In this unit we explore composition and balance in images. To do this we investigate: • what is good composition in an image • the techniques used to achieve effective composition • visual weight • forms of balance: symmetric, asymmetrical, radial and mosaic • forms of symmetry: reflective, rotational, and translational • photographic balance: color, tonal and conceptual balance • the rule of thirds • improving balance using cropping in Photoshop. The concepts introduced will be for photographs, but they apply equally to any other visual medium – from painting to web pages.

Illustrator is a program that that enables you to create and to work with vector graphics. Suitable for Illustrator CS4, CS5, CS6 and CC on either a PC or a Mac. In these step-by-step activities we investigate: • the Illustrator workspace and basic operations • the difference between raster and vector graphics; common file types of each • fill and stroke • drawing lines and shapes; fill and stroke • selection and direct selection • using the pen, pencil, blob brush and paintbrush tools • the shape builder tool • tracing a line drawing and converting it to a vector graphic • Type tools: text, paragraph, path, and special effects • converting text to a vector shape.

An understanding of colour theory is basic in design work. It is important to know which colours work well with others and how colour influences the mood of a design by appealing to emotions, evoking feelings, or stirring memories. In this unit we review the basics of colour. To do this we investigate: • how colour is perceived by the eye • reflective and emitted light • making a colour wheel in Illustrator • primary, secondary and tertiary colours • additive and subtractive colour and their relation to RGB and CYMK colours • colour temperature • tone, shade and tint • colour combination schemes: complementary, analogous, triad, split-complementary, tetratic and square • colour moods.

In this unit we will explore typography, the appearance and lay out of text and how it can be used in Adobe Photoshop. Step-by-step instructions are suitable for Photoshop CS4, CS5, CS6 and CC, and on a PC or Mac. To do this we will investigate: •• typography terminology • categories of typefaces – serif, san serif, decorative, other • type style and type size • alignment and direction • type tools in Photoshop • choice of typeface • paragraph type in Photoshop • the use of white space • leading, tracking and kerning • type special effects, filters and masks in Photoshop • typographic hierarchy.

In this unit we investigate: • semiotics and graphics • reaction to sign and symbols: gain attention, convention and culture, response • denotation and connotation • principles of gestalt theory: similarity, continuation, closure, proximity, common fate, figure and ground • the role of Gestalt theory plays in graphics.

In this unit we will explore typography, the appearance and lay out of text and how it can be used in Adobe Illustrator. Step-by-step instructions are suitable for Illustrator CS4, CS5, CS6 and CC, and on a PC or Mac. To do this we will investigate: • typography terminology • categories of typefaces – serif, san serif, decorative, other • type style and type size • alignment and direction • type tools in Illustrator • choice of typeface • the use of white space • leading, tracking and kerning • typographic hierarchy.

This unit looks at aspects of the design process and includes assessment items leading up to a major project. To do this we investigate: • the design-process model of discover, define, develop and deliver • research and information gathering • the creative process from ideas and drafting through to prototype • conduct a mini project • persuasive visual statements – visual communication, aspects of image communication and typographic hierarchy • implement a major project utilising the design-process model.