision Making 3. Communication Models 4. Methods and Techniques of Communication 5. Individual, Interpersonal, Group, Mass Communication 6. Barriers to Effective Communication and how to Overcome them 7. The Channels of Communication in Businesses 8. Informal Communication and Rumor 9. Communication with the Staff

CHAPTER 2: SKILLS 1. Basic Principles of Individual and Group Psychology 2. Individual Behaviour within a Group 3. Teamwork Skills: behaviour, collaboration, conflicts and cooperation 4. Negotiating Skills: negotiating strategies and tactics 5. Personal Skills: personality skills, occupational skills, development, organization and presentation 6. Problem Solving and Decision making

CHAPTER 3: THE MEDIA 1. Historical Development in Greece and Other Countries 2. Oral Speaking (live-mechanical speaking) 3. Verbal Speaking (concept, discrimination, law, etc.) 4. Audiovisual (radio, television, cinema, etc.) 5. Other media (slogan, symbols, art, illustration, photography, poster) IIEK AKMH page 4

PART B: ENTREPRENEURSHIP CHAPTER 1: THE CONCEPT OF BUSINESS 1. The Characteristics of a Business 2. Categories and Sizes of Businesses 3. Business Planning 4. Contemporary and Future Problems of a Business: production, productivity, and competitiveness of a company CHAPTER 2: FUNCTIONS 1. Programming: setting objectives, policy formulation, development plans, setting procedures 2. Planning: administration, organizational forms (vertical, linear, administrative and horizontal) 3. Targeting 3.1 Objectives and motivation 3.2 Setting objectives for a segment. Identifying individual goals CHAPTER 3: MARKETING 1. Competition 2. Environmental Analysis 3. Marketing Information Systems 4. Segmentation of the Market 5. Packaging and Trademark of the product 6. Advertising (concept, elements, concept, program managers, codes) 7. Personal sales 8. Sales promotion

Graphic designers can work in the private sector such as advertising agencies, publishing companies etc. as well as in public sector organizations that include creative work.

IIEK AKMH

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