VA348 Graphic Design IV
Syllabus | International University of Sarajevo - Last Update on Mar 03, 2026
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Visual Arts and Visual Communications Design
Branko Vekić
Course Lecturer
Course Objectives
• Demonstrate artistic growth by executing a variety of images/ text as images, traditional and contemporary techniques that solve complex design problems using creative thinking and analytical skills. • Study the works of contemporary artists, designers as well as the masters in the field and discuss and enrich their vocabulary of design. Study what a personaly style means, how and whether or not to develop it. • Focus on Moral and Ethic responsibilities of a Graphic Designer towards society and individuals, related to strong rhetoric powers developed during studies. • Learn ways to apply aesthetic sensibilities into their works and explore ways to balance between formal theories with practical applications.
Learning Outcomes
After successful completion of the course, the student will be able to:
Course Materials
Required Textbook
Desing for the real World, Victor Papanek, Chicago Review Press, 2005;
Additional Literature
Design as Art, Bruno Munari, Penguin Classics, 2019.Teaching Methods
Weekly Topics
| Week | Topic | Readings / References |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Introduction | disscussion |
| 2 | Role of a Graphic designer 1 / Climate change assignment | disscussion / Assig. Review |
| 3 | Role of a Graphic designer 2 / Climate change assignment | disscussion / Assig. Review |
| 4 | Rhetorics and Ethos 1 / Sustainability assignment | disscussion / Assig. Review |
| 5 | Rhetorics and Ethos 2 / Sustainability assignment | disscussion / Assig. Review |
| 6 | MIDTERM PROJECT Serialized design - Poster series - Education | exam |
| 7 | What is a personal style? - Packaging in style of renown artist 1 | disscussion / Assig. Review |
| 8 | What is a personal style? - Packaging in style of renown artist 2 | disscussion / Assig. Review |
| 9 | Reaction / Anti-violence assignment 1 | disscussion / Assig. Review |
| 10 | Reaction / Anti-violence assignment 2 | disscussion / Assig. Review |
| 11 | Client and a target group / meeting the requirements assignment 1 | disscussion |
| 12 | Client and a target group / meeting the requirements assignment 2 | disscussion |
| 13 | Manipulating the emotions of the viewer / Hunger assignment 1 | disscussion / Assig. Review |
| 14 | Manipulating the emotions of the viewer / Hunger assignment 1 | disscussion / Assig. Review |
| 15 | FINAL FINAL PROJECT PRESENTATION | exam |
Course Schedule (All Sections)
| Section | Type | Day 1 | Venue 1 | Day 2 | Venue 2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VA348.1 | Course | Thursday 09:00 - 11:50 | B F1.10 Class/ART Studio | - | - |
Office Hours & Room
| Day | Time | Office | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday | 12:00 - 14:00 | B F2.7B | |
| Thursday | 09:00 - 13:00 | B F2.7B |
Assessment Methods and Criteria
Assessment Components
Final Project
AI: Consult InstructorAlignment with Learning Outcomes : 1 2 3 4
Assignments
AI: Consult InstructorAlignment with Learning Outcomes : 1 2 3 4
Midterm Project
AI: Consult InstructorAlignment with Learning Outcomes : 1 2
IUS Grading System
| Grading Scale | IUS Grading System | IUS Coeff. | Letter (B&H) | Numerical (B&H) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 - 44 | F | 0 | F | 5 |
| 45 - 54 | E | 1 | ||
| 55 - 64 | C | 2 | E | 6 |
| 65 - 69 | C+ | 2.3 | D | 7 |
| 70 -74 | B- | 2.7 | ||
| 75 - 79 | B | 3 | C | 8 |
| 80 - 84 | B+ | 3.3 | ||
| 85 - 94 | A- | 3.7 | B | 9 |
| 95 - 100 | A | 4 | A | 10 |
Late Work Policy
Information about late submission policies will be shared during class and posted in this section. Please check back for official guidelines.
ECTS Credit Calculation
📚 Student Workload
This 6 ECTS credit course corresponds to 150 hours of total student workload, distributed as follows:
Lecture hours
15 hours ⏳ (15 week × 1 h)
Assignments
60 hours ⏳ (10 week × 6 h)
Lab
30 hours ⏳ (15 week × 2 h)
Midterm Project
18 hours ⏳ (2 week × 9 h)
Final Project preparation
27 hours ⏳ (3 week × 9 h)
150 Total Workload Hours
6 ECTS Credits
Course Policies
Academic Integrity
All work submitted must be your own. Plagiarism, cheating, or any form of academic dishonesty will result in disciplinary action according to university policies. When in doubt about citation practices, consult the instructor.
Attendance Policy
Students are expected to adhere to the attendance requirements as outlined in the International University of Sarajevo Study Rules and Regulations. Excessive absences, whether excused or unexcused, may impact academic performance and eligibility for assessment. Mandatory sessions (e.g., labs, workshops) require attendance unless formally exempted. For detailed policies on absences, documentation, and penalties, please refer to the official university regulations.
Technology & AI Policy
Laptops/tablets may be used for note-taking only during lectures. Phones should be silenced and put away during all class sessions. Audio/video recording requires prior permission from the instructor.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) Usage: The use of AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Copilot, Gemini) varies by assessment component. Please refer to the AI usage indicator next to each assessment item in the Assessment Methods and Criteria section above. Submitting AI-generated content as your own work, where AI is not explicitly allowed, constitutes an academic integrity violation.
Communication Policy
All course-related communication should occur through official university channels (institutional email or SIS). Emails should include [VA348] in the subject line.
Academic Quality Assurance Policy
Course Academic Quality Assurance is achieved through Semester Student Survey. At the end of each academic year, the institution of higher education is obliged to evaluate work of the academic staff, or the success of realization of the curricula.
Learning Tips
Be prepared to contribute thoughtfully during class discussions, labs, or collaborative work. Active participation deepens understanding and encourages critical thinking.
Complete assigned readings or prep materials before class. Take notes, highlight key ideas, and jot down questions. Aim to grasp core concepts and their applications—not just facts.
Use course frameworks or methodologies to analyze problems, case studies, or projects. Begin early to allow time for reflection and refinement. Seek feedback to improve your work.
Don’t hesitate to reach out when something is unclear. Use office hours, discussion boards, or peer networks to clarify concepts and stay on track.
Syllabus Last Updated on Mar 03, 2026 | International University of Sarajevo
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Referencing Curricula Print this page
| Course Code | Course Title | Weekly Hours* | ECTS | Weekly Class Schedule | ||||||
| T | P | |||||||||
| VA348 | Graphic Design IV | 1 | 2 | 6 | Thursday, 09:00-12:00 | |||||
| Prerequisite | VA216, VA217, VA347 | It is a prerequisite to | - | |||||||
| Lecturer | Branko Vekić | Office Hours / Room / Phone | Wednesday: 12:00-14:00 Thursday: 9:00-13:00 |
|||||||
| bvekic@ius.edu.ba | ||||||||||
| Assistant | Assistant E-mail | |||||||||
| Course Objectives | • Demonstrate artistic growth by executing a variety of images/ text as images, traditional and contemporary techniques that solve complex design problems using creative thinking and analytical skills. • Study the works of contemporary artists, designers as well as the masters in the field and discuss and enrich their vocabulary of design. Study what a personaly style means, how and whether or not to develop it. • Focus on Moral and Ethic responsibilities of a Graphic Designer towards society and individuals, related to strong rhetoric powers developed during studies. • Learn ways to apply aesthetic sensibilities into their works and explore ways to balance between formal theories with practical applications. |
|||||||||
| Textbook | Desing for the real World, Victor Papanek, Chicago Review Press, 2005; | |||||||||
| Additional Literature |
|
|||||||||
| Learning Outcomes | After successful completion of the course, the student will be able to: | |||||||||
|
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| Teaching Methods | ||||||||||
| Teaching Method Delivery | Face-to-face | Teaching Method Delivery Notes | ||||||||
| WEEK | TOPIC | REFERENCE | ||||||||
| Week 1 | Introduction | disscussion | ||||||||
| Week 2 | Role of a Graphic designer 1 / Climate change assignment | disscussion / Assig. Review | ||||||||
| Week 3 | Role of a Graphic designer 2 / Climate change assignment | disscussion / Assig. Review | ||||||||
| Week 4 | Rhetorics and Ethos 1 / Sustainability assignment | disscussion / Assig. Review | ||||||||
| Week 5 | Rhetorics and Ethos 2 / Sustainability assignment | disscussion / Assig. Review | ||||||||
| Week 6 | MIDTERM PROJECT Serialized design - Poster series - Education | exam | ||||||||
| Week 7 | What is a personal style? - Packaging in style of renown artist 1 | disscussion / Assig. Review | ||||||||
| Week 8 | What is a personal style? - Packaging in style of renown artist 2 | disscussion / Assig. Review | ||||||||
| Week 9 | Reaction / Anti-violence assignment 1 | disscussion / Assig. Review | ||||||||
| Week 10 | Reaction / Anti-violence assignment 2 | disscussion / Assig. Review | ||||||||
| Week 11 | Client and a target group / meeting the requirements assignment 1 | disscussion | ||||||||
| Week 12 | Client and a target group / meeting the requirements assignment 2 | disscussion | ||||||||
| Week 13 | Manipulating the emotions of the viewer / Hunger assignment 1 | disscussion / Assig. Review | ||||||||
| Week 14 | Manipulating the emotions of the viewer / Hunger assignment 1 | disscussion / Assig. Review | ||||||||
| Week 15 | FINAL FINAL PROJECT PRESENTATION | exam | ||||||||
| Assessment Methods and Criteria | Evaluation Tool | Quantity | Weight | Alignment with LOs | AI Usage |
| Final Project | 1 | 25 | 1,2,3,4 | Consult Instructor | |
| Semester Evaluation Components | |||||
| Assignments | 6 | 60 | 1,2,3,4 | Consult Instructor | |
| Midterm Project | 1 | 15 | 1,2 | Consult Instructor | |
| *** ECTS Credit Calculation *** | |||||
| Activity | Hours | Weeks | Student Workload Hours | Activity | Hours | Weeks | Student Workload Hours | |||
| Lecture hours | 1 | 15 | 15 | Assignments | 6 | 10 | 60 | |||
| Lab | 2 | 15 | 30 | Midterm Project | 9 | 2 | 18 | |||
| Final Project preparation | 9 | 3 | 27 | |||||||
| Total Workload Hours = | 150 | |||||||||
| *T= Teaching, P= Practice | ECTS Credit = | 6 | ||||||||
| Course Academic Quality Assurance: Semester Student Survey | Last Update Date: 16/03/2026 | |||||||||