Bachelor of Design (Visual Communication)

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

Study mode and course location

On-campus (Caulfield - F/T only)

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.

Course objectives

To educate graduates who have:

knowledge and understanding of visual communication design and the capability to practice as a designer in that field
skills in design strategy, concept forming, problem solving, design development and communication
understanding of the socio-economic and cultural contexts of visual communication design and the ethical responsibilities of the designer
ability to exercise imagination and innovation in the development of visual ideas
knowledge and understanding of the aesthetic aspects of design and visual communication design and a capability at aesthetic resolutions
knowledge, understanding and skills in project and business management relevant to the practice of visual communication
the capability to critically assess and contribute to contemporary discourse on design.

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 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 points)

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

(b) Studio specialisation (12 points)

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

(d) Professional practice (6 points)

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

(e) Drawing (6 points)

Students take one compulsory 6-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 points)

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

(g) Electives (30 points)

A range of electives from across the disciplines are available to suit individual study programs. 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 points)

A compulsory health and safety unit which deals with issues relevant to art and design.

Course requirements

First year (48 points)

First semester

DGN1001 Design studio 1 (6 points)
DIS1103 Digital processes for art and design (6 points)
DWG1301 Drawing 1C (6 points)
OHS1000 Introduction to art and design health and safety (0 points)
TAD1203 Introduction to design history and theory (6 points)

Second semester

Elective (6 points)
PHO1203 Photomedia imaging 1 (6 points)
VCO1104 Graphic design studio 2 (6 points)
VCO1302 Typography 1 (6 points)

Second year (48 points)

First semester

DIS2909 Electronic design (6 points)
VCO2003 Graphic design studio 3 (6 points)
VCO2409 Methods of production (6 points)
Elective (6 points)

Second semester

DIS2105 Digital imaging (6 points)
TAD2214 Critical issues in design (6 points)
VCO2004 Graphic design studio 4 (6 points)
Elective (6 points)

Third year (48 points)

First semester

PPR3103 Project planning and professional practice for design and multimedia (6 points)
VCO3005 Graphic design studio 5 (12 points)
Elective (6 points)

Second semester

TAD3214 Contemporary discourse in design (6 points)
VCO3006 Graphic design studio 6 (12 points)
Elective (6 points)

Contact details

Telephone +61 3 9903 1517, email enquiries@artdes.monash.edu.au or visit www.artdes.monash.edu.au.

Course coordinator

Mr Russell Kennedy

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