Study Guide

Learning outcomes

The student is able to
- analyse, interpret and explain graphic design work and processes using professional terminology
- choose appropriate means of graphic design, typography, and illustrations for a given assignment
- work according to the design thinking process
- use ideation and problem-solving skills, self-expression and creative thinking

Implementation and methods of teaching

Lectures, exercises, personal and joint feedback discussion.

Timing and attendance

Attendance at the first lesson is mandatory. Acceptable completion of the course requires 80% attendance in lessons.
Students will be devided into two study groups. Please follow your designated group schedule. This course runs for the duration of the full Autumn semester.

Learning material and recommended literature

A History of Graphic Design for Rainy Days (Gestalten, 2011)

Other reading materials will be provided on the course Moodle.

Alternative completion methods

Please contact the lecturers.

Working life cooperation

Guest lecturers.

Learning environment

The course is organised as contact teaching at the Lahti campus.

Student time use and work load

The course requires independent work in addition to participation in face-to-face teaching. The estimated amount of work for a student is 135 working hours, including classroom teaching.

Contents

Students learn graphic design methods in the course and carry out a design task. The practice task includes typography, layout and illustration. Acceptable completion of the course assignment requires systematic and purposeful work, considering the needs of the target group and the customer. In the course, students will learn to present their ideas and finished work to the group.

There are also lectures on design thinking and graphic design concepts and theories.

Additional information for students: previous knowledge etc.

This is a foundation course of the visual communication design program.

Assessment criteria

The evaluation is based on the tasks completed during the course and active participation in teaching sessions and discussions.

Assessment scale

1-5

Failed (0)

- Assignments not returned and/or unexplained absences
- Does not know how to use professional terminology and justify activities using graphic design means.

Assessment criteria: level 1 (assessment scale 1–5)

- Knows how to come up with ideas and implement simple graphic design work
- Can use the most common professional concepts and justify their actions
- Can use learned methods and processes under guidance

Assessment criteria: level 3 (assessment scale 1–5)

- Can independently and under guidance come up with ideas and implement graphic design work and develop the work based on the feedback received
- Can use professional terms in a versatile way and communicate professionally
- Can choose methods and processes suitable for the activity and justify choices amde
- Can take into account the needs of the target group and other course participants

Assessment criteria: level 5 (assessment scale 1–5)

- Can independently come up with ideas and implement graphic design work and develop the work based on the feedback received and self-evaluation
- Can use and apply methods expertly and communicate professionally, taking into account all target groups
- Can choose, combine and develop methods and processes suitable for the activity to support work
- Can take responsibility for the project and work independently

Learning outcomes

The student will be able to:
- the basic concepts of cultural anthropology and their application in design
- social psychological constructs
- identify semiotic methods of analysis
- combine these into creative problem solving

Assessment scale

1-5

Learning outcomes

History and theory of photojournalism
The student is able to
- discuss the history of and current phenomena in visual journalism
- recognize different kinds of article types and photo-genres
- describe the processes of visual journalism from different perspectives
- explain journalistic ethical principles
- discuss the structure and operation of the media, and to explain its relevance in society.

Journalistic video
The student is able to
- shoot and record typical forms of journalistic video, such as interviews
- plan and execute a shoot within a tight schedule
- compose a coherent and distribution-ready journalistic video from captured media.

Visual journalism workshop
The student is able to
- produce and edit material for a journalistic context
- work as a part of a professional team in a journalistic publishing process.

Implementation and methods of teaching

Lectures, workshop components, feedback discussions on assignments, student's own visual and written work. Collaboration with local media house.

Timing and attendance

80 % attendance

Learning material and recommended literature

English literature provided by the teacher.

Alternative completion methods

To be agreed with the teacher in special cases.

Working life cooperation

Cooperation with the local media house ESS. Planning the 125th anniversary exhibition of the media house at the Museum of Visual Arts in Malva for autumn 2025.

Exam retakes

To be agreed with the teacher in special cases.

Learning environment

Campus and visits to media houses.

Student time use and work load

1 credit = 27 h of student work.

Contents

1)Theoretical part, teacher Pauliina Pasanen + guests (approx. 5 cr)
Content: Photojournalistic image types: news photo, photo portrait, photo illustration, photo portrait + publishing concepts
2)Photo workshop (photo essay) Akseli Valmunen (approx. 5 cr)
Possible cooperation with ESS on this one as well. Visits to media houses in Helsinki.
3)Journalistic illustration workshop, visitor X (approx. 3 cr)
4)Image editing and exhibition design for the ESS exhibition (Malva) (approx. 4 op)
5) Personal photography workshop, teacher photographer Juha Törmälä (approx. 3 credits)

Additional information for students: previous knowledge etc.

Basic photographic skills.
The course is designed to bring together photographers and graphic designers to work on photojournalistic content.

Assessment criteria

Attendance and activity in teaching situations, completion of assigned tasks.

Assessment scale

1-5

Failed (0)

The student has been absent for more than the 80% attendance allowed. Assignments have not been returned.

Assessment criteria: level 1 (assessment scale 1–5)

The student's participation in classes and assignments indicates that the student is familiar with the content of the course. The student has completed the assignments, but they are scarce in content.

Assessment criteria: level 3 (assessment scale 1–5)

Students' active participation in class and completion of assignments indicate their familiarity with the course content and commitment to their own work.

Assessment criteria: level 5 (assessment scale 1–5)

The active participation of the student in the classes and the returned assignments indicate excellent knowledge of the course content. The student's assignments are insightful and meritorious

Learning outcomes

The student is able to
- describe the primary functions of packaging
- describe the structure of the packaging industry and discuss the role of a packaging designer from the point of view of the industry stakeholders
- design the form and graphic appearance of a package
- build a fibre-based model of a package design
- recognize and compare different cardboard material

Assessment scale

1-5

Learning outcomes

The student is able to
- describe the categories of typography and how to use them
- make use of the history of typography in their work
- use the methods of typography to create easy to adopt multi-level and hierarchic text content
- describe and take into consideration the requirements of typography in different medi

Implementation and methods of teaching

Lectures, discussions and excursions. Assignment.

Timing and attendance

An attendance rate of 80% in contact teaching is required for successful completion.

Learning material and recommended literature

Lecture material, assigned literature and professional publications. Literature list can be found on the course's Moodle platform.

Alternative completion methods

To be agreed individually with the teacher.

Exam retakes

It is not possible to retake the course (there is no exam).

Learning environment

The course is held as contact studies on the Lahti campus. The course includes two excursions.

Student time use and work load

In addition to contact studies, the course includes independent work.

Contents

The development of Western writing, styles and forms of letters. The course will also include an introduction to other writing systems. Students will learn the basics of typographic theory and become familiar with the most common practices and terminology in the field.

Additional information for students: previous knowledge etc.

No prior knowledge is required.

Assessment criteria

To pass the course, the student must have actively participated in the teaching and discussions and have familiarised themselves with the materials used in the course. The student must also return an assignment.

Assessment scale

Approved/Failed

Assessment criteria: assessment scale failed/approved

- Has attended at least 80% of the contact teaching
- Has returned the assignment

Learning outcomes

The student will be able to
- use their perceptions, feelings and their ability to see as a basis for creative thinking
- analyse, interpret and explain contemporary visual culture
- express their creative thinking visually

Assessment scale

1-5

Failed (0)

• Repeated absences from lessons and teaching situations
• Poor knowledge of the professional knowledge and skills relevant to the course
• Absence of key course assignments

Assessment criteria: level 1 (assessment scale 1–5)

• Ability to work according to instructions
• Can generate ideas for the implementation of the assignment
• Can identify and describe the main methods of the course in a guided manner
• Participates in a guided learning discussion
• Can search for professional information in his/her field

Assessment criteria: level 3 (assessment scale 1–5)

• Is able to apply a wide range of options to his/her working process
• Can implement assignments in a guided and independent manner on the basis of their ideas and develop them on the basis of feedback
• Can independently identify and compare the methods used
• Can assess and justify competence and set objectives for development in terms of content and/or technology
• Able to follow and describe the professional debate in his/her field

Assessment criteria: level 5 (assessment scale 1–5)

• Can apply and develop a variety of options in their working process
• Can use what they have learned in a planned and creative way when carrying out assignments and apply feedback received
• Can apply the methods used and analyse their relationship to the task
• Able to assess, develop and extend content and/or technical competences
• Able to participate in professional debates in his/her field 

Learning outcomes

The student is able to
- explain the development stages of visual communication media from historic to current times
- view genres in context with other cultural phenomena in their time periods
- recognize different periodical styles and major influencers in design, graphic design and photography
- view their own work as a part of a continuum of a long tradition of visual culture.

Assessment scale

1-5

Learning outcomes

The student will be able to:
- the basic concepts of cultural anthropology and their application in design
- social psychological constructs
- identify semiotic methods of analysis
- combine these into creative problem solving

Assessment scale

1-5

Learning outcomes

The student is able to
- describe the categories of typography and how to use them
- make use of the history of typography in their work
- use the methods of typography to create easy to adopt multi-level and hierarchic text content
- describe and take into consideration the requirements of typography in different medi

Implementation and methods of teaching

Lectures, discussions and excursions. Assignment.

Timing and attendance

An attendance rate of 80% in contact teaching is required for successful completion.

Learning material and recommended literature

Lecture material, assigned literature and professional publications. Literature list can be found on the course's Moodle platform.

Alternative completion methods

To be agreed individually with the teacher.

Exam retakes

It is not possible to retake the course (there is no exam).

Learning environment

The course is held as contact studies on the Lahti campus. The course includes two excursions.

Student time use and work load

In addition to contact studies, the course includes independent work.

Contents

The development of Western writing, styles and forms of letters. The course will also include an introduction to other writing systems. Students will learn the basics of typographic theory and become familiar with the most common practices and terminology in the field.

Additional information for students: previous knowledge etc.

No prior knowledge is required.

Assessment criteria

To pass the course, the student must have actively participated in the teaching and discussions and have familiarised themselves with the materials used in the course. The student must also return an assignment.

Assessment scale

Approved/Failed

Assessment criteria: assessment scale failed/approved

- Has attended at least 80% of the contact teaching
- Has returned the assignment

Learning outcomes

The student is able to
- describe the primary functions of packaging
- describe the structure of the packaging industry and discuss the role of a packaging designer from the point of view of the industry stakeholders
- design the form and graphic appearance of a package
- build a fibre-based model of a package design
- recognize and compare different cardboard material

Assessment scale

1-5

Learning outcomes

History and theory of photojournalism
The student is able to
- discuss the history of and current phenomena in visual journalism
- recognize different kinds of article types and photo-genres
- describe the processes of visual journalism from different perspectives
- explain journalistic ethical principles
- discuss the structure and operation of the media, and to explain its relevance in society.

Journalistic video
The student is able to
- shoot and record typical forms of journalistic video, such as interviews
- plan and execute a shoot within a tight schedule
- compose a coherent and distribution-ready journalistic video from captured media.

Visual journalism workshop
The student is able to
- produce and edit material for a journalistic context
- work as a part of a professional team in a journalistic publishing process.

Implementation and methods of teaching

Lectures, workshop components, feedback discussions on assignments, student's own visual and written work. Collaboration with local media house.

Timing and attendance

80 % attendance

Learning material and recommended literature

English literature provided by the teacher.

Alternative completion methods

To be agreed with the teacher in special cases.

Working life cooperation

Cooperation with the local media house ESS. Planning the 125th anniversary exhibition of the media house at the Museum of Visual Arts in Malva for autumn 2025.

Exam retakes

To be agreed with the teacher in special cases.

Learning environment

Campus and visits to media houses.

Student time use and work load

1 credit = 27 h of student work.

Contents

1)Theoretical part, teacher Pauliina Pasanen + guests (approx. 5 cr)
Content: Photojournalistic image types: news photo, photo portrait, photo illustration, photo portrait + publishing concepts
2)Photo workshop (photo essay) Akseli Valmunen (approx. 5 cr)
Possible cooperation with ESS on this one as well. Visits to media houses in Helsinki.
3)Journalistic illustration workshop, visitor X (approx. 3 cr)
4)Image editing and exhibition design for the ESS exhibition (Malva) (approx. 4 op)
5) Personal photography workshop, teacher photographer Juha Törmälä (approx. 3 credits)

Additional information for students: previous knowledge etc.

Basic photographic skills.
The course is designed to bring together photographers and graphic designers to work on photojournalistic content.

Assessment criteria

Attendance and activity in teaching situations, completion of assigned tasks.

Assessment scale

1-5

Failed (0)

The student has been absent for more than the 80% attendance allowed. Assignments have not been returned.

Assessment criteria: level 1 (assessment scale 1–5)

The student's participation in classes and assignments indicates that the student is familiar with the content of the course. The student has completed the assignments, but they are scarce in content.

Assessment criteria: level 3 (assessment scale 1–5)

Students' active participation in class and completion of assignments indicate their familiarity with the course content and commitment to their own work.

Assessment criteria: level 5 (assessment scale 1–5)

The active participation of the student in the classes and the returned assignments indicate excellent knowledge of the course content. The student's assignments are insightful and meritorious

Learning outcomes

The student is able to
- explain the development stages of visual communication media from historic to current times
- view genres in context with other cultural phenomena in their time periods
- recognize different periodical styles and major influencers in design, graphic design and photography
- view their own work as a part of a continuum of a long tradition of visual culture.

Assessment scale

1-5

Learning outcomes

The student is able to
- analyse, interpret and explain graphic design work and processes using professional terminology
- choose appropriate means of graphic design, typography, and illustrations for a given assignment
- work according to the design thinking process
- use ideation and problem-solving skills, self-expression and creative thinking

Implementation and methods of teaching

Lectures, exercises, personal and joint feedback discussion.

Timing and attendance

Attendance at the first lesson is mandatory. Acceptable completion of the course requires 80% attendance in lessons.
Students will be devided into two study groups. Please follow your designated group schedule. This course runs for the duration of the full Autumn semester.

Learning material and recommended literature

A History of Graphic Design for Rainy Days (Gestalten, 2011)

Other reading materials will be provided on the course Moodle.

Alternative completion methods

Please contact the lecturers.

Working life cooperation

Guest lecturers.

Learning environment

The course is organised as contact teaching at the Lahti campus.

Student time use and work load

The course requires independent work in addition to participation in face-to-face teaching. The estimated amount of work for a student is 135 working hours, including classroom teaching.

Contents

Students learn graphic design methods in the course and carry out a design task. The practice task includes typography, layout and illustration. Acceptable completion of the course assignment requires systematic and purposeful work, considering the needs of the target group and the customer. In the course, students will learn to present their ideas and finished work to the group.

There are also lectures on design thinking and graphic design concepts and theories.

Additional information for students: previous knowledge etc.

This is a foundation course of the visual communication design program.

Assessment criteria

The evaluation is based on the tasks completed during the course and active participation in teaching sessions and discussions.

Assessment scale

1-5

Failed (0)

- Assignments not returned and/or unexplained absences
- Does not know how to use professional terminology and justify activities using graphic design means.

Assessment criteria: level 1 (assessment scale 1–5)

- Knows how to come up with ideas and implement simple graphic design work
- Can use the most common professional concepts and justify their actions
- Can use learned methods and processes under guidance

Assessment criteria: level 3 (assessment scale 1–5)

- Can independently and under guidance come up with ideas and implement graphic design work and develop the work based on the feedback received
- Can use professional terms in a versatile way and communicate professionally
- Can choose methods and processes suitable for the activity and justify choices amde
- Can take into account the needs of the target group and other course participants

Assessment criteria: level 5 (assessment scale 1–5)

- Can independently come up with ideas and implement graphic design work and develop the work based on the feedback received and self-evaluation
- Can use and apply methods expertly and communicate professionally, taking into account all target groups
- Can choose, combine and develop methods and processes suitable for the activity to support work
- Can take responsibility for the project and work independently

Learning outcomes

The student will be able to
- use their perceptions, feelings and their ability to see as a basis for creative thinking
- analyse, interpret and explain contemporary visual culture
- express their creative thinking visually

Assessment scale

1-5

Failed (0)

• Repeated absences from lessons and teaching situations
• Poor knowledge of the professional knowledge and skills relevant to the course
• Absence of key course assignments

Assessment criteria: level 1 (assessment scale 1–5)

• Ability to work according to instructions
• Can generate ideas for the implementation of the assignment
• Can identify and describe the main methods of the course in a guided manner
• Participates in a guided learning discussion
• Can search for professional information in his/her field

Assessment criteria: level 3 (assessment scale 1–5)

• Is able to apply a wide range of options to his/her working process
• Can implement assignments in a guided and independent manner on the basis of their ideas and develop them on the basis of feedback
• Can independently identify and compare the methods used
• Can assess and justify competence and set objectives for development in terms of content and/or technology
• Able to follow and describe the professional debate in his/her field

Assessment criteria: level 5 (assessment scale 1–5)

• Can apply and develop a variety of options in their working process
• Can use what they have learned in a planned and creative way when carrying out assignments and apply feedback received
• Can apply the methods used and analyse their relationship to the task
• Able to assess, develop and extend content and/or technical competences
• Able to participate in professional debates in his/her field