Selective studio course (24 credits)

The student develops her/his own individual major project plan, where he/she defines what she/he wants to achieve by using visual communication. The choice of major project can range from a personal presentation of the student, a portfolio to wayfinding / information graphics. The project can be solved digitally or analogue (web / screen based or print). Requirements for the major project will be handed out. The student shall hand in the project description and plan, and this must be approved by the course teacher.

The students on this course will be trained at communicating content to defined target groups in a range of diverse situations, with different tools and for varying media. The students will investigate the field of visual communication in a wide perspective as well as in depth. The exercises range from exclusive use of pictures/text/oral presentation forms to combinations of these.

The course emphasizes the creative process, the communication value, and uniqueness of the project as well as presentation techniques.

Ability to reflect over the various qualities of his/her own work, design and presentation of content to a defined target group. The student shall be able to describe the desired effect that the content should have upon the target group, and be able to choose the best tools to obtain this in digital and analogue media.

The course is based on lectures, work-shops and presentations with critiques. In addition to the major project, the course consists of several experimental assignments and deliveries.

• Diverse assignments relating to the various themes.

• Project plan with milestones.

• Sketches. Experimenting and researching of different solutions.

• Design of the final solution, testing and improving

• Presentation of the project.

The course consists of lectures and workshops on themes such as typography, legibility, visual identity, photo, use of image and layout in relevant media

The final delivery is an oral presentation of the students individual major project. The presentation shall be handed in in an appropriate file format and uploaded on moodle. In addition, all assignments and deliveries during the course shall be uploaded on moodle.

The course is assessed as pass/fail, subject to the Regulations for Master’s degree programmes at Oslo School of Architecture and Design, § 6–14.?

The course will be evaluated based on the students project description, their individual major project, on the presentation of this together with the other assignments in the course. In addition the students involvement and contribution to the group as a whole and participation (minimum 80%) is a part of the assessment.

The students work will be evaluated on quality and level of relevance, creativity, communication value towards the defined target group.?

By creativity we mean: level of personal expression and experimenting with possible solutions, choice and use of technical solutions and media.?

By communication value we mean: does the chosen solution communicate the students goals to the defined target group in the chosen situation and in the desired way.?

Under relevance we mean: critical reflection around choices taken and their appropriateness in relation to form and content and desired effect.

Mandatory reading:

Lupton, E. (2004). Thinking with type: a critical guide for designers, writers, editors, & students. New York: Princeton Architectural Press.

Recommended reading:

Ambrose, G., & Harris, P. (2005a). Colour: n. the sensation produced by rays of light of different wavelengths, a particular variety of this. Lausanne: AVA Publishing.

Ambrose, G., & Harris, P. (2005b). Format: n. the shape and size of a book etc. Lausanne: AVA Publ.

Ambrose, G., & Harris, P. (2005c). Image: n. the optical appearance of something produced in a mirror or through a lense etc. Lausanne: AVA Publishing.

Ambrose, G., & Harris, P. (2005d). Typography: n. the arrangement, style and appearance of type and typefaces. Lausanne: Ava Publ.

Ambrose, G., & Harris, P. (2006a). Print & finish. Lausanne: Ava Publishing.

Ambrose, G., & Harris, P. (2006b). The fundamentals of typography / Gavin Ambrose & Paul Harris. Lausanne: Ava Publ.

Ambrose, G., & Harris, P. (2007). The layout book. Lausanne: AVA.

Ambrose, G., & Harris, P. (2008). Grids: n. a structure or pattern of lines used to guide the placement of the elements of a design. Lausanne: AVA Publ.

Ambrose, G., Harris, P., & Young, X. (2005). Layout: n. an arrangement of parts etc. according to a plan. [Lausanne]: Ava Publishing.

Arden, P. (2003). It's not how good you are, it's how good you want to be (pp. 128 s.). London ; New York: Phaidon.

Aslaugberg, G. J. (2003). Innføring i Flash MX. Oslo: IDG Norge Books.

Baines, P., & Haslam, A. (2005). Type & typography. London: Laurence King Publishing.

Bringhurst, R. (1996). The elements of typographic style. Point Roberts, Wash.: Hartley & Marks.

Hellmark, C., & Klev, T. (2000). Typografisk håndbok. Oslo: Spartacus.

Johansson, K., Lundberg, P., & Ryberg, R. (2001). Grafisk kokebok: håndbok i grafisk produksjon. Oslo: Gan.

Mollerup, P. (1998). Marks of excellence: the history and taxonomy of trademarks. London: Phaidon.

Rybakken, B. (2004). Visuell identitet. Oslo: Abstrakt.

Spiekermann, E., & Ginger, E. M. (2003). Stop stealing sheep: & find out how type works. Berkeley, Calif.: Adobe Press.

Wiedemann, J. (2005). Web Design: portfolios. Köln: Taschen.