BA Media Design - BMED

Short description

Bachelor in Media Design is a genuine design programme with both an aesthetic and a communicational aspect. It’s a practical study, but also with an emphasis on theory and written communication such as design relevant technical studies, social studies, and humanity studies. This study is orientated towards paper based and electronic media, as well as graphical signs and directional finding systems. Two important areas of visual communication are accentuated in the study: typography and information design.

Typography – defined as visual structuring of text, composition on a defined area with use of writing as expressive means. The programme includes:

• Design of text based documents and editorial design such as designs of: books, magazines, journals, newspapers, pamphlets, covers, posters, websites, and writings in addition to calligraphy.
• Extensive tasks in ”strategic design” such as profiling of companies or visual identity with solutions towards a whole range of exposure areas

Information design – with emphasis on access and universal design, usability and generally beneficial. The programme includes:

• Design of websites, paper based or electronic forms, information graphic such as diagrams and thematic maps, time tables, instruction manuals, signs and directional finding systems for buildings and outdoor areas.

Language: The lectures are mainly held in Norwegian.

Duration

3 years
180 ECTS credits
Undergraduate programme leading to a Bachelor's degree.
The study programme is offered by the Departement of Computer Science and Media Technology.

Expected learning outcomes

The aim of this study is to educate graphic designers who have the ability to conceptualise and solve problems as well as being form givers possessing the necessary practical skills demanded in professional practice. They will have acquired a broad and critical understanding of the history of design and contemporary visual culture (and of their role within it). They will be able to work independently, as well as be able to cooperate with professionals from other disciplines.

Two important areas of visual communication are central to the study programme:

• Typography, with emphasis on type and the design of text-based documents
• Information design, with emphasis on usability and problems of interaction in graphical user interfaces

On completion of the study the student will be qualified to work as a graphic designer (or to have a design relevant job) in design studios, advertising agencies, communication agencies, web and multimedia businesses, publishing companies, newspapers, companies that develop technical documentation, museums, broadcasting, printing houses, or other enterprises in the private and public sector that employ designers or offer design relevant jobs. The student will also have acquired a broad range of transferable knowledge and skills with relevance to other occupational areas within the media industry.

Internationalization

The courses are normally taught in Norwegian. There are possibilities to undertake the autumn semester of the third year abroad at a university with which Gjøvik University College has an exchange agreement.

Admission Criteria

General matriculation requirement.

Course Structure

The programme is based on lectures, essay writing, laboratory exercises, and most importantly practical design assignments based on extensive formative-iterative evaluation. Study trips to Rome (3rd semester; in order to study classical and neo-classical inscriptional lettering) and London (5th semester; in order to visit some major design studios, major design schools and design museums) are usually part of the programme (the students must cover their own costs).

Introductory courses in essay writing and software like InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, GoLive and Flash, are offered in addition to the courses listed below.

The students will find themselves in an interesting multidisciplinary study environment with access to well equipped laboratories for paper-based and electronic publishing, studios and laboratories for multimedia production, digital video, digital sound, digital photography, colour science, colour phenomenology, telepresence and usability studies.