Computer applications workshop

Nowadays, it is no longer possible for communication designers to carry out their creative work professionally without the use of a computer. In recent years, desktop publishing (DTP) has transformed the traditional work of the typesetter into the remit of the communication designer and has taken over the task of image editing, which was previously the domain of the photographer or the photographic laboratory.

DTP has opened up new design possibilities for graphic designers; it has caught up with traditional reproduction methods, transformed the way print files are produced and, most recently, revolutionised short-run printing.

The workshop is primarily open to students on the Communication Design degree programme. Students learn to take a design through to layout and then to print in an independent and professional manner. This results in new typefaces, websites, interactive CDs, books, posters and so on.

A compulsory Apple Macintosh training course is held from the very first semester. Furthermore, all students in the department (approx. 80–100) receive training in standard DTP programmes such as QuarkXPress (layout), Freehand and Illustrator (drawing), Photoshop (image editing), Fontographer (font creation), as well as multimedia and internet programmes.

The workshop tutor is responsible for providing technical supervision for project work, term projects and dissertation projects at each stage.