Monash University: University Handbooks: Undergraduate handbook 2004: Units indexed by faculty
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Undergraduate handbook 2004
Art and Design

Bachelor of Design (Visual Communication); Bachelor of Visual Communication (Honours)

Course codes: 2123; 2960 + Course abbreviations: BDes(VisComm); BVisComm(Hons) + Caulfield + Internal mode + Three years full-time, plus one year of honours + Course coordinator: Russell Kennedy
All enrolled students prior to 2003 must follow the Bachelor of Design (Visual Communication) and Bachelor of Visual Communication (Honours) course structure, which appears in the 2002 undergraduate handbook.

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, interactive media, photomedia, digital font design, computer print, online publishing, digital audio/video, 3D design and animation.

Course structure

Pass degree

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.

Design studios (48 credit points)

This is the main study of the course. There are studios at each year stage.

Studio specialisation (12 credit points)

Specialist areas of study are specifically related to visual communication and cover the study of typography and methods of production.

Theory of art and design (18 credit points)

Students study a minimum of one unit on the theory, context and cultural aspects of art and design at each level of the course.

Professional practice (6 credit points)

All students take one professional practice unit at third-year level.

Drawing and visual structures (6 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.

Digital imaging/photomedia (24 credit points)

Four units are compulsory for first and second-year levels of the course.

Electives (30 credit points)

A range of electives from across the disciplines are available to suit individual study programs. Thirty credit points are available for elective studies. 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.

Honours degree

This additional one-year course provides intensive study in the student's selected area of specialisation. This is supported by theory and elective studies.

Course length/workload required

Pass degree

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.

Honours degree

One additional year of full-time study or two years part-time. Workload as for the pass degree.

Admission requirements

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) and a minimum ENTER of 70.

Honours degree

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.

Advanced standing

Pass degree

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.

Honours degree

No credit or advanced standing will be provided in this course.

Fee structure

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 $17,000 per annum).

Unit
Year 1
This year introduces students to the basic skills and intellectual processes required to successfully pursue
their chosen area of study. 		Year 2
Students progres-sively improve their practical and intellectual skills, as they continue their educational develop-ment through core and elective units. 		Year 3
Integration of previous years study with a major focus in their chosen area. 		Total years
1-3 		Year 4*
A year of intensive study specifically oriented to
the students chosen
area of professional specialisation. 		Total years
1-4


Semester 1 Semester 2 Semester 1 Semester 2 Semester 1 Semester 2
Semester 1 Semester 2

Design studio

C
o
r
e

DGN1001 Design studio 1
6 cps

VCO1104 Graphic design studio 2
6 cps

VCO2003 Graphic design studio 3
6 cps

VCO2004 Graphic design studio 4
6 cps

Graphic design studio 5
12 cps

Graphic design studio 6
12 cps

48 cps

Graphic design studio 7
12 cps

Graphic design
studio
18 cps

78 cps

Drawing and visual structures

C
o
r
e

DWG1301 Drawing
6 cps






6 cps



6 cps

Theory of art and design

C
o
r
e

TAD1203 Introduction to design history and theory
6 cps



TAD2214 Critical issues in design
6 cps


Contemporary discourse in design
6 cps

18 cps

Either:
Research methods in art and design
6 cps
or
Design research methods
and seminar
6 cps

Either:
Research seminar in art and design
6 cps
or
Professional practice and business planning for design
6 cps

30 cps

Professional practice






Profes-sional practice
6 cps


6 cps



6 cps

Digital imaging/ photomedia

C
o
r
e

DIS1103 Digital processes for art and design
6 cps

PHO1203 Photomedia imaging 1
6 cps

DIS2909 Electronic design
6 cps

DIS2105 Digital imaging
6 cps



24 cps



24 cps

Studio specialisation



VCO1302 Typography 1
6 cps

VCO2409 Methods of production
6 cps




12 cps



12 cps

Electives

6 cps

6 cps

6 cps

6 cps

6 cps

30 cps

6 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

DGN1001 Design studio 1

6 cps

4 hours

8 hours

12 hours


DWG1301 Drawing 1

6 cps

5 hours

7 hours

12 hours


TAD1203 Introduction to design history and theory

6 cps

3 hours

9 hours

12 hours


DIS1103 Digital processes for art and design

6 cps

4 hours

8 hours

12 hours



24 cps

16 hours

32 hours

48 hours

Semester 2

VCO1104 Graphic design studio 2

6 cps

4 hours

8 hours

12 hours


PHO1203 Photomedia imaging 1

6 cps

4 hours

8 hours

12 hours


VCO1302 Typography

6 cps

4 hours

8 hours

12 hours


Elective

6 cps

4 hours

8 hours

12 hours



24 cps

16 hours

32 hours

48 hours

Year 2






Semester 1

VCO2003 Graphic design studio 3

6 cps

4 hours

8 hours

12 hours


VCO2409 Methods of production

6 cps

4 hours

8 hours

12 hours


DIS2909 Electronic design

6 cps

4 hours

8 hours

12 hours


Elective

6 cps

4 hours

8 hours

12 hours



24 cps

16 hours

32 hours

48 hours

Semester 2

VCO2004 Graphic design studio 4

6 cps

4 hours

8 hours

12 hours


DIS2105 Digital imaging

6 cps

4 hours

8 hours

12 hours


TAD2214 Critical issues in design

6 cps

3 hours

9 hours

12 hours


Elective

6 cps

4 hours

8 hours

12 hours



24 cps

15 hours

33 hours

48 hours

Year 3






Semester 1

Graphic design studio 5

12 cps

8 hours

16 hours

24 hours


Professional practice

6 cps

3 hours

9 hours

12 hours


Elective

6 cps

4 hours

8 hours

12 hours



24 cps

15 hours

33 hours

48 hours

Semester 2

Graphic design studio 6

12 cps

8 hours

16 hours

24 hours


Contemporary discourse in design

6 cps

3 hours

9 hours

12 hours


Elective

6 cps

4 hours

8 hours

12 hours



24 cps

15 hours

33 hours

48 hours

Total (over three years)

144 cps

(15 hours average per week)

(32 hours average per week)


Year 4*






Semester 1

Graphic design studio 7

12 cps

8 hours

16 hours

24 hours


Either:
(a) Research methods in art and design, or
(b) Design research methods and seminar

6 cps

3 hours

9 hours

12 hours


Elective

6 cps

4 hours

8 hours

12 hours



24 cps

15 hours

33 hours

48 hours

Semester 2

Graphic design studio 8

18 cps

12 hours

24 hours

36 hours


Either:
(a) Research seminar in art and design, or
(b) Professional practice and business planning for design

6 cps

3 hours

9 hours

12 hours



24 cps

15 hours

33 hours

48 hours

Total (over four years)

192 cps

(15 hours average per week)

(32 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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