Course Details

Course Information Package

Course Unit Title	VISUAL COMMUNICATION IN THE CONTEMPORARY ERA
Course Unit Code	GED103
Course Unit Details
Number of ECTS credits allocated	4
Learning Outcomes of the course unit	By the end of the course, the students should be able to: Understand how visual elements and principles of design are used to convey information. Define how colour is perceived by the human eye and describe how colour works to convey certain emotions and feelings. Describe how text is also a graphic element and how its use is critical to the successful design (typography as a visual element). Discuss how images are recognized and processed as part of human communication. Recognize how visual information is obtained through signs and symbols (be familiar with semiotics and the study of sings and symbols) and relate how metaphors and metonymies are recognized. Examine photography as a fairly new form of visual communication that was (and still is) the result of technological advances, and use photography to produce/ compose images for visual communication. Analyse images and demonstrate how images are used and interpreted as art. Evaluate how visual communication functions within the public spaces we visit throughout our lives and thus affects the way we act, feel and respond to our environment.
Mode of Delivery	Face-to-face
Prerequisites	NONE	Co-requisites	NONE
Recommended optional program components	NONE
Course Contents	Basics of communication: learning communication skills visual forms in the process of communication, critical skills and visual communication, visual mediums, visual arts, senders, receivers and symbols.   -  Elements and principles of visual communication: lines, shape and form, balance, size, perspective   -  The use of colour in images: primary, secondary and tertiary colours, contrasting, complementary and context of colours, colours and perception, colours in media and advertising, etc.   -  Typography as a visual element: evolution and timeline of letterfonts, type gallery, type terminology, type specifications, textual placement.   -  Photography: basic design principles and concepts that are used in photography, along with more technical information about actually taking photographs.   -  Metaphors, symbols and images: media and semiotics, signs, signifiers and signified, images, metaphors and icons, metonymy and cultural paradigms, codes and semiotic meanings, connotations, narratives and myths.   -  The use of the image in contemporary society, not only as representation but also as an integral part of society and culture (in the wider sense). Critical viewing of products of visual culture.
Recommended and/or required reading:
Textbooks	Lester, Paul Martin (2013). Visual communication: images with messages. USA: Wadsworth
References	Berger, John, (2008). Ways of seeing. UK: BBC and Penguin books. Κοκογιάννης, Κ. (2011). Η «γραμματική» του οπτικού κειμένου και η έμφυλη διάσταση του αποτυπώματός του σε παιδιά προσχολικής ηλικίας, Το βήμα των κοινωνικών επιστημών, Τεύχος 60, σελ. 137-157. Wells, L. (επιμ.) (2007). Εισαγωγή στη φωτογραφία. Αθήνα: ΠΛΕΘΡΟΝ
Planned learning activities and teaching methods	The module is taught with a variety of approaches/methodologies: lectures, students’ presentations, visits, virtual visits (workshops). Lecture notes and presentations are available through the e-learning platform for students to use in combination with the textbook.
Assessment methods and criteria	Assignments 65% Final Exam 35%
Language of instruction	Greek
Work placement(s)	NO