PLEASE NOTE: All CMIT modules have now been withdrawn,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.
Graphics 2
MIT3122 - 15 credits (formally MIT3110)
MIT3222 - 20 credits (formally MIT3210)
If you want to take this module without having first completed the Graphics 1 module then you can quickly review the course material at the Graphics 1 Module Plan (which will be linked from the plan as the module progresses). Most of the material relates specifically to the Graphics 1 assessments, but will provide background information that is useful for Graphics 2.
If a CMIT module clashes with one of your existing timetabled modules then please come and speak to us as we often run alternative sessions.
Logos and Brands
Introduction
We are surrounded by commercial graphical material; on products, packaging, in advertising, newspapers, films, television and magazines. This module examines the nature of commercial images with the emphasis on the design of logos. The role of computer technology and its use in creating artwork is central to the module and assessments.
There are two sessions each week:
- Face to face session Tuesday 3.00pm - 4.00pm in Queens Building Room 4.2.
- Practical session Tuesday 4.00pm - 4.45pm Queens Building computer room.
Slides and notes are made available from the module plan following each session in case you are unable to attend.
Discussion
Discussion will concentrate on the design function of logos, and business stationery.
Throughout the module, the emphasis is on the good and bad aspects of design and visual communication, i.e. the function of the visual device. The computer is regarded merely as a tool for generating images.
Students taking the module do not have to be able to draw, but clearly an interest in graphics and communicating using graphical material is necessary to get the most from the course.
The practical side of the course involves using a common graphics application called Inkscape, which is widely used in industry for drafting and generating pre-press material.
Inkscape is an open source application and can therefore be downloaded from the Inkscape website and intalled free of charge. With this program you will produce design work for your assessments. The CMIT computer room also has the full Adobe Creative Suite installed which includes Illustrator and Photoshop
You must have basic computing skills before starting the module; this means familiarity with Windows, word processing and the ability to learn new applications unsupervised.
Brief Syllabus Plan and Content
- Graphics, computers, design and methodology
- Branding and advertising; the role of the logo
- Typography; adding a 'voice' to a word
- Artwork, specification and pre-press techniques
- Classification of logos - a taxonomy of logo design characteristics
- What makes a logo effective and successful?
Teaching/Learning Methods
The module has both the traditional academic elements of undergraduate modules (lectures, discussion and essay-writing) as well as practice in IT skills.
Assessements
MIT3110 (15 credits)
- A commercial brand design task comprising logo, business stationery and critique presenting the design
- A 2000 word essay chosen from a list of titles
Submitted as a portfolio during the May assessment period. There is also an optional submission date during the semester when feedback on a draft of the critique can be obtained.
MIT3210 (20 credits)
- A commercial brand design task comprising logo, business stationery and critique presenting the design
- A 2000 word essay chosen from a list of titles
- An additional 2000 word essay
Submitted as a portfolio during the May assessment period. There is also an optional submission date during the semester when feedback on a draft of the critique can be obtained.
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 graphic design publishing. It has provided openings for several students into graphic design companies and publishing houses both in England and abroad and has given others places on postgraduate design and publishing courses elsewhere. It will also provide an understanding of the design and print processes found in many organisations and will provide evidence of an awareness of commercial activities.