Course Summary Course Objectives Learning Outcomes Course Materials Teaching Methods Weekly Topics Course Schedule Office Hours Assestment ECTS Calculation Course Policies Learning Tips Print Syllabi Download as PNG

VA416 Design Studio II

Syllabus   |  International University of Sarajevo  -  Last Update on Feb 02, 2026

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Visual Arts and Visual Communications Design

Academic Year
2025 - 2026
Semester
Spring
Course Code
VA416
Weekly Hours
0 Teaching + 3 Practice
ECTS
6
Prerequisites
Senior Standing
Teaching Mode Delivery
Face-to-face
Prerequisite For
-
Teaching Mode Delivery Notes
-
Cycle
I Cycle
Prof. Jane Doe

Emir Hambo

Course Lecturer

Position
Assistant Professor Dr.
Email
ehambo@ius.edu.ba
Phone
033 957 302
Assistant(s)
-
Assistant E-mail
-

Course Objectives

The aim of this course is to enable students to employ all of the theoretical and practical knowledge acquired previously and to create 2-5 fundamental pieces of creative work for their portfolios or digital demo-reels.

Learning Outcomes

After successful completion of the course, the student will be able to:

1
Access the industry with the high quality work that best represents their knowledge and creative skill in the creative industry
2
Demonstrate the abilities and technical skills through the high quality projects
3
Gain knowledge about the design industry and professional development
4
Produce and critique projects that coordinate descriptive and expressive possibilities of modern media
5
Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation, and encourage the formalization and growth of micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises, in line with SDG's 8.3

Course Materials

Required Textbook

Multiple sources related to individual projects that are changing from Semester to Semester (Text books, web, articles, digital material)

Additional Literature
TBD accordingly

Teaching Methods

Lectures
Discussions
Individual work
Constructive criticism

Weekly Topics

This weekly planning is subject to change with advance notice.
Week Topic Readings / References
Introduction to Semester based project. 
Alphabet of Bosnia: Visualizing Space, Memory & Identity
Lecture Topics:
  • Alphabet as system
  • Space as cultural text
  • Introduction to semiotics:
  1. Ferdinand de Saussure
  2. Roland Barthes

In-class Exercise:Students list 30 potential Bosnian “entries” without censorship.
Homework:Personal positionality statement (Why Bosnia? Why this approach?)Raw A–Z draft list (minimum 40 options)
Students choose their angle:
  • Political Alphabet
  • Natural Alphabet
  • Ritual Alphabet
  • Contested Alphabet
  • Personal/Autobiographical Alphabet
  • Industrial/Nostalgia Alphabet

Deliverable:
  • 2-page Concept Proposal
  • Refined A–Z list (30 confirmed entries)

Research referencesInstructor approval required before production begins.
Student must:
  • Visit at least 3 locations
  • Collect original photo/video material
  • Conduct at least 1 short interview OR archive research

Deliverable:
  • Research documentation PDF
  • Visual reference board
  • Narrative map (how letters connect conceptually)
Goal: Build ONE visual system applied to all letters.
Students define:
  • Grid
  • Typography
  • Image logic
  • Color restriction
  • Hierarchy rules

Deliverable:
  • Style Guide (5–8 pages)
  • 3 fully designed letters (test cases)
Goal: Construct the full alphabet within a coherent visual logic.Letters A–Đ
Focus:
  • Maintaining system integrity
  • Testing pacing

Deliverable:
  • 8 completed letters 
Goal: Construct the full alphabet within a coherent visual logic.Letters E–K
Focus:
  • Maintaining system integrity
  • Testing pacing

Deliverable:
  • 15 completed letters 
8 MIDTERM - Progress presentation Midterm Review
Goal: Construct the full alphabet within a coherent visual logic.Letters L–R
Focus:
  • Maintaining system integrity
  • Testing pacing

Deliverable:23 completed letters 
Goal: Construct the full alphabet within a coherent visual logic.Letters S–Z
Focus:
  • Maintaining system integrity
  • Testing pacing

Deliverable:
  • 30 completed letters 
Alphabet is now questioned.
Students decide:
  • Keep A–Z order?
  • Rearrange thematically?
  • Insert contrast points?

Deliverable:
  • Revised sequencing proposal
  • 500-word narrative explanation
Students choose final format:
  • Poster series
  • Designed publication
  • Motion design reel
  • Installation
  • Hybrid

Deliverable:
  • Production plan
  • Technical specifications
Students must add:1 Data-based element (statistic, demographic, archival data)1 “Silent Letter” (absence, erased space, or political void)1 Contradictory Letter (challenging dominant narrative)
Deliverable:Integrated revisions
14 Field trip Visit to printing company
15 Digital Exhibition Launch and Reflection Review

Course Schedule (All Sections)

SectionTypeDay 1Venue 1Day 2Venue 2
VA416.1 Course Tuesday 09:00 - 11:50 B F1.24 (MAC Studio) - -

Office Hours & Room

DayTimeOfficeNotes
Tuesday 15:00 - 17:00 B F2.25
Wednesday 10:00 - 12:00 B F2.25
Thursday 10:00 - 12:00 B F2.25
Friday 09:00 - 17:00 B F2.25 Research

Assessment Methods and Criteria

Assessment Components

30%x1
Final Exam
AI: Consult Instructor

Alignment with Learning Outcomes :  LO 1  2  3  4  5

30%x1
Midterm Exam
AI: Consult Instructor

Alignment with Learning Outcomes :  LO 1  2  3  4  5

10%x1
Concept & Research Development
AI: Consult Instructor

Alignment with Learning Outcomes :  LO 1   3

10%x1
Visual System & Style Guide
AI: Consult Instructor

Alignment with Learning Outcomes :  LO 2   4

10%x1
Process & Studio Engagement
AI: Consult Instructor

Alignment with Learning Outcomes :  LO 2   4

5%x1
Narrative & Sequencing
AI: Consult Instructor

Alignment with Learning Outcomes :  LO 1  2  3  4

5%x1
Experimental Layer
AI: Consult Instructor

Alignment with Learning Outcomes :  LO 2  4

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

26 hours ⏳ (13 week × 2 h)

Assignments

45 hours ⏳ (9 week × 5 h)

Individual Learning

39 hours ⏳ (13 week × 3 h)

Work On Midterm Project

12 hours ⏳ (3 week × 4 h)

Work On Final Project

28 hours ⏳ (4 week × 7 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 [VA416] 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.

More info

Learning Tips

Engage Actively

Be prepared to contribute thoughtfully during class discussions, labs, or collaborative work. Active participation deepens understanding and encourages critical thinking.

Read and Review Purposefully

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.

Think Critically in Assignments

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.

Ask Questions Early

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 Feb 02, 2026 | International University of Sarajevo

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