Posters, logos, pictograms, public bulletin boards, creation of books and
periodicals, on-line publishing, animation – simply, visual magic with
images and text, the art of visual communication.
All the above is the subject matter of graphic design. The students’ studio
skills are based on drawing, which is practised especially in the first two
academic years, together with perception of shapes, colours, letterforms,
and composition. The students begin with graphic stylization and inventive
and simple graphic expression, and then they move on to create more
complex graphic designs. Throughout their four years of study, the
students become acquainted with professional graphic programs (Adobe
for desktop publishing, animation programs or programs for creation of
fonts). Mastering a wide range of classic graphic techniques such as high
print, deep print, lithography and silk-screen printing is an important part
of the curriculum as this prepares the students for their study of modern
printing techniques. Hands-on experience in calligraphy and typography is
complemented with lectures in typography and history of letterforms and
graphic design. By acquiring both traditional and current studio skills, the
students learn to be able to see the bigger picture and they also improve
their chances of finding employment. When studying, our students work
not only on their school assignments but also on commissions from clients
such as The City Museum, The Department of Instrumental Technology at
the Czech Academy of Sciences, the National Heritage Institute and the
Moravian Museum in Brno. Efforts are made to establish contacts with
teaching staff and students at various universities.
Successful graduates continue their studies at universities or find jobs in
advertising agencies, graphic studios, and publishing houses. They also
freelance as graphic artists, typographers or web designers.
The Department of Graphic Design holds regular workshops to prepare
applicants for auditions and provides counselling regarding the portfolios
required for the auditions (samples of portfolios).