PV123dist Introduction to Visual Communication

Faculty of Informatics
Spring 2026
Extent and Intensity
2/0/0. 2 credit(s) (plus extra credits for completion). Type of Completion: k (colloquium).
Asynchronous teaching
Teacher(s)
doc. Mgr.art. Helena Lukášová, ArtD. (lecturer)
Daniel Ricardo Echeverri Giraldo, PhD (assistant)
Guaranteed by
doc. Mgr.art. Helena Lukášová, ArtD.
Department of Visual Computing – Faculty of Informatics
Contact Person: doc. Mgr.art. Helena Lukášová, ArtD.
Supplier department: Department of Visual Computing – Faculty of Informatics
Prerequisites (in Czech)
! ( PV123 Introduction to Visual Communication || NOW( PV123 Introduction to Visual Communication ))
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is offered to students of any study field.
Abstract

The objective of the course is to introduce the principles of visual communication and to emphasize their importance in contemporary information society, where digital media赋 endow information with new potential. The course is structured around a series of lectures addressing key topics such as perception and interpretation of reality, semiotics, the relationship between visual perception and information reading, new media, the principles and history of graphic design, fundamentals of type design and typography, and an introduction to moving images.

The course aims to equip students with the ability to think independently and critically about meaning encoded in visual forms, to understand how meaning is constructed through design, and to make informed choices of visual tools and media.

Learning outcomes
Students will gain orientation in the field of visual communication with regard to information technologies. They will understand the relationship between written and visual communication, the development of spatial representation, the evolution of type, animation, and graphic design, and they will become familiar with the basics of semiotics.
Key topics
  • 1. Introduction to Visual Communication - Non Verbal Communication -        Uncanny Valley
  • 2. Representation - Mimesis -Eidetic Reduction - Problem with Depiction
  • 3. Illusions - Colors - Gestalt
  • 4. Visual Reading - Context - Controversy
  • 5. Space - Linear Perspective - Other Depiction of Perspective  
  •     Anamorphic Distortion -Videomapping - Computer 
  • 6. Semiotics - Signs - Dualistic Conception - Triadic Conception - Icon,
  •     Index, Symbol
  • 7. John Berger: Ways of Seeing - Aura in the age of reproduction - theory
  •     of mythology: Roland Barthes - Edward Berney and public relation -
  •     propaganda
  •  8. Introduction to Graphic Design
  •  9 .History of Graphic Design
  • 10.Principles of Graphic Design
  • 11.Type Design
  • 12.Typography
  • 13.Motion Design, Animation

Study resources and literature
    required literature
  • BARTHES, Roland. Mytologie. Translated by Josef Fulka. Druhé vydání v českém j. Praha: Dokořán, 2004, 170 stran. ISBN 9788073633592. info
  • BERGER, John. Ways of seeing. London: Penguin, 2008, 165 s. ISBN 9780141035796. info
    recommended literature
  • MEIRELLES, Isabel. Design for information : an introduction to the histories, theories, and best practices behind effective information visualizations. 1st ed. Beverly: Rockport Publishers, 2013, 224 s. ISBN 9781592538065. info
  • BERGSTRÖM, Bo. Essentials of visual communication. London: Laurence King Publishing, 2008, 240 s. ISBN 0335237827. info
  • Iconoclash : [beyond the image wars in science, religion, and art]. Edited by Bruno Latour - Peter Weibel. Karlsruhe: ZKM, Center for Art and Media, 2002, 703 s. ISBN 026262172X. info
Approaches, practices, and methods used in teaching
Study materials are available online: PDF slides, lecture recordings, further reading, and links to more detailed explanations.
Method of verifying learning outcomes and course completion requirements

20 questions on computers, in-person attendance required.

Language of instruction
English
Follow-Up Courses
Further Comments
Study Materials
The course is taught each semester.
Listed among pre-requisites of other courses
  • Enrolment Statistics (recent)
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