Visualising Environments

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2014:

120 hours

ABPL20048 Visual Communications

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

This subject in the Environments degree will help students understand, digest and communicate visual information. Students will be trained using clear and concise methods to become visually literate using creative information skills and techniques which will be taught to create and shape meaning of ever-expanding databases and information. This will be taught using both digital and traditional graphic and communication skills.

Students will learn how to create and read flow charts, architectural, urban planning, urban design and landscape diagrams, schematics and technical illustrations and make information easier to understand. This will apply across all Environments streams.

The subject will demonstrate digital and traditional functions and depict sequences of hierarchies, associations, relationships, interconnections and links with many diverse approaches suitable for application in diverse disciplines.

Course content will develop graphic skills gained through lectures and practice during tutorials to encourage personal expression, visual interpretation of materials and visually understanding the world. Students will select modules to develop specific skills in digital and traditional mediums.

Visualising Environments will provide the necessary skills to visually communicate critical and analytical thinking for the identification and resolution of problems. The subject will teach diagrammatic and visual means to clarify complex issues. The subject will offer a series of modules, such as the following, so students can choose those most relevant to their needs:

o Computer-aided drafting (auto CAD)
o Computer 3D modelling (Rhino)
o Digital photography and image manipulation (Photoshop)
o Digital presentation layouts (InDesign)
o Digital drawing (Illustrator)
o Watercolour
o Life drawing
o Model making
o Professional presentations and concepts

Students will choose three modules from the list above. In addition to the modules, students will attend 8 weeks of 1-hour lectures and 3-hour studios. These will provide the necessary skills to visually communicate critical and analytical thinking for the identification and resolution of problems. The subject will teach diagrammatic and visual means to clarify complex issues.

Students will learn how to create flow charts, diagrams, schematics and technical illustrations, as well as digital and freehand drawing. The offerings include:

o Mind-maps and storyboards
o Freehand drawing of the environment
o Representing 3D form using orthogonal drawing
o Analytical diagrams
o Explanatory drawings
o Colour in visual communication
o Pictorial drawings using perspective
o 3D representations using perspective

At the completion of this subject students will be:

o practiced in visualising skills for conveying information relevant to their study area;
o able to apply creative concepts and practical, analytical visual skills for problem solving;
o able to demonstrate innovation and creative communication using drawing and technological skills;
o able to develop self-confidence and visual communication skills necessary for vocational achievement;
o proficient in technologies for the acquisition, processing and interpretation of data; and
o able to understand the contextual social, historical and technical language in their study area.

Progressive assessment upon submission of each exercise.

• Classwork = 55% (studio work assessed week by week)
• 3 modules @15% each = 45%

Submission dates will be clearly stated at the start of each semester.

Final folio of semester work for moderation session, graded H1, H2A etc.

TBA

This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

• Bachelor of Arts
• Bachelor of Biomedicine
• Bachelor of Commerce
• Bachelor of Music
• Bachelor of Science

You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.