Bachelor of Design

2025 Deakin University Handbook

Year	2025 course information
Award granted	Bachelor of Design
Deakin course code	A319
Faculty	Faculty of Arts and Education
Campus	Offered at Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong)
Online	Yes
Duration	3 years full-time or part-time equivalent
Course Map - enrolment planning tool	This course map is for new students commencing from Trimester 1 2025. This course map is for new students commencing from Trimester 2 2025. Course maps for commencement in previous years are available on the Course Maps webpage or please contact a Student Adviser in Student Central.
CRICOS course code	109273C Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong)
Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition	The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 7

Course sub-headings

Course overview

Harness your creativity to make an impact in an ever-changing world when you study a Bachelor of Design at Deakin. Design is a tangible way to influence people and solve complex problems. No two days will be the same, you will learn the tools, strategies and methodologies required to drive innovation in business, as well as how to utilise cutting-edge technology and the creative practices of design to create memorable work. Develop critical skills across a range of related disciplines – from communications design to interactive UX, to brand and design thinking – and work towards a sustained creative career doing what you love.

Want to build a sustained design career doing what you love?

Design has the power to drive change and enhance the way we function in society. If you are a creative person who wants to use your flair for design to deliver impactful solutions, then studying a Bachelor of Design is a great first step towards a dynamic and creative future career.

Studying the challenging and rewarding field of design allows your creativity to run free, preparing you to work across all industry sectors, including digital and publishing, packaging, game engines, software and mobile apps, the web, immersive and interactive virtual experiences, and more.

Explore core themes and methods across design thinking and design collaboration labs and discover how to develop positive design solutions for social and cultural change. Be empowered to become an adaptive and agile designer of the future by exploring new mediums and ideas when you combine studies from related disciplines – including photography, animation, Indigenous studies and more.

You will learn in a supportive environment from our leading academics and passionate practitioners, who’ll challenge you to take your love for creativity to new levels. Enhance your skills every day by using the same tools and technologies professionals use in our world-class design facilities.

Throughout your degree, you will work on real-world projects and learn how to interpret client briefs. Plus you will have opportunities to network with industry and share your designs with the public, ensuring you graduate with the entrepreneurial mindset and leadership skills required to thrive in the rapidly changing field of design.

Build towards a future career in design where you will be surrounded by a like-minded community of innovators and creative thinkers, where the possibilities are limitless.

Professional recognition

Deakin’s Bachelor of Design is recognised by the Design Institute of Australia (DIA), so you will be up-to-date with the current industry practices and developments. The DIA also offers student membership and access to some of the biggest design events and experts in the nation.

Career opportunities

Utilise your love for creative thinking and design to solve complex problems in this innovative field. When you study a Bachelor of Design at Deakin, you are working towards a sustainable creative career doing what you love.

Designers work across all industry sectors, including digital and publishing, advertising, online, immersive and interactive virtual experiences, arts organisations, corporate companies, NGOs, and more. Or create your own future freelance career and become an entrepreneurial self-starter.

Graduates are open to many opportunities, including the following design careers:

AR and VR (mixed reality) designer
animation/motion designer
art director/creative director
brand designer
communication designer
digital designer
game designer
graphic designer
illustrator and digital artist
interactive designer
motion graphics designer
social media designer
systems designer
UI designer
UX designer
web designer

For more information go to DeakinTALENT.

Participation requirements

Reasonable adjustments to participation and other course requirements will be made for students with a disability. More information available at Disability support services.

Mandatory student checks

Any unit which contains work integrated learning, a community placement or interaction with the community may require a police check, Working with Children Check or other check.

Course Learning Outcomes

Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes	Course Learning Outcomes
Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities	Apply theoretical knowledge and practical skills in the forms, functions, processes, languages and materials of communication design to meet client requirements in a rapidly changing industry setting.
Communication	Articulate ideas using design-specific language, concepts, and media to initiate, resolve and generate professional outcomes in response to design briefs.
Digital literacy	Identify, evaluate and navigate a complex and ever-changing range of digital tools in order to strategically achieve successful outcomes in dynamic industry environments.
Critical thinking	Critically analyse and evaluate design methodologies, concepts, modes and media in order to generate ideas and resolve complex problems to achieve professional industry-based outcomes.
Problem solving	Strategically evaluate design research methodologies to identify appropriate approaches to complex and ill-defined problems that generate and deliver diverse communication solutions.
Self-management	Critically reflect on professional performance and growth in order to prioritise needs and maintain professional accountability in communication design settings.
Teamwork	Lead, deliver and perform respectfully and inclusively within a collaborative and professional team, applying agile and responsive approaches in the delivery of industry standard outcomes.
Global citizenship	Evaluate and apply design’s capacity to act as an agent of change that is responsive to the social, cultural and ethical needs of diverse communities in global contexts.

Approved by Faculty Board February 2022

Course rules

To complete the Bachelor of Design students must pass 24 credit points and meet the following course rules to be eligible to graduate:

DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory unit) in their first study period
3 credit points of thematic core units
3 credit points of Employability sequence units
one of:
- 2 majors (8 credit points each). At least one major must be chosen from the Design majors
- 1 major (8 credit points) from the Design majors, plus 1 minor (4 credit points)
remaining credit points which may comprise of:
- 1 additional minor
- open electives
- a combination of the above
a maximum of 10 credit points at level 1
a minimum of 6 credit points at level 3

Students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements. See the enrolment codes and terminology to help make sense of the University’s vocabulary.

Majors

All Bachelor of Design students are required to complete at least one major sequence from the following list:

Bachelor of Design major sequences

^UX refers to User Experience

Students may choose to complete a second major sequence from the following list:

School of Communication and Creative Arts major sequences

Please check the rules of each major sequence to see which units you need to complete to achieve the required credit points.

Refer to the details of each major sequence availability and sequence notes relating to incompatibility.

Minors

~ Only available to students who commenced prior to 2024

^ UX refers to User Experience

Please check the rules of each minor sequence to see which units you need to complete to achieve the required credit points.

Students are advised to refer to the details of each major or minor sequence for availability as some may be offered in campus and/or online mode only.

Course structure

Thematic Core

ADD101

Design Thinking

ADD209

Design Laboratory

ADD303

Design for Change

Employability Sequence

AWL100

Your Future Direction

Plus 1 credit point from:

AWL200

Leadership and Transformation

AWL201

Communication and Persuasive Presentation

AWL202

Entrepreneurial Mindset

AWL203

Expand Your Experience

Plus 1 credit point from:

AWL300

Internship

AWL301

Enhance Your Experience

AWL302

Your Professional Story

Work experience

Prepare for your future by getting real world experience and the employability skills to succeed, while completing your degree. The Employability Stream is tailored to support you to be future ready. Deakin’s suite of Work Integrated Learning programs can connect you with internships, social impact programs and opportunities to extend your skills in settings across the globe.

Elective units may also provide additional opportunities for Work Integrated Learning experiences.

Details of major sequences

Communication Design

Unit set code

MJ-A319001

Students undertaking the Communication Design major sequence (MJ-A319001) cannot undertake the Publication Design minor sequence (MN-A319006), Design for Social Media minor sequence (MN-A319004) or Brand Design minor sequence (MN-A319003)

Campuses

Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong), Online

Overview

As a graduate in Communication Design, you will be proficient in the techniques and strategies required to harness the fundamental building blocks of design to produce useful and impactful real-world solutions. From key theoretical foundations, you will work across typography, information design, user interface, branding, environmental and strategic design, developing critical skills with the potential to influence inclusive solutions meeting global industry needs. By collaborating with peers and industry you will develop insight into today’s world of complex systems involving people, machines, and services. This equips you to lead creatively making a positive impact in the rapidly changing field of design.

Career outcomes

You may find employment as a communication designer, interactive designer, UI designer, brand designer, motion graphics designer, art director/creative director, web designer, graphic designer, illustrator and digital artist, digital designer

Units

To complete a Major sequence in Communication Design select eight (8) credit points as outlined below;

Design Fundamentals

Type Foundations

Branding Design

Information Design

Environmental Design

Illustration Design

Strategic Design Studio

ADD306

Creative Design Studio

Interactive and UX* Design

Unit set code

MJ-A319002

Students undertaking the Interactive and UX Design major sequence (MJ-A319002) cannot undertake the Interactive Design minor sequence (MN-A319005)

Campuses

Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong), Online

Overview

As a graduate in Interactive and UX* Design, you will be a competitive, skilled, and agile designer ready for the fast pace of technological change by adapting to today’s complex systems for people, machines, and services. Master game engines and design software taking control of real-world industry projects guided by industry experts and design practitioners. Learn how to be a responsive designer of human-computer interactions by engaging technology, user patterns, behaviour psychology and design iterations where you will produce practical, inclusive, and innovative design solutions. With the Interactive and UX Design sequence you will be immersed in the techniques and strategies of digital interaction ready and equipped to practice how usability, prototyping, and engagement combine to determine best-practice industry-based results.

Career outcomes

You may find employment as an interactive designer, UX designer, UI designer, motion, graphics designer, art director/creative director, animation / motion designer, web, designer, graphic designer, AR and VR (mixed reality) designer, digital designer, game designer, multimedia developer, digital production designer

Units

To complete a Major sequence in Interactive and UX* Design select eight (8) credit points as outlined below;

ADT102

Interaction Design

ADT103

UX Fundamentals *

ADT201

Digital Experience Design

ADT202

Web and Interface Design

ADT203

Games and Interactive Design

ADT204

Design for Alternative Realities

ADT301

UX Design Studio *

ADT302

Interactive Design Studio

*UX refers to User Experience

Details of minor sequences

UX* Design

Unit set code

MN-A319002

Students undertaking the Interactive and UX Design major sequence (MJ-A319002) cannot undertake the Interactive Design minor sequence (MN-A319005)

Campuses

Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong), Online

Overview

In this minor sequence students learn how to harness the design systems, services, and environments critical to the contemporary production of digital technologies. You will be hands on with developing the right content for the right people at the right time by using game engines, information technologies and design software. Be immersed in the techniques and strategies of designing for a range of users and scenarios by harnessing testing and usability, user engagement, experiences, user interfaces and prototyping. You will engage in individual and collaborative real-world projects guided by leading practitioners to construct best-practice industry-based results.

Units

To complete a Minor sequence in UX* Design select any four (4) credit points from below:

ADT103

UX Fundamentals

ADT201

Digital Experience Design

ADT202

Web and Interface Design

ADT301

UX Design Studio

*UX refers to User Experience

Brand Design

Unit set code

MN-A319003

Students undertaking the Communication Design major sequence (MJ-A319001) cannot undertake the Brand Design minor sequence (MN-A319003)

Campuses

Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong), Online

Overview

Explore contemporary brand design where you will learn how to design iconic solutions for cultural and corporate global brands. Engaging strategic design methods, you will conduct research into cross-cultural brands, investigating how a brand promise, brand identity and the audience, culminate in strong brand personality. Led by established designers and using the latest technologies and industry standard software you will work on practical projects learning how to communicate using visual designs to engage targeted audience segments. Get ready to develop and deploy creative art direction based on best-practice to enhance your ready-for-work skills.

Units

To complete a Minor sequence in Brand Design select four (4) credit points as outlined below;

Design Fundamentals

Branding Design

Environmental Design

Strategic Design Studio

Design for Social Media

Unit set code

MN-A319004

Students undertaking the Communication Design major sequence (MJ-A319001) cannot undertake the Design for Social Media minor sequence (MN-A319004)

Campuses

Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong), Online

Overview

Want to design content for ‘insta or tik tok? To tell stories that stimulate, engage, and enliven your audience? We’ve got you covered in this minor, where you will learn to create the right content for the right audience using industry standard design tools and methods. You’ll build upon the fundamental building blocks of design to produce high quality creative graphic and video content for global social media platforms.

Units

To complete a Minor sequence in Design for Social Media select four (4) credit points as outlined below;

ADD105

Design Fundamentals

ALM216

Social Media Strategy

ALM215

Global Media

ADD306

Creative Design Studio (replaces ADD304)

ADD304 Creative Design Studio [No longer available for enrolment, replacement unit ADD306]

Indigenous Studies

Unit set code

MN-A000074

Campuses

Online

Overview

This minor sequence of Indigenous Studies units will build understanding, recognition and validity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander's ways of Valuing, Being, Knowing and Doing. Completing this sequence of study will facilitate a deeper understanding of ourselves and Australia's multiple histories to foster productive and meaningful relationships in culturally diverse communities, especially with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.

Units

To complete a Minor sequence in Indigenous Studies select four (4) credit points as outlined below;

Complete 1 unit from:

IND101

Introduction to Aboriginal Studies

IND102

Aboriginal Australian Stories and Songlines

Plus 2 units selected from:

IND203

Caring for Country

IND204

Australian Aboriginal Holistic Health and Healing

IND205

Global Indigenous Knowledges and Philosophies

Plus 1 unit selected from:

IND301

Politics of Resistance in Indigenous Australia

IND302

Working Alongside Aboriginal Communities

Interactive Design

Unit set code

MN-A319005

Students undertaking the Interactive and UX Design major sequence (MJ-A319002) cannot undertake the Interactive Design minor sequence (MN-A319005)

Campuses

Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong), Online

Overview

In this minor sequence you will learn the design systems, services, and environments critical to the digital production of interactivity by using game engines, information technologies and design software. Be immersed in the techniques and strategies of interactive design, testing usability, user experiences, user interfaces and prototyping. You will engage in individual and collaborative real-world projects guided by leading practitioners to construct best-practice industry-based results.

Units

To complete a Minor sequence in Interactive Design select four (4) credit points as outlined below;

ADT102

Interaction Design

ADT203

Games and Interactive Design

ADT204

Design for Alternative Realities

ADT302

Interactive Design Studio

Publication Design

Unit set code

MN-A319006

Students undertaking the Communication Design major sequence (MJ-A319001) cannot undertake the Publication Design minor sequence (MN-A319006)

Campuses

Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong), Online

Overview

This minor sequence explores the formal and organisational features of innovative, experimental, and typographic publication design. Develop your professional skills using industry standard tools to create publishing content though critical thinking, visual communication design and visualisations; and apply this to the design and creation of printed and digital materials for a range of audiences and markets.

Units

To complete a Minor sequence in Publication Design select four (4) credit points as outlined below;

Type Foundations

Information Design

Illustration Design

Creative Design Studio

Course duration

Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as failing of units or accessing or completing placements.

Further information

Student Central can help you with course planning, choosing the right units and explaining course rules and requirements.

Contact Student Central

Other learning experiences

There are options for a range of other learning experiences for students in this course, including study tours, in-country language programs, internships and volunteering projects.

For further details see the Work Integrated Learning information.

Research and research-related study

Independent research components are embedded across a number of units in this course.

Fees and charges

Fees and charges vary depending on the type of fee place you hold, your course, your commencement year, the units you choose to study, and their study discipline or your study load.

Tuition fees increase at the beginning of each calendar year and all fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD). Tuition fees do not include textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment or costs such as mandatory checks, travel and stationery.

Estimate your fees

For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current students website.