COURSE OUTLINE FOR

SEMESTER II,
ACADEMIC SESSION
2021/2022

YKT108E
Visual Communication
LECTURER Edmund Ngo | D13.024 | ext. 3316 | edmund.n@usm.my

COURSE This course provides basic and general expositions on visual communication such
SYPNOSIS as advertising, film, video, computer, photography, journalism, graphic,
animation and cartoon, and other communication media which have visual
elements. Emphasis will be given to the understanding of the use of visual in the
process of communication and how to evaluate visual images through various
perspectives. Student will learn how these visual images exerted through
practical exercises in photography.

COURSE  Introduce students to the basics of visual communication and how to produce
OBJECTIVES visual materials suitable to be presented in media materials.

STUDENT  Explain the theoretical and practical principles in visual communication

LEARNING  Design visual materials using digital platforms
OUTCOMES  Create visual content for targeted audiences

LECTURE Tuesday. 3pm - 4pm Webex

Tutorial. 4pm – 5pm Webex (Week 3 onwards)

ASSESSMENT Assessment is 100 percent based on course work comprising three components:
• QUIZ | Individual – 30 %

• ASSIGNMENT | Individual – 30%

Students are required to submit a photo essay assignment that addresses the
visual representation of a stereotype of their choice. The assignment contains:
1. Cover Page (name, matric no. Etc)
2. Stereotype visual representation explanation
3. Photos with caption ( 3 photos in total)

Submission requirement:
- Word document.
- Visual elements for explanation page can include; headline, body text,
slogan, frame and other graphic elements
- Each photo should take up more than 50% of the page (can be in portrait
or landscape mode). Photo should be clear and not pixelated or skewed.
- Each photo needs a proper caption. Photos used must be taken original by
the student. No photos of yourselves. No old photos. No stock photos or
photos taken by others.

• PROJECT | Group ( pax) – 40%

Your team is tasked to create visual materials to discuss universal basic income in
Malaysia. You will need to design 1 infographic and 2 social media posts
(Instagram). You are also required to write a report (10 page max) containing:
 Cover page (name, matric no. etc)
 Background – universal basic income
 Explanation of infographic (visual elements, design choices)
 Explanation of social media post (visual elements, design choices)
 Submission instructions:
- Submit in 1 Word file.
- Report written in Times New Roman, 12pt, double spacing.
- Social media post includes accompanying text
- References to follow APA format

READINGS  Lester, P. M. (2013). Visual communication: Images with

messages. Cengage Learning.
 Lupton, E., & Phillips, J. C. (2015). Graphic Design: The New
Basics: Revised and Expanded. Chronicle Books.
 Fahmy, S., Bock, M., & Wanta, W. (2014). Visual
communication theory and research: A mass communication
perspective: Springer.

LECTURE SCHEDULE AND DEADLINES

W1 – 5/4 Introduction to Visual Communication

W2 – 12/4 Digital photography
W3 – 19/4 Visual stereotypes | Tutorial
W4 – 26/4 Visual theories | Tutorial
W5 – 3/5 Elements and principles of design| Tutorial (Hari Raya Holiday)
W6 – 10/5 Visual cues| Tutorial

W7 – 17/5 Information visualisation | Tutorial

 Assignment deadline ( 22 May - Sunday )
W8 – 24/5 Mid-sem break
W9 – 31/5 Visual for film | Tutorial
W10 – 7/6 Visual for cartoons and animations | Tutorial
W11 – 14/6 Visual for advertising, public relations and marketing | Tutorial
W12 – 21/6 Visual identity and branding | Tutorial
W13 – 28/6 Visual analysis | Last tutorial
 Project deadline ( 3 July - Sunday )
W14 – 5/7 Ethics in visual commnunication, Visual communication and the web
W15 – 12/7 Summary
 Quiz (TBA)