VA443 Information Graphic Design
Syllabus | International University of Sarajevo - Last Update on Feb 02, 2026
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Visual Arts and Visual Communications Design
Emir Hambo
Course Lecturer
Course Objectives
The course explores the ways information can be presented visually. It will discuss and analyze the usage of the acquired knowledge, connecting it with new and with practical work. Group and individual assignments are essential parts of the course. All of this will enable the student to understand how to actually utilize their knowledge and understanding of Infographics.
Learning Outcomes
After successful completion of the course, the student will be able to:
Course Materials
Required Textbook
Information Design Workbook: Graphic approaches, solutions, and inspiration plus 30 case studies; Kim Baer, Jill Vacarra; Rockport Publishers (2008)
Additional Literature
Cool Infographics; Krum, Randy; John Wiley & Sons; 978-1-118-58230-5 Infographics-for-dummies; Justin Beegel MBA, The Infographic World Team; John Wiley Sons (2014) Color Works: Best Practices for Graphic Designers; Eddie Opara & John Cantwell; Rockport PublishersTeaching Methods
Onsite lectures
Onsite class discussions
Practical exercises
Screenings
Industry contacts
And a potentially hybrid model that will be determined if circumstances demand it.
Weekly Topics
| Week | Topic | Readings / References |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Introduction to the course, policies and course material. Introduction to Information Design | Discussion |
|
Topics:
Introduction to Assignment 1 |
||
| 2 | History & Foundations | Discussion |
|
Topics:
In-Class Activities:
Introduction to Assignment 1 |
||
| 3 | Understanding Data | Discussion/In-class activity |
|
Topics:
In-Class Activities
Assignment 1 Consultations |
||
| 4 | Assignment 1 Presentation | Discussion. Assignment Review |
|
Individual project presentation
Assignment 2 Introduction |
||
| 5 | Visual Encoding Principles. Charts & Graphical Systems | Discussion/In-class activity |
|
Topics:
In-Class Activities
Assignment 2 Introduction Consultations |
||
| 6 | Assignment 2 presentation. | Discussion. Assignment Review |
|
Individual project presentation
Midterm Introduction |
||
| 7 | Narrative & Storytelling with Data | Discussion/In-class activity |
|
Topics:
In-Class Activities
Midterm Consultations |
||
| 8 | MIDTERM EXAM. | Midterm Review |
| 9 | Typography & Layout in Information Systems. Color Systems & Visual Identity | Discussion/In-class activity |
|
Topics:
In-Class Activities
Assignment 3 Introduction |
||
| 10 | Complex Systems & Information Architecture | Discussion. Assignment Review |
|
Topics:FlowchartsNetwork diagramsSystem mappingComplexity vs simplicity
In-Class ActivitiesMap a complex process (e.g., university system, visa process)Create hierarchy tree Assignment 3 Consultations |
||
| 11 | Assignment 3 Presentations | Discussion/In-class activity |
|
Individual Presentations.
Assignment 4 Introduction |
||
| 12 | Mapping & Spatial Visualization. Interactive & Digital Visualization | Discussion. Assignment Review |
|
Topics:
In-Class Activities:
Assignment 4 Consultations |
||
| 13 | Assignment 4 Presentations | Discussion/In-class activity |
|
Individual Presentations
Final Exam Introduction |
||
| 14 | Signage systems around the world | Discussion/In-class activity |
| 15 | Final Project Review and Consultations. | Discussion. Final Project Review |
Course Schedule (All Sections)
| Section | Type | Day 1 | Venue 1 | Day 2 | Venue 2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VA443.1 | Course | Monday 09:00 - 11:50 | B F1.24 (MAC Studio) | - | - |
Office Hours & Room
| Day | Time | Office | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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
Final Exam
AI: Consult InstructorAlignment with Learning Outcomes :
Assignments
AI: Consult InstructorAlignment with Learning Outcomes :
Midterm exam
AI: Consult InstructorAlignment with Learning Outcomes :
In Class Activities
AI: Consult InstructorAlignment with Learning Outcomes :
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
22 hours ⏳ (11 week × 2 h)
Practical Work
56 hours ⏳ (14 week × 4 h)
Final Project Preparation
9 hours ⏳ (3 week × 3 h)
Assignments
55 hours ⏳ (11 week × 5 h)
Midterm Project Preparation
8 hours ⏳ (2 week × 4 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 [VA443] 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 Feb 02, 2026 | International University of Sarajevo
Print Syllabus
Referencing Curricula Print this page
| Course Code | Course Title | Weekly Hours* | ECTS | Weekly Class Schedule | ||||||
| T | P | |||||||||
| VA443 | Information Graphic Design | 1 | 2 | 6 | Monday 09:00 - 12:00 | |||||
| Prerequisite | Senior Standing | It is a prerequisite to | - | |||||||
| Lecturer | Emir Hambo | Office Hours / Room / Phone | Tuesday: 15:00-17:00 Wednesday: 10:00-12:00 Thursday: 10:00-12:00 Friday: 9:00-17:00 Research |
|||||||
| ehambo@ius.edu.ba | ||||||||||
| Assistant | Assistant E-mail | |||||||||
| Course Objectives | The course explores the ways information can be presented visually. It will discuss and analyze the usage of the acquired knowledge, connecting it with new and with practical work. Group and individual assignments are essential parts of the course. All of this will enable the student to understand how to actually utilize their knowledge and understanding of Infographics. | |||||||||
| Textbook | Information Design Workbook: Graphic approaches, solutions, and inspiration plus 30 case studies; Kim Baer, Jill Vacarra; Rockport Publishers (2008) | |||||||||
| Additional Literature |
|
|||||||||
| Learning Outcomes | After successful completion of the course, the student will be able to: | |||||||||
|
||||||||||
| Teaching Methods | Onsite lectures, onsite class discussions, practical exercises, screenings, industry contacts, and a potentially hybrid model that will be determined if circumstances demand it. | |||||||||
| Teaching Method Delivery | Face-to-face | Teaching Method Delivery Notes | ||||||||
| WEEK | TOPIC | REFERENCE | ||||||||
| Week 1 | Introduction to the course, policies and course material. Introduction to Information Design | Discussion | ||||||||
| Week 2 | History & Foundations | Discussion | ||||||||
| Week 3 | Understanding Data | Discussion/In-class activity | ||||||||
| Week 4 | Assignment 1 Presentation | Discussion. Assignment Review | ||||||||
| Week 5 | Visual Encoding Principles. Charts & Graphical Systems | Discussion/In-class activity | ||||||||
| Week 6 | Assignment 2 presentation. | Discussion. Assignment Review | ||||||||
| Week 7 | Narrative & Storytelling with Data | Discussion/In-class activity | ||||||||
| Week 8 | MIDTERM EXAM. | Midterm Review | ||||||||
| Week 9 | Typography & Layout in Information Systems. Color Systems & Visual Identity | Discussion/In-class activity | ||||||||
| Week 10 | Complex Systems & Information Architecture | Discussion. Assignment Review | ||||||||
| Week 11 | Assignment 3 Presentations | Discussion/In-class activity | ||||||||
| Week 12 | Mapping & Spatial Visualization. Interactive & Digital Visualization | Discussion. Assignment Review | ||||||||
| Week 13 | Assignment 4 Presentations | Discussion/In-class activity | ||||||||
| Week 14 | Signage systems around the world | Discussion/In-class activity | ||||||||
| Week 15 | Final Project Review and Consultations. | Discussion. Final Project Review | ||||||||
| Assessment Methods and Criteria | Evaluation Tool | Quantity | Weight | Alignment with LOs | AI Usage |
| Final Exam | 1 | 30 | LO 1-2-3 | Consult Instructor | |
| Semester Evaluation Components | |||||
| Assignments | 4 | 40 | LO 3-4 | Consult Instructor | |
| Midterm exam | 1 | 20 | LO 1-2-3 | Consult Instructor | |
| In Class Activities | 10 | 10 | LO 1-2-3 | Consult Instructor | |
| *** ECTS Credit Calculation *** | |||||
| Activity | Hours | Weeks | Student Workload Hours | Activity | Hours | Weeks | Student Workload Hours | |||
| Lecture Hours | 2 | 11 | 22 | Practical Work | 4 | 14 | 56 | |||
| Final Project Preparation | 3 | 3 | 9 | Assignments | 5 | 11 | 55 | |||
| Midterm Project Preparation | 4 | 2 | 8 | |||||||
| Total Workload Hours = | 150 | |||||||||
| *T= Teaching, P= Practice | ECTS Credit = | 6 | ||||||||
| Course Academic Quality Assurance: Semester Student Survey | Last Update Date: 19/02/2026 | |||||||||
Detailed Weekly Plan
- What is information design?
- Difference between data visualization, infographic, and visual storytelling
- Why clarity matters
- Deconstructing 5 famous infographics
- “Bad infographic” critique session
- Quick visual translation exercise
Introduction to Assignment 1
- From early diagrams to modern visualization
- Objectivity vs persuasion
- Ethics in data visualization
In-Class Activities:
- Timeline building exercise
- Group debate: Is data neutral?
- Mini exercise: Visualize personal daily routine
Introduction to Assignment 1
- Types of data (qualitative / quantitative)
- Data collection methods
- Data cleaning basics
- Bias in datasets
In-Class Activities
- Students collect small dataset in class
- Organize messy dataset into structured format
- Sketch 3 possible visual interpretations
Assignment 1 Consultations
Assignment 2 Introduction
- Position, size, color, shape, hierarchy
- Gestalt principles in information design
- Cognitive load
In-Class Activities
- Same dataset, 3 different encodings
- Redesign exercise (improve poor hierarchy)
Assignment 2 Introduction Consultations
Midterm Introduction
- Exploratory vs explanatory visualization
- Sequencing information
- Framing & perspective
In-Class Activities
- Convert raw dataset into short visual story
- Create storyboard for infographic
Midterm Consultations
- Color for categorization
- Accessibility (color blindness)
- Emotional tone vs neutrality
- Grid systems
- White space & readability
In-Class Activities
- Build a color-coded system
- Accessibility testing
- Type pairing experiment
Assignment 3 Introduction
In-Class ActivitiesMap a complex process (e.g., university system, visa process)Create hierarchy tree
Assignment 3 Consultations
Assignment 4 Introduction
- Geographic visualization
- Spatial storytelling
- Symbol systems
- Static vs interactive
- Dashboard thinking
- Motion in data visualization
- Intro to tools (Figma / Flourish / Python optional)
In-Class Activities:
- Create thematic map
- Symbol design workshop
- Wireframe interactive dashboard
- Animate one static chart
Assignment 4 Consultations
Final Exam Introduction