Bachelor of Creative Arts (Visual Communication Design)
2021 Deakin University Handbook
| Year | 2021 course information |
|---|---|
| Award granted | Bachelor of Creative Arts (Visual Communication Design) |
| Campus | Burwood (Melbourne) (For students who commenced prior to 2021 only) |
| 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 Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition | The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 7. |
Offered to continuing students only Students should contact a student advisor for course and enrolment information. Further course structure information can be found in the handbook archive | |
Course sub-headings
- Course overview
- Participation requirements
- Mandatory student checks
- Fees and charges
- Course Learning Outcomes
- Course rules
- Course structure
- Work experience
- Research and research-related study
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.
Participation requirements
Reasonable adjustments to participation and other course requirements will be made for students with a disability. Click here for more information.
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.
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, the type of fee place you hold, your commencement year and your study load. To find out about the fees and charges that apply to you, visit the Current students fees website or our handy Fee estimator to help estimate your tuition fees.
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
- AAI018 Academic Integrity (0-credit-point compulsory unit)
Students who commenced prior to 2015 should follow the course rules and structure shown in the Handbook for their year of commencement.
Level 1
| ACC100 | Communication in Everyday Life |
ACC101 Creativity and Dangerous Ideas (No longer available for enrolment)
| ADV102 | Typography and Publication Design |
| ACG103 | Design Skills |
4 Electives
Level 2
ACC200 Freelancing in the Arts - (No longer available for enrolment)
ADV203 Visual Communication Design Studio - (No longer available for enrolment)
| ADV205 | Designing User Experience (previously ACG203, ADD201) |
| ADV201 | Web Design and Interactivity (previously ACG206) |
| ADD203 | Professional Practice in Design (previously ACG207) |
| ADV202 | Branding Design (previously ACG208) |
2 Electives
Level 3
ACG304 Design and Collaboration (2 credit points) - (No longer available for enrolment, alternate unit ADD301)
ACG305 Design Practice - (No longer available for enrolment, alternate unit ADD302)
ACG307 Global Design Strategies - (No longer available for enrolment, alternate unit ADD303)
4 Electives
Contact Student Services for enrolment advice
Electives
Complete six electives, of which at least two must be 2nd or 3rd level
We suggest students complete at least 4 units in a subject area different to their degree, preferably a linked sequence of study in the same area. This choice can include units from any degree in the University but is best chosen from the subject areas in the Bachelor of Creative Arts: (Dance, Drama, Photography), Bachelor of Design: (Visual Communication, Digital Technologies, 3D Animation) or Bachelor of Arts programs.
Work experience
Work-integrated learning opportunities are embedded through the Bachelor of Creative Arts programs with real client briefs, opportunities for client and industry engagement and professional practice. These may be discipline specific or may introduce students to other opportunities in the diverse field of creative arts. This level of engagement occurs at first, second and third year and is core to the course. In particular we have a Creative Careers and Contexts and Exhibition and Performance units where students meet industry practitioners, visit creative industry workplaces, organise and promote a festival of exhibitions and performances and learn the appropriate practical, administrative, marketing and self-management skills required to launch and maintain their careers as creative artists in their chosen discipline. Student will develop a career development strategy that can be used to demonstrate the essential skills and knowledge for a future job application, successful pitch for funding or, development of a self-run project.
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.
Course duration - additional information
Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as accessing or completing work placements.
Further information
Student Central can help you with course planning, choosing the right units and explaining course rules and requirements.
- Contact Student Central
Research and research-related study
Independent research components are embedded across a number of units.