About

Course Description
The purpose of this course is to introduce to students advanced topics in Visualization, Information Design and Editorial Design. It aims to support students to strengthen their visual language to be able to create design related concepts for various media. Students will explore visual representations of information, data and knowledge with an emphasise on effective design principles in order to create graphics that communicate clearly and effectively but have a high level of aesthetic value at the same time. Through diverse exercises, research, lectures and case studies students will appreciate topic related problem solving skills and gain a comprehensive overview of the history and contemporary practice in the areas stated above. Basic design skills and knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite are expected.

Course Rationale
The unique quality of a good designer is not only the ability to create clear and effective communication but also the competence to add an extra value by using outstanding graphics to support the meaning of the topic. Therefore students must broaden their excellence to visualise various kinds of content in a creative and individual way by appreciating different concepts of visual communication. In addition they must be willing to extend their technical skills and adapt to the changes of an extremely fast changing technical environment.

Information Aesthetics addresses issues that are useful for all disciplines of Visual Arts – ranging from design practices to fine arts. However, it’s principles are especially useful for Exhibition Design and Illustration.

Mode of Tuition
The course will be taught through a dynamic teaching approach, i.e. a combination of lecturing, assignment critiques, classroom discussions and hands-on sessions.

Intended Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, students will be able to:

1. Reflect the history and the contemporary development of specific topics in Information Design and transfer it as a framework into the own work;
2. Conceptualise a complex visualisation and develop it through several steps and into various media;
3. Synthesise their knowledge of Visual Arts with the process of gathering, filtering, and presenting information;
4. Demonstrate the useful range of methods being used to create Information Graphics;
5. Identify suitable tools from other fields and their application for the purpose of Information Graphics – approaches; and
6. Creatively work and communicate in a team/group.

References

1. Jacobson, Robert. Information Design. Camebridge: MIT Press, 2000
2. Maeda, John. The Laws of Simplicity. Camebridge: MIT Press, 2006
3. Mueller-Brockmann, Josef. Grid Systems in Graphic Design. Zurich: Verlag Niggli, 1985.
4. Tufte, Edward R. The Visual Display of Quantitative Information, 2nd edition. Cheshire: Graphics Press, 2001
5. Tufte, Edward R. Envisioning Information. Cheshire: Graphics Press, 1990
6. Tufte, Edward R. Beautiful Evidence. Cheshire: Graphics Press, 2006
7. Wilson, Stephen. Information Arts: Intersections of Art, Science, and Technology. Camebridge: MIT Press, 2003
8. Wurman, Richard Saul. Information Achitects. Zurich: Graphis Press, 1984
9. Samara, Timothy. Making and Breaking the Grid: A Layout Design Workshop. Beverley: Rockport Publishers, 2005