Bachelor of Applied Design (Communication)

CRICOS Provider Code: 00246M
CRICOS Course Code: 064423C (156 Weeks) and 064420F (104 Weeks)
Duration: 6 full-time study periods
3 years or 2 years (accelerated)
Intakes: Refer to Enrolment
FEE-HELP available

Course Description

Communication design is an 'umbrella term' that identifies the activities where a designer and a communication 'problem' are brought into play in pursuit of a designed outcome. In short the designer, the client and the audience are in close dialogue in the service of a communication objective.

The designer employs a range of skills, abilities and tools to conceive, program and project communication messages through a variety of media. This creative process can include graphic design, illustration, typography, layout, digital media and environmental design. Communication design is generally recognised as print based but is increasingly in combination with digital media strategies.

Aims and Objectives

The objective of the course is to develop ethical, reflective and professional practitioners who can access a body of knowledge enabling them to work in an interdisciplinary team to research, plan, organise, conduct and successfully complete creative, sustainable and cost effective strategies to a professional standard for the Australian and international market.

Course Outcomes

At the successful conclusion of this course, a student will be able to:

• Critically analyse problems to find the most creative, strategic, sustainable and cost effective solution
• Understand the critical role of experimentation in the design process
• Critique, produce and evaluate a communications strategy from a brand and consumer perspective
• Demonstrate leadership skills as a team player and communicator
• Demonstrate their ability to creatively apply design theory to their professional practice
• Apply ethical and legal issues to strategic communication campaigns
• Critically reflect on the roles and responsibilities of professional practitioners in contemporary industry
• Demonstrate their capacity to create unique 2D and 3D visual expressions grounded in historical and contemporary knowledge
• Demonstrate their capacity to develop and create visual forms in response to communication challenges
• Critically evaluate visual communication strategies in a public framework.
• Apply principles of continuous learning and reflection that are relevant to the industry.

Course Structure

Year 1

Semester 1
AD101 Design Culture and Theory
AD102 Ideas Generation in Visual Communication
AD103 Systems of Communication
AD104 Introduction to Design Practice

Semester 2
AD105 Frameworks of Design
AD106 Typography and Context
BC101 Symbols and Distribution
AD207 Studio Practice

Year 2

Semester 3
AD201 Introduction to Design Research
CD201 Design Research and Ideas Generation
CD202 Interface, Representation and Sequence
CD203 Design Usability and the Community

Semester 4
CD204 Advanced Design Research
CD205 Advanced Media Integration
BC201 Interactive Spaces
BC202 Advanced Design Strategy and Application

Year 3

Semester 5
AD301 Culture of Change and Innovation
AD302 Design Studio Management
AD305 Independent Design Practice 1
AD307 Design in Practice 1

Semester 6
AD303 Design and Business
CD301 Design in Practice 2 for CD
AD304 Positioning the Design Practice
AD306 Independent Design Practice 2

Entry Requirements

• Completion of Australian High School Year 12 with UAI of 60+ (or equivalent); AND
• Minimum 18 years of age prior course commencement; OR
• Mature age (aged 21 or over) entry with relevant work experiences; AND
• Submission of a design portfolio (6–10 pieces of original creative work);
• Personal Interview (where possible)
• Overseas students require an IELTS 6.0 (Academic Module with minimum Band Score of IELTS 5.5 in Writing) or equivalent proof of English.