Monash University: University Handbooks: Undergraduate handbook 2005: Units indexed by faculty
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Undergraduate handbook 2005 - Art and Design

Bachelor of Design (Visual Communication)

Course code: 2123 + Course abbreviations: BDes(VisComm) + Total credit points required: 144 + 3 years full-time

Study mode and course location

On-campus (Caulfield)

Course description

This course offers a 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 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 animation, and illustration.
The additional one-year honours course provides intensive study in the student's selected area of specialisation. This is supported by theory and elective studies.

Entry 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.

Course structure

This course consists of 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.
(a) Graphic design studio (48 credit points)
This is the main study of the course. There are studios at each year stage.
(b) 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.
(c) 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.
(d) Professional practice (6 credit points)
All students take one professional practice unit at third-year level.
(e) Drawing (6 credit points)
Students take one compulsory six-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.
(f) Digital imaging/photomedia (24 credit points)
Four units are compulsory for first and second-year levels of the course.
(g) 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.
(h) Occupational Health and Safety (0 credit points)
A compulsory health and safety unit which deals with issues relevant to art and design.