Bachelor of Creative Arts (Visual Communication Design)

2016 Deakin University Handbook

Course sub-headings

• Course overview
• Course rules
• Course structure

Course overview

Develop the design and digital technology skills required for professional practice in visual communication design.

Deakin University, Visual Communication Design program regards design as the link between creativity and innovation. This course aims to instil in students a belief that design can be an agent for change by encouraging them to shape their ideas into practical and attractive propositions for users, clients, customers and society as a whole. Students are taught a range of communication design skills including the ability to make ideas tangible and their abstract thoughts and inspirations realised in a professional and/or sociological context. This course is designed to teach students practical and theoretical skills required for employment in the communication design industry. The program delivers an in-depth study of new technology in design practices with an emphasis on typography, form and application. Historical and contemporary graphic design processes are explored within both local and international contexts. Deakin's broad based definition of design respects the disciplinary overlaps of a changing profession, which now requires a more a holistic approach to problem solving via design thinking methodologies. The Visual Communication Design program offers the opportunity to attend an international study tour and complete an internship as part of your course.

Transition to University study
The faculty offers two units AIX160 Introduction to University Study and AIX117 Professional Writing for Work which are specifically designed to ease the transition into university study. New students are encouraged to enrol in one or both of these units in their first year.

Prerequisites
Because a number of disciplinary studies are cumulative in knowledge, technical competencies and/or study and research skills there are prerequisites which direct students to take some units before others. Students must seek advice from a course adviser before enrolling in units for which they do not have prerequisite or recommended units.

Course rules

For students commencing from 2015:

To qualify for the award of Bachelor of Creative Arts (Visual Communication Design) a student must complete 24 credit points including:

• 14 credit points of core units
• no more than 8 credit points taken outside the Faculty of Arts and Education
• no more than 10 credit points at level 1

Students who commenced prior to 2015 should follow the course rules and structure shown in the Handbook for their year of commencement.

Course structure

Course structure

Course structure

Level 1

4 Electives

Course structure

Level 2

2 Electives

Course structure

Level 3

4 Electives

Course structure

Course Map

Course Map

Other Course Information

Assessment

Assessment within the award of Bachelor of Creative Arts varies from written assignments and/or examination to practical and technical exercises and performance. In some units assessment may also include class participation, online exercises, seminar exercises and tests.