COURSE INSTRUCTOR

Prof. Romanlito S. Austria, MVCD

Associate Professor
Faculty of Visual Communication and Design
College of Fine Arts
University of the Philippines Diliman
Mobile: (+63) 9199925942
E-mail: rs_austria@yahoo.com
COURSE RATIONALE
Visual perception is a comprehensive sense of cognition, of creating meaning and of improving
understanding through visuals. In recent development, visual perception could not be simply
dened as sense of seeing. It is now regarded as emerging interaction of visual
communication system.
Visual perception is not a passive mode of receiving and processing visual stimuli. Visual
perception together with culture and technology are so inextricably bound up that dene the
nature and development of social being.
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course is designed to introduce the students on the phenomena of visual cognition and
language. It is also designed to provide visual design and communication tools for perception,
imagination and ingenuity and to engage the students in the sensory and thinking processes
that precede to creative activities.
The eld of study includes discussions on the phenomena of visual perception, grammar of
visual design, and the elements of arts and design. Students are also expected to create art
projects for the course.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
At the end of the course, the students shall be able to:

Discuss an integrated overview of Fine Arts core courses and their relationship with the
different areas of specialization in the Department of Visual Communication;

Explain the phenomena of visual language in the context of Filipino culture;

Apply elements of design and principles of visual organization in various creative

projects;

Develop techniques and appropriate skills for class requirements; and,

Present and evaluate course projects.

COURSE CONTENTS
A. Course Orientation
B. Diagnostic Exercises
C. The Phenomena of Visual Perception
1. Introduction to Visual Perception
2. Physiological Aspects of Visual Perception
(The Eye and the Brain - Its Anatomy and Function)
3. The Stages of Perception
D. Cultural and Psychological Inuences in Perception
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FA10 W
Tue-Thurs, 8:30 - 11:30 am
First Semester, 2013-2014
VISUAL PERCEPTION
Course Syllabus
FA10 W
E. Gestalt Psychology
1. Laws of Gestalt
2. Grouping
F. The Elements of Visual Design
1. Points
2. Line
3. Shape
4. Forms
5. Volume
6. Plane
7. Color
G. Course Synthesis
H. Basic Materials for the Course:
- Bristol Vellum (preferably 2-3 ply; 14 X 22)
- Sketch pad (9 X 12)
- Pencils ( HB, 6B) and/or Mechanical Pencil (HB, 6B)
- Technical Pens (.30, .40, and .05)
- Straight Rules and Triangles
- Cutter
- Water Color Brushes (No. 3, 5, 8)
- India Ink,
- Black and White Poster Color
- Mechanical Drawing Tools (optional)
MODE OF DELIVERY

The course will be conducted through lectures and class discussions. Assessment of
performance will be through class participation, creative projects and creative exercises.
Special or additional resources

Library and other learning resources most of the references are all available in UPCFA
library
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
1. Individual plates 50%
2. Mid-term paper and creative project 15%
3. End-term paper and creative project 15%
4. Creative studies, consultation
and compilation of plates (portfolio) 15%
5. Class participation, recitation and attendance 5%
Total Average: 100%
COURSE GUIDELINES
Students are expected to:
1. Fulll the requirements on due dates. Late submission of creative projects and failure
to submit papers on time entail a failing mark on the particular requirement. A grade of
5 may be incurred in case of failure to submit a complete course requirements. A
grade of INC or 4.00 may only be given on valid reasons, such as sickness.
VISUAL PERCEPTION
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FA10 W
2. Have a regular consultation with the teacher. A weekly consultation and progress re-
port are required in this course. No projects and papers are allowed to submit without
prior consultation and teacher"s approval.
3. Students are required to compile all creative projects and studies (from rough to
comprehensive stages on 9 X 12 sketch pad). NO STUDIES, NO ATTENDANCE
Policy is strictly observed.
4. Attend classes regularly and be prompt on time as scheduled. The teacher checks at-
tendance regularly and observes University Rules on Absences (more than six [6] ex-
cused and unexcused absences entails a failing mark).
5. Cellphones (texting and calling) and smoking are not allowed inside the classroom.
Only incoming urgent calls may be allowed but students have to step out of the class-
room.
REFERENCES

Arnheim, Rudolf. Art and Visual Perception: A Psychology of the Creative Eye. 1965
Garret, Lillian. Visual Design: A Problem-Solving Approach. (1976)
Myers, Jack Frederick. The Language of Visual Art: Perception as a Basis for Design. (1989)
Wallschlaeger, C. and Sander C. Basic Visual Concepts and Principles For Art. (1992)
Edwards, Betty. Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain. (1992)
Kress , Gunther and Van Leeuwen, Theo. Reading Images: The Grammar of Visual Design.
Second Edition. Routledge, New York, USA, 2006.
Meggs,, Philipp B. A History of Graphic Design, Third Edition. John Wiley and Sons, Inc. New
York 1998.
Mirzoeff, Nicholas ed. The Visual Culture Reader. Routledge, New York. 1998.
Smith, Moriarty, Barbatsis, Kenny (editors), Handbook of Visual Communication: Theory,
Methods, and Media. Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Publishers. London (2005)
VISUAL PERCEPTION
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