Undergraduate - CourseBachelor of Communication Design

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 by research study.

These course outcomes are aligned with the Australian Qualifications Framework level 7, the Bologna Cycle 1 and Monash Graduate AttributesAustralian Qualifications Framework level 7, the Bologna Cycle 1 and Monash Graduate Attributes (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/handbooks/alignmentofoutcomes.html).

Upon successful completion of this course it is expected that graduates 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.) A core drawing unit (6 points)

(d.) 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, Design and ArchitectureFaculty of Art, Design and Architecture (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/handbooks/units/index-byfaculty-ada.html), but units offered elsewhere in the University are also available.

Suitable units can be identified using the browse units toolbrowse units tool (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/handbooks/units/search) in the current edition of the Handbook. Note: Some units may require permission from the owning faculty. The level of the unit is indicated by the first number in the unit code; undergraduate units are those that commence with the numbers 1-3.

(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)

Semester one

• AHT1101 Introduction to visual culture in art design and architecture
• CDS1001 Communication design studio 1A (12 points)
• DWG1201 Drawing 1
• OHS1000 Introduction to art and design health and safety (0 points)

Semester two

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

Second year (48 points)

Semester one

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

Semester two

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

Third year (48 points)

Semester one

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

Semester two

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

Bachelor of Communication Design