Computer Graphics Workshop

Objectives

• To provide students of Audiovisual Communication with a powerful work tool, such as infographics, that complements written, photographic and audiovisual communication.
• To train students to learn to communicate visually and to understand and create different types of infographics. This way, they can develop their work transversally in periodical publications, for companies and in the field of marketing or for social networks.
• Provide theoretical and practical knowledge inherent to the development of design, highlighting the treatment of static and dynamic information graphics as new expressive forms of information media.

Learning outcomes

• Applies knowledge to problem solving in complex, professional and specialized work environments that require the use of creative and innovative ideas.
• Identify your own training and organizational needs in all types of contexts.
• He/she is competent in the general use of ICT and especially in technological environments specific to the professional field.
• It develops in contexts of virtual interaction through the use of ICT.
• Correctly apply the basic graphics editing software package.
• Correctly and creatively develop graphic editing processes for materials of communicative interest in paper or virtual format.
• Uses basic elements of graphic communication in the creation processes and adapts them to the purposes and objectives of the product.
• Correctly construct visual communication messages for informational use.
• Learn the process, tools and graphic resources for creating an infographic.
• Create infographics for print periodicals.

Competencies

General skills

• Acquire skills in project design and management by making appropriate decisions and using problem solving strategies.
• Organize and plan tasks related to professional performance through proper time management and timing of these tasks.

Specific skills

• Apply the theoretical and practical principles (composition techniques and procedures) to the fields of infographic, photographic, cinematographic, television and hypermedia communication.
• Operate in a variety of computer and digital environments for traditional communication disciplines, in written and audiovisual formats, and also in new online contexts.

Basic skills

• Students can apply their knowledge to their work or vocation in a professional manner and have competencies typically demonstrated through drafting and defending arguments and solving problems in their field of study.
• Students have developed the learning skills necessary to undertake further studies with a high degree of independent learning.

Core skills

• Display professional skills in complex multidisciplinary contexts, working in networked teams, whether face-to-face or online, through use of information and communication technology.

Content

1. Introduction to infographics
   • History
   • Description
   • Function of infographics in audiovisual media
   • New audiovisual discipline
   • Technology at the service of infographics
   • The infographic artist, the infovisualizer
2. Information design and infographic process
   • Information analysis
   • The documentation
   • The scene of the crime and the witnesses
   • The outline and the storyboard
   • The balance between function and form
   • The communicator-infographer
   • Group work
3. Infographic elements
   • The human figure
   • The infomap
   • Geographical representation
   • The mega infographic
   • Diagrams and icons
   • Visual support tools
   • Motion graphics
4. Graphic variables
   • Hardnews and softnews infographic, data visualization
   • Tendencies
   • Illustration as an infographic resource
   • Photography as an infographic resource
   • Typography, color and coherence
   • Introduction to online infographics and their possibilities: infovisualization

Evaluation

Face-to-face classes and practices:

• Participation observation: 10%
• Monitoring of work done: 10%
• Tests, exams and quizzes: 10%
• Project completion: 70%

It is advisable to consult the work plan in the Moodle classroom.

Methodology

• Continuous strategy of working with real and current topics throughout the course, which involves producing publishable works.
• That the student can begin, from the beginning of the course, to add samples to his or her own resume.
• Students receive continuous information throughout the course and outside of class hours about the latest trends, technological developments and programs for creating infographics.
• Continuous practice that allows you to understand and analyze any type of infographics.

Bibliography

Key references

• Aicher, O. Kramper, M. (2003). Sistemas de signos en la comunicación visual (2003 ed.). GG Diseño.
• Costa, J. (2002). La Esquematica, visualizar la información (2002 ed.). Paidos.
• Holmes, N. (2004). The Best in Diagrammatic Graphics (2004 ed.). Rotovision.

Further reading

Teachers will provide complementary bibliography and compulsory reading throughout the course via the Virtual Campus.