FACULTY OF DESIGN
FUNCTIONAL DESIGN / Specialisation in GRAPHIC AND PACKAGING DESIGN
BA 2
code	subject name	ECTS	Description	type of class	type of examination	lecturer	additional info
THE DEPARTMENT'S SPECIALTY SUBJECTS
Specialty subjects in the student's chosen subfield. These subjects account for a significant part of the total semester or study year programme percentage.
MākZ4817	Composition	3	While gaining knowledge about computer software, the foundation of this course is to give a basic understanding of digital design principles. Students learn to understand and analyse the principles of digital experience design, define existing problems, create wireframes and quick prototypes.	Lecture, individual work, discussion	Assessment show	Markus Rožkalns	Basic knowledge in Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator needed.
MākZ4840	Typography	3	While gaining knowledge about computer software, the foundation of this course is to give a basic understanding of digital design principles. Students learn to understand and analyse the principles of digital experience design, define existing problems, create wireframes and quick prototypes.	Lecture, individual work, discussion	Assessment show	Maija Rozenfelde	Prerequisites: fluent use of Adobe software, basic knowledge of typography and principles of graphic design.
MākZ4757	Computer Software Studies	1,5	Use of 3D digital software Blender for presentation of packaging and graphic design. Research and project preparation in 3D environment. At the end of the course 3D computer graphics visualization is carried out using the acquired knowledge.	Lecture, practical work, individual work, discussion	Assessment show	Gita Straustiņa	Prior knowledge in 2D graphic digital programs and CAD programs. The lecture is given in a group partly in Latvian, partly in English with individual consultation.
MākZ4758	Structural Packaging	1,5	Introduce students with cardboard and other materials packaging production technologies, printing specifics and materials. Through lectures, practical tasks and real examples, develop an understanding of technical specifications, the development of packaging structures and the impact of material selection on it. Prepare students to work with packaging projects, communicate with the manufacturer and the customer.	Lecture, individual work, discussion	Assessment show	Mārīte Zīmele	Computer skills, Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop. Basic knowledge of printing technologies and materials is desirable.
THE DEPARTMENT'S ELECTIVE SUBJECTS
Specialty subjects that can be taken in addition to the basic study programme.
MākZ4750	Brand design	3	The goal of the course is to create a brand using both practical and theoretical knowledge and methods. Students must find an existing company or institution to create the brand design for, as well as justify their choice. They are to create a brand outline and brief, then gradually develop the brand itself. Throughout the course, students are required to write a blog, analyzing various design projects (international or global), works, exhibitions, articles, or books, thus strengthening their understanding of the subject.	Lecture, practical work, discussion	Assessment show	Martin Foessleitner
MākZ6C89	Packaging Design	3	The aim of the course is to learn the basics of packaging design, understand the principles of form and graphic design interactions, continue to learn the principles of branding and the peculiarities of packaging design.	Lecture, individual work, discussion	Assessment show	Maija Rozenfelde	Basic knowledge in Adobe Photoshop Ann Illustrator needed.
MākZ4749	Design Sketching	1,5	The course introduces students to the sketching of techniques of design objects. Application of different forms and techniques of hand plotting. The aim is to develop sketching skills of a designer and skillfully depict own idea.	Practical work, individual work	Assessment show	Ervins Pastors
MākZ2A57	Basics of Photography	3	The aim of the course is to give students an understanding of the terms and basic principles of photography, to teach them to use the available photo tools so that the result is predictable and planned. During the course the nature of natural and artificial light and its effect on photography is studied.	Practical work, individual work	Assessment show	Ivs Zenne	Group will be formed if at least 5 participants apply + 2 Erasmus students max
			GENERAL ART SUBJECTS
			Students of all disciplines take general art subjects to gain skills and understanding of academic drawing, painting, and sculpture. Study assignments are designed to provide students with an opportunity to learn about proportions, scale, and relationships between light and dark, and creatively interpret the given setting and assignment at the same time.				The department teaching the subject assesses the student's skill level and individually adjusts the assignments
MākZ2331	Painting	3	The aim of the course is to master the means of still life painting expression, combined with individual and professional interests (connected with the department's educational programmes), blurring imaginary boundaries. During the course, students paint settings from nature; the lecturer may assign a creative task (unrelated to the setting) to be carried out individually.	Practical work	Assessment show	Andris Vītoliņš
MākZ2021	Modeling	3	The course aims to introduce students to different sculpting techniques and their use in the design process. Students get acquainted with sculpting materials (plasticine, clay, gypsum, etc.) and techniques; they experiment and search for optimal solutions, using them per the requirements of the specific assignment. The work is done independently, and presentations are delivered. Upon the completion of the design course, students must be able to choose the optimal formation method for their project and create the spatial models necessary for the design process.	Practical work	Assessment show	Kirils Panteļejevs
MākZ2026	Drawing	3	Standing nude figure. Composition. Understanding the proportions of the figure. Dimensional drawing. Pencil, A2 paper.	Practical and individual work	Assessment show	Oļegs Dzjubenko
	Sketching	There are no separate credits for sketching; students are marked for the Drawing course	Sketching the human figure for 5, 10, 15 minutes. Objective: the act of drawing using various materials (charcoal pencil, pencil, felt-tip pen, sepia, acrylic, ink, etc.), developing visual perception, transferring it to the sketch. Results to be achieved: a developed ability to understand proportion and to create individual handwriting in drawing using a variety of materials, taking a step back from the classical academic drawing.	Individual work	Assessment show	An individual class without a lecturer
			HUMANITIES SUBJECTS
As theoretical lectures are delivered to the students of the Art Academy of Latvia in Latvian, some theoretical subjects in English are offered separately to the visiting students.
MākZ2961	Art History of Latvia	6	The lecture course "Art History of Latvia" is taught to Erasmus+ students, and its purpose is to give an insight into and a general idea of the development of Latvian art history in a cultural and historical context. Alongside art history, the course provides basic knowledge of Latvian history, ethnography, and architectural history. In the first semester the lecture course chronologically covers the period from prehistory to the 1950ties. The course continues in the second semester, providing the students with the basic knowledge about events of the second half of the 20th century. Visits to exhibitions and museums are organized as part of the course to broaden and improve students' knowledge and to promote connection with contemporary cultural progress.	Lecture, visits to exhibitions and cultural sites	Written course paper, seminar	Ieva Rosne	Special course for Erasmus+ students / The course takes place online in two groups: 1. Visiting students from the 1st semester, 2. New visiting students.
MākZ2960	History of Contemporary Art	3	The academic course deals with all the significant events in recent art history, starting from the international conceptual tendencies in the 60s, like land art, minimalism, Art Povera, Nouveaux Réalisme, Fluxus, and others, the postmodern narratives in the 80s and the 90s. The final part will be dedicated to the actual debates in the global contemporary art scene. Each lecture will be accompanied by rich visual materials, including films originating from museums. After finishing the course, the students will be able to recognize the most prominent personalities and their most iconic artworks.	Lecture, discussion	Presentation	Raimonds Kalējs	Special course for Erasmus+ students / The course takes place online and is intended only for new visiting students.
MākZ1261	Anatomy	1,5	Digitalized and interactive anatomy for art and design students to improve their drawing, painting, and sketching skills in anatomy. Based on Anatomy Next — anatomy learning tools for students and teachers. Anatomy Next is a very successful, world-known educational technology start-up to help students learn anatomy faster and more efficiently.	Lecture	Test	Uldis Zariņš	Special course for Erasmus+ students / The course takes place online and have one common group for new visiting students together with the students from the 1st semester.
MākZ5125	Creative Methods in Art Pedagogy	3	The course "Creative Methods in Art Pedagogy" prepares students for planning and conducting art-based visual arts classes for school age children. Such an experience can be useful in teaching for both - formal and non-formal education. Graduates will gain theoretical knowledge and practical experience in transforming an idea based on creative practice (art or design) into a teaching practice.	Practical work, seminar or discussion	Presentation	Ilze Vītola	Special course for Erasmus+ students / The course takes place online and have one common group for new visiting students together with the students from the 1st semester.
			ELECTIVE SUBJECTS OFFERED TO ERASMUS+ VISITING STUDENTS
Elective subjects for Erasmus+ visiting students offered by different departments in different specialties. The list of available elective subjects will be published shortly before the start of the semester with online registration. The number of elective subjects depends on the number of remaining ECTS required for the student after the student's basic curriculum of the department's specialty subjects, general art subjects, and humanities subjects has been approved by the department.
			BA 3
code	subject name	ECTS		type of class	type of examination	lecturer	additional info
			THE DEPARTMENT'S SPECIALTY SUBJECTS
			Specialty subjects in the student's chosen subfield. These subjects account for a significant part of the total semester or study year programme percentage.
MākZ6C88	Composition	3	In this course, students learn the fundamental principles of digital and web design through theory and practical exercises. During the semester, each student develops a web design proposal based on a previously made branding system, as well as an idea for an application that solves a particular problem. Creating design solutions for a specific audience and making a working digital model is part of learning goals for this course.	Lecture, individual work, discussion	Assessment show	Markus Rožkalns	Basic knowledge in Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator needed.
MākZ6C91	Typography	3	Through this course students continue to develop their competences in typographic and editorial design. Students gain skills and practical experience through the development of two different typographic design projects. Students work independently and receive feedback from two course tutors. The course also involves studying key concepts and principles and the historical context and contemporary practice of typography.	Lecture, individual work, practical work, discussion	Assessment show	Daniel Melse/Alexey Murashko	Prerequisites: fluent use of Adobe software, basic knowledge of typography and principles of graphic design.
MākZ7635	Digital Modeling	3	Use of 3D digital software Blender for presentation of packaging and graphic design. Research and project preparation in 3D environment. At the end of the course 3D computer graphics visualization is carried out using the acquired knowledge.	Lecture, individual work	Assessment show	Gita Straustiņa	Prior knowledge in 2D graphic digital programs and CAD programs. The lecture is given in a group partly in Latvian, partly in English with individual consultation.
MākZ6C89	Packaging design	3	The aim of the course is to learn the basics of packaging design, understand the principles of form and graphic design interactions, continue to learn the principles of branding and the peculiarities of packaging design.	Lecture, discussion	Assessment show	Maija Rozenfelde	Basic knowledge in Adobe Photoshop Ann Illustrator needed.
Specialty subjects that can be taken in addition to the basic study programme.
MākZ7520	Computer Software Studies	3	Students study the basics of Maya software, as well as the basics of 3D computer graphics, the system of coordinates, structure, creation of a basic object, geometry of polygons and NURBS, basic visualization possibilities, frame composition, visualization. At the end of the course, 3D computer graphics visualization is carried out using the acquired knowledge.	Lecture, individual work	Assessment show	Gita Straustiņa
MākZ5202	Design context	3	Through engaging with the course material, developing a self-initiated project, and participating in discussions, students learn to reflect on design practice and the role of the designer. Students explore potential topics and directions in preparation of their final year thesis project.	Lecture, individual work	Assessment show	Daniel Melse
			GENERAL ART SUBJECTS
			Students of all disciplines take general art subjects to gain skills and understanding of academic drawing, painting, and sculpture. Study assignments are designed to provide students with an opportunity to learn about proportions, scale, and relationships between light and dark, and creatively interpret the given setting and assignment at the same time.				The department teaching the subject assesses the student's skill level and individually adjusts the assignments
			ART STUDIES (student must choose one of proposed subjects)
MākZ3321	Modeling	3	The course aims to introduce students to different sculpting techniques and their use in the design process. Students get acquainted with sculpting materials (plasticine, clay, gypsum, etc.) and techniques; they experiment and search for optimal solutions, using them per the requirements of the specific assignment. The work is done independently, and presentations are delivered. Upon the completion of the design course, students must be able to choose the optimal formation method for their project and create the spatial models necessary for the design process.	Practical work	Assessment show	Kirils Panteļejevs
MākZ3320	Painting	3	The aim of the course is to master the means of still life painting expression, combined with individual and professional interests (connected with the department's educational programmes), blurring imaginary boundaries. During the course, students paint settings from nature; the lecturer may assign a creative task (unrelated to the setting) to be carried out individually.	Practical work	Assessment show	Andris Vītoliņš
HUMANITIES SUBJECTS
As theoretical lectures are delivered to the students of the Art Academy of Latvia in Latvian, some theoretical subjects in English are offered separately to the visiting students.
MākZ2961	Art History of Latvia	6	The lecture course "Art History of Latvia" is taught to Erasmus+ students, and its purpose is to give an insight into and a general idea of the development of Latvian art history in a cultural and historical context. Alongside art history, the course provides basic knowledge of Latvian history, ethnography, and architectural history. In the first semester the lecture course chronologically covers the period from prehistory to the 1950ties. The course continues in the second semester, providing the students with the basic knowledge about events of the second half of the 20th century. Visits to exhibitions and museums are organized as part of the course to broaden and improve students' knowledge and to promote connection with contemporary cultural progress.	Lecture, visits to exhibitions and cultural sites	Written course paper, seminar	Ieva Rosne	Special course for Erasmus+ students / The course takes place online in two groups: 1. Visiting students from the 1st semester, 2. New visiting students.
MākZ2960	History of Contemporary Art	3	The academic course deals with all the significant events in recent art history, starting from the international conceptual tendencies in the 60s, like land art, minimalism, Art Povera, Nouveaux Réalisme, Fluxus, and others, the postmodern narratives in the 80s and the 90s. The final part will be dedicated to the actual debates in the global contemporary art scene. Each lecture will be accompanied by rich visual materials, including films originating from museums. After finishing the course, the students will be able to recognize the most prominent personalities and their most iconic artworks.	Lecture, discussion	Presentation	Raimonds Kalējs	Special course for Erasmus+ students / The course takes place online and is intended only for new visiting students.
MākZ1261	Anatomy	1,5	Digitalized and interactive anatomy for art and design students to improve their drawing, painting, and sketching skills in anatomy. Based on Anatomy Next — anatomy learning tools for students and teachers. Anatomy Next is a very successful, world-known educational technology start-up to help students learn anatomy faster and more efficiently.	Lecture	Test	Uldis Zariņš	Special course for Erasmus+ students / The course takes place online and have one common group for new visiting students together with the students from the 1st semester.
MākZ5125	Creative Methods in Art Pedagogy	3	The course "Creative Methods in Art Pedagogy" prepares students for planning and conducting art-based visual arts classes for school age children. Such an experience can be useful in teaching for both - formal and non-formal education. Graduates will gain theoretical knowledge and practical experience in transforming an idea based on creative practice (art or design) into a teaching practice.	Practical work, seminar or discussion	Presentation	Ilze Vītola	Special course for Erasmus+ students / The course takes place online and have one common group for new visiting students together with the students from the 1st semester.
			ELECTIVE SUBJECTS OFFERED TO ERASMUS+ VISITING STUDENTS
			Elective subjects for Erasmus+ visiting students offered by different departments in different specialties. The list of available elective subjects will be published shortly before the start of the semester with online registration. The number of elective subjects depends on the number of remaining ECTS required for the student after the student's basic curriculum of the department's specialty subjects, general art subjects, and humanities subjects has been approved by the department.