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Bachelor of Design (Communication Design) (Honours)

Undergraduate course

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Overview

The Communication Design course aims to produce imaginative designers, who work effectively in areas where information is primarily conveyed by visual means such as advertising, publishing, publicity, printing, merchandising, multimedia, education and research.
The course educates students to be effective designers and communicators through a wide variety of visual communication-based projects, together with contextual and professional studies. Through the course’s strong links with industry, graduates are well placed to seek employment in advanced areas of communication design.
Information sessions
For further information on this course, please visit the faculty web page at: http://www.swinburne.edu.au/design/courses/communication-design-course.html
Duration1 year full-time
Campus and intakes  Calendar
Prahran -Semester 1, Semester 2
Study modeFull-time
Course codeDCD20
Fees
For information about Swinburne's fees visit the Fees website.

Career opportunities

Design consultancy, advertising, publishing, merchandising, government instrumentalities.
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Course in detail

On this page: course description, course structure and units of study.

Course description

The Communication Design course aims to produce imaginative designers, who work effectively in areas where information is primarily conveyed by visual means such as advertising, publishing, publicity, printing, merchandising, multimedia, education and research.
The course educates students to be effective designers and communicators through a wide variety of visual communication-based projects, together with contextual and professional studies. Through the course’s strong links with industry, graduates are well placed to seek employment in advanced areas of communication design.

Course structure

The honours program consists of all coursework units of study.  Students are required to complete 100 credit point units of study, 50 credit points per teaching period.
Students accepted into the Industry Placement program in third year are required to complete the coursework program in their honours year.
Students in honours programs at Swinburne University of Technology will be awarded Honours Grades in the following categories:
  • H1 (First class honours) - if their overall grade is 80% or above
  • H2A - if their overall grade is 70 to 79%
  • H2B - if their overall grade is 60 to 69%
  • H3 - if their overall grade is 50 to 59%
  • N - if their overall grade is below 50%
Note: the Pass grade (P) is not utilised.
Work expected outside normal timetabled contact hours, in keeping with related design courses, will usually be no less than a minimum of two hours independent study for each contact hour.
* Please note that international students on a student visa must study full-time as part of their visa requirements.

Units of study

Semester 1 - February intake
HDG407 Social Patterns Research
HDG408 Social Patterns Studio
HDG418 Information Design OR for Design Factory SDF401 Swinburne Design Factory Project
HDCOM422 Type and Publication
Semester 2 - August intake
HDG409 New Technologies Research
HDG410 New Technologies Studio
HDCOM411 Identity Design
HDG428 Narrative Structures OR Design Factory SDF402 Swinburne Design Factory Development Project
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Graduate outcomes

On this page: aims and objectives, career opportunities, professional recognition and graduate attributes.

Aims and objectives

The Bachelor of Design (Communication Design) allows 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 knowledge 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

Career opportunities

Design consultancy, advertising, publishing, merchandising, government instrumentalities.

Professional recognition

On completion of this qualification students may be eligible to become an Associate Member of the Design Institute of Australia (DIA) and the Australian Graphic Design Assocation (AGDA) and should confirm their eligibility with these associations.

Graduate attributes

Swinburne produces graduates who are capable in their chosen profession. Learners bring to Swinburne a diverse wealth of experiences and graduate with individual understandings, abilities and attitudes. Within this context it is the intent of Swinburne that its graduates exhibit certain graduate attributes.
Swinburne expects that its graduates:
  • Are entrepreneurial in contributing to innovation and development within their business, workplace, or community
  • Are capable in their chosen professional, vocational or study areas
  • Operate effectively in work and community situations
  • Are adaptable and manage change
  • Are aware of environments in which they will be contributing
This course addresses and maps these attributes, interpreted within a multi-disciplinary and communication design context.
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Course experience

Sophie Neilsen

Student testimonial - Sophie Neilsen

Bachelor of Design (Communication Design)(Honours)

I chose Swinburne after attending the open day; it felt like the best fit for me. The subjects offered, the lecturers I spoke to and also the university’s reputation in terms of design - these were all factors in my decision. I really enjoy the aspect of personal, self-driven learning that is expected at tertiary level education. The lecturers are always available and a wealth of knowledge but it is up to the student as to how far they decide to take the brief.

I love learning new tricks, whether they are from a lecturer or the person sitting next to you in class, the sharing of knowledge is great. Of course there is nothing better than getting something back from the printers and it looks exactly the way you’d imagined.

I have been invited to do an internship at Aalto University in Helsinki. An amazing opportunity, I can’t wait. I’ll spend two months working at The Design Factory, collaborating with other designers, engineers and business students.

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On this page: entry requirements, pathways, credit transfer and recognition of prior learning

Entry requirements

Entry requirements

Swinburne students undertaking a Bachelor of Design degree who are accepted into the Industry Placement program must complete the Coursework Honours year. Students who have completed a Bachelor of Design degree with Swinburne, or equivalent program, with a credit average, may be required to attend an interview with folio, for entrance into the Coursework Honours program.

Pathways

You may be able to gain credit in this course for your prior studies. If you have studied at another institution, either here in Australia or in your home country, check our Credit Transfer Database to see how many exemptions you may be entitled to. If you are studying a Swinburne TAFE course, or are considering apply for one, take a look at our Pathways page to see how many credits you may gain in a Swinburne bachelor degree.

Credit transfer

Applicants with prior tertiary studies that satisfy part of the academic requirements of the course may be granted 'credit' and/or entry to the course with 'advanced standing'. University policies apply and applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis. For further information refer to 'Swinburne Pathways'.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is the process by which your prior work history, life experience and previous study are measured against the course you are undertaking. Applicants will be considered on their individual merits in accordance with Swinburne policies.
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Apply

On this page: how to apply, course fees, scholarships and find out more.

How to apply

Apply direct to Swinburne by following the step-by-step process at: http://www.future.swinburne.edu.au/apply/undergraduate/honours/index.html

Course fees

For information about Swinburne's fees visit the Fees website.

Scholarships

For information about scholarships at Swinburne visit: http://www.swin.edu.au/scholarships

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