course-details-portlet

TPD4116 - Visual Communication

About

Examination arrangement

Examination arrangement: Portfolio
Grade: Letter grades

Evaluation Weighting Duration Grade deviation Examination aids
Portfolio 100/100

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 of various visual design theories and techniques, as well as tools one can use to convey professional knowledge
  • Has insight into copyright and the use of other’s image material in presentations, posters, video, etc.
  • Has basic knowledge of principles for universal design of visual communication
  • Has a solid basic understanding of how to use graphic softwares and tools to create and produce adequate visuals
  • Understands what a target audience is and how to focus their communication of their field of study 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 and based on principles for universal design.
  • Can adequately design reader-friendly presentations, poster and videos.
  • Can adequately design reader-friendly figures, tables, illustrations, and data visualizations to be used in powerpoints, texts, posters and videos.
  • Can prepare visuals for presentations, posters and texts through use of various graphic softwares and tools.
  • 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 is taught through video lectures, feedback sessions (in-person and/or digital), and practical exercises. These will give the candidate the opportunity to experience a design course in its structure. The candidate will have the opportunity to work on their projects throughout the course while receiving feedback for improvement.

Further on evaluation

The portfolio consists of three submissions: an infographic poster, a video presentation and a concise reflection. The poster that will be produced will be based on the idea of conveying a message of instruction, more specifically a "how to" poster to a broader audience. The video will be focused on the student’s own area of current study, will give them experience of sharing their own tacit knowledge with a broader audience. The reflection will argue the student’s choices and decision-making around their own visual designs. The process and progression of the semester will not be considered in the assessment. Rough drafts of the three submissions will be delivered at specific times throughout the semester, to give the student an opportunity for feedback and guidance from the lecturer, teaching assistants and/or each other. After feedback and guidance, the three submissions will be submitted at the end of the semester. The deadline for the final exam will be posted to Blackboard at the start of the semester. All submissions will be individual submissions and will be the basis for grading. 45% of the grade will be the poster, 45% will be the video and 10% will be the reflection.To retake the examination, all parts of the portfolio must be re-submitted. A postponed examination can be done in the following semester.

Course materials

Course material and literature will be announced on the course’s Blackboard page.

Credit reductions

Course code Reduction From To
TPD4114 5.0 AUTUMN 2023
More on the course
Facts

Version: 1
Credits:  7.5 SP
Study level: Third-year courses, level III

Coursework

Term no.: 1
Teaching semester:  SPRING 2025

Language of instruction: English, Norwegian

Location: Trondheim

Subject area(s)
  • Design Methodology
Contact information
Course coordinator:

Department with academic responsibility
Department of Design

Examination

Examination arrangement: Portfolio

Term Status code Evaluation Weighting Examination aids Date Time Examination system Room *
Autumn UTS Portfolio 100/100 INSPERA
Room Building Number of candidates
Spring ORD Portfolio 100/100 INSPERA
Room Building Number of candidates
  • * The location (room) for a written examination is published 3 days before examination date. If more than one room is listed, you will find your room at Studentweb.
Examination

For more information regarding registration for examination and examination procedures, see "Innsida - Exams"

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