Course details

Summary

This graphic design online course introduces you to the principles of promotional artwork.

Effective promotional artwork is both eye-catching (visually appealing, attention-grabbing) as communicative - transferring an intended message, idea or emotion to the viewer. Successful promotional artwork has an effect that is directly connected to its purpose.

Posters need to be clear and concise, giving information quickly and be legible (easy to read), especially from a distance. Sometimes designers may choose to put greater emphasis on aesthetics than on legibility, depending on the poster’s purpose. In most situations though, you will want your audience to be able to take in the information without too much effort.

Flyers allow for more detailed information as people can take them home and decide/read more later.

Great promotional artwork is likely to be so because of its conceptual and/or visual ingenuity. It has the power to remain interesting long after the first time you have seen it. The lasting power of designs can usually be contributed to a combination of some of the following characteristics:

• an original and clever concept
• a balanced, well thought-through composition
• eye-catching imagery and/or typography
• creative, stylish use of design elements
• clever application of design principles
• inventive, well-targeted copy/content

In this course we will explore all of these ‘ingredients’ and will also discuss layouts, design briefs, colour use, prepress settings, image interpretation and responsible design.

The courses have a project-by-project structure. You will be graded by your project submissions. There are four main projects to work on in total. In addition to that you will have the opportunity to engage in weekly activities online that support your learning.

What will I learn?

Develop, explore, document and communicate ideas within the context of promotional artwork design projects, and experiment with a range of digital media and graphic design approaches, materials and tools in the development of project work.
Create promotional artwork design solutions using selected specialist digital media and graphic design techniques and software in set projects.
Investigate, critically analyse and discuss key historical and contemporary theoretical and philosophical ideas and issues surrounding graphic design, and the influence of social, economic, technological and political forces on art/ design practices using set criteria.
Use a wide range of research skills, strategies and methodologies and information from a diverse range of sources to select, discuss and present relevant historical and theoretical information related to graphic design practices and their application to studio/theoretical projects; use terminology appropriately and present assignments to the required academic standards.
Present promotional artwork design studio work in a specified format and environment according to the requirements of the project brief(s).

Further study

This programme can be credited towards the

• New Zealand Diploma in Arts and Design (Level 5)
• Bachelor of Arts and Media (Visual Arts and Design)

Programme structure

Project 1: Alternative movie poster

A fun introduction into the world of promotional design with a big emphasis on self-expression and experimentation

Project 2: Promotional poster & flyer for specific region in New Zealand

Introduction to the process of creating imagery and working with typography and an (imaginary) client

Project 3: Artwork for a non-profit organisation or charity

Creating artwork to raise awareness while inciting action from your audience

Project 4: Commercial artwork for a product, business or service

Entry criteria

Academic requirements

Applicants under the age of 20

A minimum of 42 credits at Level 3 or higher on the New Zealand Qualifications Framework (NZQF), including at least 14 credits at NCEA Level 3 (or equivalent) in each of two subjects, of which at least one relates to English; and at least one is from the subject list below; with a further 14 credits at Level 3 or higher taken from no more than two additional domains on the NQF.

Subject list: Design, Painting, Printmaking, Graphics, Technology, Sculpture, History of Art, Photography, Media Studies, Design (Practical Art), Graphics, English, History, Music Studies, Social Studies, Painting (Practical Art), Photography (Practical Art), Printmaking (Practical Art) , Sculpture (Practical Art), Technology, Drama, Or

Successful completion of a recognised art/media foundation programme or equivalent, for example the Certificate in Arts and Media.

Applicants aged 20 years or above

No academic qualifications are required.

English language requirements:

All applicants must have a level of English sufficient to be able to study at the level at which they enter the programme. Those students whose first language is not English will have:

An International English Language Testing System (IELTS) overall Academic Band score of at least 6 (with at least 5.5 in each component), issued within the last two years;

Or

An equivalent qualification.

TOEFL Paper based test (pBT) - Score of 550 (with an essay score of 5 TWE)

TOEFL Internet-based test (iBT) - Score of 46 (with a writing score of 20)