Course info

This course provides you with insight into the process of design for visual communication. The process of developing design and visual problem-solving are studied at length. You will discuss and apply theories of design as they relate to the creative process. By the end of the course, you will be able to apply the steps required to translate a message into a visual design, from research and problem definition through to concepts and the final finished design.



Upon completion of the course, you will be able to:


•  Explain the role of communication design
• Describe critical phases of the design process
• Describe how the creative process relates to the design process


• Describe how the creative process relates to strategic problem solving


• Analyze information to get to the core of a communication problem
• Use the knowledge acquired through research to develop a relevant message


•Create concepts that translate messages to a visual form


• Use brainstorming techniques to generate multiple concepts that  communicate a common message


• Use metaphors and other rhetorical devices to generate concepts


• Use thumbnail sketches to generate, record, and communicate ideas.


• Assess design concepts using knowledge gained through research 
 and testing


•    Attendance is mandatory. Absenteeism, chronic lateness and non-participation will affect the final grade.


•    Every absence not excused by a doctor’s note or formally documented as extenuating circumstances will result in a 5% penalty from the final course grade.   More than three unexcused absences in a class will result in failure of the course.


•   If students miss a class it is their responsibility to determine what was missed      and to complete the work, both in-class projects and homework. Students can  not expect instructors to repeat lectures, workshops and demonstrations which occurred in their absence.


•   To formally excuse an absence due to illness or emergency, students must  phone or send an email to the instructor by the end of the day.



•   There is a 5% penalty from the final course grade for every two late arrivals or 
    occasions when a student leaves early.


•   Students will be considered late if they arrive after roll-call, when the session has 
formally begun. Furthermore, students will be penalized if they leave class             before it has properly ended.


•   Students will be considered absent if they arrive more than one hour after the      session has started.



•   If students are late for class, they must make sure to speak with the instructor, to explain the reason for being late.


•    Late projects will be penalized by one grade level unless arrangements have  been made with the instructor.


•   It is absolutely imperative that students manage their time wisely. They should  not let themselves fall behind schedule; they may otherwise find it extremely difficult to catch up by the time a deadline arrives.


•    If students find that they cannot finish an assignment or keep up with the work load, they must speak to the instructor immediately to discuss practical ways to make the course manageable.



Accessibility Services provides accommodations to the learning environment for students with speech, hearing, visual, physical, mental health and neurological disability as well as chronic health conditions and acquired brain injury accommodations may also be available for students who have a temporary disability. Documentation will be required to establish eligibility and accommodations.  
If you have any functional limitations, including but not restricted to physical, cognitive and/or mental health impairments, that may interfere with your capacity to be safe or participate fully in the teaching and learning environment, please contact Accessibility Services directly at accessibility@ecuad.ca prior to classes starting.  
For more information, please see the Accessibility website: 
https://www.connect.ecuad.ca/studentservices/accessibility. 


•   Students must maintain an appropriate standard of conduct. They must demonstrate respect for all persons on the campus, and display mature conduct. All students must abide by the university’s Student Conduct Policies and the university’s Harassment Policies (see Emily’s A to Z). Failure by students to maintain  appropriate standards of conduct may result in the initiation of disciplinary  action by the university. Instructors are responsible for managing the classroom.  Students whose behaviour is disruptive, challenging or intimidating will be addressed and may be excused from class. If the behaviour continues, disciplinary measures (see Emily’s A to Z) will be employed.


•   The instructor may modify the material or schedule specified in this outline. Any changes will be announced in class.


•   Late assignments or projects may be penalized as specified in the course outline.


•   Plagiarism may result in failure of an assignment, of the course, and, if repeated, expulsion from the university. Assistance with the ethical practices of attribution and documentation is available from the Writing Centre or online at www.ecuad.ca/wc


•   A student must provide a doctor’s note to the Course Instructor for any illness which causes the student to miss assignments, tests, projects, exams, etcetera, or for absences of more than two classes. At the discretion of the instructor, the student may complete the work for a prorated grade.
•   Professional counselling and therapy is available at no charge to students who      have concerns of a personal nature. Information shared is held in strict confi         dence. The Counselling office is open Monday through Friday, 8:30am to        4:30pm, throughout the academic year. To make an appointment, please call    604-630-4555 or email counselling@ecuad.ca. For more information, please see   the Counselling Services website: https://www.ecuad.ca/student-life/student-services/counselling-and-wellness 


•   Email is an official means of communication with Emily Carr students by faculty, administration and other service providers on campus. Email routing will be confined to the university’s internal communication network, and delivered to   an officially assigned and verifiable University Email Address. All users are bound  by the provisions of Emily Carr Policy 415: Code of Conduct for Appropriate Use  of Information Technology Facilities and Services (outlined on the Emily Carr website and in Emily’s A to Z). Instructors will outline and detail the expected  extent and parameters of email use in the course in the first class, and clarify the  time frame for checking and responding to emails. 


•   Emails will be answered in a timely manner, usually within 48 hours after 
receiving the email. Emails will not, however, be answered on weekends or the day before an assignment is due if the email relates to the assignment.Emails will be answered in a timely manner, usually within 48 hours after receiving the email. Emails will not, however, be answered on weekends or the day before an assignment is due if the email relates to the assignment.