Bachelor of Design (Communication Design)
Overview
This course aims to turn you into an imaginative thinker and an effective, well-informed designer. The strong technology base of this course is complemented by research and solid industry links. You will graduate with a portfolio that reflects diverse ideas, production skills and experiences, preparing you for the challenges of an exciting and evolving industry. Opportunities such as study tours and international exchange programs are also available to broaden your understanding of what design means internationally.
Information sessions
Visit our Meet Us page to see when we are visiting your home country (or here in Australia).
For further information on this course, please review the faculty web page at: http://www.swinburne.edu.au/design/courses/communication-design-course.html
| Duration | 3 Year/s | ||
Campus and intakes  |
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| Course code | DCOM10 | ||
| CRICOS code | 064718K | ||
| Fees* | A$23,450 (annual for 2013)* |
*The indicative course fees shown in Course Search apply to international students studying on-campus in Australia for the relevant year only. They are based on a standard study load per year. However, please note that fees are assessed according to a student's study load in each semester, and variation to study load will result in an adjustment to tuition fees. All fees are subject to annual review and may be adjusted.
Course in detail
Course description
Note: This course information is for students commencing from 2010. For students at the Sarawak campus please refer to the Bachelor of Design (Graphic Design) (SGD10) on the Sarawak website.
Communication design impacts on all aspects of contemporary culture. It includes graphic design, advertising, corporate branding, product packaging, publishing, web design and more.
Students who undertake the final three semesters of this program commencing in September 2010 at City University, Hong Kong will be enrolled in the final 100 credit point units of the Professional Major and/or one Minor sequence.
Units will be delivered from the Prahran and Hawthorn campuses.
Course structure
This program (commencing in 2010) has a Flexible Degree Structure providing you with a wider and more flexible choice in combining studies from different disciplines to add either depth or breadth to your degree. An Industry Placement year may also be applied for.
Prior to enrolment students will be required to attend degree planning information sessions.
For completion of the Bachelor of Design (Communication Design) students are required to undertake:
- The Communication Design professional major of 16 units of study (200 credit points); and
- A co-major of 8 units (100 credit points) or 2 minors of 4 units (50 credit points) each
Students may select co-majors or minors subject to timetable availability. Students may also undertake Electives Plus Minors, Student Exchange or other approved options.
Note: Students cannot enrol in a Co-Major or Minor in the same discipline as their Professional Major.
Note: Students cannot enrol in a Co-Major or Minor in the same discipline as their Professional Major.
Students will normally be enrolled in a Recommended Study Sequence and must successfully complete a minimum of 300 credit points; 50 credit points per semester for full-time students. To qualify for the award, a student must complete, or have been granted an exemption for the units of study listed below. Students initially enter into the three-year bachelor program. At the end of that program students may exit with an undergraduate bachelor degree or continue with further study. Work expected outside normal timetabled contact hours, in keeping with related design courses, will usually be no less than a minimum of two for one.
Careers in the Curriculum (CIC) (Prahran students only)
In addition to the above, students must complete a compulsory unit of study HDD0009 Careers in the Curriculum to be awarded the degree. Careers in the Curriculum is an innovative unit designed to assist Swinburne students to enhance their employability and career prospects. Careers in the Curriculum has been developed by Swinburne Careers and Employment who provide advice and feedback on completing job applications and undergoing interviews, directed at obtaining graduate employment. Careers in the Curriculum is a compulsory unit usually undertaken in second year. Students will not incur a HECS or fee debt as the cost will be met by the university as part of an initiative to enhance students' employability skills.
In addition to the above, students must complete a compulsory unit of study HDD0009 Careers in the Curriculum to be awarded the degree. Careers in the Curriculum is an innovative unit designed to assist Swinburne students to enhance their employability and career prospects. Careers in the Curriculum has been developed by Swinburne Careers and Employment who provide advice and feedback on completing job applications and undergoing interviews, directed at obtaining graduate employment. Careers in the Curriculum is a compulsory unit usually undertaken in second year. Students will not incur a HECS or fee debt as the cost will be met by the university as part of an initiative to enhance students' employability skills.
Electives Plus Sequences (Prahran students only)
Electives Plus sequences provide Swinburne degree students with options to broaden their career skills and strengthen their employability by selecting from units of study outside their degree discipline.
Electives Plus sequences provide Swinburne degree students with options to broaden their career skills and strengthen their employability by selecting from units of study outside their degree discipline.
Students undertaking this course can choose to study Electives Plus sequences of up to four units from one of the following themes:
Further information is available at the Electives Plus website. Electives Plus sequences are available in all Swinburne degree programs subject to timetabling constraints, with the exception of double degree programs, specialist double major degrees, and where entry has been approved with advanced standing.
Summer and Winter term
The Faculty of Design, Prahran, is offering an optional six-week Winter and Summer term allowing you to complete extra study between the standard semesters. These terms are not mandatory. However, if you wish to vary your study load you may want to consider this option.
The Faculty of Design, Prahran, is offering an optional six-week Winter and Summer term allowing you to complete extra study between the standard semesters. These terms are not mandatory. However, if you wish to vary your study load you may want to consider this option.
International Study Programs - Study Abroad Students can apply to participate in an exchange program or a study tour program as part of their degree. More information about our current exchange and study tour programs can be viewed here.
* Please note that international students on a student visa must study full-time as part of their visa requirements.
Major specialisations
To qualify for the award of Bachelor of Design (Communication Design) students must complete the required units in their Professional Major of Communication Design listed below. With the diversity of studies available to students there may be overlap in the units of study between some Professional Majors, Co-Majors and Minors. Where such overlap occurs a unit can only be counted for credit once.
Communication Design Professional Major units
Communication Design Major - 2010 on
Communication Design Major - 2010 on
A Co-major can be undertaken in one of:
These co-majors are available to all Swinburne students, timetable permitting.
Digital Media Design Major - 2011 on
Industrial Design Co-Major - 2010 on
Interior Design Major - 2010 on
Film and Television Co-Major 2010 on
These co-majors are available to all Swinburne students, timetable permitting.
Digital Media Design Major - 2011 on
Industrial Design Co-Major - 2010 on
Interior Design Major - 2010 on
Film and Television Co-Major 2010 on
Note: Co-majors can be taken from any discipline across the university, timetable permitting. See the co-majors 2010 page for more information.
Minors (timetable permitting) can be undertaken in the following recommended streams:
Note: Some Minor sequences do require knowledge of specific software.
Note: Some Minor sequences do require knowledge of specific software.
Minors available to Communication Design students:
Branding and Advertising Strategy Advanced Minor - 2010 on
Packaging and the Branded Environment Advanced Minor - 2010 on - some technology prerequisites apply
Design Management Advanced Minor - 2010 on
Motion Graphics Advanced Minor - 2010 on
Digital Media Design Minor - 2011 on
Industrial Design Minor - 2010 on
Interior Design Minor - 2010 on
Minors can be taken from any discipline across the university, timetable permitting. See the minors 2010 page for more information.
Packaging and the Branded Environment Advanced Minor - 2010 on - some technology prerequisites apply
Design Management Advanced Minor - 2010 on
Motion Graphics Advanced Minor - 2010 on
Digital Media Design Minor - 2011 on
Industrial Design Minor - 2010 on
Interior Design Minor - 2010 on
Minors can be taken from any discipline across the university, timetable permitting. See the minors 2010 page for more information.
Minors available to all Swinburne students including Communication Design students, timetable permitting:
Film and Television Minor - 2010 on
Film and Television Theory Minor - 2010 on
3D Animation and Modeling Advanced Minor - 2010 on - some technology prerequisites apply
Film and Television Minor - 2010 on
Film and Television Theory Minor - 2010 on
3D Animation and Modeling Advanced Minor - 2010 on - some technology prerequisites apply
Minor available to students from all faculties except Bachelor of Design students:
Design Studies Minor - 2010 on
Design Studies Minor - 2010 on
Remaining units may consist of Electives Plus, Study Tours, Student Exchange or other approved options.
Units of study
All units of study have a value of 12.5 credit points unless otherwise indicated (50 credit points per semester).
Note: For students commencing mid-year, units may be offered in a different sequence.
Note: For students commencing mid-year, units may be offered in a different sequence.
Units will be delivered from the Prahran and Hawthorn campuses.
Swinburne Prahran Communication Design Professional Major units
HDC001 20th Century Design
HDC002 Methods of Investigation
HDC003 Design Studio
HDC004 Digital Design
HDCOM111 Introduction to Communication Design
Swinburne Prahran Communication Design Professional Major units
HDC001 20th Century Design
HDC002 Methods of Investigation
HDC003 Design Studio
HDC004 Digital Design
HDCOM111 Introduction to Communication Design
HDCOM112 Typography
HDCOM121 Form and Structure for Communication Design
HDCOM122 Photography in Communication Design
HDCOM211 Typography for Publication
HDCOM212 Package Design
HDCOM221 Branding and Identity
HDC005 Contemporary Design Issues
HDCOM311 Communication Design Strategy
HDCOM312 Design for Production
HDCOM321 Publication Design
HDCOM322 Information and Interface Design
HDCOM121 Form and Structure for Communication Design
HDCOM122 Photography in Communication Design
HDCOM211 Typography for Publication
HDCOM212 Package Design
HDCOM221 Branding and Identity
HDC005 Contemporary Design Issues
HDCOM311 Communication Design Strategy
HDCOM312 Design for Production
HDCOM321 Publication Design
HDCOM322 Information and Interface Design
Plus, throughout the length of your degree you will select eight units from your chosen co-major or minor sequence or free elective unit.
HDD0009 Careers in the Curriculum (Prahran students only). This is a zero credit point unit of study which is compulsory for students in the second or third year of their course.
Study Abroad options - see information above under Course Structure.
In Year 3 students may undertake Industry Placement (Prahran students only)
HDP050 Industry Placement 1 (37.5 credit points)
HDP055 Industry Placement 2 (37.5 credit points)
Plus any two 12.5 credit point subject from Stage 3 Design units of study. Students undertaking Industry Placement interstate or overseas are required to advise Student Administration at the Faculty of Design.
HDP050 Industry Placement 1 (37.5 credit points)
HDP055 Industry Placement 2 (37.5 credit points)
Plus any two 12.5 credit point subject from Stage 3 Design units of study. Students undertaking Industry Placement interstate or overseas are required to advise Student Administration at the Faculty of Design.
By selecting to undertake Industry Placement students then must continue into a fourth year Honours degree.
Prerequisites for undertaking Industry Placement in Year 3 are as follows:
Successful completion of Stage 2 (i.e. 200 credit points of which 150 must be from Professional Major). A minimum of 100 credit points must be completed within the Faculty of Design. Minimum credit average in the two most recent semesters of study. Applicants with a minimum credit average are required to complete application forms and will be invited to attend both formal Faculty and industry interviews. Selection is made on the basis of this process.
Successful completion of Stage 2 (i.e. 200 credit points of which 150 must be from Professional Major). A minimum of 100 credit points must be completed within the Faculty of Design. Minimum credit average in the two most recent semesters of study. Applicants with a minimum credit average are required to complete application forms and will be invited to attend both formal Faculty and industry interviews. Selection is made on the basis of this process.
City University, Hong Kong
Students who undertake the final three semesters of this program at City University, Hong Kong will be enrolled in the final 100 or 150 credit point units of the Professional Major and/or one Minor sequence.
Students who undertake the final three semesters of this program at City University, Hong Kong will be enrolled in the final 100 or 150 credit point units of the Professional Major and/or one Minor sequence.
Semester 1, September 2012
HDCOM211HK Typography for Publication
HDCOM212HK Package Design
HDCOM221HK Branding and Identity
and
HDC005HK Contemporary Design Issues - for students undertaking 100 credit points only
or
HDC006HK Managing Design - for students undertaking 150 credit points only
HDCOM211HK Typography for Publication
HDCOM212HK Package Design
HDCOM221HK Branding and Identity
and
HDC005HK Contemporary Design Issues - for students undertaking 100 credit points only
or
HDC006HK Managing Design - for students undertaking 150 credit points only
Semester 2, January 2013
HDCOM311HK Communication Design Strategy
HDCOM312HK Design for Production
HDCOM321HK Publication Design
and
HDCOM322HK Information and Interface Design - for students taking 100 credit points
or
HDC008HK Design Systems and Services - for students taking 150 credit points
HDCOM311HK Communication Design Strategy
HDCOM312HK Design for Production
HDCOM321HK Publication Design
and
HDCOM322HK Information and Interface Design - for students taking 100 credit points
or
HDC008HK Design Systems and Services - for students taking 150 credit points
Semester 3, April 2013
For students taking 150 credit points
HDC005HK Contemporary Design Issues
HDC009HK Design and Business Strategy
HDC011HK Design Thinking
HDCOM322HK Information and Interface Design
For students taking 150 credit points
HDC005HK Contemporary Design Issues
HDC009HK Design and Business Strategy
HDC011HK Design Thinking
HDCOM322HK Information and Interface Design
Graduate outcomes
Aims and objectives
The structure of, and the units of study within, the Bachelor of Design (Communication Design) degree conforms to the AQF Guidelines for a bachelor degree by allowing students to:
- Acquire a systematic and coherent body of knowledge, the underlying principles and concepts and the associated communication and problem-solving skills
- Develop academic skills and attributes necessary to undertake design research, comprehend and evaluate new information, concepts and evidence from a range of sources
- Develop the ability to review, consolidate, extend and apply the knowlege and techniques learnt, including in a professional context.
- Gain a foundation for self-directed and life-long learning
- Gain interpersonal and teamwork skills appropriate to employment and/or further study.
Course experience
Industry learning
Industry Placement is a program in which students are placed in paid, supervised employment, for 24 or 48 weeks, relevant to their studies as part of their degree. It aims to provide experiential, discipline-specific learning in an authentic, real-world environment. Through observation, enquiry and practice under the supervision and guidance of professional practitioners and an academic mentor, students will engage in professional experiences and test and critically assess their learning to date. The experience contextualises existing design skills within an understanding of the impact of client, customer, team dynamics and direction in the design process.Industry Placement gives students practical experience to add to their academic studies, and is a proven advantage in the graduate job market. All Industry Placements are subject to availability of places.
Honours
All students undertake first and second year of their Design course. Prior to the commencement of third year students choose to continue with coursework (third year) and complete their degree, or apply for Industry Placement (third year) followed by the Honours program as fourth year. An Honours year requires a further 100 credit points of study.
Students may continue into the Bachelor of Design (Communication Design) (Honours) program through the following avenues, these include a selection process:
Students may continue into the Bachelor of Design (Communication Design) (Honours) program through the following avenues, these include a selection process:
1) Students who have successfully undertaken an Industry Placement in Year 3 are required to complete their Honours (fourth) year by Coursework in order to graduate.
2) Students who did not participate in an Industry Placement in third year, and who have maintained a grade average of Credit or above may apply towards the end of their third year, to study in the Honours program. These students will complete their Honours year by Coursework.
Coursework – students with equivalent qualifications wishing to apply for their Honours year by coursework may be required to attend an interview and submit a folio.
Swinburne Abroad
Swinburne offers International Exchange Programs as well as other Education Abroad Programs to help internationalise your degree. International Exchange is an academic program allowing you to study at a Swinburne Partner Institution for one or two semesters during your degree. Swinburne's Partner Institutions offer many relevant subjects as well as a secure base to explore a different culture. Your studies whilst on exchange can be credited towards your Swinburne degree, provided they are relevant and approved by Swinburne. For further information visit the Swinburne Abroad website.Entry requirements
Academic requirements
To assess eligibility for entry to Swinburne, visit the Academic Entry Requirements page.
English language requirements
Swinburne College English for Academic Purposes Certificate: EAP 5 Advanced: 70%; OR, obtaining a minimum IELTS overall band of 6.5 (Academic Module) with no individual band below 6.0; OR, a TOEFL (Paper-based) minimum score of 550 (with Test of Written English (TWE) score of 5); OR, a TOEFL (Internet-based) minimum score of 79, with no individual band below 18.
Refer to the English Language Requirements website for further information.
Apply
Course fees*
A$23,450 (annual for 2013)*The indicative course fees shown in Course Search apply to international students studying on-campus in Australia for the relevant year only. They are based on a standard study load per year. However, please note that fees are assessed according to a student's study load in each semester, and variation to study load will result in an adjustment to tuition fees. All fees are subject to annual review and may be adjusted.
Scholarships
A range of scholarships is available to international students, visit our Scholarship Page for details.
Find out more
Submit an Online Enquiry
Tel: +613 8676 7002 (outside Australia)
Freecall: 1800 897 973 (within Australia)
Email: international@swinburne.edu.au
Tel: +613 8676 7002 (outside Australia)
Freecall: 1800 897 973 (within Australia)
Email: international@swinburne.edu.au
