GRA-60-4 Strategic Design
GRA-60-4 Strategic Design
- Course description
- Course CodeGRA-60-4
- Level of Study5.1
- Program of StudyGraphic Design
- Credits10
- Study Plan CoordinatorLibre van den Bergh
In Strategic Design, students are introduced to how graphic design can be planned and shaped to meet clear goals for specific audiences and contexts. They learn what strategic design means in practice, and how user-centred thinking, accessibility and inclusivity influence communication choices. Students work with basic methods for understanding audiences, stakeholders and cultural context, and explore how design goals and target groups affect choices of format, media and visual expression.
The course focuses on branding and visual identity as key parts of strategic design. Students work with elements such as typography, iconography and logo basics, and learn how design systems and visual identities can create coherence across print and digital media. They use relevant digital tools to produce branding and communication materials according to given requirements, and practise preparing work for both print production and digital distribution.
Throughout the course, students research and reference contemporary branding examples, campaigns and visual identities to support their design decisions. They analyse existing designs in relation to goals, audience and context, and suggest improvements to strengthen communication. Ethical principles are integrated, including responsible representation of people, cultures and social issues, and attention to accessibility, inclusivity and non-misleading communication. Students collaborate on briefs, present and discuss strategic design proposals in feedback and critique sessions, and document their process and outcomes clearly.
The candidate
- has knowledge of the concept of strategic design and its role in planning purposeful, user-centred communication in graphic design.
- has knowledge of basic methods for understanding audiences, stakeholders and cultural context in the design process, including basic accessibility and inclusivity considerations.
- has knowledge of branding elements such as typography, iconography and logo basics within a strategic design perspective.
- has knowledge of how design systems and visual identity can build coherence across print and digital media.
- has knowledge of relevant requirements for preparing branding and communication materials for print production and digital distribution.
- has insight into how design goals, target groups and context influence choices of format, media and visual expression in strategic design.
- can update their vocational knowledge in strategic design by studying contemporary branding examples, campaigns and visual identities.
- understands the importance of user-centred graphic design and how design choices can create value and affect society, including ethical practice and basic accessibility and inclusivity considerations.
The candidate
- can apply knowledge of strategic design to interpret introductory-level briefs by identifying goals, target groups and context, and outlining a design direction.
- can apply knowledge of audiences, stakeholders and cultural context to make accessibility and inclusivity choices when planning and developing design solutions.
- can apply knowledge of branding elements such as typography, iconography and logo basics to develop a visual identity that supports a defined design goal.
- can apply knowledge of design systems and visual identity to apply a basic visual identity consistently across selected print and digital formats.
- masters entry-level use of relevant digital tools to produce branding and communication materials for print and digital distribution according to given requirements.
- can apply knowledge of research and referencing to find and use relevant visual and written examples, such as contemporary branding and campaigns, to support design decisions.
- can apply knowledge of strategic analysis to analyse an existing design in relation to goals, audience and context, and suggest improvements to strengthen the communication.
The candidate
- understands ethical principles that apply in strategic design, including responsible representation of people, cultures and social issues in branding and campaigns.
- has developed an ethical attitude in relation to accessibility, inclusivity and non-misleading communication in brand and campaign work.
- can carry out introductory-level strategic design work by planning and producing design solutions based on defined goals, target groups and context.
- can build relations with peers through collaboration on briefs and design development, and through presenting and discussing strategic design proposals in feedback and critique sessions.
- can document and present a coherent strategic design outcome by organising process notes and references clearly.
Digital Learning Resources
The learning management system (LMS) is the primary learning platform where students access most of their course materials. The content is presented in various formats, such as text, images, models, videos or podcasts. Each course follows a progression plan, designed to lead students through weekly modules at their own pace. Exercises and assignments (individual or in groups) are embedded throughout the courses to support continuous practice and assessment of the learning outcomes.
Campus Resources
In addition to the digital learning resources, campus students participate in physical learning activities led by teachers as part of the overall delivery.
Guidance
Guidance and feedback from teachers support students' learning journeys, and may be provided synchronously or asynchronously, individually or in groups, via text, video or in-person feedback.