Course Information
SemesterCourse Unit CodeCourse Unit TitleT+P+LCreditNumber of ECTS CreditsLast Updated Date
1FAD 107Visual Design-I2+2+03627.07.2026
Course Details
Language of Instruction English
Level of Course Unit Bachelor's Degree
Department / Program Film Design and Direction (English)
Type of Program Formal Education
Type of Course Unit Compulsory
Course Delivery Method Face To Face
Objectives of the Course This course is designed to enhance students’ skills in digital visual design by incorporating animation, motion graphics, and video editing. Students will start by developing characters and scenery as static digital illustrations, then progress into animation techniques, and finally integrate their animated elements into a full video composition. By the end of the course, students will be able to conceptualize, design, animate, and edit a short digital animation project.
Course Content As part of their learning in this course, students will:
• Learn basics of motion design and build upon fundamental design skills and develop a strong foundation in motion graphics and animation.
• Learn basic drawing techniques using Adobe Illustrator and develop original characters, environments, and animations using digital tools.
• Enhance their ability to present a series of ideas through time-based content, analyze, and refine their design work based on feedback.
• Demonstrate their ability to integrate motion graphics, sound, and editing techniques into a cohesive video project.
Course Methods and Techniques This course will combine lectures, computer laboratory exercises, discussions, individual and collaborative projects, digital design demonstrations, and presentations. Active participation, engagement, and a willingness to experiment are highly encouraged.
Prerequisites and co-requisities None
Course Coordinator None
Name of Lecturers Instructor Cem Yılgın
Assistants None
Work Placement(s) No

Recommended or Required Reading
Resources • Wood, B. (2024). Adobe Illustrator Classroom in a Book. Adobe Press. • Leirpoll, J. (2017). The Cool Stuff in Premiere Pro. APress. • Underhal, K. (2003). Adobe Premiere Pro for dummies. Wiley Press. • Jago, M. (2024). Adobe Premiere Pro Classroom in a Book. Adobe Press.
Course Notes • Wood, B. (2024). Adobe Illustrator Classroom in a Book. Adobe Press.
• Leirpoll, J. (2017). The Cool Stuff in Premiere Pro. APress.
• Underhal, K. (2003). Adobe Premiere Pro for dummies. Wiley Press.
• Jago, M. (2024). Adobe Premiere Pro Classroom in a Book. Adobe Press.

Course Category
Field %100

Planned Learning Activities and Teaching Methods
Activities are given in detail in the section of "Assessment Methods and Criteria" and "Workload Calculation"

Assessment Methods and Criteria
In-Term Studies Quantity Percentage
Mid-terms 1 % 30
Assignment 5 % 20
Attendance 14 % 10
Final examination 1 % 40
Total
21
% 100

 
ECTS Allocated Based on Student Workload
Activities Quantity Duration Total Work Load
Course Duration 14 2 28
Hours for off-the-c.r.stud 14 2 28
Assignments 5 10 50
Mid-terms 1 10 10
Practice 14 2 28
Final examination 1 15 15
Total Work Load   Number of ECTS Credits 6,23529411764706 159

 
Course Learning Outcomes: Upon the successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
NoLearning Outcomes
1 Applies fundamental design principles, including composition, color theory, typography, and visual hierarchy, in visual design works.
2 Uses Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator to  create  image edits, photo manipulations, and digital compositions.
3 Analyzes and critiques design works and refines designs based on feedback through an iterative design process.
4 Prepares and presents design works using professional presentation techniques and communicates design decisions effectively.

 
Weekly Detailed Course Contents
WeekTopicsStudy MaterialsMaterials
1 Overview of the Course Syllabus; Introduction to Visual Communication and Design Principles; Overview of Adobe Creative Cloud Software, Software Setup and User Interfaces Review of the course syllabus and fundamental visual design concepts Costello, V. (2012). Multimedia Foundations: Core Concepts for Digital Design. Elsevier & Focal Press. Leborg, C. (2004). Visual Grammar. Princeton Architectural Press. Chavez, C. (2024). Adobe Photoshop Classroom in a Book 2024 Release. Adobe Press. Anton, K.K. & DeJarld, T. (2024). Adobe InDesign Classroom in a Book. Adobe Press. Wood, B. (2024). Adobe Illustrator Classroom in a Book. Adobe Press.
2 Introduction to Media and Design; Pre-production, Design, Production and Post-production Processes; Composition, Color Theory, Visual Principles and Audience-Targeted Design Review of fundamental concepts related to the design process, composition and color theory
3 Visual Communication and Applied Design Principles; Balance, Contrast, Emphasis, Hierarchy, Rhythm and Unity; Visual Abstraction, Gestalt Principles, Perception, Composition and Visual Storytelling Review of basic design and Gestalt principles through visual design examples
4 Adobe Photoshop Interface; Layers, Tools and Workspace; Basic Image Editing, Cropping, Resizing and Adjustments; Laboratory Exercises Review of the Photoshop interface and basic image editing tools
5 Selection and Masking Techniques in Photoshop; Feathering, Non-destructive Editing and Textures; Visual Design and Basic User Experience Examples Review of selection, masking and layer tools in Photoshop
6 Introduction to Typography; Basic Typography Principles and Type Tools; Creating and Formatting Text Layers; Combining Text and Visuals Review of basic typography concepts and the use of different typefaces in visual communication
7 Color and Image Manipulation; Color Correction Tools, Curves, Levels and Hue/Saturation; Image Enhancement, Color and Tonal Adjustments Review of color theory and Photoshop color adjustment tools
8 Midterm Exam
9 Introduction to Adobe Illustrator; Interface and Tools; Vector and Raster Graphics; Basic Shape Creation and Manipulation; Typography Tools Research on the differences between vector and raster graphics and review of the Illustrator interface
10 Multidirectional Studies in Art and Design; Relationships Between Design, Visuality, Art and Architecture; Pop Art, Dadaism and Surrealism; Artistic Expression in Visual Design Review of selected visual examples from Pop Art, Dadaism and Surrealism
11 Presentation Techniques; Presentation Design with PowerPoint and Prezi; Effective Layout; Integration of Adobe and Office Software; Incorporating AI Tools into Presentations Review of effective digital presentation examples and different presentation tools
12 Class Presentations and Development of Digital Design Blogs; Individual Critiques, Presentation of Laboratory Works and Development of Workflow Between Different Software Preparation of the digital design blog and laboratory works for presentation
13 Project Development and Portfolio Building; Adobe InDesign; Visual Storytelling and Photo Narrative; Citation Techniques; Booklet and Portfolio Design with InDesign Review of portfolio examples and organization of previous works for portfolio development
14 Course Review and Preparation for the Final Project; Project Development, Individual Critiques and Citation of Visual and AI-Generated Materials Preparation of final project ideas and sketches and organization of visual materials and references
15 Final Project Development; Individual Feedback; Creating Complex Shapes and Illustrations; Photoshop Drawing Tools; Printing Techniques, Color and Page Layout Corrections Development of final project works and preparation of print-ready digital files
16 Final Exam / Final Project Evaluation Completion of the final project and related visual design works in accordance with submission and assessment criteria

 
Sustainable Development Goals
Contribution of Learning Outcomes to Programme Outcomes
P1 P2 P3 P4 P5 P6 P7 P8 P9 P10 P11 P12
All 3 2 2 3
C1
C2
C3
C4

  Contribution: 1: Very Slight 2:Slight 3:Moderate 4:Significant 5:Very Significant