Undergraduate - Course3123 - Bachelor of Communication Design

NOTE: This course has had one or more changes made to it since publication on 1 October 2012. For details of changes, please consult the 2013 Handbook change register2013 Handbook change register (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2013handbooks/2013-change-register.html).

This course offers a program of education in the discipline of communication design. It is intended for students who wish to seek employment as a communication designer in the areas of graphic design, visual communication and digital media associated with corporate identity, interactive media, interaction design, information design, publishing, advertising, packaging, illustration, animation, television and motion graphics.

The main area of study is the communications design studio offered at every year/semester level. Electives and design theory units are selected to support the main area of study.

The electives provide further background in advertising, interactive media, photo-media, digital font design, online publishing, digital audio/video, illustration, 3D design and animation.

Upon completion, students may apply to undertake an additional one-year honours course, which provides intensive study in a selected area supported by theory and elective studies. This provides a pathway into Higher Degree Research study.

These course outcomes are aligned with the Australian Qualifications Framework level 7, the Bologna Cycle 1 and Monash Graduate Attributes. For more information refer to http://opvclt.monash.edu.au/curriculum-by-design/aligning-course-outcomes-with-aqf-bologna.html.

Graduates of the Bachelor of Communication Design will be able to:

• situate and differentiate the role of the discipline of communication design, the ethical responsibilities of its practice and the professional requirements for sustained independent practice in that field
• independently develop design strategies, form concepts, refine, detail and communicate design proposals
• interpret, represent and respond to the socio-economic and cultural contexts of communication design and the ethical responsibilities of the professional designer
• demonstrate an understanding of the aesthetic aspects of design and visual communication design and a capability at aesthetic resolutions
• engage collaboratively with other professionals, recognise and contribute to project and business management practices relevant to communication design
• critically assess contemporary discourse, speculative design theory and research both locally and internationally.

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 communication design is supported by studio and theory units as well as units directed towards contemporary professional practice, design criticism and research skills. The course consists of the following components:

(a.) Communication design studio (72 points)

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

(b.) Design theory (36 points)

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

(c.) Electives (36 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, Design and Architecture, but units offered elsewhere in the University are also available.

(d.) Occupational Health and Safety (0 points)

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

All units are 6 points unless otherwise indicated.

First year (48 points)

First semester

• CDS1001 Communication design studio 1A (12 points)
• DWG1201 Drawing 1
• OHS1000 Introduction to art and design health and safety (0 points)
• TAD1101 Introduction to visual culture in art design and architecture

Second semester

• CDS1002 Communication design studio 1B (12 points)
• TDN1002 Design and the avant-garde
• elective

Second year (48 points)

First semester

• CDS2001 Communication design studio 2A (12 points)
• TDN2001 Sociologies of design
• elective

Second semester

• CDS2002 Communication design studio 2B (12 points)
• TDN2002 Communication design theory (6 points)
• elective (6 points)

Third year (48 points)

First semester

• CDS3001 Communication design studio 3A (12 points)
• TDN3001 Research for design
• elective

Second semester

• CDS3002 Communication design studio 3B (12 points)
• TDN3002 Design strategy and professional practice or TDN3003 Design criticism
• elective

Bachelor of Communication Design