This course introduced me to the foundations of visual language and graphic design through simulated real-world design projects in a studio environment. We used current industry-standard hardware and software to develop visual media skills for both print and digital publication. I also had the opportunity to interact with commercial suppliers and see my work progress from concept to production.
Throughout the course, I was immersed in critical and theoretical perspectives, focusing on the role of 'producers and consumers' and the impact of communication technology on our global society. A major goal of the course was to support the growth of future communication leaders and influencers with a strong ethical foundation. The skills and knowledge gained in this course can be used as a foundation for those moving towards graphic design specialization or for using visual communication as a transferable skill with broad professional application.
I took ownership of my software skill development by accessing a range of online learning resources. The course emphasized 'learning how to learn' software, providing me with lifelong learning skills to adapt and build resilience as I emerge as a practitioner in a perpetually changing technological society.
In my past experiences, I've found that visual communication was a powerful force for driving new ideas. Accessing the tools that "make media" was crucial in a world that was constantly changing. I saw how it could influence society, such as shaping perceptions of body image, presenting sexualized imagery, and promoting consumerism. It also played a role in impacting the environment, through concepts like greenwashing, property development, and the transport industries. Furthermore, I observed its impact on culture, including its role in political campaigns, volunteerism, and the rise of social media.
This assessment gave me the change to integrate my technical skills and knowledge into a personalized and highly creative visual communication design project. By setting the weekly milestones of task, I was able to strategically plan my project in collaboration with peers and my tutor. This process concludes in an authentic, publicly published outcome. As I applied my skills and knowledge at this stage of the trimesters, the goal was to reach a level of proficiency comparable to that of a ‘junior graphic designer,’ aligning with current industry standards.
In this course, I developed the skills and knowledge necessary to create strong and resolved visual outcomes. While the course content was grounded in foundational graphic design principles, understanding visual communication proved beneficial across various design areas. During my time in the course, I encountered rapid technological changes, often requiring adapting to tools that could become obsolete before graduation. Staying current with the industry-relevant technology became essential.
Being a foundational course within the Design program, it supported the visual communication of my creative concepts, process work, resolved visualizations, and client presentations.
The pace of technological change is swift, particularly noticeable in the dynamic field of design. As a result, the primary emphasis of this course and its assessment lies in mastering the skill of ‘earning how to learn’ software. The focus is not on memorization of commands or knowledge of every software detail, but rather on the ability to quickly address questions and tackle problems with resourcefulness. The internet, deeply woven into our daily lives, plays a pivotal role. And a crucial aspect of this assessment involves developing proficiency in utilizing it as a valuable academic recourse.
In this course, I developed the skills and knowledge needed to create strong and resolved visual outcomes. The course was based on foundation graphic design understanding, but it also emphasized the importance of visual communication in any area of design.
During the course, I encountered rapid technological change, which meant learning tools that might become outdated before graduation. This underscored the need to stay current in my ability to use industry-relevant technology.
The course also highlighted how technology's evolution impacts communication and interaction with mass media. I learned not only to consume information but also to produce it professionally. This helped me understand the relational impact of my design choices.
As a foundation course in the Design program, it supported me in visually communicating creative concepts, process work, resolved visualizations, and client presentations.
Technology is changing at an increasingly rapid rate, and this was highly evident within the design industry. The software that was being taught then, might have been redundant by the time I reached graduation. Therefore, ‘learning how to learn’ software was a key focus of my course and final assessment. It wasn’t about memorizing a set of commands or understanding every aspect of the software, but rather knowing how to answer questions quickly, using initiative to solve problems with the available resources at hand. The internet had become such an ingrained part of daily life, and developing an understanding of how to use it as an academic resource was the key to that assessment.
