Examination arrangement

Course content

This course provides an introduction and practical training in various forms of visual communication. The teaching is aimed at different ways of conveying information and knowledge, using presentations, posters and videos. The course provides the candidate basic knowledge of visual communication through theory and ideas from graphic design and communication studies. Combined with relevant design tools and insight into how aesthetics can help support a message, the candidate will have a good basis for improving the visual communication in their work.

Learning outcome

Knowledge

The candidate

• Has insight into how human attention works and why visual tools work in dissemination work
• Has an overview understanding of different theories of visual communication and ways of thinking graphic design
• Has basic knowledge of principles for universal design of visual communication
• Has insight into copyright and the use of others' image material in presentations, posters, videos, etc
• Has a solid basic understanding of how to use graphic software and tools to create and produce adequate visuals
• Understands what a target audience is, why it is important and how to focus their communication for that target audience

Skills

The candidate

• Can independently design and produce a higher quality visual presentation of their knowledge, while also making it reader friendly.
• Can discuss and show knowledge around various visual communcation and design theories and ways of thinking.
• Can understand the importance of universal design in visual communication, as well as produce visual communications that support universal design.
• Can adequaltely design reader-friendly figures, tabels, illustrations, and data visualizations to be used in PowerPoints, texts, posters and videos.
• Can demonstrate proper citation for images and the use of other creator's and designer's work in their communications, while adhering to and understanding copyright laws.
• Can develop a message based on a target audience, and then focus and produce visual communications specifically to that target audience.

General competence

The candidate

• Has general competence in layout, aesthetics, and typography
• Has knowledge of various dissemination situations, ranging from lectures (conferences, teaching, guest lectures, etc) to publications (articles, theses, dissertations, etc)

Learning methods and activities

The course has a combination of lectures and practical exercises. These will give the candidate the knowledge and practical skills to disseminate professional knowledge.

Further on evaluation

The portfolio consists of three submissions:

1. Infographic poster (45%)
2. Video presentation (45%)
3. Reflection note (10%)

The infographic poster and video (ca. 1 min in length) will present a popular science theme of the student's choosing, such that a broad spectrum of people will be able to understand it. The reflection will describe the candidate's thoughts and impressions around visual communication. The process and progression of the semester is not to be considered in the assessment. The three submissions will be delivered at specific times throughout the semester, as the candidates will have the opportunity to receive feedback and guidance from the lecturer, the teaching assistants and/or each other. The three submissions, after feedback and guidance, will be submitted to the external examiner at the end of the semester. The deadline for the final exam will be posted on Blackboard at the start of the semester. All submissions will be individual submissions, and will be the basis for grading.

For a re-take of an examination, all parts of the portfolio must be re-submitted. Re-take of examination can be done in the following semester.

Recommended previous knowledge

Students are expected to be 4th year or 5th year master's students.

Required previous knowledge

No specific previous knowledge is required.

The course may be chosen as a complementary course during semester 7 or 9 for Engineering students.

Course materials

Course material and litterature will be announced on the course pages on NTNU's learning platform.

Credit reductions