Study Programmes 2024-2025
FGRA0001-1  
Fundamentals of graphic design
Volume horaire :
36h Th
Number of credits :
Bachelor's degree : Computer graphics (Bachelor in Computer graphics)3
Lecturer :
Thierry DAMBERMONT, Valérie GÉRARD, Angélique JOSQUIN, Maude WERA
Référent UE :
Thierry DAMBERMONT, Caroline DUBOIS, Rachelle VAFIDIS
Language(s) of instruction :
French language
Organisation and examination :
Teaching in the first semester, review in January
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite :
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Learning unit contents :
Not available
Graphic design consists of creating, choosing and making appropriate use of graphic elements (drawings, typography, photographs, colours, etc.) to create a communication and/or cultural object. It is a mode of representation. Each of the elements is symbolic and significant in the design of the project, along lines that may be defined with other players in the field of communication, with the aim of promoting, informing or educating and entertaining.

This fundamental laboratory course also aims to introduce students to the correct methods and techniques for using professional software (Adobe Creative Suite: Photoshop, Illustrator, Indesign), etc.

The course and the chapters covered are :

Digital design techniques for ideation, colour, shape, typography and composition...

A variety of graphic creations with progressive difficulty throughout the course.

Examples of graphic creations that will be covered

- digital illustration (digital painting on a tablet, light and shade values, character creation, colouring);

- vector design (lines and shapes, pictograms, logotypes, diagrams);

- page layout (composition and typography), ...

 
Learning outcomes of the learning unit :
At the end of the course, students will be able to :

  • lead a discussion constructively
  • choose and use the appropriate means of information and communication for a briefing
  • use appropriate vocabulary
Contribution to Curriculum Profile : Communicating and Informing

The objectives of the course are :

Practice graphic vocabulary and project argumentation, through a specific technical introduction to the creative and digital image professions.
Prerequisite knowledge and skills :
The prerequisite knowledge and skills for this course are :

Some basic drawing and note-taking skills, an interest in culture and communication, and an interest in using computers and graphics software;

This knowledge will be developed in parallel with learning the concepts in this course.

The other courses in this bachelor's degree in graphic techniques will be potentially useful for creative design in this teaching unit.

Acquiring and practising the fundamental basics of graphic design is the objective of this course and of the teachers, who will help you to develop your learning and your projects, whatever your individual level and professional motivation.

To achieve this, regular face-to-face dialogue with the teacher is ESSENTIAL.

 
Planned learning activities and teaching methods :
Face-to-face (and/or distance learning)
Observation of practices
Problem solving
Practical group work
Independent group work
Supervised group work
Workshops
Individual practical work
Independent individual work
Supervised individual work
Field observations
Flipped classroom
Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning) :
The teaching methods will be defined by the lecturer as the term progresses. He or she will choose and communicate to the students via the appropriate communication channels to inform them that the course will take place face-to-face (or, where appropriate, at a distance, synchronously or asynchronously).

 
Recommended or required readings :
First, on my.heaj, go to the course material "FGRA : Fondamentaux du Graphisme".

Based on your academic registration, you will have access to the HEAJ Moodle platform.

Depending on the group you are enrolled in, you will then follow the course accesses corresponding to your teacher(s). 

A list of books on the fundamentals is proposed by the teachers, some of which can be consulted on site at the time of the course and/or available in the library.

 

! We would like to draw your attention to a number of important changes that have been made to our Study Regulations since 2024-2025:

  • a more precise framework for the use of Artificial Intelligences in courses organised within the ICN department

  • the introduction of the notion of 'responsible digital use' and 'digital sobriety' in the operation and organisation of studies at the ICN
Assessment methods and criteria :
Assessment method :

Attendance.

Teams.

Moodle.



Organisation of assessment :

Submission of assignments.


Type of assessment :

Continuous assessment.


Type of EU grading :

TJ = 0%: The TJ (daily work) is the subject of a formative assessment and does not play a part in the creation of the mark(s). Only the work submitted as part of continuous assessment is taken into account in creating the mark(s).

Grading methods :

Through the teaching and learning methods proposed, the student will be able to demonstrate in personal work the acquisition of the theoretical principles of the fundamentals of graphic design while meeting the plastic and technical requirements and using the functionalities of the software and the graphic techniques imposed (see 'instructions' or 'briefings' in the course materials).

Continuous assessment, then, in the event that the UE has not been validated at the end of this continuous assessment, a distance assessment and/or an assignment will be required. The details of this distance assessment and/or assignment will be set out in a briefing given at least 10 days before the test.

If certain skills have been acquired but the UE has not been validated, only the skills not acquired must be represented. The teacher will be able to tell you which skill(s) to represent.

Criteria: Reliability (compliance with instructions and deadlines), quality and relevance of preparatory work, creativity, technical mastery, communication.


Assessment method :

Classroom-based.

Teams.


Organisation of assessment :

Submission of work.


Type of questionnaire :

Portfolio.


Different assessment between sessions (if applicable):

Daily work is no longer required during subsequent sessions. During the following sessions there will be a distance assessment and/or assignment. The details of this remote assessment and/or assignment will be set out in a briefing given at least 10 days before the test.

Location(s) where the course is given :

Namur, Belgium.


Timetable for the training session :

Daytime teaching.

 

 

 

 
Work placement(s) :
Organizational remarks :
If you encounter any organizational difficulties, do not hesitate to contact the teachers, our student secretary, the coordinator of Block 1, the social service or the success support service.
Contacts :
Coordination : coordination.tib1@heaj.be