Bachelor of Design (Visual Communication)

Degree Level Undergraduate

Years

Australian students

Start Date
February

Campus
City West

Duration
3 year(s) full-time

Program Code
DBVC

SATAC Code
424151 (Internal)

Study as
Full-time or part-time

Fees
Commonwealth Supported

Entry Requirements
Selection Rank (Internal): 75.30 (for 2012)
View full entry requirements

Prerequisites
None

Assumed Knowledge
None

Entry requirements

Admission criteria

The admission criteria have been grouped to assist you to easily find the information most relevant to your circumstances. However, you may fit into more than one and the university will consider applicants against each of the relevant criteria.

Certain conditions apply. For more information refer to Appendix 4 of the University's Selection and Entry policy.

To be eligible for selection, applicants are required to have:

Completed the South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE); and
- completed 200 credits of subjects;
- achieved a grade of C* or better in the Personal Learning Plan, 20 credits of literacy, 10 credits of numeracy and the Research Project at Stage 2;
- achieved a grade C- or better in an additional 60 credits at Stage 2;
- obtained a competitive ATAR.
* For Stage 2 subjects a grade of C- or better is required

OR:
- completed the equivalent secondary education qualifications as required for University entry under SACE and fulfilled any prerequisite requirements;
- completed the International Baccalaureate Diploma, obtaining a minimum score of 24 points and fulfilled any prerequisite requirements;
- completed or partly completed a recognised higher education program at a recognised higher education institution and fulfilled any prerequisite requirements;
- completed at least four Open Universities Australia (OUA) courses at the appropriate level and fulfilled any prerequisite requirements;
- completed an award from TAFE or from another registered training organisation at AQF Certificate IV level or above and fulfilled any prerequisite requirements;
- qualified for Special Entry and fulfilled any prerequisite requirements;
- completed the University Foundation Studies program.
Essential requirements for admission
Prerequisites
None

Assumed Knowledge
None
View full entry requirements Hide full entry requirements

Aim

To graduate students who are equipped with the creative, intellectual, technical and professional methods to function as reflective, socially responsive practitioners in the field of visual communication design.

Content & Structure

The program is a three year fulltime or part-time equivalent program organised into three levels: foundation, advanced and developing professional. Level 1 (first year of study) introduces basic skills and concepts in design and establishes a theoretical framework. Level 2 (second year of study) develops competence in core course areas. Level 3 (third year of study) expands the intellectual and professional areas of the program. Levels 2 and 3 provide scope for specialisation through electives.

The program requires the completion of courses comprising 108 units.

Students major in either Graphic Design or Illustration Design.

What courses you'll study

Course name	Area and cat no.	Units	Reference
FIRST YEAR (level 1)
First Semester (Study Period 1, 2 or 3)
Design Foundation Studio	GRAP 1017	9
Introductory Drawing for Design	GRAP 1019	4.5
Reading Visual Culture: Design History and Theory	VSAR 1102	4.5
Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6)
Major Design Studio 1	GRAP 1020	9
Design, Culture and Society 1	GRAP 1023	4.5
Computer Graphics and Imaging for Design	GRAP 1018	4.5
SECOND YEAR (Level 2)
First Semester (Study Period 1, 2 or 3)
Graphic Design Studio 2	GRAP 2007	9
OR
Illustration Design Studio 2	GRAP 2009	9
Advanced Computer Practice for Design	GRAP 2011	4.5
Free Elective		4.5	Note(s): 1
Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6)
Graphic Design Studio 3	GRAP 2008	9
OR
Illustration Design Studio 3	GRAP 2010	9
Design, Culture and Society 2	GRAP 2030	4.5
Design for Multimedia and Web	GRAP 2020	4.5
THIRD YEAR (Level 3)
First Semester (Study Period 1, 2 or 3)
Major Design Studio 4	GRAP 3006	9
Visual Communication Design Theory Elective		4.5	Note(s): 2,4
Design Elective		4.5	Note(s): 2,3
Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6)
Professional Studio and Practice	GRAP 3007	9
Indigenous Art, Culture and Design	VSAR 3017	4.5
Design Elective		4.5	Note(s): 2,3

Electives

Course name	Area and cat no.	Units
Design Electives: Graphic Design
Printmaking Image and Text	VSAR 2057	4.5
Package Design B	GRAP 2017	4.5
Idea Generation Methods for Designers	GRAP 2019	4.5
Multimedia Design	GRAP 2021	4.5
Aesthetics of Three Dimensional Form	ARCH 2054	4.5
Animation Design	GRAP 2028	4.5
Commercial and Professional Photography	GRAP 2024	4.5
Design Electives: Illustration Design
Commercial and Professional Photography	GRAP 2024	4.5
Animation Design	GRAP 2028	4.5
Idea Generation Methods for Designers	GRAP 2019	4.5
Printmaking Image and Text	VSAR 2057	4.5
Relief and Intaglio Printmaking	VSAR 2058	4.5
Life Drawing	VSAR 2049	4.5
Visual Communication Design Theory Electives
Arts Writing	VSAR 2042	4.5
Contemporary Graphics and Illustration	GRAP 2022	4.5

Rules & notes

Rules

1. A student must normally complete the program within three years of fulltime study (or its equivalent of part-time study) from the date of their initial enrolment, not including any period of approved leave or enforced suspension.

2. Students progress through the three years of the program by levels: Level 1 (first year) Level 2 (second year) Level 3 (third year).

3. Students must successfully complete level 1 before undertaking courses at level 2. Similarly, students must successfully complete level 2 before undertaking courses at level 3. With the permission of the Program Director, students may carry one course failure from level 1 to level 2 and one course failure from level 2 to level 3.

4. Students complete a professional major of 36 units in Graphic Design or Illustration Design.

Notes

1. All students complete at least one Free Elective as part of their undergraduate program of study. See undergraduate elective courses.

2. Students must complete a total of 13.5 units of program electives made up of 2 x 4.5 unit Design Electives, plus 1 x 4.5 unit Visual Communication Design Theory Elective. These program electives are designed to expand the intellectual and professional capabilities of the students in core and cognate areas of the curriculum and to provide scope for individual development in particular areas of professional academic interest. Courses are listed above. Not every course will be offered every year.

3. Students are required to complete 9 units of Design Elective courses from across the School. A selection of electives will be offered each year, depending on staff availability and student demand. Suites of courses are recommended as electives for the two professional majors in the Bachelor of Design (Visual Communication): Graphic Design and Illustration Design. These courses are listed above.

4. The Visual Communication Design Theory Elective is chosen from a specified list of courses, listed above.

5. Students who wish to independently pursue a topic of interest not available from the elective courses offered in any one study period may choose either a research or project-based directed study elective: VSAR 2038 AAD Negotiated Study 1, VSAR 2039 AAD Negotiated Study 2, VSAR 2040 AAD Negotiated Study 3.