Cyprus International University Course Portal

Basic Design-I: This course focuses on fundamental design elements and principles such as harmony, contrast, balance, unity, dilemma, dominance, repetition, rhythm, analogy, metaphor. It also includes the colour theory and its application to design. Students are also introduced to the Euclidean geometry,  composition of shapes, forms and shapes with the emphasis on their visual expression such as light, colour, texture, gestalt principles of perception, figure-ground relations,  orientation, formal transformations, interdependence and relationships; studies on ordering systems; introduction of abstract/real concepts in a design. The aim of the course is to motivate creativity, hand-eye coordination, and artistic perception by focusing on the basics of design elements and design principles for graphic design students.

Basic Design-II: This course focuses on further 2D and 3D studies in basic design. After the first stage, students start to think about conceptual basis. The coincidental organization and selection of significant frames out of the chaotic order is the starting point of this course. The ability to create remarkable design / layout is formed by the knowledge of basic design principles.  Students take a chance with experimental exercises on motion, structure, mass, texture, light and color. To observe the natural and unnatural elements by drawing is another concern. Students study to use different graphic techniques like hatching, dotting, and abstraction through the ink shades. The course ends with a basic logo design as an introduction to functional approach in design.

This course based on wayfinding, symbol, logo, signs and pictogram designs. Students will be able to develop designs regarding to the public places such as museums, libraries, airports, schools etc.

Students in Graphic design are required to complete a major graduating project, this course will prepare them to find their area of interest and develop their theoretical premise, the problem / issue, the program and the parameters of their project. Students must complete a draft of the Graduate project proposal by the end of these semester. The proposal should state and define the area of their inquiry, the project’s rationale, objectives, and methods to be followed during the project. In this course, they will learn how to write academically without plagiarism while they will get to know different styles of writings and research. This course will be the base of their graduation project and the graphic design solution.

The scope of the Female Stereotypes in Design course focuses on the history of graphic design to understand how ingrained stereotypes of women emerged and became widespread today. In general, social changes that took place in the Western civilisation during the Industrial Revolution, World War I, the interwar period, World War II, the post-war period, and the Second Wave of Feminism and their effects on women and their image will be discussed. In this regard, similarities between the various images of women generated in the processes of social change will be compared through posters, and the repetitions in the presentation of these images will be traced during class.Besides these lectures, students will also present their research on the topic for a class discussion.