Course

Bachelor of Design (Visual Communication)

Approved Abbreviation: BDes(VisComm)

Western Sydney University Course Code: 1571.8

AQF Level: 7

CRICOS Code: 044773B

Students should follow the course structure for the course version relevant to the year they commenced. This version applies to students whose commencement year for this course is 2015 or 2016.

Commencement Year 2013 to 2014 - 1571.7 Bachelor of Design (Visual Communication)

Commencement Year 2012 - 1571.6 Bachelor of Design (Visual Commencement)

Commencement Year 2009 to 2011 - 1571.5 Bachelor of Design (Visual Communication)

Commencement Year 2008 - 1571.4 Bachelor of Design (Visual Communication)

Commencement Year 2005 to 2007 - 1571.3 - Bachelor of Design (Visual Communication)

Commencement Year 2004 - 1571.2 Bachelor of Design (Visual Communication)

Commencement Year 2002 and 2003 - 1571.1 Bachelor of Design (Visual Communication)

The Bachelor of Design (Visual Communication) gives you fundamental skills and knowledge in graphic design. The program is delivered through a series of practice-based and theoretical units and you will study areas such as image design, typography, design history, web design and branding. In years two and three you will choose two practice-based specialisms from the areas of interactive game and app design; motion design and data visualisation; illustration; and photomedia. You may also study elective units from across the university, including advertising and media arts production. The fourth-year program is linked to an award winning in-house design studio where you will gain experience in a professional environment.

Throughout the program you will engage with individual and team-based projects, develop your conceptual thinking skills, use an extensive range of digital technologies and have access to our well-equipped creative studios. Students may exit with 1624 Bachelor of Design Studies after successful completion of the first three years of the program.

Director of Academic Program - Dr Alison Gill

Study Mode
Four years full-time.

Accreditation
Graduates are eligible for membership of the Design Institute of Australia (DIA) and the Australian Graphic Design Association (AGDA).

Inherent requirements

There are inherent requirements for this course that you must meet in order to complete your course and graduate. Make sure you read and understand the requirements for this course online.

Inherent Requirements

Admission

Applications from Australian and New Zealand citizens and holders of permanent resident visas must be made via the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC).

Applicants who have undertaken studies overseas may have to provide proof of proficiency in English. Local and International applicants who are applying through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) will find details of minimum English proficiency requirements and acceptable proof on the UAC website. Local applicants applying directly to the University should also use the information provided on the UAC website.

http://www.uac.edu.au/

International applicants must apply directly to the University via the International Office. International students can find details of minimum English proficiency requirements and acceptable proof on their website.

International Office

Overseas qualifications must be deemed by the Australian Education International - National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition (AEI-NOOSR) to be equivalent to Australian qualifications in order to be considered by UAC and Western Sydney University.

The applicants for the Honours Program must have completed the Bachelor of Design (Visual Communication) 3 year course, or an equivalent Program of undergraduate study. Applicants submit a project statement and proposal, with a select bibliography. Applications are scrutinised and assessed by the School Research Committee and College Executive. Applicants are generally expected to possess an undergraduate GPA of 5.0 (Credit) or higher. Applicants will be strongly encouraged to discuss their application with one or two potential supervisors within the School before submitting the application.

Alternate Entry Pathway: The exceptional merit pathway will offer those students who demonstrate design ability and achieve an ATAR of 55+ a route into the programme. This will be assessed at a Design and Career Portfolio Day, as part of which students will have their portfolio of visual work assessed by staff and receive an interview. Successful students will receive a conditional offer in December.

Course Structure

Qualification for this award requires the successful completion of 320 credit points including the units listed in the recommended sequence below.

Recommended Sequence

Full-time

Year 1

Autumn session

102261

Graphic Design: Understanding the Principles

102262

Design Histories and Futures

102263

Image Design

Spring session

102264

Graphic Design: Process and Practice

101921

Visual Storytelling

101922

Web and Time-based Design

Year 2

Students must complete two pairs of specialisation unit pairings.

Students can also choose to complete further practice-based units as elective choices.

Autumn session

102265

Graphic Design: Interactive Digital Media

102266

Researching the Visual

One unit from the following Specialisation unit pairing

101017

Illustrating Narrative

102267

Interactive Design: Apps

102268

Photomedia: Photographic Practice

102273

Motion Design

Spring session

102270

Graphic Design: The Professional Context

101923

Australian Design

One unit from the following Specialisation unit pairing

102271

Illustrating Popular Culture

102272

Interactive Design: Games

100941

Photomedia: Fashion and Identity

102269

Data Visualisation

Year 3

Autumn session

102274

Social Design: Research and Practice

102275

Contextual Design Studies

One unit from the following Specialisation unit pairing

101017

Illustrating Narrative

102267

Interactive Design: Apps

102268

Photomedia: Photographic Practice

102273

Motion Design

One elective

Spring session

102276

Graphic Design: Developing a Personal Portfolio

102277

Design Research Project

One unit from the following Specialisation unit pairing

102271

Illustrating Popular Culture

102272

Interactive Design: Games

100941

Photomedia: Fashion and Identity

102269

Data Visualisation

And one elective

Students may exit with 1624 Bachelor of Design Studies after successful completion of 240 credit points in the first three years of the course sequence

Year 4

1H session

102279

Major Design Project

Autumn session

102278

Professional Design Experience: The Studio

And one elective

2H session

102279

Major Design Project

Spring session