Course
codes: 2123; 2960 + Course abbreviations: BDes(VisComm); BVisComm(Hons) +
Caulfield campus + Internal mode + Three years full-time, plus one year of
honours + Course coordinator: Russell Kennedy
The Bachelor of Design (Visual Communication) is a three-year, full-time degree
program of education in the discipline of graphic design. It is intended for
students who may seek employment as a graphic designer in the areas of
corporate identity, publishing, advertising, packaging, digital/ electronic and
time-based media, illustration, information design, television, animation and
interactive media.
The course consists of core units covering graphic design, digital and
photomedia, typography, popular culture and professional practice.
It is supported by studies in contemporary discourse and cultural studies
relevant to art and design. Electives provide further background in
advertising, marketing, interactive media, photomedia, digital font design,
computer print, online publishing, digital audio/video, 3D design and animation.
This three-year degree contains mandatory units together with a broad range of electives. The degree structure is formed out of a sequence of units which are closely linked -- the core program of Graphic design studio is supported by studio specialisations and theory units as well as ancillary units directed towards contemporary professional methods and skills. The course is structured to give students the following areas of study.
This is the main study of the course. There are studios at each year stage.
Specialist areas of study are specifically related to visual communication and cover the study of photomedia and methods of production.
Students study a minimum of one unit on the theory, context and cultural aspects of art and design at each level of the course.
All students take three professional practice units, one in each year of the course, for a total of nine credit points.
Students take one compulsory six-credit-point drawing unit in the first year. These studies are concerned with perceptual and communication skills in the context of visual concepts and structures. It is anticipated that some students will take further studies in the drawing studio.
Two sequences of units are compulsory for first and second-year levels of the course -- Digital imaging and Computers for print. In addition, a large range of electives are available including Imaging for multimedia, Design/ scripting for multimedia, On-line publishing, 3D design and animation.
A range of electives from across the disciplines is available to suit individual study programs. Thirty credit points are available for elective studies, which are selected in consultation with the course coordinator. Units will generally be taken from those available within the Faculty of Art and Design, but units offered elsewhere in the university are also available. As well as the drawing and digital imaging electives, it is likely that many students may also wish to take photomedia and/or other studio studies. A typical elective program might include:
This additional one-year course provides intensive study in the student's selected area of specialisation. This is supported by theory and elective studies.
Studio practice at honours level is research-oriented and is an intensive program of design activity oriented to the student's chosen area of specialisation. Students are expected to produce a proposed study program at the beginning of the academic year. Both the intentions of students and the results of their work are debated in group discussions and critical sessions.
Aspects of design management and project management will be related to the student's chosen area of specialisation.
The honours program incorporates a research methods component in which students will be instructed in advanced research skills. Students will be required to submit a research paper on a topic of their choice after consultation with the lecturer in charge. A research seminar will be a forum for debating issues of contemporary artistic theory.
A range of electives from across the disciplines is available to suit individual study programs.
Three years of full-time study. The expected number of hours per week for a full-time student is 48 (contact and non-contact). An 80 per cent attendance record for studios, lectures, seminars etc is required before a student may present for assessment in any unit. Exceptions will be unit to the approval of the course coordinator.
One additional year of full-time study or two years part-time. Workload as for the pass degree.
This course is offered through the VTAC system. Entry is by portfolio, interview and ENTER. Students must have a study score of at least 25 in units 3 and 4 English (any).
Completion of the Bachelor of Design (Visual Communication) pass degree at an average level of credit or higher. Depending upon the number of places available, students may also be required to submit a portfolio of studio work for selection into the honours program.
Credit will be granted for equivalent studies completed elsewhere at approved institutions. Advanced standing in the course for students who have completed part of similar courses at Australian or international universities will be considered up to a maximum of two years and in accordance with other regulations of Monash University. Each application for credit or advanced standing will be considered on its own merits.
No credit or advanced standing will be provided in this course.
For students with Australian residency this course falls within the lowest band of HECS liability. The fee for international students will be set by the vice-chancellor from time to time (currently $14,500 per annum).
Unit |
Year
1 |
Year 2 Students progressively improve their practical and intellectual skills, as they continue their educational development through core and elective units. |
Year 3 Integration of previous years study with a major focus in their chosen area. |
Total years 13 |
Year 4* A year of intensive study specifically oriented to the students chosen area of professional specialisation. |
Total years 14 | |||||
Semester 1 |
Semester 2 |
Semester 1 |
Semester 2 |
Semester 1 |
Semester 2 |
Semester 1 |
Semester 2 |
||||
Drawing and visual structures |
C |
DWG1401
Drawing 1D (visual communica-tion) |
6 cps |
6 cps | |||||||
Theory of art and design |
C o r e |
TAD1101 History of pre-industrial art & design 6 cps |
TAD1102 Visual culture and media of the industrial age 6 cps |
TAD2111 Modernism and visual challenge2B 3 cps |
TAD2112 Perspective on post-war practices2B 3 cps |
TAD3217 Popular culture and contemp. communica-tion3B 3 cps |
21 cps |
TAD4521 Research methods in design 6 cps |
TAD4522 Research seminar in design 6 cps |
33 cps | |
Professional practice |
C o r e |
PPR1103 Effective communica-tion 3 cps |
PPR2110 Professional practiceD 3 cps |
VCO3109 Project planning and research for visual comm-unication 3 cps |
9 cps |
PPR4101 Business management for design 3 cps |
12 cps | ||||
Digital imaging |
C o r e |
DIS1101 Digital imaging1 3 cps |
DIS1102 Digital imaging2 3 cps |
DIS2103 Digital imaging3 3 cps DIS2401 Computers for print1 3 cps |
DIS2402 Computers for print2 3 cps |
15 cps |
15 cps | ||||
Design studio |
C o r e |
VCO1101 Graphic design studio1 3 cps VCO1403 Design studio1 3 cps |
VCO1102 Graphic design studio2 3 cps VCO1301 Typographic studies1 3 cps |
VCO2103 Graphic design studio3 6 cps |
VCO2104 Graphic design studio4 6 cps VCO2407 Design discourse1 3 cps |
VCO3105 Graphic design studio5 12 cps VCO3408 Design discourse2 3 cps |
VCO3106 Graphic design studio6 12 cps VCO3409 Design discourse3 3 cps |
57 cps |
VCO4107 Major project (visual comm-unication) part1 12 cps |
VCO4108 Major project (visual communica-tion) part2 18 cps |
87 cps |
Studio specialisation |
C o r e |
PHO1101 Photo-media1 3 cps |
VCO2405 Methods of production 3 cps |
6 cps |
6 cps | ||||||
Electives |
6 cps |
6 cps |
6 cps |
6 cps |
6 cps |
30 cps |
3 cps |
36 cps | |||
Total |
24 cps |
24 cps |
24 cps |
24 cps |
24 cps |
24 cps |
144 cps |
24 cps |
24 cps |
192 cps |
Note that all courses and units are subject to ongoing review and minor
amendments to improve them.
cps: credit points -- the total student workload per week including in
and out-of-class work is normally obtained by doubling the credit points.
Course program
Unit |
Credit points |
Average taught hours per week |
Average out of class hours per week |
Total hours | |
Year 1 |
|||||
Semester 1 |
DWG1401 Drawing 1D (visual communication) |
6 cps |
4 hours |
8 hours |
12 hours |
TAD1101 History of pre-industrial art and design |
6 cps |
3 hours |
9 hours |
12 hours | |
DIS1101 Digital imaging 1 |
3 cps |
2 hours |
4 hours |
6 hours | |
VCO1403 Design studio 1 |
3 cps |
3 hours |
3 hours |
6 hours | |
PHO1101 Photomedia 1 |
3 cps |
2 hours |
4 hours |
6 hours | |
VCO1101 Graphic design studio 1 |
3 cps |
4 hours |
2 hours |
6 hours | |
24 cps |
18 hours |
30 hours |
48 hours | ||
Semester 2 |
TAD1102 Visual culture and media of the industrial age |
6 cps |
3 hours |
9 hours |
12 hours |
DIS1102 Digital imaging 2 |
3 cps |
2 hours |
4 hours |
6 hours | |
VCO1102 Graphic design studio 2 |
3 cps |
4 hours |
2 hours |
6 hours | |
VCO1301 Typographic studies 1 |
3 cps |
2 hours |
4 hours |
6 hours | |
PPR1103 Effective communication |
3 cps |
2 hours |
4 hours |
6 hours | |
Plus two electives: |
|||||
Elective 1 |
3 cps |
2 hours |
4 hours |
6 hours | |
Elective 2 |
3 cps |
2 hours |
4 hours |
6 hours | |
24 cps |
17 hours |
31 hours |
48 hours | ||
Year 2 |
|||||
Semester 1 |
TAD2111 Modernism and visual challenge2B |
3 cps |
2 hours |
4 hours |
6 hours |
DIS2401 Computers for print 1 |
3 cps |
2 hours |
4 hours |
6 hours | |
DIS2103 Digital imaging 3 |
3 cps |
2 hours |
4 hours |
6 hours | |
VCO2103 Graphic design studio 3 |
6 cps |
6 hours |
6 hours |
12 hours | |
PPR2110 Professional practice D |
3 cps |
2 hours |
4 hours |
6 hours | |
Plus two electives: |
|||||
Elective 3 |
3 cps |
2 hours |
4 hours |
6 hours | |
Elective 4 |
3 cps |
2 hours |
4 hours |
6 hours | |
24 cps |
18 hours |
30 hours |
48 hours | ||
Semester 2 |
TAD2112 Perspectives on post-war practices2B |
3 cps |
2 hours |
4.5 hours |
6 hours |
DIS2402 Computers for print 2 |
3 cps |
2 hours |
4 hours |
6 hours | |
VCO2407 Design discourse 1 |
3 cps |
2 hours |
4 hours |
6 hours | |
VCO2405 Methods of production |
3 cps |
2 hours |
4 hours |
6 hours | |
VCO2104 Graphic design studio 4 |
6 cps |
6 hours |
6 hours |
12 hours | |
Plus two electives: |
|||||
Elective 5 |
3 cps |
2 hours |
4 hours |
6 hours | |
Elective 6 |
3 cps |
2 hours |
4 hours |
6 hours | |
24 cps |
18 hours |
30 hours |
48 hours | ||
Year 3 |
|||||
Semester 1 |
TAD3217 Popular culture and contemporary communication3B |
3 cps |
2 hours |
4 hours |
6 hours |
VCO3408 Design discourse 2 |
3 cps |
2 hours |
4 hours |
6 hours | |
VCO3105 Graphic design studio 5 |
12 cps |
10 hours |
14 hours |
24 hours | |
Plus two electives: |
|||||
Elective 7 |
3 cps |
2 hours |
4 hours |
6 hours | |
Elective 8 |
3 cps |
2 hours |
4 hours |
6 hours | |
or one elective 9 |
6 cps |
4 hours |
8 hours |
12 hours | |
24 cps |
18 hours |
30 hours |
48 hours | ||
Semester 2 |
VCO3409 Design discourse 3 |
3 cps |
2 hours |
4 hours |
6 hours |
VCO3106 Graphic design studio 6 |
12 cps |
10 hours |
14 hours |
24 hours | |
VCO3109 Project planning and research for visual communication |
3 cps |
2 hours |
4 hours |
6 hours | |
Plus one elective: |
|||||
Elective 10 |
6 cps |
4 hours |
8 hours |
12 hours | |
24 cps |
18 hours |
30 hours |
48 hours | ||
Total (over three years) |
144 cps |
(17.8 hours average per week) |
(30 hours average perweek) |
||
Year 4* |
|||||
Semester 1 |
TAD4521 Research methods in design |
6 cps |
2 hours |
10 hours |
12 hours |
VCO4107 Major project (visual communication) part 1 |
12 cps |
8 hours |
16 hours |
24 hours | |
PPR4101 Business management for design |
3 cps |
2 hours |
4 hours |
6 hours | |
Elective |
3cps |
2 hours |
4 hours |
6 hours | |
24 cps |
14 hours |
34 hours |
48 hours | ||
Semester 2 |
TAD4521 Research seminar in design |
6 cps |
2 hours |
10 hours |
12 hours |
VCO4108 Major project (visual communication) part 2 |
18 cps |
12 hours |
24 hours |
36 hours | |
24 cps |
14 hours |
34 hours |
48 hours | ||
Total (over four years) |
192 cps |
(17 hours average perweek) |
(30 plus hours average per week) |
Note that all courses and units are subject to ongoing review and minor
amendments to improve them.
cps: credit points -- the total student workload per week including in
and out-of-class work is normally obtained by doubling the credit points.
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