Bachelor of Design (Communication Design)

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): 60.70 (for 2015)
Selection Rank (Guaranteed): 75.00 (for 2016)
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:

Qualify for the South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE), and
- obtain a competitive ATAR, and
- meet any prerequisite requirements with a minimum grade of C-
Alternatively, applicants can fulfil one of the following requirements with a competitive result, and demonstrate that they fulfil any prerequisite requirements, and other academic requirements for the program:
- Complete secondary education qualifications equivalent to SACE, or
- Complete the International Baccalaureate Diploma with a minimum score of 24 points, or
- Complete or partly complete a recognised higher education program at a recognised higher education institution, or
- Complete at least four Open Universities Australia (OUA) courses at undergraduate level or above, or
- Complete an award from a registered training organisation at Certificate IV level or above, or
- Qualify for Special Entry, or
- Complete a University Foundation Studies program
Essential requirements for admission
Prerequisites
None

Assumed Knowledge
None
View full entry requirements Hide full entry requirements

Aim

The Bachelor of Design (Communication Design) degree develops creative, intellectual, technical and professional knowledge and skills and qualifies individuals to operate as reflective and responsive practitioners in communication design.

Content & Structure

Graduates of a Bachelor of Design (Communication Design) will have a broad and coherent body of knowledge, with depth in the underlying principles and concepts that serve as a basis for reflective practice in communication design, and who are able to design with intent to inspire, inform and motivate, contributing to the cultural and social life of the wider community.

Students will develop a creative and exploratory approach to communication design problems through the integration of research and practice; cognitive and collaborative skills to identify, interpret and analyse a design problem and demonstrate creative and critical thinking in the development of design outcomes and responses; with the capacity to develop designs that respond to both local and global contexts and issues.

Students will complete 108 units of study. Year 1 establishes foundation skills and concepts in communication design practice and theoretical frameworks, including the observation, analysis, interaction and application of form, typography, image design and content with practice skills and technology. Year 2 develops competence and fluency in visual literacy, core subject areas and design in context. Year 3 expands on design challenges through the intellectual and professional areas of the program. 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)
Communication 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)
Communication Design Studio 2 (Graphics)	GRAP 2007	9
OR
Communication Design Studio 2 (Illustration)	GRAP 2009	9
Computer Practice and Communication for Design	GRAP 2011	4.5
Design, Culture and Society 2	GRAP 2030	4.5
Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6)
Communication Design Studio 3 (Graphics)	GRAP 2008	9
OR
Communication Design Studio 3 (Illustration)	GRAP 2010	9
Indigenous Art, Culture and Design	VSAR 3017	4.5
Design for Multimedia and Web	GRAP 2020	4.5
THIRD YEAR (Level 3)
First Semester (Study Period 1, 2 or 3)
Communication Design Studio 4	GRAP 3006	9
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
Advanced Design Elective		4.5	Note(s): 3,4,6
Free Elective		4.5	Note(s): 1

Electives

Course name	Area and cat no.	Units
Design Electives: Graphic Design
Relief Printmaking	VSAR 2058	4.5
Package Design	GRAP 2017	4.5
Creative Thinking Methods	GRAP 2019	4.5
Commercial and Professional Photography	GRAP 2024	4.5
Type, Image, Motion	GRAP 2021	4.5
Typography	GRAP 2027	4.5
Animation Design	GRAP 2028	4.5
Design Electives: Illustration Design
Animation Design	GRAP 2028	4.5
Commercial and Professional Photography	GRAP 2024	4.5
Creative Thinking Methods	GRAP 2019	4.5
Relief Printmaking	VSAR 2058	4.5
Life Drawing	VSAR 2049	4.5
Etching and Intaglio Printmaking	VSAR 2057	4.5
Communication Design Theory Electives
Photography: The Evolution of an Image	VSAR 2066	4.5
Critical Practice: Graphics and Illustration	GRAP 2022	4.5
Advanced Design Electives
Package Design	GRAP 2017	4.5
Etching and Intaglio Printmaking	VSAR 2057	4.5
Animation Design	GRAP 2028	4.5
Typography	GRAP 2027	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 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 (Communication Design): Graphic Design and Illustration Design. These courses are listed above.

4. The 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 through an AAD Negotiated Study.

6. At least one Design Elective must be selected from the Advanced Design Electives, listed above.

Professional accreditation and recognition

Graduates of this program are eligible for Graduate Membership of the Design Institute of Australia. Graduates are eligible for Associate Membership of the Design Institute of Australia after two years of professional practice.