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Bachelor of Visual Communication

(Graphic Design Track)

 

​​​Message from the Program Director​​

Welcome our future designers to the visual communication program at Dar Al-Hekma University​

Our goal is to graduate talented, unique, qualified, creators for professional, and creative careers, who can impact the field of visual communication positively. We seek to provide an ideal educational environment that stimulates creativity and equipped your learning journey with the necessary skills that contribute in our com-munity and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030. We are excited to have you all, value your positive energy, and we wish you an extraordinary educational experience.

Graphic Design Track Overview​

The Bachelor of Design in Visual Communication at Dar Al-Hekma is the first in Saudi Arabia. The Department of Visual Communication at Dar Al-Hekma University embraces contemporary and traditional design methodologies in practice, teaching, and research. It instills in its graduates the aspiration to advance themselves in education and the professional fields. It seeks to foster an indigenous culture of design, conveying to students the responsibility to shape the future of visual communication in the region and the world. It also prepares students to the job market through real-life life projects and constant collaboration with industry professionals and entrepreneurs. The practical artistic knowledge that graduates of the program gain enables them to be in key positions in the job market. 

The department also offers four tracks leading to bachelor’s degrees: namely, a bachelor’s degree in visual communication – Digital Game Design track, Motion Graphics track, User Experience track & Digital Illustration track. Students have the opportunity to benefit from different types of undergraduate scholarships.

Mission

Graduating professionals equipped with design thinking, leadership, and research skills in the field of Visual Communication to foster creativity and sustainability.​

Goa​ls

To embraces contemporary and traditional design methodologies in practice, teaching, and research. It is our aim to instill in our graduates the aspiration to advance themselves in education and the professional fields. We want to foster an indigenous culture of design, conveying to them the responsibility to shape the future of Graphic Design and Digital Media industry in the region and the world. To achieve this the department has set the following program goals:

  • Create an environment for the Graphic Design and Digital Media students that fosters creativity and design thinking.
  • Enrich students design thinking, leadership and research skills to be equipped for varying Graphic and Digital Media Design professions and entrepreneurship
  • Provide educational experience that expand students’ Graphic and Digital Media
  • Design knowledge and skills that is applicable for local and worldwide cultures ​


Why Choose the Visual Communication program at Dar Al-Hekma University​

  • The Department of Visual Communication at Dar Al-Hekma is the first of its kind in Saudi Arabia and is recognized throughout the Kingdom for producing graduates who are ready to compete in the exciting and demanding job market. The dynamic curricula of the program focus on developing resourceful and successful design professionals with great insights in the world of visual arts.
  • The Mac labs, the latest software programs, the printmaking studios and the in-house digital printing services provide students with the appropriate facilities needed for their success.
  • The program develops students' conceptions of the market by examining real company projects, and enhances their confidence and their social and artistic skills, which they very much need to compete in the global market.
  • The program covers a diverse range of design areas including graphic design, animation, illustrations, printmaking, photography and typography.
  • The program is taught by a team of professional instructors and researchers, who are experts in their chosen fields.
  • Students benefit from a variety of talks and workshops presented by external professionals. They are also regularly engaged with the community, where they participate in various competitions industrial-linked projects and exhibitions, to be well prepared for the field of design.
​​

​​​​Admission Requirements

​​​​​
​​​​​ Programs​
​​Linguaskill ​Score​​
Required ​Certificate Percentage​​
Qudurat Test Score​​​
​Othe Admission Requirement
​Bachelor of Design ​​in Visual Communication
Graphic Design Track
​162
​80%
​65%
None​


For further details about admissions, click here

​​

​​​Learing Outcomes
​​​

    ​On successful completion of this program, graduates will be able to:

    ​Knowledge

    • ​​​​​Identify the historical evolution and theoretical principles in Graphic Design and Digital Media 
    • Discuss the strategic and creative process of creating Graphic and Digital Media Design projects that meets local and global standards.​ 
     

    Skills

    • Apply Graphic and Digital Media Design principals, conceptual thinking and research strategies to produce audience and client focused projects and products. ​
    • Generate Graphic and Digital Media Design solutions through a variety of traditional and contemporary means and contexts to solve real-life problems. 
    • Use multiple Design tools and technologies appropriate for Graphic and Digital Media Design projects and products. 
    • Employ professional communication strategies, and effective Graphic and Digital Media Design language to convey ideas and, design solutions and products.​ ​


    Values

    • ​Recognize the significance of ethical principles and social responsibility when creating Graphic and Digital Media Designs. 
    • Function effectively as a member or a leader of a team engaged in activities related to Graphic and Digital Media Design Profession.​ ​



​Plan of Study​




​​Year One 
Semester – Fall Semester – Spring

Course Code

Course Title

Credit
Hours

Course Code

Course Title

Credit
Hours

COMM 1301 Communication Skills I3COMM 1302Communication Skills II3
ICTC 1301Information & Communication
Technology
3ARAB xxxxArabic Studies3
EMOI 1201Emotional Intelligence2ARTS xxxxArt & Design2
HART 1301Survey of World Art I3HART 1302Survey of World Art II3
FDSG 1301Fundamentals of Drawing3FDSG 1303Introduction to 3D Design3
FDSG 1302Fundamentals of Design3FDSG 1304Illustration Styles
and Techniques
3
Total Credit Hours 17 Total Credit Hours 17
Year Two
Semester – Fall Semester – Spring

Course Code

Course Title

Credit
Hours

Course Code

Course Title

Credit
Hours

BBBF 1101Basic Body & Brain Fitness1ISLS xxxxIslamic Studies 2
ARAB xxxxArabic Studies 3XXXX xxxxRequired General Ed
Electives (HUMN,
NASC,SBSC)
3
HART 2301Visual Communication Theory3XXXX xxxxFree Elective Course3
VLCD 2302Typography I: Latin
Typography
3HART 2302Modern Visual Communication
Theory
3
VLCD 2310Introduction to 4D Design3VLCD 2310Typography II: Arabic
Typography
3
VLCD 2311Introduction to Digital
Illustration
3VLCD 2311Introduction to Digital
Photography
3
Total Credit Hours 16 Total Credit Hours 17


Year Three
Semester – Fall Semester – Spring Semester – Summer

Course Code

Course Title

Credit Hours

Course Code

Course Title

Credit Hours

Course Code

Course Title

Credit Hours

ISLS xxxxIslamic Studies 3ENTR 3301 Entrepreneurship &
Design Thinking
3VLCD 3305Internship3
LOGC 1201 Logic and Problem Solving2VLCD 3307Web-based Design3
XXXX xxxx Required General
Ed Electives
(HUMN, NASC,SBSC)
3VLCD 3308Islamic Design3
HART 3301Research and
Writing for
the Creative Arts
3GRDS 3601Graphic Design
Studio II
6
VLCD 3306Typography III:
Type Design
3
GRDS 3304Graphic Design
Studio I
3
Total Credit Hours 17 Total Credit Hours 15 Total Credit Hours 3
Year Four 
Semester – Fall Semester – Spring

Course Code

Course Title

Credit
Hours

Course Code

Course Title

Credit
Hours

ISLS xxxx Islamic Studies 3XXXX xxxxFree Elective3
XXXX xxxx School / Program
Elective
3XXXX xxxx School / Program
Elective
3
GRDS 4402Capstone I: Graphic
Design Thesis
4GRDS 4403Graphic Design Portfolio3
GRDS 4501Graphic Design
Studio III
5GRDS 4403Capstone II: Graphic
Design Project
4
Total Credit Hours 15 Total Credit Hours 13


​​​Career Prospects

​​​​​​
students can become, amongst other occupations:​

  • Graphic Designer 
  • UI Designer 
  • UX Designer 
  • Publication Designer 
  • Multimedia Designer 
  • Art Director Creative 
  • Director Advertising Designer 
  • Digital Media Designer 
  • Content Designer 
  • Motion Graphics 
  • Specialist Animator 
  • Concept Artist 
  • Environmental Designer
  • Photo Imaging Specialist 
  • Infographics Designer 
  • Typographer Digital Illustrator 
  • Digital Game Designer 
  • Photographer
  • Videographer
​​​

Course Code: COMM 1301
Course Name: Communication Skills I
Credit Hours: 3 (3,0)
Prerequisite: N/A

Course Code: COMM 1302
Course Name: Communication Skills II
Credit Hours: 3 (3,0)
Prerequisite: COMM 1301

Course Code: GELE 3301
Course Name: Leadership and Emotional Intelligence
Credit Hours: 2 (2,0)
Prerequisite: N/A

Course Code: GEAI 2301
Course Name: Introduction to Artificial Intelligence
Credit Hours: 3 (3,0)
Prerequisite: N/A

Course Code: BBF 1101
Course Name: Brain and Body Fitness
Credit Hours: 1 (1,0)
Prerequisite: N/A

Course Code: BBF 1101
Course Name: Brain and Body Fitness
Credit Hours: 1 (1,0)
Prerequisite: N/A

Course Code: ENTR 3301
Course Name: Entrepreneurship and Design Thinking
Credit Hours: 3 (3,0)
Prerequisite: N/A

Course Code: MATH 2320 Course Name: Geometry Credit Hours: 3 (3,0) Prerequisite: N/A
Course Description:
This course introduces the essential elements of geometry, with a focus on Euclidean Geometry. It also explores the properties of different shapes in two-dimensional and three-dimensional geometry. It emphasizes the implementation of geometry in different disciplines.

Course Code: BGDM 1310
Course Name: Introduction to Digital Design and layout
Credit Hours: 3 (1,3) Prerequisite: N/A Course Description:
This course focuses on essential technical skills and digital graphics as a medium required to develop and communicate design ideas to others in the design profession. It covers many discrete modules that provide the foundation of the necessary skills for designers. Students are introduced to raster and vector graphics and mix between them in publishing packages.

Course Code: BSID xxxx
Course Name: Intro to History of Architecture and Design
Credit Hours: 3 (3,0) Prerequisite: N/A Course Description:
This course provides an overview of architecture and design from prehistory to the present. It examines
key works of architecture and design from a variety of perspectives, including historical, cultural, and aesthetic. Issues addressed include the role of patronage, the changing role of the architect and designer, the function and symbolic meaning of architecture and design as well as influential architectural and design techniques and processes and distinguishing principles and characteristic formal elements associated with significant architectural and design movements. In conjunction with analyses of individual works, comparisons of architecture and design across time and culture will highlight meaningful similarities and differences between civilizations and cultures, thereby providing insights into their beliefs and values.

Course Code: BGDM 1320 Course Name: Freehand Drawing, Credit Hours: 3 (1,3) Prerequisite: N/A
Course Description:
The course is an introduction to freehand drawing and sketching. It develops graphic communication skills using various mediums. This course focuses on the practical development of drawing abilities using different freehand techniques. It enhances freehand drawing competences required in the fields of art and architecture conceptualization and presentation.

Course Code: BARC xxxx
Course Name: Fundamentals of Design
Credit Hours: 4 (2,4) Prerequisite: N/A Course Description:
This course is an introduction to the fundamental elements and principles of two and three- dimensional design. It focuses on the development of visual design-thinking tools and skills, and the design process to develop essential design skills needed for solving art and architecture problems. It cultivates a variety of communication skills other than the traditional drawing and sketching methods.

Course Code: BARC xxxx Course Name: Technical Drawing Credit Hours: 3 (1,4) Prerequisite: N/A
Course Description:
This course aims at developing drafting skills required for design and related courses. It focuses on measuring and documenting architectural spaces. The course covers the representation of buildings into two and three-dimensional architectural drawings.

Course Code: BGDM 2330
Course Name: Media and Design History
Credit Hours: 3 (3,0) Prerequisite: N/A Course Description:
This course explores the major developments and influences that have emerged in the field of media and design. It refers to the major milestones from the development written language and the advent of the printing press to the end of the 19th Century. It emphasizes the innovations in thought and technology along with social, theoretical, political and economic events that have influenced the development of media and design over the centuries.

Course Code: BGDM 2321 Course Name: Typography I Credit Hours: 3 (1,3)
Prerequisite: BGDM 1310
Course Description:
This course provides students with a basic understanding of the principles of typesetting and typographic layout. It introduces the anatomy of Latin and Arabic letters, typographic contrast, hierarchy of information, type families, and typographic grids. The course also covers the historical and technical developments of letterforms and numerals, metal type and digital fonts.

Course Code: BGDM 2311
Course Name: 2D Sketching and Digital Design
Credit Hours: 3 (1,4)
Prerequisite: BGDM 1310
Course Description:
This course explores 2D design principles using a variety of traditional and digital tools applicable for a variety of media outlets. The course emphasizes on understanding the elements and process of creating 2D designs including sketching, tracing, texture mapping, and exporting.

Course Code: BGDM 2322
Course Name: Introduction to Digital Photography
Credit Hours: 3 (1,3) Prerequisite: N/A Course Description:
This course serves as a broad introduction to digital photography, its use in design and as a storytelling medium. Focusing mostly on color photography, it introduces students to the basics of using a DSLR camera, exposure, and dynamic composition. Students will acquire and use the vocabulary of photography, associated software and a basic ability to create, adjust and correct photographs.

Course Code: BGDM 2400
Course Name: Studio I: Graphic Design
Credit Hours: 4 (2,3)
Prerequisite: BGDM 1310
Course Description:
This course introduces the fundamentals and process of graphic design, including research process prior to design and key principles such as image making, understanding the importance of layout in design, basic typography, composition, working with colors and shapes. It establishes foundational digital based skills related to graphic design.

Course Code: BGDM 2231
Course Name: Media and Design Theories
Credit Hours: 2 (2,0) Prerequisite: N/A Course Description:
This course focuses on students gaining an understanding of the theories, technological and social innovations, cultural, and political influences IN Media and Design. The course examines changes from the end of the 19th century to contemporary practice. It uses iconic and influential media designs and designers to demonstrate such changes.

Course Code: BGDM 2323
Course Name: Introduction to Digital Illustration
Credit Hours: 3 (1,3)
Prerequisite: BGDM 1310
Course Description:
This course focuses on experiment with creating digital illustrations, starting with freehand illustration and exploring digital tools to create different styles and forms for digital illustration.

Course Code: BGDM 2312
Course Name: 3D Design and Modelling
Credit Hours: 3 (1,4)
Prerequisite: BGDM 2311
Course Description:
This course explores 3D design principles using a variety of digital tools applicable for a variety of media outlets. The course emphasizes on understanding the elements and process of creating 3D designs including modeling, texture mapping, lighting, composition and rendering.

Course Code: BGDM 2324 Course Name: Typography II Credit Hours: 3 (1,4)
Prerequisite: BGDM 2321
Course Description:
This course explores type design in depth, particularly as it relates to bilingual typography. It covers the structure of Arabic and Latin font families. Various applications are embedded to promote fonts based on the characteristics, use, and objectives of the type design.

Course Code: BGDM 2401
Course Name: Studio II: Digital Idea Visualization
Credit Hours: 4 (2,3)
Prerequisite: BGDM 2400
Course Description:
This course explores visualizing complex projects across multiple digital media forms. Students build upon professional design methods and strategies of problem-solving as they learn to visualize information and other conceptual ideas.

Course Code: BGDM 3232
Course Name: Design Thinking and Creative Pitching Seminar
Credit Hours: 2 (2,0) Prerequisite: N/A Course Description:
This course focuses on discussing, practicing, and applying design thinking process for creating Graphic
Design and Digital Media project, including defining a problem, researching ideating and prototyping. It also explores the industry standards for creative pitching, and workplace conduct. This is a complementary course preparing students for their internship experience and capstone 1.
Course Code: BGDM 3325 Course Name: Video Production Credit Hours: 3 (1,3) Prerequisite: N/A
Course Description:
This course introduces video production techniques for digital media. It covers hardware and software skills used in video production. The course explores all phases of video production from pre-production through production to post-production.

Course Code: BGDM 3313
Course Name: Content and User Interface Design
Credit Hours: 3 (1,4)
Prerequisite: BGDM 2300
Course Description:
The course explores the process, principles and skills required for designing various user interface designs, using industry standard tools, and provides an understanding of content design, including, creating appropriate style, tone and voice for targeted audiences. The course teach both the elements needed for creating visually appealing user interfaces as well as creating appropriate copy and microcopy for buttons, notification and other UI elements.

Course Code: BGDM 3402
Course Name: Studio III: Kinetic Graphic Design
Credit Hours: 4 (1,4)
Prerequisite: BGDM 2401
Course Description:
This course introduces the integration of graphic design elements with sound and moving images. It explores basic principles of dynamic graphics that covers visual effects and kinetic typography. The course provides basic training in the hardware and software needed to capture and manipulate sound and video.

Course Code: BGDM 3233
Course Name: Advertising and Copywriting
Credit Hours: 2 (2,0) Prerequisite: N/A Course Description:
This course introduces the fundamentals of advertising and copywriting within a variety of visual contexts and explores the strategies of designing visual advertisements with effective copywriting for an intended target audience.


Course Code: BGDM 3326 Course Name: Printmaking Credit Hours: 3 (1,3) Prerequisite: N/A
Course Description:
This course introduces the methodologies and concepts of traditional printmaking processes and the basics of color printing. It provides an overview of the tools, methods and materials for making two-dimensional printed artworks with particular focus on how manual printing and traditional techniques relate to contemporary concepts and individual art practice. The course focuses on experimentation and exploration of new ideas.

Course Code: BGDM 3403
Course Name: Studio IV: Brand and Packaging Design
Credit Hours: 4 (2, 3)
Prerequisite: BGDM 3402
Course Description:
This course introduces and expands upon the theoretical, technical and practical topics concerning branding and packaging, focusing on establishing and developing a successful brand by employing different design and marketing strategies, as well as the process of researching, designing and manufacturing packaging and preparation of digital files for print production, substrates, inks, die-cuts, and process color.

Course Code: BGDM 3340 Course Name: Internship Credit Hours: 2 (2,0)
Prerequisite: Complete minimum of 60 credits and manual approval
Course Description:
This course provides practical work experience in a design studio, advertising agency, or other professional environment in the field of Digital Media Design. The students undergo direct supervision with program faculty members and firms’ personnel. This practical training experience gives an understanding of the business processes and activities in which industry professionals are involved. This course starts the transition from educational to professional settings.

Course Code: BGDM 4234
Course Name: Media and Design Ethics
Credit Hours: 2 (2,0) Prerequisite: N/A Course Description:
This course explores the essential ethical considerations and copyright laws within media and design industries in both the global and local contexts.

Course Code: BGDM 4450
Course Name: Capstone I: Graphic Design and Digital Media Thesis
Credit Hours: 4 (2,3)
Prerequisite: Complete minimum of 90 credits and manual approval
Course Description:
This course focuses on the use of research techniques in writing a formal thesis, design thinking and research is conducted to prepare and establish a design project to execute in the Capstone II course.

Course Code: BGDM 4341
Course Name: Graphic Design and Digital Media Portfolio
Credit Hours: 3 (1,3)
Prerequisite: BGDM 3403
Course Description:
This course is designed to develop a design portfolio for professional industry standards. It introduces essential skills necessary to work in the freelance environment or to launch into the job market. The course focuses on honing presentation and design skills to create a professionally presented, individual, physical and digital portfolio. This course discusses different career opportunities and the importance of preparing a professional CV, cover letter, and social network profile.

Course Code: BGDM 4451
Course Name: Capstone II: Graphic Design and Digital Media Project
Credit Hours: 4 (2,3)
Prerequisite: BGDM 4450, BGDM 3403
Course Description:
This course focuses on the implementation of the thesis project developed in Capstone I. It facilitates scheduled group critiques and ongoing individual consultations with advisors creating a work environment that allows for independent problem solving and decision-making to execute the planed design project with professional industry standards.

Electives: 
Course Code: BGDM 3360
Course Name: Fundamentals of Software and Coding for Designers
Credit Hours: 3 (1,4)
Prerequisite: ITAI 1201
Course Description:
This course enables designers to collaborate effectively with software developers, through introducing coding fundamentals, and building design concepts with an understanding of technical constraints.

Course Code: BGDM 3361
Course Name: User Experience Design
Credit Hours: 3 (1,3)
Prerequisite: BGDM 3313
Course Description:
This course explores the principles, techniques and research process in developing user experience designs. It focuses on designing user interface products that are informed by effective user experience design processes.

Course Code: BGDM 4362
Course Name: User Experience Design Studio
Credit Hours: 3 (1,3)
Prerequisite: BGDM 3360, BGDM 3361
Course Description:
This Course serves as an expansion on Fundamentals of software and coding for designers and User Experience Design courses. The course explores advanced approaches to user interface and user experience design, through understanding practical conventions in UX design and applying them effectively on screen- based website and app experiences.

Course Code: BGDM 3370
Course Name: Character design for Animation
Credit Hours: 3 (1,4)
Prerequisite: BGDM 2312
Course Description:
This course focuses on the distinctive principles of drawing to attain the knowledge of storyboards, model sheets and character development of animated characters. It introduces life drawing and conceptual drawing skills that focus on providing different expressions to animated characters giving them personality. The course also introduces designing digital 2D and 3D characters ready for movement, through sketching, sculpt modeling, texturing, lighting and designing characters’ environment.

Course Code: BGDM 3371
Course Name: Motion Graphics Design
Credit Hours: 3 (1,3)
Prerequisite: BGDM 3402
Course Description:
This course explores advanced digital video/photo techniques, experimental and character animation techniques. working with voice actors and applying visual effects and sound. The course uses industry standard software for motion graphics.

Course Name: Motion Graphics Studio
Credit Hours: 3 (1,3)
Prerequisite: BGDM 3370, BGDM 3371
Course Description:
This course serves as an expansion to the basics of motion graphics and animation. The course explores advanced topics in motion graphics, visual effects compositing and covering 2D and 3D graphics as well as video.

Course Code: BGDM 3380
Course Name: Digital Games Design
Credit Hours: 3 (1,3)
Prerequisite: BGDM 2312
Course Description:
This course will introduce principles of gaming and explores different types of digital games. The course will focus on conceptualizing and designing digital games, through understanding elements and styles required for designing digital games.


Course Code: BGDM 4381
Course Name: Digital Games Design Studio
Credit Hours: 3 (1,3)
Prerequisite: BGDM 3380
Course Description:

This Course serves as an expansion on Fundamentals of software and coding for designers and digital game design courses. The course explores advanced approaches to digital game design through understanding practical conventions in game design to create a complete digital game design project.

Course Code: BGDM 3390
Course Name: Advanced Digital Illustration Strategies
Credit Hours:
Prerequisite: BGDM 2323
Course Description:
This course explores the range of contemporary illustration design strategies, and the creative processes that underpin the profession of illustration. This includes creative ideation and implementation. It advances students digital illustrative skills and techniques to create and explore a wide range of contemporary digital illustration projects.

Course Code: BGDM 3391
Course Name: Digital Illustration for Imaginative and Conceptual Designs
Credit Hours:
Prerequisite: BGDM 2323
Course Description :
The course explores imaginative and conceptual illustrations applicable for both entertainment industry and artistic expression. It develops students skills and creative ideation to illustrate imaginative and conceptual designs including illustrations of characters, elaborate environments and other artistic creations.

Course Name: Digital Illustration Studio
Credit Hours:
Prerequisite: BGDM 3390, BGDM 3391
Course Description :
This course serves as an expansion to both advanced digital illustration stratgies and imaginative and conceptual illustrations courses. The course explores and implements advanced topics and skills in digital illustration, to create a individualized digital illustration project.


Mr. Abdelqader Kamal Alnobani

Lecturer

Hekma School of Engineering, Computing and Design

Dr. Ahmed Khaled Nasseraldin

Assistant Professor

Hekma School of Engineering, Computing and Design

Ms. Ayhan Mohammad Amin Niyaz

Lecturer

Hekma School of Engineering, Computing and Design

Dr. Michelle Abdo Kanaan

Assistant Professor

Hekma School of Engineering, Computing and Design

Ms. Missan Anas Madani

Visiting Faculty

Hekma School of Engineering, Computing and Design

Dr. Ruaa Abdelbadie Lary

Chair- Assistant Professor

Hekma School of Engineering, Computing and Design

Dr. Samar Awad AlTarteer

Director - Scientific Research Center / Assistant Professor

Hekma School of Engineering, Computing and Design

Key Facts

Program Name

Visual Communication


Academic Degree

Bachelor


Credit Hours

130


Program Duration

4 Years


Type of Study

Regular


Current number of students

107


Number of graduates

905


Current Number of Students

130


Employability Statistic

70%

Dr. Ahmed Khaled Nasseraldin

Director, Visual Communication Program


PhD, Visual Communication, University of Leeds, UK, 2023

MA, Advertising & Marketing Communications, Webster University, UK, 2013

BA, Graphic Design, Helwan University, 2007

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