Bachelor of Creative Arts (Visual Communication Design)

2017 Deakin University Handbook

Note: You are seeing the 2017 view of this course information. These details may no longer be current. [Go to the current version]

Year	2017 course information
Award granted	Bachelor of Creative Arts (Visual Communication Design)
Course Map	This course map is for new students commencing from 2017. If you require a course map from a previous year, please contact a Student Adviser.
Campus	Offered at Burwood (Melbourne), Waterfront (Geelong)
Cloud Campus	No
Duration	3 years full-time or part-time equivalent
CRICOS course code	075372G Burwood (Melbourne)
Deakin course code	A355
Approval status	This course is approved by the University under the Higher Education Standards Framework.
Australian Quality Framework (AQF) recognition	The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 7.

Course sub-headings

Course overview

Deakin University, Visual Communication Design program believes that design is what links creativity and innovation. Deakin 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, customers and society as a whole.

Students are taught how to make ideas tangible and their abstract thoughts and inspirations realised in a professional and/or sociological context. Deakin's broad based definition of design respects the disciplinary overlaps of a changing profession, which now requires a more holistic approach to problem solving via design thinking methodologies.

Deakin’s Bachelor of Creative Arts (Visual Communication Design) enables you to develop practical and theoretical skills in visual communication design. This course offers a dynamic combination of contemporary design theory with specialised studio practices and practical outcomes in a variety of design disciplines. It draws upon the expertise of its staff who are active practitioners in their fields, as well as visiting, special guest and casual academic staff. 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.

Fees and charges

Fees and charges vary depending on your course, your fee category and the year you started. To find out about the fees and charges that apply to you, visit the Current students fees website.

Course Learning Outcomes

Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes	Course Learning Outcomes
Discipline specific knowledge and capabilities	Demonstrate practical and theoretical skills in visual communication design though knowledge of contemporary design theory, specialised studio practices and technologies to achieve practical outcomes in a variety of design disciplines.
Communication	Effectively communicate ideas using visual media and transmit ideas and solutions to problems through written and oral presentation.
Digital literacy	Employ a range of generic and specialist skills in industry standard design programs and other digital literacies to source, analyse, generate and disseminate design solutions.
Critical thinking	Acquire skills in the critical evaluation of contemporary design practices, design conversations and design issues and apply these skills in professional design practice.
Problem solving	Demonstrate the ability to analyse and evaluate information to determine the appropriate design strategy and best method to solve visual communication design problems in professional practice.
Self-management	Demonstrate initiative and autonomy in planning decision-making and problem solving to prepare multiple design briefs and complete complex design outcomes.
Teamwork	Work collaboratively with others in visual communication design, from different disciplines and different backgrounds to complete design briefs.
Global citizenship	Analyse and address design issues in a domestic and global context taking into consideration cultural and socio-economic diversity and environmental responsibility and the application of professional ethical standards.
Approved by Faculty Board March 2015

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