Ideology
Industry permeates everything we do. Our positive partnership with the design industry is the key to our reputation and success. We are constantly consulting with experts in the field to ensure that students are learning the most valuable skills. We also host regular guest lectures in our auditorium to give students the opportunity to hear from high profile designers, art directors, artists, photographers and other creative professionals.
And to make sure that all students have access to the industry in their own right, each is given free membership to the Australian Graphic Design Association in a partnership that is unique to Billy Blue.
Strategy
Billy Blue is highly regarded by the visual communications industry, both in Australia and overseas. This is due to three key factors.
Firstly, and perhaps most importantly, the quality of the students that come to study here is exceptional. Their enthusiasm and talent creates an energy that is hard to define but is obvious in the work they produce.
Secondly, the programs we deliver are specifically designed to help students master the broad range of skills needed to become a creative and productive member of the design community.
And finally, we have a dedicated team of lecturers who are all industry practitioners creating a teaching culture that is dynamic, commercial and contemporary.
Partnership with Swinburne
Billy Blue has partnered with the Swinburne University Faculty of Design to offer the Bachelor of Design for both Communication Design and Multimedia Design.
The Degrees are awarded by Swinburne University’s Faculty of Design and are widely recognised by the visual communications industry, nationally and internationally, as being of the highest standard.
Our Graduate Exhibition
Billy Blue commemorates graduating students’ efforts and achievements by showcasing their major project work and other ventures at the Graduate Exhibition. At the end of each semester we invite our partners, industry professionals, family and friends to celebrate the graduating students of both Communication Design and Multimedia Design. It’s a well-earned hats off to all that make this milestone and a fitting launch to their exciting new careers!
Project Studio
Our students get the chance to produce work for the ‘real world’ while they study. Project Studio offers students the opportunity to create things such as marketing print material, promotional videos and the like. For more detailed information click through to our Work & Career services section.
History
Billy Blue – the man
William (Billy) Blue plays a colourful role in Australian colonial history. He pioneered Sydney Harbour’s ferry service and was, in effect, the nation’s first tour operator.
Billy Blue is thought to have been born in Jamaica in 1767 and, after being arrested for stealing sugar in London, found himself on board the Minorca arriving in Botany Bay at the age of 34. After serving out the remainder of his sentence in Sydney, Billy began a rowing boat service crossing the harbour, married the wife he would go on to have six children with and lived with his family in The Rocks.
His amicable banter and eccentric nature made him well known to members of the public and government officials alike, and eventually, in 1811, he was appointed Harbour Watchman and Constable. As a consequence of these titles, Billy was granted a home overlooking Sydney Harbour and the land on which it sat came to be known as Billy Blue’s Point. However, his positions of responsibility didn’t do much to smother his mischievous ways and Billy continued to be brushed by the law now and then.
Billy Blue died in 1834 in North Sydney where streets are now named after him and the site of his northern ferry terminus remains known as Blues Point.
Billy Blue Creative
Circa seventy seven
Billy Blue Creative began life in 1977 as a magazine publishing colloquial Australian writing. As time passed, various companies used the studio that produced the magazine for their own needs and in 1980, a consultancy was formed which has been winning awards ever since.
Billy Blue Creative’s work covers all aspects of visual communications including brand creation and implementation, corporate and marketing communications, multimedia and web-based projects, signage and exhibition graphics as well as advertising and publishing.