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Unit outline_

CAEL3018: Design for Digital Publishing

Semester 2, 2024 [Online] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit of study explores the boundary between artwork, publication and portfolio. The unit acquaints you with the principal tools of InDesign, a software program that has become industry standard for designing digital and paper publications. Focusing on experimental magazines and other small scale artist's publications the unit explores the visual language of contemporary publishing from an artist's perspective. You learn about the complex interplay of text, image and sequence involved in producing multipage documents/artworks through the practical experience of creating your own InDesign publication. A series of lectures and in-class digital tutorials will equip you with the technical skills and critical framework to produce intelligent, engaging and innovative output.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Sydney College of the Arts
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
12 credit points at 2000 level from CAEL or 12 credit points at 2000 level from CAST
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
CAEL2052
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Rebecca Beardmore, rebecca.beardmore@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Adam Cruickshank, adam.cruickshank@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 2 September 2024
Type Description Weight Due Length
Creative assessment / demonstration Self-directed Publication
Presentation and upload 24pp (as an InDesign and PDF file)
60% Formal exam period
Due date: 11 Nov 2024 at 23:59
equivalent to 2700 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Creative assessment / demonstration Colour, shape and composition (20%)
Presentation of digital design production in class. Iterative assessment.
20% Week 04
Due date: 19 Aug 2024 at 09:00
equivalent to 900 words
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO5 LO3
Creative assessment / demonstration Typography as Image (20%)
Presentation of digital design production in class. Iterative assessment.
20% Week 07
Due date: 09 Sep 2024 at 09:00
equivalent to 900 words
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO5 LO3

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Result Name Mark Range Description
High Distinction 85-100 Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an exceptional standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
Distinction 75-84

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.

Credit 65-74

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.

Pass 50-65 Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
Fail 0-49 When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

 

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy 2023. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Course Introduction. Intro to iterative Assessment Milestones and Self-Directed Publication. Online class (3 hr) LO1 LO4
Week 02 Principles of graphic design using InDesign: Colour, shape and composition. Online class (3 hr) LO2 LO3 LO5
Week 03 Principles of graphic design using InDesign: Colour, shape and composition. Online class (3 hr) LO2 LO3 LO5
Week 04 Students Present Milestone Assessment Task 1 to class (crit): Colour, shape and composition. Online class (3 hr) LO2 LO3 LO5
Week 05 Principles of graphic design using InDesign: Typography as Image Online class (3 hr) LO2 LO3 LO5
Week 06 Principles of graphic design using InDesign: Typography as Image Online class (3 hr) LO2 LO3 LO5
Week 07 Students Present Milestone Assessment Task 2 to class (crit): Typography as Image. Online class (3 hr) LO2 LO3 LO5
Week 08 Introduction to creative design possibilities for a range of publication formats. Embedding milestone skills into assessment task 3: Self-directed Publication. Online class (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5
Week 09 Building conceptual understanding of the close links between the narrative imagination and the sequential structure of publication design. Embedding milestone skills into assessment task 3: Self-directed Publication. Online class (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 11 In class project work and feedback. Students are required to demonstrate evidence of assessment task 3 development and research during class through Individual and peer-to-peer feedback sessions. Online class (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 12 In class project work and feedback. Students are required to demonstrate evidence of assessment task 3 development and research during class through Individual and peer-to-peer feedback sessions. Online class (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 13 In class student presentation of final Self-directed Publication (Group Crit). Final project should be sufficiently progressed to present to the class. Online class (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5

Attendance and class requirements

Additional requirements from Sydney College of the Arts

  • Students must attend a minimum of 90% of timetabled activities for this unit of study, unless granted exemption by the Unit Coordinator.
  • All assignments are compulsory and must be attempted. 
  • You must attend scheduled assessments to be eligible to pass. Non-attendance at assessment on any grounds insufficient to claim special consideration will result in the forfeiture of marks associated with the assessment. 

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. Engaged students with the creative possibilities of a range of publication formats.
  • LO2. Introduce students to the basic design principles that inform the layout and production of magazines and other small scale publications.
  • LO3. provide students with an introductory understanding of pre-press preparation for digital documents.
  • LO4. give students a conceptual understanding of the close links between the narrative imagination and the sequential structure of books.
  • LO5. enhance student's research skills

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Since this unit was last offered it content has been updated in regards to changes in the software being used and it has been adapted for online delivery.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.