Aalto University Summer School
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Summer School Teacher Interview: Visual communication design has the power to influence perceptions, opinions, and decisions
Cvijeta Miljak teaches Visual Narratives and AR, a new course offered by Aalto University Summer School. The course allows students to explore the multimodal aspects of media and develop their creative confidence in visual communication design and storytelling.
Cvijeta Miljak is a designer, visual artist, and researcher whose practice spans graphic design, photography, moving image, and interactive and immersive media.
Tell us a bit about yourself and your background!
What first drew me to visual communication design was an interest in books, in literature and languages. During my education, I learned how to use four different writing systems, which have, combined with play and improvisation, shaped my understanding that there are multiple ways in which meaning can be made and how it can be shared. And also, how systems work. The common thread which unites the seemingly separate fields of my practice is storytelling. I like to frame storytelling as a means to bring forth the notion of experience, and I use it in my work not just for affective communication, but also as means of creative enquiry, meaning-making and discovery.
What inspired you to design this summer course on Visual Narratives and AR?
Nowadays, we notice that visual communication design has overgrown its traditional boundaries, and designers need to operate in an ever-evolving design field where digital and non-digital are increasingly entangled. My hope is that the course will spark students’ curiosity to explore how basic components such as form, colour, space and movement can be transposed across different media to create a coherent narrative. The aim is to encourage students to think beyond technical skills and to explore the multimodal aspects of media.
I also love the idea of an inclusive learning community, welcoming students from various backgrounds, where it feels safe to collaborate, share diverse perspectives, get inspired and learn from each other.
Why do you think it's crucial for students to learn about visual narratives and communication today?
Today, practically every aspect of human life is exposed to some form of visual communication. Visual communication design is not neutral; it has the power to influence perceptions, opinions, and decisions. Learning about it encourages students to think critically about how messages and narratives are crafted and perceived. Even if one is not pursuing a visual design career, these basic skills will surely come in useful in their own field of work or study.
Can you share an example of how mastering storytelling and design can make an impact in the real world?
I would say that storytelling is intrinsic to nearly all forms of visual communication, as it aims to impart some sort of experiential knowledge. Visual communication design is a powerful tool that continually impacts our choices, perceptions, and interpretations of the world, yet it is so deeply embedded in our daily lives that we very often don’t even notice its impact.
What kind of projects and assignments can the students expect to work on during the course?
The course will start with smaller daily hands-on assignments designed to familiarize students with the key principles of graphic design, storytelling and motion design. These experiments are meant to help develop skills which students can apply in their personal projects. During the second week, students will work extensively on personal visual narrative projects.
As their personal projects, students will create a poster, animate some of its elements, and apply this motion layer using augmented reality (AR) to explore how the interconnection between physical and digital space can support their visual narrative.
What advice would you give to students who are considering joining this course but might feel unsure about their design or storytelling abilities?
Come as you are. Trying out new approaches, materials, and tools will help you find inspiration and new ideas and develop your personal expression. Don’t be afraid to ask for help and discuss your work – you don’t need to know everything. Mistakes are expected and a welcome part of a creative process. Read, observe and ask questions, lots of questions. Also, don’t forget to enjoy the process.
The application period for the Visual Narratives and AR summer course is open until 31 May 2025.
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