Abstract:

Introduction:
The didactic program at the Faculty of Architecture of the Silesian University of Technology is divided mainly into: for design and art objects. As part of art subjects, typical classes in painting, drawing, art techniques, but also visual information are conducted, which seem to be one of the stronger accents in building the identity of a modern city, including a smart city. Visual information is responsible for the orientation in the urban space, its aesthetics and visual expression. It can constitute its chaos or order. The main goal of the article is therefore to present the methods of teaching the issue of visual information on the basis of classes conducted by the author as part of the Fine Arts in Public Space seminar.

Research material and research methodology:
For several years now, at the Faculty of Architecture of the Silesian University of Technology in Gliwice, the author of the article has been conducting the subject: Fine Arts in Public Space. The subject is optional and is conducted as a seminar. During the classes, students learn about various forms of art in the city, from traditional to modern. Classes are conducted in the form of presentations, discussions and art classes. However, the main topic of the classes is visual information, which in Polish (and not only Polish) public spaces causes the most trouble and introduces visual chaos. Students solve this problem on the basis of developing a concept of visual information for the Campus of the Silesian University of Technology, i.e. a place that is particularly close to them. The research material used in the study is therefore the artwork created during the seminar mentioned above. The article will also present the entire preparatory process for design, i.e. the analysis of good and bad examples of visual information, the definition of the user to whom the artistic solutions are directed and in situ research carried out by students on the campus of the Silesian University of Technology.

Conclusions:
The conducted research based on the participant observation of the author contributed to greater attention to the issues of visual information in the city. They allowed young people, on whom the image of cities will depend in the future, to understand such an important issue of aesthetics, composition and artistic balance, so that they could create a smart city and share knowledge.

Keywords:

Fine arts in public space, visual information, smart city.