Course detail

(Graphic) Design Topics of Today

FaVU-ATGDAcad. year: 2025/2026

The course focuses on selected topics of visual communication and design in general. In the classes, current topics are discussed with the students, the starting point being current events in the field of graphic design and related areas. Theoretical and critical texts are read to prepare for classes. The course takes into account the cultural and other contexts that influence the current practice of graphic design. 

Language of instruction

Czech

Number of ECTS credits

2

Mode of study

Not applicable.

Guarantor

Mgr. Kateřina Přidalová

Department

Department of Art History and Theory (KTDU)

Entry knowledge

Ability of critical work with text, basic orientation in visual culture and graphic design.

Rules for evaluation and completion of the course

The condition for granting the credit is active participation in teaching and fulfillment of assigned tasks (reading texts and writing essays). In the case of online teaching, also regular online communication.
Compulsory attendance - an unexcused absence on one teaching block is tolerated.

Aims

Strengthening students' ability to critically perceive the cultural, social, economic, political and aesthetic contexts in which visual communication emerged and emerges.
Students develop critical thinking about the field, which is crucial for both graphic design practice and reception and visual communication analysis.

Study aids

Not applicable.

Prerequisites and corequisites

Not applicable.

Basic literature

Beatriz Colomnia & Mark Wigley, Are We Human? Notes on an archeology of design, Lars Müller Publishers, Zürich, 2016. (EN)
Malcolm Barnard, Graphic Design as Communication, Routledge, 2013. (EN)
Ruben Pater, Politics of Design, BIS Publishers B.V. 2016. (EN)
Silvio Lorusso, What Design Can’t Do. Essays on Design and Disillusion, Set Margins‘ #26, 2023. (EN)

Recommended reading

Alice Rawsthorne, Zdravím, světe. Jak design vstupuje do života, Kniha Zlín 2014.Anthony Dunne - Fiona Raby, Speculative Everything, Cambridge 2013.
Bruce Sterling, Vytváření věcí, UMPRUM 2019.
Donald Norman, Design pro Každý den, Praha 2010.
Helen Armstrong (ed.), Digital Design Theory: Readings from the Field, Princeton Architectural Press, 2012.
Helen Armstrong (ed.), Graphic Design Theory: Readings from the Field, Princeton Architectural Press, 2009.
Johanna Drucker & Emily McVarish, Graphic Design History. A Critical Guide, Pearson, 2013.
Koert van Mensvoort & Hendrik-Jan Grievink, Next Nature. Nature changes along with us, Next nature network, 2015.
Nicholas Mirzoeff, Jak vidět svět, Artmap, 2015.
Philip B. Meggs & Alston W. Purvis, History of Graphic Design, Wiley, 2016.
Richard Hollis, Stručná historie grafického designu, Rubato, 2015.
Ruben Pater, CAPS LOCK How capitalism took hold of graphic design, and how to escape from it, Valiz 2021.
Tony Fry, Design as Politics, London 2011.
Victor Papanek, Zelený imperativ. Ekologie a etika v designu a architektuře, UMPRUM 2024.
William T. Mitchell, Teorie obrazu, Karolinum, 2016.
Zdeno Kolesár, Kapitoly z dějin designu, Vysoká škola uměleckoprůmyslová, 2009.

Classification of course in study plans

  • Programme DES_B Bachelor's 2 year of study, winter semester, compulsory-optional
    2 year of study, winter semester, compulsory-optional
    2 year of study, winter semester, compulsory-optional
    2 year of study, winter semester, compulsory-optional
    4 year of study, winter semester, elective
    4 year of study, winter semester, elective
    4 year of study, winter semester, elective
    4 year of study, winter semester, elective
  • Programme BIT Bachelor's 1 year of study, winter semester, elective
  • Programme BIT Bachelor's 1 year of study, winter semester, elective

Type of course unit

 

Lecture

12 hod., compulsory

Teacher / Lecturer

Mgr. Kateřina Přidalová

Syllabus

Introduction to semiotics and communication theory
Fonts, typography and experiment
Books, newspapers, magazines and the future of the press
Brand, logotype and corporate identity, advertising
Motion design
Digital media and internet, big data
Design and tools. Codes, algorithms and interfaces
Users, UX design, participative design, co-design
Privacy and Copyright
Virtual reality, augmented reality, artificial intelligence, smart technologies
Biodesign, cyborg and posthumanism
Ethics in design, slow design
Speculative Design, Design Fictions, Future Design

Seminar

12 hod., compulsory

Teacher / Lecturer

Mgr. Kateřina Přidalová

Individual preparation for excercises

12 hod., optionally

Teacher / Lecturer

Mgr. Kateřina Přidalová