| Description: | This course is essential for all students that, either as beginners in graphic design or with previous experience in digital graphics, desire to learn the secrets of "good design". The aim of the course is to assist students in developing intellectual skills and familiarity with the rules which underpin the creation of graphic works that convey both aesthetic quality and communicative power. The course is structured into a series of projects, lectures, analyses and drawing exercises which, through the application and study of design theories, aim at offering students a methodology for solving graphic and visual projects. Topics include: B/W techniques, layouts and grids, colours and shape balance, mirror and rotational symmetries, repetitive patterns, archetypes and primary shapes, fonts and typography, studies of visual languages and cultural backgrounds, analysis of styles and artwork, rules to derive families of shapes and colors, formats and harmonic proportions such as the diagonal of the square, icons, logotypes and trademarks, studies of 3D models and packaging. The course places emphasis on the learning of graphic design principles and concepts that are independent from the tools used for production (digital or manual techniques). There is a focus on learning from the great tradition of Italian design, and the student is encouraged to make the most of the visual and cultural experience offered by the city of Florence. NOTE: it is recommended that students who need to learn the basics of digital techniques take GRA 185 Digital Graphic Techniques Fundamentals concurrently. |