Publications
Introductory Courses
Design Fundamentals
Visual Language Basics
Visual communication always works at multiple levels, simultaneously using different sign systems. Although perceived by most people only subconsciously, the meaning of these signs is universal and can, in fact, be defined very precisely. This introductory course provides systematic insight into the mechanisms of visual perception. Understanding them is a basis for anyone who works with visuals.
Duration:
6 weeks, 2 hours weekly
Typography Basics
This course explores all aspects of typography: how to ensure good legibility, how to create design that supports the understanding of logical and hierarchic relations between different parts of text and image, how to establish a correct and comfortable reading order, but also how to utilize the expressive and stylistic features of type to convey the desired emotions, making typographic composition work to enhance your messages and make them more impactful.
Duration:
6 weeks, 2 hours weekly
Crash Courses
Graphic Software
Photoshop Basics
Provides solid grounding in Adobe Photoshop, enabling to create professional photoshop files and confidently explore additional tools and features. Step by step focused tutorials and exercises supplied. Modules can be taken independently. Equally necessary both for beginners and professionals.
Duration:
7 weeks, 2 hours weekly
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Workspace, settings and preferences. File types and quality
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Layers. Creating, organizing, linking, clipping
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Layer blending and layer styles
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Selection and masking
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Color modes and channels
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Color correction and adjustments
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Smart objects and filters
In Design Basics
Provides solid grounding in Adobe InDesign. Tutorials and exercises supplied. Modules can be taken independently. Equally necessary both for beginners and professionals.
Duration:
7 weeks, 2 hours weekly
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Workspace, settings and preferences.
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Placing, scaling and positioning text and images.
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Text formatting features and options
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Pages. Master pages, grids and layout
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Links
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Text and object styles
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Packaging and exporting
Graphic & Communication Design
Visual Identity
Duration:
6 weeks, 4 hours weekly
Packaging / Label Design
Duration:
6 weeks, 2 hours weekly
Book Cover Design
Duration:
6 weeks, 2 hours weekly
Poster Design
Duration:
6 weeks, 2 hours weekly
Book / Magazine Layout
Duration:
6 weeks, 2 hours weekly
Typography
Typography Basics
2-4 week courses about various aspects of typography, providing a basis for understanding how typography works at different levels and practical experience of working with type. Equally necessary both for beginners and professionals.
Duration:
6 weeks, 2 hours weekly
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Typographic hierarchy and levels of text perception
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Character shape and expression
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Type architecture and typographic style
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Typographic systems and composition
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Text legibility and microtypography
Paper Craft
Book Binding
1-4 week courses teaching various binding techniques.
Duration:
6 weeks, 2 hours weekly
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Medieval binding
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Coptic binding
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Swiss binding
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Japanese binding
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Boardbook binding
3D Books and Pop-up
2-4 week courses teaching basic to advanced pop-up techniques.
Duration:
6 weeks, 2 hours weekly
B
Printmaking
Aluminum Etching
Duration:
6 weeks, 4 hours weekly
Screen Printing
Duration:
6 weeks, 2 hours weekly
Monotypy
Duration:
6 weeks, 2 hours weekly
Mixed Techniques / Collage
Duration:
6 weeks, 2 hours weekly
Full Courses
Design Fundamentals
Visual Language Creative Lab
Any kind of visual creation, ultimately, is an act of communication. This communication always happens at many levels, using multiple sign systems at the same time. Factual information is conveyed to us mainly by what objects we can recognize in an image. However, it is how these objects are presented visually that is crucial in carrying emotional information and building attitude, often determining our understanding of what we see.
Although perceived by most people only subconsciously, the impact of abstract visual features of an image is, in fact, objective, and very precisely defined. We provide systematic practical and theoretical insight into how visual signs work: size, shape, weight, position, space, distance, direction, distribution, color, texture, etc.
Mastering these signs will change the student’s approach to visual expression and make their work more professional, efficient, powerful, and exact.
Duration:
18 weeks, 6 hours weekly
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Introduction: Language of visual communication
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Shape, Size, Position
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Definig shape. Shape and background. Constructing and deconstructing shapes
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Combining shapes
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Color vision and color modes. Color theory
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Color schemes
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Movement
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Perspective and focus
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Hierarchy and structure
Typography Creative Lab
Typography is a fundamental component of visual communication. While many perceive text merely as an instrument for encoding spoken language and conveying factual information, typography is, in reality, a powerful tool capable of evoking emotion and shaping attitudes. At this level, typography works independently of the text's content. Unfortunately, most people are not aware of this. Quite frequently, the emotional information conveyed by the visual characteristics of type directly contradicts the factual information contained in the text. Inadequate typography is ruinous for any work of visual design.
This course explores all aspects of typography: how to ensure good legibility, how to create design that supports the understanding of logical and hierarchic relations between different parts of text and image, how to establish a correct and comfortable reading order, but also how to utilize the expressive and stylistic features of type to convey the desired emotions, and how to make typographic composition work to enhance your messages and make them more impactful.
Duration:
7 weeks, 2 hours weekly
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Typographic hierarchy and levels of text perception
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Character shape and expression
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Type architecture and typographic style
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Typographic systems and composition
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Text legibility and microtypography
Book Art
Picture Book / Illustration Creative Lab
The course is intended for students with existing drawing / painting skills and covers all stages and aspects of developing a picture book, including picture book types and age groups, concept development, character creation, storyboarding and visual storytelling, spread layout and image/text composition, iconography and stylistic consistency, various illustration techniques, picture book formats, material and binding types, book construction, and dummy production. The mentor supervises individual book projects developed by the participants and provides feedback on all conceptual and technical aspects of the work, including software skills.
For its contribution to the development of children’s book illustration in Georgia, the Book Art Center has been nominated twice for the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award.
Duration:
18 weeks, 6 hours weekly
Artist Book Creative Lab
The course explores the book as an artistic medium. The participants experiment with various artistic techniques and media, creating an abundance of artistic content and merging diverse creative ideas into different book formats. The art of making a book is in creating an exact dramaturgy, flow and counterpoint of textures and themes both conceptually, visually, and physically. The participants get acquainted with various papers and other book materials, different printing and imaging techniques, binding and paperworking types and techniques, they check out various dramaturgic solutions and physical book formats, and develop their individual book projects. The mentor supervises the projects developed by the participants, provides feedback and suggests possible approaches on all conceptual and technical aspects of the work.
Duration:
7 weeks, 2 hours weekly
1/16 Series
Admission Procedure for Creative Art/Design Course
Admission to our creative artistic/design course is based on a two-step process involving a submission of work and an individual interview with the course instructor. We aim to assess each applicant’s creative potential, technical skills, and their motivation to engage in the course.
Step 1: Submission of Work
Applicants are required to submit a portfolio consisting of:
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5-10 samples of previous creative work (can be in any medium, such as painting, illustration, photography, graphic design, sculpture, etc.)
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A short personal statement (300-500 words) explaining the motivation for applying to the course, expectations, and areas of interest.
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Optional: Up to 3 examples of artistic/design work from other creators that inspire or influence the applicant’s creative direction.
Submissions should be in digital format (PDF or JPG for images, MP4 for video/audio) and uploaded via the provided application platform.
Step 2: Interview
After reviewing the submitted portfolios, selected applicants will be invited for an individual interview with the course instructor. The interview will focus on:
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The applicant’s creative journey and interests
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Their understanding of artistic concepts and techniques
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Their goals and expectations for the course
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Ability to work within a collaborative, studio-based environment
Interviews will take place either in person or online, depending on the applicant’s location and preference.
Final Selection
Based on the portfolio and interview, the instructor will make a final selection of participants for the course. Applicants will be notified of their admission status within two weeks after the interview.
Application Deadline: [Insert Date]
Interview Period: [Insert Date Range]
For any questions or further information, please contact [Contact Information] or visit [Website].
1/16 Patrons
In order to keep the 1/16 series affordable, we decided to reach out to organizations and individuals whose dedication to delivering uncompromising quality in their respective fields we have admired over the years. We greatly appreciate their commitment, and proudly present our patrons.
Courses & Workshops
Educational courses at the BAC are intended to provide top level education and creative practice in visual art and design. They are aimed at art and design students, but also at both aspiring and experienced professionals and amateurs wishing to deepen their theoretical and conceptual background, to explore different possibilities and artistic media, and to broaden their technical and creative inventory.
Modular Approach
The courses are delivered as independent modules providing insight into various conceptual, creative and technical aspects of diverse art and design disciplines. Each module is focused on some specific thematic subject or technique. This allows you to style your studies according to your needs.
Graded Levels
You can select modules according to your experience and expectations.
A Enthusiast Level modules are aimed at those who are curious to get acquainted with a new art form or want to try their hand in a new technique;
B Study Level is for those who seek solid knowledge and extensive practical experience in a certain area;
C Project Level modules are for those who are interested in developing their own artistic or design project .
Flexible Calendar
Each module is announced multiple times, and conducted according to demand. This allows you to take the desired module at a time period most convenient for you.
Up-coming Courses
CONTACT US
The Book Art Center Tbilisi
National Science Library
1/4 M.Alexidze str. 0171 Tbilisi, Georgia
1/16 Series
1/16 is a series of small, high quality artist books that aims to make current developments in Georgian art accessible and interesting to more people, both in Georgia and abroad. We try to make the series as diverse as we can, inviting the most exciting authors of different age and experience, working in various genres and areas of creativity.
An artist book is intended and designed for multiplication. Each copy of it is a valid original artwork. Its value is not in uniqueness, but in accessibility. For the artist, it is an autonomous medium for the communication of creative ideas. For the viewer, it is a portal into the world of art.
If you believe it is important for people to have access to quality and enjoyment and not just to meet their basic survival needs, you can join our project. A modest contribution from a small group of people will help to sustain the series and keep it affordable.