A handbook on layout in graphic design for Polytechnics in Ghana
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Date
2004-11-22
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Abstract
Layout is one of the most important areas in graphic design, which makes it possible to achieve the essence for which all designs are made.
Unfortunately, there are no useful textbooks for the teaching of graphic design in the polytechnics, as well as at other levels of education. But graphic design is an increasingly patronized form of art in the polytechnics.
The supply of instructional materials is important, particularly on layout, which is important in design. The few books on layout lack essentials of proper page planning which, in effect, may render designs poor. Therefore, there is the need to search for and compile comprehensive information on layout, perhaps in the form of a handbook which teachers and learners of graphic design can use.
The research methods used are descriptive, analytical and survey. Findings reveal that layout is not given the much-needed attention when preparing a design. The method used in teaching, as well as the books and other reading materials available to teachers and students, are quite unsatisfactory. Out of over twenty graphic design books read by the researcher during this research, only a few discussed layout. The rest discussed the principles and elements of design but did not relate them to layout.
It was discovered during the research that layout was not introduced at the beginning of the graphic design course. Polytechnics need to organize workshops and seminars on layout and invite the researcher as a resource person to discuss the topic. Publication of this research would be useful to polytechnics and other levels of education.
Layout should be introduced at the beginning of the graphic design course in all educational levels. The syllabus for the polytechnic graphic design course should be reviewed, insuring that layout is included in all graphic design courses and also throughout all the years of the entire programme.
Designers must always test their designs to detect how the samples communicate, and how readily.
Description
thesis submitted to the School of Graduate Studies, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in partial
fulfilment of the requirements for the award of Master of Arts in Art Education, 2004