Degree of Bachelor of Science with a major in Informatics specialisation Graphic Design and Web Development

Main field of study
General text for the programme’s main field of study. Composed by Patrik.

Background
A design strategy based on in-depth knowledge of digital media, user experience, and visual communication is the key to being able to create and maintain satisfactory products and services for the benefit of both businesses and society. The Graphic Design and Web Development programme has been planned to provide multidisciplinary knowledge for various professions associated with the digital world of today and tomorrow, in which information, communication and technology come together to create these benefits.

The programme will provide knowledge about how the communicative message reaches the user in the intended manner. Creating digital platforms and other communication channels that are user-friendly and adapted to suit the target group are also important elements of achieving the objectives of the programme.

In addition, the programme will provide a scientific foundation enabling continued studies to be carried out at second-cycle level within informatics and will also be of such an applied nature that students are employable immediately after completing the programme.

Objectives
The bachelor’s programme aims to create an understanding of – and provide knowledge of – how digital products, services and messages are designed to achieve customer satisfaction and to meet the user’s needs. The aim of the programme is also to clearly integrate current research within applicable areas of the field of informatics and specific knowledge in relation to design processes, working models and concept development methods. The objective is that, on graduation, students should have both an overall perspective and the skills needed in order to be able to work within the digital media industry.

Post-graduation employment areas
There are many different professional roles within the main area of informatics, and the programme provides the basic knowledge needed to work as a graphic designer, user experience designer, an information architect, a web designer, a front-end programmer or an application developer, or with digital media production, etc. The main prospective employers are communication agencies, information and marketing departments at small and medium-sized companies, IT departments, game development companies and design companies, as well as the daily press and magazines.

Post-graduation studies
The programme provides a basis for continued studies at second-cycle level within the main field of Informatics.

Educational concept at the School of Engineering
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After the completion of the programme, students must meet the intended learning outcomes, as described in The Higher Education Ordinance by Degree of Bachelor and also the intended learning outcomes, as described by JTH:
Common learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding
1. demonstrate knowledge and understanding in the main field of study, including knowledge of the disciplinary foundation of the field, knowledge of applicable methodologies in the field, specialised study in some aspect of the field as well as awareness of current research issues
JTH. gemensamt mål för alla kandidatutbildningar. Författas av Patrik.
Competence and skills
2. demonstrate the ability to search for, gather, evaluate and critically interpret the relevant information for a formulated problem and also discuss phenomena, issues and situations critically
3. demonstrate the ability to identify, formulate and solve problems autonomously and to complete tasks within predetermined time frames
4. demonstrate the ability to, present and discuss information, problems and solutions in speech and writing and in dialogue with different audiences, in both national and international contexts
5. demonstrate the skills required to work autonomously in the main field of study
JTH. demonstrate ability to apply the acquired knowledge in practical work and demonstrate insight into the future career
Judgement and approach
6. demonstrate the ability to make assessments in the main field of study informed by relevant disciplinary, social and ethical issues
7. demonstrate insight into the role of knowledge in society and the responsibility of the individual for how it is used
8. demonstrate the ability to identify the need for further knowledge and ongoing learning

Programme-specific learning outcomes
Upon completion of the program, the intended learning outcomes provided for programme must also be met:
Knowledge and understanding
9. demonstrate knowledge within the field of media design and the creation of visual content for digital media platforms
10. demonstrate knowledge of different internet-based applications and standards within the design of user experiences and interactivity
Competence and skills
11. demonstrate an ability to realise visual expressions for both digital and traditional media through a structured design process
12. demonstrate an ability to develop internet-based products and services with a focus on the user experience
Judgement and approach
13. be able to analyse and reflect on visual expressions with regard to target audiences, brand identities, aesthetic genres and design processes
14. be able to analyse and reflect on functionality and development processes as well as the user’s role and experience of internet-based applications

Programme principles
The programme is worth 180 credits, and focuses on preparing students for further studies at a higher level, and on preparing them for working life. The programme’s content revolves around the areas of digital information systems, communication and user experience.

The programme’s basic philosophy is to combine these areas so that students gain an overall perspective and are ready to encounter an ever-changing world within this subject. Informatics is a broad area, and the programme is located within this main area. Here, and in this context, we take informatics to mean the following:
Informatics encopasses interdisciplinary studies of the design, application, use and benefits of information technology.

The programme is structured in accordance with the principle of basic knowledge first, and the first year consists of fundamental theories and basic skills. This involves graphic design and visual communication, user experience, programming and web development.

In the second year, these skills are integrated and deepened through project courses and theoretical courses in web development, content design, and human-computer interaction. The second academic year concludes with an Industrial Placement Course (IPC) worth 15 credits, where the student spends nine weeks at a company. The third year offers a relatively flexible semester with a wide range of choices, allowing for international studies or courses necessary for admission to a specific master's program.

The program concludes during the spring semester of the third year with a degree project and advanced courses in visual design and web development.

The courses place great emphasis on ensuring that both lectures and independent work help students develop their analytical skills and holistic systems thinking. The teaching consists of lectures, seminars, laboratories, and project work. Exercises and laboratories are designed to clearly correspond to real-life cases and scenarios. Throughout the program, there are several project assignments directly connected to the industry.

Mandatory assignments throughout the program are collected in the student’s portfolio. Scientific methods provide an analytical and reflective approach in practical applications and project work, with a particular focus on the student’s main field of study, Informatics. In the advanced courses, students are expected to independently identify and solve problems and complete project tasks within given frameworks. The technical courses are conducted from a sustainability perspective, incorporating economic, social, and environmental responsibility.

Research basis
Several of the foundational courses in the program are connected to research in marketing, communication, web development, and programming. However, the primary research connection lies within the main field of Informatics, specifically in research related to Human-Computer Interaction (HCI). The progression through courses in User Research, User Experience Design, and Advanced Digital Prototyping is linked to research within the Human Centred Technology group. In the second year, students also take a course that covers AI and its connections to Human-Computer Interaction, which is closely tied to research conducted internally within the Department of Computer Science and Informatics, as well as to external research collaborations with the industry. The course on Information Visualization also shows a clear connection to the research conducted on the subject within the department.

Equal terms, gender equality and diversity
General text. Composed by Patrik.
(it is possible to add programme specific information about equal terms, gender equality and diversity here)
Issues related to equal opportunities, equality, and diversity are addressed in the education offered through courses such as User Research, Fundamentals of Graphic Design, User Experience Design, Marketing Communications, Visual Communication, AI for Creativity, Advanced Digital Prototyping, and Final Project Work in Informatics.

Courses in graphic design and visual communication adresses issues concerning representation and diversity in message creation, as well as inclusive perspectives on different target groups. Emphasis is also placed on presenting a broad spectrum of historical and contemporary design, including works from various regions and cultures worldwide.

In the courses Marketing Communication and Visual Communication, learning objectives address ethical considerations in message creation, including gender equality, diversity, and social sustainability.

Courses related to user experience also incorporate learning objectives that emphasize ethical considerations, with issues such as ergonomics, accessibility, equality, and inclusion being key parameters in the design process for digital products. Similarly, the course AI for Creativity explores ethical considerations in AI-generated content, where representation and diversity are highlighted as significant aspects.

Finally, the learning objectives for Final Project Work in Informatics contain societal, ethical, and social aspects, connecting to previous learning objectives and relevant course content.

Study abroad
The program includes 30 credits for an exchange semester (semester 5), in which the student can choose courses freely within the subjects of Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Informatics, Graphic Design, User Experience Design, or equivalent. It is also permitted to take courses that enhance the education in line with the School of Engineering’s broadening concept (i.e., courses in areas such as internationalization, sustainability, or project management). Students who choose not to participate in an exchange semester will take the program's two broadening courses Trends in Informatics 7,5 credits and Custom Project Management 7,5 credits, and 15 elective credits at Jönköping University.

Programme Progression
The structure of the program is focused on providing students with interdisciplinary knowledge in the main field of Informatics. In the first year, the courses offer fundamental knowledge and principles in graphic/visual design and technology, as well as insights into internet-based applications and their development. Additionally, basic studies in human-computer interaction, user experience, and programming are included. After the first year, students should possess sufficient theoretical and practical knowledge to create simple productions within each respective area.

In the second year, the program offers more advanced knowledge in the above areas, and students will also gain an understanding of how information, communication, and technology together create value for society and individuals. The concept of "user experience design" is introduced in the first year and then explored in greater depth in the second and third years. Students will learn and undertake applied projects on how to create various types of digital solutions and services with visual and graphic expressions that ensure a consistent user experience across different platforms.

Gradually, students' methodological knowledge is deepened in both design principles and concepts related to web development and programming. During the industrial placement course in the second year, students apply and solidify their theoretical knowledge practically at a company, organization, or similar, over an extended period, to be well-prepared for their future careers. Through the degree project and the industrial placement course, students gain insight into their need for continued competence development and additional knowledge within their field. Sustainable development, one of the core principles of the School of Engineering, is emphasized throughout the program.

In the third year, the conceptual thinking expands during the work on the degree project. Theoretical knowledge is woven into projects where students must consider ethical values, cognition, utility effects, design principles, and economic conditions, providing a holistic perspective on how digital solutions and users interact, including both the possibilities and limitations. Planning and execution of the project involve target group and competitor analyses, user tests, personas for method and channel selection, and more. Relevant research in the field is introduced already in the first year and is continuously developed throughout the program, ensuring that students feel comfortable discussing pertinent research questions.

In the third year, students also have the opportunity to study abroad with subject-relevant courses.
Students who choose not to participate in an exchange semester will take the program's two broadening courses Trends in Informatics 7,5 credits and Custom Project Management 7,5 credits, and 15 elective credits at Jönköping University.
Block 1 - Broadening courses
Block 2 - Elective courses

The programme overview shows the programme structure for the three years and may be changed during the programme. For updated programme overview visit www.ju.se

Course Name	Credits	Main field of study	Specialised in	Course Code
AI for Creativity	7.5	Informatics	G1F	TACK16
User Research	7.5	Informatics	G1N	TASG15
Content Creation and Portfolio	7.5	Informatics	G1F	TCPK16
Advanced Digital Prototyping	7.5	Informatics	G2F	TDFN18
Final Project Work in Informatics	15	Informatics	G2E	TWIP17
Research Methods in Computer Science and Informatics	7.5	Computer Engineering, Informatics	G2F	TFIN14
Front-End Application Development	7.5	Informatics	G1F	TFAK16
Full-Stack Web Development	7.5	Informatics	G1F	TFWK17
Front-End Fundamentals	7.5	Informatics	G1F	TGEK15
Fundamentals of Graphic Design	7.5		G1N	TGGG11
Foundations of Programming	7.5	Informatics	G1N	TGPG14
Information Visualization	7.5	Informatics	G1F	TIVK14
Marketing Communication	7.5		G1F	TMCK16
Industrial Placement Course for Graphic Design and Web Development	15	Informatics	G2F	TNGN17
Web Design Project	7.5	Informatics	G1F	TWDK15
User Experience Design	7.5	Informatics	G1F	TUEK15
Visual Lab	7.5	Informatics	G2F	TVLN14
Visual Communication	7.5	Informatics	G1F	TVKK16

Course Name	Credits	Main field of study	Specialised in	Course Code
Custom Project Management 1	7.5		G1F	K0005877
Trends in Informatics 1	7.5	Informatics	G2F	TTIN17
Creative Coding 2	7.5	Informatics	G1F	TCCK13
Digital Marketing and Social Media 2	7.5		G1F	TDMK13
Motion Graphics 2	7.5	Informatics	G2F	TMGN13

¹ Elective block 1
² Elective block 2