Professor Jan Nuckowski

My students and what I have tried to teach them occupy a prominent place in my work. In addition to this area, I also work on design and design-research projects, primarily in the field of visual communication.

Here is a list of selected works:

• study of visual information in the newly designed station complex in the area of the Krakow City Communication Center – the PKP, PKS, LOT Polish Airlines, and public transport stations, ensemble (1973),
• identification design for the Bochnia Salt Mine in Bochnia (1981),
• concept of comprehensive street furnishings for the Krakow City Art Office (1982),
• design and implementation of the silver medal "Join the Other's Burdens" – presented to St. John Paul II during his pilgrimage (1983),
• concept of the functional form of anthropometric data – "Atlas of Anthropometric Characteristics of Polish Children and Youth" for the Institute of Industrial Design in Warsaw, ensemble. (1983),
• the identity design for the John Paul II Krakow Specialist Hospital in Krakow (1989),
• a study of the artistic concept of information boards for Krakow's historic buildings for the Krakow City Hall (1994),
• the logo design and statuette concept for the John Paul II International Award of the Małopolska Voivodeship Veritatis Splendor – awarded for special contributions to promoting dialogue between cultures in the social, cultural, and interreligious dimensions – the "Małopolska Nobel" (2016),
• the logo design for Totus Tus – the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the birth of Saint John Paul II (2020).

I have also created over 200 original posters. They hold a special place in my work, even though they were not commissioned. I feel like no one is waiting for them, that they are "unwanted," and even seem to be a nuisance. I have presented some of them in over 100 group exhibitions in Poland and abroad. I have self-published two catalogs of my posters. The first in 2018, with the surprisingly title posters, and the second in 2025, Interventions.

I don't have many awards, but for many reasons they are worth mentioning. There's one that brought me particular joy. It was a postage stamp competition organized by the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications in Japan. I received word that my entry had won fourth place. I thought, "Great, but it's a shame it wasn't higher." The next message brought the news that over 27,000 entries had been submitted! Insane! How, from this unimaginable mass, my design was selected and awarded fourth place. To this day, even though it was 1989, I can't hide my joy. Here is the list of awards:

• Rector's Awards: 2nd Class - 1990, 1997, 1st Class - 2012,
  1st Class Award of the Minister of Culture and National Heritage - ...,
• 1st Prize in the Grand Prix Poster Competition in Krakow - (1976)
• 4th Prize in the Third Postage Stamp Design Contest, Japan - (1981)
• 1st Prize in the competition for the logo of the Symposium and Conference on Security and Cooperation on the Cultural Heritage of Europe - (1982)
• 1st Prize in the competition for the logo of the John Paul II Hospital in Krakow - (1991)
• 3rd Prize at the International Political Poster Triennial in Mons - (2016).

I never intended to, and never have, entered into any political alliances, and at no point in my life have I availed myself of any privileges for such merits. I joined the Solidarity movement at its most elevated moment. However, as soon as the leader began to lose sight (I don't know if that's the right phrase here) of the proportions of his relationships with well-wishers, I asked to be removed from the membership list. My circle didn't understand my decision. Their eyes were opened much later after my arrival.

I owe what I received in this category to my colleagues from the Academy and their recommendations:

• Medal of the National Education Commission - 2005,
• Gold Cross of Merit - 2012,
• Knight's Cross of the Order of Polonia Restituta - 2015,
• Silver Medal for Merit to Culture - Gloria Artis - 2016.

Visual testing holds a special place in my research, as a method for multi-faceted verification of visual communication elements. This occurs from the moment of conception to the implementation of a specific project.

They are a consequence of the search for and use of rational design methods. In this respect, they fit into the broadly defined field of ergonomics – the ergonomics of vision.

In professional practice, there are cases when the gravity of the problems to be solved presents visual communication designers with challenges that require special approaches. I'm referring to design problems whose solutions can impact the safety, health, or even life of the recipients—users of visual communication. Road signs are a prime example.

In this section, I will briefly describe the most commonly used tests. The list begins with the maximum readability distance test. This is conducted using a distance meter. It allows for the demonstration of tested objects at varying distances between the object and the test participant. It allows for determining the maximum readability distance of the tested visual message or its individual components. Typically, the actual distance from the object to the test participant is recorded.

The in-depth visual analysis test allows for the demonstration of tested objects with varying image sharpness. It is conducted using a visual scope. Image deformation, a form of haze, is achieved by placing a type of ground glass between the test object and the test participant. The ground glass position is recorded on a special scale, allowing for the reading or recognition of the tested object. The obtained results, after conversion, are expressed as percentages.

The progressive vision test involves the presentation of tested objects under varying light intensity conditions. It is conducted using a visual scope. The moment the test participant reads or identifies the presented message is recorded. Test results are presented in lux.
The tilt test involves presenting test objects at varying angles relative to the viewing axis. It is performed using a visuoangular meter. The tilt angle of the two-dimensional object being tested, which allowed for the reading of the message, is recorded. Results are presented in degrees.

The tachistoscope test. A tachistoscope is a device that allows for the demonstration of test objects at adjustable exposure times – from very short exposures of less than thousandths of a second to several or a dozen seconds. A tachistoscope is used to conduct a range of tests, including visibility and readability tests, identification tests, and spontaneous attention-grabbing tests. Properly designed tests can provide a wealth of important information about the test object. It allows for determining the time required to perceive, recognize, read, and finally identify the message or its individual elements.
Depending on the type of test, several to several dozen respondents participate in the test. However, a specific selection of test participants is not required, although certain limitations and criteria may be introduced.
Each test begins with a simulation of the most unfavorable conditions for perception, followed by a gradual improvement. The choice of test depends on the characteristics of the object being tested and the set of information the research program is intended to provide. Typically, single tests are conducted, and only in exceptional cases dictated by the importance of the problem is the test set expanded.
In practice, there are two types of testing devices, known as mechanical and projective. The difference is that mechanical devices enable the presentation of real objects, including three-dimensional ones, while projective devices use various forms of two-dimensional recording, such as slides.
Visual testing allows for maximum objectivity of all forms of visual information. The goal is to adapt the physical characteristics of a visual message or its components to the requirements of a given object – a warning sign, verbal information, a signaling device, or a control panel.
The previously cited cases are, of course, just a few of many examples that can or should be subjected to visual testing. It should be emphasized that newly developed solutions can be tested not only in their final form but also in all intermediate stages. Functioning objects, if there are any concerns about their proper performance, should also be verified. Some of the methods discussed can be applied in the initial analysis phase, thus anticipating and clarifying the definition of the design problem.

The methods and devices presented are used in the research, teaching, and design work of the team at the Department of Visual Communication, Faculty of Industrial Design, Academy of Fine Arts in Krakow. This approach to the tasks at hand supports our deep conviction that we are participating in shaping optimal, ergonomically correct conditions for human development and functioning in their visual environment.