Here are links to the required readings. For a comprehensive list of communication resources, including writing links and more, please go to Resources on the course information site. Please feel free comment with links to suggested readings.
Week 1 – An introduction to graphic design
Week 2
The principles of design
Graphic design fundamentals
Design and colour
The lost principles of design (visual)
Gestalt principles (visual)
Color theory basics
Reinvent Wheel? Blue Room. Defusing a Bomb? Red Room
Psychological properties of colours
Week 3
The secret language of signs
A world without signs
Airport signage: photo inspiration
Oddly specific (visual)
Signspotting (visual)
Map: Wikipedia
Mapped pictures: image notation (skim)
We Feel Fine (applet)
Main Page Freemind a Free Mind mapping software download software
Week 4
thinking with type Letter (p. 13-77, esp. note p. 36-41)
TYPEInspire: showcase of typography and text effects (visual)
Week 5 – thinking with type Text (p. 87-147)
Week 6
Davie Griffin on how photography connects us (14:57M) and interactive transcript
Photography composition article, including links to light, lines, shapes, texture and perspective
10 top photography composition rules
Week 7
10 photo editing tips from a pro (NYTimes)
28 online photo editing sites (skim)
Image editing
6 tips for giving your LinkedIn profile a facelift
BranchOut: The professional network on Facebook
Making the most of your Facebook page profile picture
Make your Facebook profile picture full-size
Week 8
thinking with type Grid (p 151-207)
Megan Jaegerman’s brilliant news graphics
Week 9
Understanding the theory of minimalism in web design
Understanding visual hierarchy in web design
Visual direction in web design
Unity in web design
Week 10
Information graphics: Wikipedia
Data visualization: Wikipedia
Themes for a good infographic
Sparklines: Intense, simple, word-sized graphics (handout)
Statistics can be misleading
50 great examples of data visualization
Week 11
Almost everything you wanted to know about making tables and figures (tip: shrink to 75% and skim this PDF)
Chart types and their uses
7 basic rules for making charts and graphs
Designing data tables
Should you argue on the Internet? (visual some explicit content)
Week 12
Presentation tips (3 sections) or the print-friendly PDF
Thinking visually (visual)
10 tips for using visual aids
Stop, prepare, then PowerPoint
The 10-20-30 rule: Guy Kawasaki on PowerPoint (with 1:52M video)
Week 13
Creating quality handouts
How to write a presentation handout
When not to use Powerpoint
A Nobel prize winner’s view on slides versus ‘chalk and talk’
Presentations best practices (8:57M)
A video with speech critique (your choice from this list)
Week 14 – a good book?
Week 15
Five popular design portfolio website styles
10 steps to the perfect portfolio web site
9 insane portfolio assignments to make you drool
Images of print design portfolios (visual)
Preparing and talking about your graphic design portfolio
