Module: Graphic Design

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Graphic Design
Module Code	ICT1018 (ITS: CM240)
Faculty	Humanities & Social Sciences	School	Communications
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	10

Description

This module will establish competency in graphic design. Students will use creative techniques to creative innovative works. They will investigate aspects of graphic design theory and concepts such as composition, colour, shape, line, type and layout. These concepts and theories will be applied to practice-based contexts to develop design strategies and rationales. This module contextualises graphic design within critical studies in visual culture. This module will contextualise graphic design within economic contexts. It introduces concepts of social design.

Learning Outcomes

1. Demonstrate knowledge of graphic design theories
2. Demonstrate knowledge of graphic design concepts of composition, line, shape, colour, type and layout.
3. Demonstrate knowledge of graphic design in economic and social contexts
4. Implement the appropriate use of graphic assets and techniques in a body of work.
5. Communicate effectively in written or other non-oral formats, adapting to the audience profile as required. (Communicative Competence DACS)
6. Demonstrate awareness of one's communication abilities, including areas for development. (Communicative Competence DACS)

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	36	Lectures
Seminars	214	Seminars, project and self-practice
Total Workload: 250

Section Breakdown
CRN	10819	Part of Term	Semester 1
Coursework	100%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	N
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Kata Szita	Module Teacher	István László, Trish Morgan

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Portfolio	n/a	100%	n/a

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Indicative Content
Graphic design concepts, graphic designers, design contexts, economics of design, doing good design - social design.

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Ellen Lund: 2010, Thinking with Type, 9781568989693
edited by Nicholas Mirzoeff: 0, The visual culture reader, 0415252229
Terry Jeavons, Michael Beaumont: 1990, An introduction to typography, Apple Press, London, 1850762031
preface and introduction by William A. Ewing: 2005, reGeneration, Thames & Hudson, London, 0500285829
Martin Kemp: 2000, Visualizations, University of California Press publisehd by arrangement with Oxford University Press, Berkeley, 0520223527
Christiane Paul: 0, Digital art, 0500203989
Charles H. Traub, Jonathan Lipkin: 2004, In the realm of the circuit, Pearson Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, N.J., 9780130936745
Brian Winston: 1996, Technologies of seeing, British Film Institute, London, 0851706010

Articles:
None

Other Resources

1: DVD, Helvetica,
420698: 1, DVD, Graphic Means,