BA (Hons) Graphic and Communication Design

Assignment Sheet
Title: Digital and Developing Technologies
Module: Digital Studies Duration: 12 studio sessions + private
Code: BFDGDE104 study
Delivery & Assessor: Start date: 19/09/2017
Chris Thompson Formative Assessment: 12/12/2017
Summative Assessment: 08/05/2018
Reference number: BFDGDE104
IV signature Date

Rationale
An understanding and ability to use industry standard computers and
software applications in the design process is essential. This module helps
students to place digital technology within the design process, whilst
allowing them to explore the creative potential of industry standard
software packages and to become proficient and confident in the use of
computers. It emphasises the proliferation of alternatives and variants
offered by developing technology and the critical need for editing and
selection supported by considered and structured design investigation of
concepts.

Module Aims

1. Explore a range of industry standard software packages (Adobe

Creative Suite) methodically, and provide an appreciation of the
relationship between software packages.

2. To demonstrate an understanding of the design process and the

importance of editing and selection to refine a final design/concepts.

3. To demonstrate an investigation of the creative potential of software

applications within graphic design

4. To develop an introductory understanding of digital presentation and its

potential applications within graphic design.
Learning Outcomes

1. An understanding of the design process by producing progressive

roughs and research material

2. An elementary understanding of software packages, their relationship

and file formats by producing a sequential range of work that explores
digital drawing, vector graphics, image manipulation, simple typography,
page layout, web design and motion graphics

3. Explorative, creative use of the software and clear evidence of selective

editing towards a final design solution and development of concepts

4. Ability to save and store files for a selection of design possibilities and to
present work logically and clearly using digital printing and online
presentations

The Brief:

For this brief, you will be taking part in a series of Digital workshops using
the full range of Adobe 2D print design software, Photoshop, Illustrator and
InDesign. Each workshop will focus on specific software and will include a
demonstration, investigation into design inspiration and emerging
technologies and a mini project for you to test your newfound skills.

Your portfolio of evidence will be presented digitally in the form of an

online site, which must include the following elements for each individual
workshop:
Research looking at emerging technologies and cutting-edge
design work;
Initial ideas and sketches taking photographs and uploading;
Creative visual development and experimentation;
Documentation of all your digital processes - this should be in the
form of screenshots with appropriate notes;
Sophisticated presentation of outcomes - using multiple formats
where appropriate and mock ups; and
Evaluation of skills learnt and software used.
Each week you will be required to produce a creative outcome. For those
wishing to develop their knowledge, skills and creativity even further there
are a series of extend tasks you could choose to complete during your self-
directed study time.

Schedule of work:

Week Tasks
19/09/17 Adobe Illustrator Icon Design
26/09/17 Adobe Illustrator Typographic posters
03/10/17 Adobe Illustrator Pattern repeat
10/10/17 Adobe InDesign Headline Recreation
17/10/17 Adobe InDesign Editorial Spread
23-27/10/17 Self-Directed Learning
31/10/17
Adobe Illustrator A-Z typeface creation
07/11/17
14/11/17 Adobe Photoshop - Bootcamp including layers, blending modes,
21/11/17 retouching and masking. Graphic River templates and mock-ups.
28/11/17 Tablet and pen
05/12/17 Adobe Autopsy
12/12/17 Review and Catch up session. Extending skills in 2D print software

Suggested websites to visit for illustrations/graphics:

Relevant Links:
www.computerarts.co.uk/tutorials
www.digitalartsonline.co.uk/tutorials/
www.computerarts.co.uk/tutorials/create-dynamic-distortion-effects
www.computerarts.co.uk/tutorials/single-shot-hdr-effects
www.sixrevisions.com/photoshop/26-professional-photoshop-retouching-tutorials/
www.brusheezy.com/
www.mrmalique.com/index.php/tutorial-how-to-create-your-own-clones/
www.youtube.com/christofurtuts

Inspiration:
www.soemone.com/
Non Format
Behance
www.digitalphotoshopretouching.com
http://abduzeedo.com
Reading List

Digital Illustration: A Masterclass in Digital Image-Making (Paperback)

by Lawrence Zeegen (Author) Rotovision (29 Jul 2005)
Kimmel, A. J. (2006) Marketing Communication: New Approaches, Technologies, and
Styles. Oxford University Press, USA.
Zappaterra Yolanda, (27 Sep 2002) Editorial Design: For Print and Electronic Media,
RotoVision.
Helfand Jessica, (Nov 2001) Essays on Graphic Design, New Media, and Visual Culture,
Princeton Architectural Press.
Adobe Creative Team (2013) Design with Adobe Creative Cloud classroom in a book:
basic projects using Photoshop, InDesign, Muse and more. San Francisco, CA.: Adobe
Press. Anton, K.K. and Cruise, J. (2015) Adobe InDesign CC classroom in a book. San Jose,
CA.: Adobe Press.

Faulkner, A. (2015) Adobe Photoshop CC classroom in a book. San Francisco, CA.:

Peachpit. Jago, M. (2015) Adobe Premiere Pro CC classroom in a book. San Jose, CA.:
Adobe Press. Maivald, J.J. (2015) Adobe Dreamweaver CC classroom in a book. San
Jose, CA.: Adobe Press. Wood, B. (2015) Adobe Illustrator CC classroom in a book. San
Francisco: Adobe Press. Wood, B. (2013) Adobe Muse classroom in a book: the official
training workbook from Adobe systems. Berkeley, CA.: Adobe Press.

What you will need for assessment

Students normally submit two pieces of coursework in an organised

portfolio in accord with the published project brief, each accompanied
by research material, visual roughs and development work, backup files
and finished visuals.

1. An organized portfolio of all workshop developments from Illustrator,

InDesign and Photoshop. This is to include research for each
workshop, development or rough sketches outlining your ideas,
screenshots or diagrams documenting the processes that you have
undertaken to create your workshop outcomes and your final
outcomes. This should be presented as a website, created using
weebly.com, with creative and consistent design and layout.

2. All final outcomes from each workshop to be presented using

appropriate and sophisticated presentation techniques (Mock Ups)

3. 500-word case study on emerging technologies in the design

industry.

4. Completion of the Adobe Autopsy quiz to measure your

understanding of the 2D software