Introduction to Visual Communication Online Short Course
Course description
Course overview
Visual communication brings together many different specialist areas, including illustration, typography and photography. This inspiring course explores them individually and looks at how to put them together for the greatest impact.
From posters, packaging and signage to social media and websites, you will learn how visual communication informs the way we see the world, and how you can use it to say what you want to say, in a way that will be heard.
As well as the creative process, we will look at software and production during the course. A practical assignment will be set and discussed in class.
Who this course is for
The course is suitable for anyone who wants to learn about visual communication and its influence on a variety of mediums.
Key information
Topics covered
- Principles of design and visual literacy
- Composition and layout
- Typography including letterpress
- Using and adjusting photographs and making composites
- Illustration
- Analysis and assessment of visual communication
- Professional workflow and working to a brief
- The primacy of vision
- Theories including figure-ground theory – Gestalt, message theory, culture-dependent theory and semiotics
- Focusing on your audience, and the context of design
- Layout principles including the rule of thirds, golden section and hierarchy of information
- Colour principles
- Branding
- Information design
- Accessibility in design
- Generating concepts, and the importance of starting with analogue means
- The importance of ideas before considering technique
- Production
- An introductory demonstration and discussion of Adobe Creative Cloud as the industry standard software
Learning outcomes
- Acquired basic skills to create designs that are impactful and individual
- Been introduced to the principles of design and visual literacy
- The ability to analyse visual communication and design
- A better understanding of project development from concept through to production
- Been introduced to how production informs design
- Basic knowledge of the practical use of Adobe InDesign, Illustrator and Photoshop
- Receive a digital badge and certificate of attendance
Materials
- Notepad and pen
Please see our Guide to taking online short courses
Tutor
Steven Johnson
Steven Johnson has worked professionally in the Visual Communication field for over 25 years. In that time he has had experience in many areas of the discipline, including Production, Retail, Branding and Advertising. His particular interest lies with Letterpress work, and the tactile qualities of Print. He was a Partner in a successful Visual Communication business, and has been a freelancer for the last 12 years. His clients have ranged from large corporate companies to small charities, and has worked extensively in the Arts sector.Book a course
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