PLEASE NOTE: All CMIT modules have now been withdrawn,
and are unavailable for the 2010/11 academic year
These web pages and lecture notes are left as reference for those students
requiring CMIT modules to complete their programme only, and are not an
indication of modules currently offered.
Computer Aided Publishing II
Printed Media Design
MIT3104 - 15 credits
MIT3204 - 20 credits
and part two of MIT3302 - 30 credits
During the module you will learn how to design and prepare a variety of types of material for publication. Most aspects of printing and publishing are covered, from the inital design idea through to the published item. This includes the choice of size and shape for the media, style of lettering and how illustrations are incorporated. The design of newspapers, magazines and CD packaging is discussed.
To place modern publishing practice in context, the history of printing, typesetting, production and design are looked at.
The practical side of the course involves learning an industry-standard typesetting program (Adobe InDesign or PageMaker - the choice is yours) running on IBM compatible computers. You will produce a number of pieces of design work using the typesetting software.
You should normally have taken MIT3103/3203 Computer Aided Publishing I before starting the module.
No previous art or design skills are required, but you are expected to have an interest in the design and history of printed material.
Brief Syllabus Plan and Content
Semester Two
- Typography - the finer points
- PageMaker or InDesign - advanced techniques
- The use of illustrations and editing them using Corel PhotoPaint or Adobe PhotoShop
- The design of newspapers, magazines and CD packaging
- More avant garde design - new directions.
Teaching/Learning Methods
The module has both the traditional academic elements of undergraduate modules (lectures, discussion and essay-writing) as well as training in practical skills (learning how to use PageMaker or InDesign and related hardware).
Timetable
There are two hours of classes per week:
- Lecture on Wednesdays from 1 - 2 pm, in Queen's Building - Room 1A
- Optional supervised practical, one hour - Wednesdays 10-11 and 11-12 - come to either or both. Queen's computer room, Latis room M.
Assessed by:
MIT3104 (15 credits)
Both are submitted as a portfolio at the end of week 3 of term three. There are also optional submission dates during the semester when feedback on provisional versions of work can be obtained. See deadlines for more details.
MIT3204 (20 credits)
- A 2000 word essay
- A CD design task, with 2000 word critique
- A second 2000 word essay or a second CD design with critique
All are submitted as a portfolio at the end of week 3 of term three. There are also optional submission dates during the semester when feedback on provisional versions of work can be obtained. See deadlines for more details.
Treatment of Personal Transferable Skills
The module will encourage students to develop many of the skills associated with self-management, communication, problem-solving and learning in general. In particular students will learn a wide range of publishing-related computing skills, usable in a wide range of other areas.
What you will get from this Module
The experience provided by the module has been shown to add to employment prospects generally and specifically in publishing, for it has provided openings for several students into publishing houses both in England and abroad and has given others places on postgraduate design and publishing courses elsewhere.