Introduction

1. Introduction Graphics 1 Pictograms and Signs

2. Introduction • contact information • format of the module - times of sessions etc • aims of the module • assessments - work required, weightings and deadlines • software used for generating the assessments • resources - useful books and web sites • practical tutorials - log in to the network and find the tutorials; CMIT PC room .

3. contacts and rooms • Daryl Smith – module coordinator, face to face sessions • d.smith@exeter.ac.uk • Room BG25 or CMIT Tutors’ room (150 opposite) • Carole Lewis – practical sessions, submissions • c.e.lewis@exeter.ac.uk • Room 151 • mailing list; cmit-graphics1@exeter.ac.uk • includes all of us • please us it for discussion, sharing information, etc • Queens Room M computer room – practical sessions • Queens LT4.2 – face to face sessions .

4. format of the module • regular meeting: 3.05pm - 3.55pm Queens LT4.2 • practical sessions: 4.05pm - 4.45pm PC room • go through the tutorials and worksheets • work on your assessment design task; we’ll try to help if you have questions • other sessions may be arranged on an ad hoc basis • see module plan for outline • http://services.exeter.ac.uk/cmit/modules/graphics1/plan.php • slides etc will be linked from the plan .

5. aims of the module • the module will not; • teach you how to draw… • …or require that you are able to draw in order to score well • the module will; • discuss some of the issues that underlie graphics communication • look at how we read signs, how we gather their meaning and… • …how we can make ourselves understood by using graphics • allow you to develop a portfolio of practical work which you can use with your CV to demonstrate your ability • let you have lots of fun learning to use the software! .

6. subject areas we’ll draw on • Cognitive Science • the study of the mind; perception, intelligence, action, and their relation to consciousness • Semiotics • ‘the study of signs…’; signs can be images, texts, body language, symbols, etc • Information Graphics • the use of images to convey information (specifically without language…) .

7. assessment – a portfolio comprising; • Essay • approximately 2,000 words from a choice of titles • Design Task • design a comprehensive sign system for the Olympic Games using pictograms • provide a 2,000 word critique of the system, your rationale, the process of its creation, its specification • 20 credit module • an additional essay from the list or • two design tasks .

8. assessment • The Portfolio • no marks awarded for the portfolio itself, however... • ...the presentation of your work, for a module about graphics, will obviously impact on the overall mark • don't spend hours and hours or large sums of money • do make sure that your work is coherent, tidy, well structured and pleasing to look at: • "With the best will in the world, no-one with an interest in graphics can view a shoddy portfolio without drawing an unconscious conclusion about the quality of the work it contains." .

9. assessment • The Essay • contributes 33% of the total marks for the assessment • nominally 2,000 words but length less important than content • use illustrations if helpful to the argument • use layout to enhance the work (this is a module on graphic design after all...) • select from a list of titles from the CMIT web pages. If there's a title you'd like to see then let me know before week 8 • "The essay should demonstrate a thorough understanding of the topic, and provide evidence of a high level of analysis of the chosen approach" .

10. assessment • The critique • contributes approximately 50% of the total marks for the assessment • aim for 1,500 - 2,500 words - content much more important than length • use illustrations to show the progression of your design during the semester • by all means carry out straw polls, surveys, data analysis, etc to bolster your discussion • "The critique is your opportunity to demonstrate to the External Examiner that you have put 100 hours of effort into your design throughout the semester, rather than 10 hours the day before the deadline!" .

11. assessment • The pictogram system design • contributes the remainder of the total marks for the assessment • comprises a set of pictograms suitable for use in the Olympic Games • show mock-ups of the pictograms and signs in situ – buildings, stadiums, etc – demonstrate your bitmap graphics skills • if you want to, generate further signs in the same, or a complementary, style for use at the various venues - transport, food and drink, telephone and internet spots, conveniences, etc • "The sign system design and the implementation of the pictograms is the culmination of the assessment work, not the work itself." .

12. software - Inkscape • open source vector graphics application • latest version 0.46, new version out soon • powerful – similar to Adobe Illustrator, Corel Draw, Xara Xtreme • download and use free of charge, contribute to the project with bug reports, documentation, etc if you like • includes tutorial to help you learn basics • knowledge gained using Inkscape will transfer to other packages • simple interface; concentrate on learning vector graphics principles • open source implementation means you can download it to use at home • frequently used in industry for ‘prototyping’ and ‘proof of concept’ • ideas quickly sketched up in Inkscape, imported into studio’s standard setup for finishing • Supports SVG file format – international open standard .

13. software – GIMP, Irfanview • GNU Image Manipulation Program (GIMP) • open source bitmap graphics editor like Adobe Photo Shop • many professionals claim that it's superior to any commercial package… • …however the interface is quirky • available in CMIT computer room, and can be downloaded and used free of charged • Irfanview • small, neat graphics viewer / converter • not open source but free for non-commercial use • lots of features to help make life easier for those involved with graphics • ‘batch processing’ – can save hours on repetitive tasks • again has a slightly quirky interface .

14. software – Adobe Creative Suite • 'industry standard' graphics design suite • provides vector and bitmap graphics, layout, web design, flash, PDF • latest version CS4 • a version will be installed in computer room • very complex integrated package with enormous functionality • takes a long time to master • expensive to buy, needs powerful machine • arguably the best solution for complete graphic design package… .

15. resources • CMIT Bibliography • http://services.exeter.ac.uk/cmit/modules/bib/ • lots of tutorials available on the web (use Google), eg • http://www.ndesign-studio.com/resources/tutorials/stylish-vector-flower/ • http://www.blog.spoongraphics.co.uk/tutorials/creating-road-maps-in-adobe-illustrator • http://photoshopcontest.com/tutorials/26/displacement-water.html • lots of blogs and forums… • …but be careful of using them as authoritative sources • we will refer to some during the module .

16. resources - journals • Computer Arts • University Library P 001.6405 C30 • Graphics World • University Library P 705 G18

17. resources - books • Pictograms Icons & Signs • Abdullah, Rayan and Hubner, Roger; Thames and Hudson, 2006 • Copy in the office • £12.99 from Amazon

18. resources - books • Visible Signs • Crow, David; AVA Publishing, 2007 • Copy in the office • £23.70 from Amazon

19. resources - books • Visual Communication • Baldwin, Jonathan; Roberts, Lucienne; AVA Publishing, 2006 • Copy in the office • £18.99 from Amazon

20. resources - books • Information Anxiety 2 • Wurman, Richard Saul; QUE, 2001 • Copy in the office • Hard to find, sometimes secondhand from Amazon or Ebay

21. any general book about graphics is useful…