DG1S001 - Graphic Design Principles 01 Sep 2023 - 31 Aug 2028 | Version 1

Associated Module Information

Module Code: DG1S001
Module Title: Graphic Design Principles
Faculty: Faculty of Business and Creative Industries
Faculty Group: Games and Design
Faculty Sub Group: Design
Module Leader: Sarah Down
Module Team: Rachel Grainger, Emma Marshman, Ryan Preece, Stephen Leadbetter, Emma Marshman
First Intended Intake: SEP 2023 Final Year of Intake:
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 20 Credit Level: 4
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 100061 - graphic design
HECOS Code Weighting: 100

Document Version Information

Version 1
Valid From 01 Sep 2023
Valid To 31 Aug 2028

Module Aims

To support you in the recognition and application of common design principles through a practice-based learning

To provide you with key skills that serve as a foundation to remaining creative practice within the curriculum

Content Summary

This module introduces you to the principles of Graphic Design and marks the beginning of your creative practice.

During this introductory module, you will undertake a series of exciting workshops that are designed to encourage a greater awareness of how commercially practicing designers employ principles to design effective pieces of visual communication.

You will learn to recognise principles in practice, through lectures, visual research, and critical reflection of effective design examples.

Along with learning how to recognise and explore common principles, such as layout, hierarchy, colour, type, you will also be encouraged to demonstrate a basic command of elements to create contrast, repetition, unity, rhythm, emphasis, to assist visual strategies.

You will be expected to put principles into practice during this module as you face your first creative design challenge. You will be expected to show evidence of your creative thinking and explore / combine a variety of principle combinations as you create visual responses to communication challenges.

The module lecture programme will primarily consist of lectures, practical classes and workshops that will allow you to explore the many principles of graphic design through an immersive learning experience. You will be given the opportunity to apply the skills learnt to your first design brief as you undertake and exciting design challenge

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Lecture 8
Practical classes and workshops 16
Supervised time in studio/workshop 12
Independent Study 100
Directed Study 64
Total Hours Selected 200

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Recognise practical skills associated with graphic design through a range of visual experimentation.
LO2 Select and apply design principles in response to independent communication design challenges.

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Asynchronous Assessment Practical Coursework 2 (Asynch) A digital sketchbook that evidences your design process and response to a design challenge 0 N/A 30 No 40
Asynchronous Assessment Practical Coursework 1 (Asynch) A digital sketchbook evidencing a series of graphic-based workshops: documenting your immersive learning experience, demonstrating your ability to deliver solutions to a range of visual problems 0 N/A 70 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
Practical Coursework 2 (Asynch)
Practical Coursework 1 (Asynch)

Reading List

Adams, S. (2019) Designer’s Dictionary of Type. New York: Abrams

Adams, S. and Helfand, J. (2017) The designer’s dictionary of color. New York, NY: Abrams.

Baskinger, M. and Bardel, W. (2013) Drawing Ideas. Watson-Guptill Publications.

Berger, J. (2008) Ways of seeing. London: Penguin.

De Soto, D. (2011) Know your onions: graphic design. Amsterdam: BIS Publishers

Fletcher, A. (2001) The art of looking sideways. London: Phaidon.

Hofmann, A. (2019) Graphic Design Manual. Sulgen: Niggli Verlag.

Mülller-Brockmann, J. (1999) Grid Systems in Graphic Design. Sulgen: Niggli Verlag.

Leborg, C. (2022) Visual Grammar. New York: Princeton Architectural Press.

Trunk, J. (2019) Own Label: Sainsbury’s Design Studio: 1962 - 1977. Edited by D. Murray and S. Sorrell. London: FUEL Publishing.

Johnson, M. (2002) Problem solved: how to recognize the nineteen recurring problems faced in design, branding, and communication and how to solve them. London: Phaidon.