MI4012 - Visual Language 1

You will learn through a combination of lecture, seminars, tutor guided and independent learning, through undertaking project work that promotes enquiry based problem solving.


You will learn to set up a blog and add set exercises, illustrations and storyboards to this (with appropriate reflective annotation). This will form the device to contain and present your work throughout the module. You will utilise the research materials available on eLearning Portal to generate new concepts for your illustrations.

The project brief for the ‘design component’ will be fully explained and you will have the opportunity to ask questions.
You will learn through the delivery of an initial contextual lecture series and group discussions, to establish an understanding of the history and principles of narrative, storyboarding, research methods for animation and design techniques. A research exercise will be set to explore the field of storyboarding. You will set up and periodically add this research, set exercises and design development to a blog (with appropriate reflective annotation) as the device to contain and present your work throughout the module.

Academic staff will work with you on a one-to-one basis in the generation, development and presentation of storyboards.
You will use tutor guided and independent study, through further set practical exercises, to realise design ideas through experimentation and exploration. You will use contemporary image editing software such as Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign.

Class presentations and crits will allow you to see the work of peers and learn to critically reflect on what is successful and how to improve your own work. At the group presentations you will also receive formative feedback, which will focus on the conceptual, research and practical design strengths, as well as areas for improvement.

Group projects will allow you to generate ideas and share them effectively, which will feed into independent work

Module briefs/guides outline the indicative workload of a module with an indication of lectures, conceptual development exercises, illustration and software workshops. The project brief will be introduced and fully explained and you will have the opportunity to ask questions.
These briefs will be uploaded to the eLearning Portal before any module activity commences. Associated research and learning materials will be available on the eLearning Portal to download and support developmental skills. These will be discussed in class first to make sure that you understand the key concepts of the material. One to one tutorials will help you to develop your ideas and design production.

Supporting materials for the Adobe CC industry standard software demonstrations in class, will be available on the eLearning portal also. You will be encouraged to solve your own design and technical problems by searching for solutions online to encourage independent learning but email support is available throughout the module, especially during independent learning periods when you are working alone. You can also make appointments to talk through your work with a member of staff outside of class contact.

Northumbria University student support also includes the following, which will be introduced to you in this module and re-enforced in all Level 4 modules:

SASC (Student Advice & Support Centre) provide specialist support with personal issues including: DSSR (Disabled Student Support
Recommendations) statements; PECs (Personal Extenuating Circumstances) and LAs (Late Approved submission) processes.

If you are an International student, you will receive extra support via weekly ESAP (English for Specific Academic Purposes) sessions.

The eLP (eLearning Portal) will include all relevant module documentation e.g. module guides, lecture material, reading lists and
any notices relevant to the running of the module.

IT Helpline, Timetabling, Ask4help, Careers and Employment Service and the University Library will also be explained.

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. The reading list for this module can be found at: http://readinglists.northumbria.ac.uk
(Reading List service online guide for academic staff this containing contact details for the Reading List team – http://library.northumbria.ac.uk/readinglists)

You will receive formative feedback throughout the module, this consists of group discussions and individual tutorials and this will help you to reflect upon the conceptual and practical elements of your work.
During a mid-point presentation, which will focus on the conceptual and visual communication strengths as well as areas for improvement, you will receive formative feedback from staff and peers. The final submission will be 100% coursework portfolio of illustrations, script and final storyboards. (MLO 1 – 5)

Your work should be submitted via the eLearning Portal. On the module page in the eLearning Portal, there is a folder called ‘Assignment Submission’ you will find all the necessary links in this folder.

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Please find details of this module in the other sections provided.