vcc.ca
VCDP 1110: Design Foundation
Effective date
January 2023
Department
Visual Comm Design Diploma
School
Trades, Technology and Design
Description
In this foundational course, students will learn design principles as they apply to graphic designers. Students will begin by exploring and identifying the roles and responsibilities of a creative team and the role of the graphic designer within that team. They will also develop informed use of colour schemes and harmonies, and then analyse different uses and functions of colour within a design project. Through the exploration of history, students will learn how to identify the main influential visual movements, which influence contemporary graphic designers. By critiquing their own and each other's work, students will develop terminologies and methodologies to analyze design. Design process and theories will be the focal points of this course.
Credits
3.0
Year of study
1st Year Post-secondary
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Course Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
- Describe the role and responsibilities of a graphic designer
- Describe the industry standard design process
- Describe, identify and apply basic design principles and colour theory
- Research and apply graphic design history to projects
- Discuss the value and impact of design across a variety of scales and contexts (culture, community, financial, environmental, social, etc.)
- Identify a designer's responsibilities in adhering to intellectual property laws and respecting cultural symbols, traditions, and expression
Prior Learning Assessment & Recognition (PLAR)
1. Interview with department to discuss previous experience
2. A portfolio assessment of previously completed related work OR
3. The demonstration of skills via the successful completion of 1-4 related projects/assignments similar to those completed in the course, chosen at the discretion of the department
2. A portfolio assessment of previously completed related work OR
3. The demonstration of skills via the successful completion of 1-4 related projects/assignments similar to those completed in the course, chosen at the discretion of the department
Hours
Lecture, Online, Seminar, Tutorial: 42
Practicum, Self-Paced, Individual Learning: 12
Total Hours: 54
Practicum, Self-Paced, Individual Learning: 12
Total Hours: 54
Instructional Strategies
A combination of lecture, demonstration, production simulations, problem solving, practical labs and reflective discussion will be used throughout this course.
Grading System
Letter Grade (A-F)
Passing grade
C
Evaluation Plan
|
Type |
Percentage |
Assessment activity |
|
Project |
30 |
Final project |
|
Assignments |
30 |
Assignments |
|
Lab Work |
30 |
May include in-class exercises, assignments, quizzes/tests, and work-in-progress |
|
Participation |
10 |
Participation and professionalism |
Course topics
- Roles and responsibilities of graphic designers
- Creative design process
- Design principles
- Colour theory
- History of graphic design
- Brainstorming and ideation techniques
- The cultural influence of design
Notes:
- Course contents and descriptions, offerings and schedules are subject to change without notice.
- Students are required to follow all College policies including ones that govern their educational experience at VCC. Policies are available on the VCC website at:
https://www.vcc.ca/about/governance--policies/policies/. - To find out if there are existing transfer agreements for this course, visit the BC Transfer Guide at https://www.bctransferguide.ca.