Bachelor of Design

Almost everything that fills the day has been designed in some way. Each represents thoughtful consideration of implied meanings concerning human communication and the creation of objects. Design is a constantly evolving discipline and concerns itself with the improvement of humanity, adding value to our culture and contributing to the economy. The course will enable you to build a high level of design expertise in one of the following specialisations:

• Communication design
• Industrial design

Communication design will prepare you for employment as a designer in the areas of graphic design, visual communication and digital media. This includes such areas as corporate identity, interactive environments, interaction design, information design, publishing, advertising, packaging, illustration, typography, animation, television and motion graphics.

Industrial design will prepare you for professional employment in the field of industrial design and related areas of design or industry and commerce. Industrial design is concerned with the research and development of design in consumer and industrial products used by people. These range from industrial equipment to motor vehicles and from medical equipment to domestic appliances. The industrial designer works as a part of a team involving engineering, production and marketing.

Double degrees

The Bachelor of Design course can be taken in combination with the following courses:

• Bachelor of Business
• Bachelor of Information Technology
• Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (with the industrial design specialisation and the mechanical engineering specialisation)

This will lead to the award of two degrees, the Bachelor of Communication Design or the Bachelor of Industrial Design, and the degree offered by the partner course. The requirements for the award of each of the specialist degrees will be fulfilled in part by cross crediting of units required in the separate courses. Students should refer to the course entry for the partner course and the course mapscourse maps (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2016handbooks/maps/) for the double degrees, for the requirements of the other degree.

Specialisations

Communication design

Communication designers work with colour, sound and spatial forums, across a broad range of communication processesfrom posters, books and digital publications, to interactive information design and 3D animation. Through this specialisation you will become a competent visual communicator who can work across a multitude of platforms of production. You will develop skills in visual communication, multimedia and motion graphics so you graduate with an industry-relevant qualification and an extensive folio showcasing your complex skills and conceptual maturity across a variety of media and communication platforms.

Industrial design

Industrial designers embrace art and technology. When designing objects, they create form in response to function and explore methods of manufacturing. By applying their understanding of materials, manufacturing and how people use products, industrial designers combine technical innovation with aesthetics to create beautiful, functional products. Through this specialisation you will gain the knowledge and skills to develop an effective, attractive and marketable product, from initial concept to final prototype.

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 you will be able to:

1. situate and differentiate the role of the disciplines within design, the ethical responsibilities of its practice and personal positions with regard to these
2. independently develop design strategies, form concepts, refine, detail and communicate design proposals
3. interpret, represent and respond to the socio-economic and cultural contexts of design and the ethical responsibilities of the professional designer
4. engage collaboratively with other professionals, and recognise and contribute to project and business management practices relevant to design
5. contextualise, generate and apply aesthetic aspects of design
6. recognise and contribute to professional practice relevant to design.

The course develops through theme studies in history and theory, drawing foundation, and design studios specific to each of the specialisations. These will come together in the form of a graduand exhibition normally developed during the final two studio units in the third year of the course.

Part A. History and theory studies

History and theory units will equip you with the skills necessary to research design issues, and enable you to contextualise your own practice and communicate ideas and strategies. Through the prism of history, you will begin to situate the place of design in society by referencing pivotal art, design and architecture movements. Later units address issues of culture, society and specific design themes.

Part B. Drawing foundation

This will assist you to develop the practical and intellectual skills required by art, design and architecture students in the discipline of drawing.

Part C. Design studios

This is the component of the course through which you will develop key skills and concepts particular to your design discipline.

In the communication design studio units you will undertake a focussed exploration of a range of media and elements including typography, image, layout, two and three-dimensional design, interactivity, sound and motion as core components to communication design solutions. Studio-based projects across both print and digital media platforms will develop skills in narrative structure, typography, image construction and manipulation, interactive communication processes, production methods and technologies, and the planning and management of design outcomes.

In the industrial design studio units you will undertake a focussed exploration of the range of issues, skills and techniques vital to the realisation of user-centred design. Through industrial design projects, you will learn about topics such as visualisation techniques, ergonomics, materials, production methods and technologies.

Part D. Occupational health and safety study

This will introduce you to occupational health, safety and environmental training particularly within the context of studying art, design and architecture.

Part E. Free elective study

Electives will enable you to further develop your knowledge of design, or to select units from across the faculty or the University (in which you are eligible to enrol).

The course comprises 144 points, of which 96 points are focussed on the study of design and 48 points are free electives.

Elective units may be at any level, however, no more than 10 units (60 points) are to be completed at level 1 in the design course.

The course progression mapcourse progression map (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2016handbooks/maps/map-f2002.pdf) will assist you to plan to meet the course requirements, and guidance on unit enrolment for each semester of study.

Units are six credit points unless otherwise stated.

Part A. History and theory studies (30 points)

Students complete:

• AHT1101 Introduction to visual culture in art, design and architecture
• TDN1002 Design and the avant-garde
• TDN2001 Sociologies of design
• TDN3001 Research for design
• TDN3002 Design strategy and professional practice or TDN3003 Design criticism

Part B. Drawing foundation (6 points)

Students complete:

• DWG1201 Drawing 1

Part C. Design studios (60 points)

Communication design

Students complete:

• CDS1001 Communication design studio 1 (12 points)
• CDS1002 Communication design studio 2 (12 points)
• CDS2001 Communication design studio 3 (12 points)
• CDS3001 Communication design studio 4 (12 points)
• CDS3002 Communication design studio 5 (12 points)

Industrial design

Students complete:

• IDN1001 Industrial design studio 1 (12 points)
• IDN1002 Industrial design studio 2 (12 points)
• IDN2001 Industrial design studio 3 (12 points)
• IDN3001 Industrial design studio 4 (12 points)
• IDN3002 Industrial design studio 5 (12 points)

Part D. Occupational health and safety study (0 points)

Students complete:

• OHS1000 Introduction to art and design health and safety

Part E. Free elective study (48 points)

Elective units may be chosen from units available in the Bachelor of Design course. Elective units may also be used to sample from across the faculty and University or to complete a major or minor(s) from another course so long as you have the prerequisites and there are no restrictions on enrolment in the units.

For students in a double degree course, some units required for the other degree are credited as electives for the design degrees.

Students successfully completing the Bachelor of Design may proceed to a one year honours program. To be eligible to apply for entry for honours, students must obtain a distinction grade average (70 percent) or above in 24 points of studies in relevant units at level three, which will normally include at least 18 points of units in the discipline in which you wish to undertake honours.