Graphic Design Studio Practice

years 1 and 2

Language of instruction: Hungarian
Course requirements: The completion of assignments by the given deadline, participation in consultations.
Method of evaluation of coursework: continuous consultation, end-of-year exhibition
Marking method: based on evaluation of semester?s work
Exam requirements: practical mark
Teaching methods: working with students on an individual basis
Recommended study methods: continuous graphic work with continuous consultation
Role of the course within the specialist training scheme:
Professional training and basic training in drawing run parallel, and connect with relevant practical and theoretical topics: introduction to traditional printing techniques, graphic design, the history of advertisement, advertisement psychology. The use of painting tools and instruments, introduction of graphic techniques (line, colour, tone), rhythm exercises with lines and factures. Compositional studies (rest, movement, points of intersection, etc.), implementation of decorative compositional exercises, graphic articulation of colour and form, montage and collage techniques, material prints, colour theory and aesthetics.
Course description, major areas of study (per semester):
Semester 1
1.1.
Introduction to graphic design, analysis-synthesis, naturalistic drawing (analysis = learning), studying and interpreting natural forms through drawing. Hyper-realistic delineation. Pictogram (simplification, characterisation, synthesis). Emblem. Change, analysis, elaboration with continuous consultation.
1.2.
Illustration. Poster with chosen motif. Ethics and aesthetics in content and form.
Semester 2
2.1.
Modelling graphic design problems. Self-characterisation with the unique tools of poster. Complete freedom in terms of form and method.
2.2.
Large format twelve-page-calendar with colours and abstract forms.
2.3.
Emblem and logo design. Summing up studies completed thus far. Usability, recognisability, persuasion.
Free choice of topic.
Semester 3
3.1.
Introduction to the history of book printing. Introduction to the techniques, history, and integrated methods of relief printing, photogravure, planography, lithography and offset. The relationship between and potentials of graphic art techniques and graphic methods. Creating artwork with the acquired techniques.
3.2.
Theatre poster: instead of providing a visual narrative of the play, a symbol, sign or idea characteristic of the play is to be created. The technique depends on the above. Designing extraterrestrial, fictitious beings ? populating an uninhabited planet. The objective is to stimulate the imagination.
3.3.
Book. The book as a tool of crucial importance in the history of humankind. Poster, emblem, mock-up. Book market. Mural exercise: graphic designed for exhibition, interior design problems. Space-forming graphics or advertisement on a firewall.
Semester 4
4.1.
Stamp design. Familiarisation with technical requirements unique to stamp design.
4.2.
T-shirt ? pack. Possibilities for the visual expression of absurd messages.
4.3.
Poster. Theatre, film, music, circus, etc. Students apply their own style and the skills and knowledge learned thus far. Illustration. Chosen freely; all the skill and experience of the past two years are to be used.

years 3-5

Language of instruction: Hungarian
Course requirements: Class attendance, completion and presentation of the graphic design assignment by the given deadline, self-familiarisation with the relevant literature.
Method of evaluation of coursework: Evaluation of the individually completed graphic design exercises during consultation. Continuous supervision of the quality of work. The work done in the studio and the personal work relationship between the professors and the students ensure the continuous supervision and correction of the student?s work. The students of the Graphic Design Program take exams and participate in practical work in accordance with the growing requirements of each successive year. The work done during the examined period provide the most comprehensive picture of the training process and the results achieved in accordance with the qualitative requirements. The defence of the diploma work and thesis takes place before the University?s audience and the distinguished external specialists invited.
Marking method: The completion and presentation of the assigned graphic design exercises by deadline is a basic requirement for obtaining a mark. The mark is dependent on the quality of the assignment work in accordance with the standards of the field.
Exam requirements: practical mark
Teaching methods: consultations on certain days of the week
Recommended study methods: Studio practice, regular attendance of consultations, continuous survey of relevant literature.
Role of the course within the specialist training scheme: Teaching Graphic Design is an integral part of the University?s general program and objectives. The Graphic Design Program provides students with a high-level specialist training, which relates well to practical life, as well as a comprehensive artistic view and technological competence. Within the universal human and national culture, the training is aimed primarily at the receptivity for artistic values ? within the greater framework of universal and national culture ? which make it possible to use these values for furthering the creative activities and goals of graphic design and the fine arts.
Course description, major areas of study (per semester): semesters 5-6
Complex individual exercise series, mandatory requirement: (launched in the 2004/2005 academic year)
Responsible faculty: Ágnes Rozmann
Semesters 5?6: 4 class sessions per week plus the time required by studio practice where students complete the given assignments (determined on individual basis) and consultation whose time allocation corresponds with graphic design studio practice for the 5th and 6th semesters.
Workshop practice in the 7th semester
End-of-semester evaluation:
Class participation, keeping assignment deadlines, evaluation of practical work, problem-solving to an adequate professional standard are all basic conditions for acquiring the end-of-semester signature.
Semester 5: signature
Semester 6: signature
Workshop practice in semester 7: signature
Description of the complex individual exercise series:
The aim of the exercise series is to develop and cultivate students? keenness for the conscious use of resources and means in their creative work while using information technology important for graphic design. The use of computer technology is unavoidable for today?s graphic designers. Computer technology has a tremendous advantage: the applications are easy to learn and offer infinitely rich image-creating possibilities to the user. Its disadvantage: the applications are easy to learn and offer infinitely rich image-creating possibilities to the user ? even if he or she has no experience with the conscious image-making process. The consequences of this are noticeable in the visual communicational aspects of our everyday life. The visual noise load of our environment has been considerably enhanced by the wide-spread use of computer technology. From a technical perspective, the production and reproduction of printed, moving or interactive image material is simple and quick. Today, the majority of the students who enter higher education are already familiar with computer technology applications. The emphasis, therefore, is not on teaching computer use; it is on developing and cultivating students? keenness for the conscious use of resources and means. Computer technology can only become a tool of creation if in subservience to the process of creation. For this reason the strengthening of consciousness within the creative process is an important training task in a field where the use of computer technology cannot be ruled out by virtue of the nature and peculiarities of this field.
Completion of the 6-unit, cumulatively successive, complex graphic design exercise series provides students with an opportunity to develop the conscious use of resources and means. The order of the modules is not alterable. The central topic of the exercise series is to design and produce the student?s professional self-image (symbol if visual identification, business card, stationary, leaflet for individual exhibition, CD cover and label for CD version of professional portfolio) and professional portfolio.
Semester 5 /1
Basic elements of self-image personal visual identity: symbol if visual identification, business card, stationary, leaflet for individual exhibition, CD cover and label for CD version of professional portfolio (Preparation of professional portfolio designed for publication takes place later, modules 5 and 6)
- design, presentation of designs in mock-up form (object-making)
Related use of tools and techniques: graphical vector applications
Semester 5 /2
Photographing the maquette of self-image elements ? object photography
- photography studies for conscious image-making: photographic tools for designing emphasis in image, introductory photography exercise, conscious handling of depth of focus, lighting, cutting
- introduction to (digital) photography
Photography exercise on a certain day of the week on a one on one basis in parallel with the class session. The students prepare the digital object photo of their own professional image and, in the process, become familiar with the tools required for setting the depth of focus, lighting and cutting. A specialist trainer of photography oversees and assists in the student?s work on the photography exercise series. (This exercise, due to its time-consuming nature, extends into the next semester.) Since the photographs are to be added to the illustrations of the professional portfolio, all students must complete the exercise by the end of February.
Related use of tools and techniques: traditional and digital photographic equipment, pixel-graphic (photo) applications
Semester 5 /3 in parallel with the previous
Collection and digitalisation of possible image material for professional portfolio
- use of the more important image digitisation equipment
- preparation of digitised image for various purposes
- vector and digital image handling: characteristics, potentials, comparison, advantages and disadvantages of
Related use of tools and techniques: pixel-graphic (photo) applications
Semester 6 /1
Designing of own professional portfolio according to size and printing technique specifications
- designing the structure of contents (image and text), script-making with sketches and outlines, for the time being, without a computer
- digital processing of elements of text and image contents based on the script
- functional grouping of DTP programs, introduction to their potentials, advantages and disadvantages
- layout-design ? editing program, preparation of multiple design variations
Archiving digital material produced during the designing phase for personal purposes, major points of consideration:
- arrangement of digital material during the designing process (handling of digital raw material)
- arranging and retaining the digital material of the completed design
- digital material for purposes of professional publication
- advantages and disadvantages of various data mediums
Related use of tools and techniques: editing, pixel-graphic (photo) and vector-graphic applications
Semester 6 / 2
- completion of editing of professional portfolio, practising the use of the editing program - preparation a publication for offset printing
- preparation for publication in PDF format (for CD or WEB)
Related use of tools and techniques: editing, photographic and vector-graphic applications
Workshop practice in the 7th semester
(Specialist practice in September of the following academic year, built on the previous two semesters)
Completion of the interactive WEB publication of the professional portfolio
2-week intensive course, 2x5x4 class sessions
Related use of tools and techniques: animation and WEB-designing applications (with invited instructor)
Semesters 5-8
Individual creative and research work
Topics of the creative and research work: image design (corporate identity), poster design, calendar design, CD, home page design, publication editing, design, packaging, book design, emblem and logotype design, classical illustration, specialist illustration, technical illustration, scientific illustration, photographic and lighting procedures, classical photo distortion procedures, computerised image-manipulating procedures, computer design, research of areas of the field, which have been opened as a result of the image-making possibilities presented by computer technology, the integration of these areas into graphic design education, modelling of designed spaces, animation in virtual space. Based on the individual research and taking into account the social-artistic connections of design work as well as the determinative nature of design space, the preservation of the unity of educational perspective is a requirement of the Program, in accordance with the traditions of Hungarian graphic design education. Students are expected to productively participate in prominent international and domestic competitions, exhibitions and biennials. Students are given the opportunity to deepen their involvement in numerous areas of speciality within the field of graphic design. The problems 1) of the fundamental areas of speciality within this large field, 2) of theoretical, creative-design and research 3) of technical implementation and realisation, are chosen so as to allow for creative and research programs to be formulated within each area. Furthermore, this method of problem selection ensures that, within the framework of the training, the areas of speciality (built on various studies) provide students ? whose main mode of expression is graphic design and who are capable of high quality artistic work in graphics ? with the opportunity for creative and research work in accordance with their individual interests and abilities. Students are introduced to the main areas of application of silkscreen print and photography, within a freely chosen topic they can familiarise themselves with photographic procedures, the use of tools, equipment, raw materials, and films, techniques of post-treatment, contact-making, enlargement, photogram-making, taking photographs, image modifying procedures, object photography, lighting, the techniques of setting light and object, distortion, makeup, solarisation and montage-making. Students also gain experience in the use of computer graphics applications.
Successive course units follow a cumulative structure, their order is not alterable. The specialist and artistic training is linear.
Semesters 9-10
Workshop Module D, preparation of diploma work
The objective of Workshop Module D is to have the students work out diploma plan- theme variations, from which, after consultation, the topic of their diploma work will be selected.
The students of the Graphic Design Program take exams and participate in practical work in accordance with the growing requirements of each successive year. The defence of the diploma work and thesis takes place before the University?s audience and invited external specialists. The work done during the examined period provide the most comprehensive picture of the training process and the results achieved in accordance with the qualitative requirements. The diploma work in graphic design provides the students with an opportunity to sum up and give account of their work up to that point and to give it validation at a high artistic standard. Students are required to decide, based on their tutor?s recommendation, which area of speciality they wish to work in. Following this, they must submit the one-year program of the selected subject in writing. The task is an in-depth study, artistic representation and technical presentation of the graphics subject. Continuous work supervision and consultation ensures the successful completion of the diploma work.
Requirements regarding the diploma thesis
- 10-20 typewritten pages (illustrated), bound in two copies, submitted by the established deadline.
The thesis must include:
- The diploma program from start to finish
- The gathering and research work undertaken towards the diploma work
- The explanation, justification for the selection
- The introduction, description (illustrated) of the artistic program, the area of speciality and its objective.
- Introduction of the technique used in the implementation of the program.
- The research procedure that was required for the technical realisation
- Properly presented bibliography of the literature referred to and quoted
Following the completion of semesters 9-10, students publicly defend their exhibited diploma work before the Final Examination Board, and answer questions raised by the members of the Board in reference to the diploma work. Students also defend the thesis (which was prepared in parallel with the diploma work) and answer the questions posed in reference to it.