To kickstart your academic journey, we recommend familiarising yourself with some key books in the field of design communication. These readings will help you develop a good understanding of the subject matter and provide a solid foundation for the first semester of your studies.
- Pater, R. (2016). The Politics of Design: A (Not So) Global Design Manual for Visual Communication
- Lupton, E., & Tobias, J. (2021). Extra Bold: A Feminist, Inclusive, Anti-Racist, Non-binary Field Guide for Graphic Designers
Additionally, it is essential for you to enhance your skills in key design software such as Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop, Lightroom, and Premiere Pro in advance. These tools will be utilized extensively throughout the course, and possessing a solid foundation in their usage will greatly benefit your learning experience.
Before the first session, if possible, I would like you to walk around the Design District and its vicinities. Record your impressions, either by sound, drawings or creative writing. Think about who is living and working here. You won’t need to show me the result, but we will be able to openly talk about the locality where we will working together.
Optional further reading
- Lupton, E. (2010). Thinking with Type: A Critical Guide for Designers, Writers, Editors, & Students
- Müller-Brockmann, J. (1996). Grid Systems in Graphic Design: A Visual Communication Manual for Graphic Designers, Typographers, and Three-Dimensional Designers
- McLuhan, M. (1967). The Medium is the Message
- Hall, S. (2012). This Means This, This Means That: A User's Guide to Semiotics
