- Combine computer-based visual design with a career in communications
- Specialise in either graphic design, e-media design or 3D design
- Opportunities to exhibit in the USC Gallery
Program summary
Program title: Bachelor of Design and Communication
Award abbreviation: BDes&Comn
QTAC code: 011031
OP/Rank for 2012 entry: OP-18 / Rank-63
Duration: 3 years full-time or equivalent part-time
Commence: Semester 1 or Semester 2
Study mode: on campus
Recommended prior study: English
Fee type 2012: Commonwealth supported places, fee paying places, international fee-paying places
Total units: 288
USC program code: AR336
CRICOS code: 074095J. Only a full-time option is available to international students on a Student Visa.
Learn about design in printed, electronic and 3D formats and explore how design integrates with other areas such as advertising and communication.
In this program you combine computer-based design with studies in communications. The computer-based design component covers practical and theoretical studies in graphic design, e-media (web and multimedia), 3D design, visual communication and information visualisation. Communication courses include public relations, journalism, creative advertising and creative writing. You also have opportunities to exhibit works in the USC Gallery.
Majors
Communication majors: 3D design, communication studies; creative advertising; creative writing; e-media design; graphic design; journalism; public relations.
Career opportunities
Depending on courses selected, graphic design, editing, advertising, marketing, interpretive design, animation, multimedia design, packaging, public relations, publishing, web design.
Admission requirements
Please refer to the English language entry requirements.
Enquiries
- Contact Student Administration for application and admission information
- Contact the Faculty of Arts and Business for program advice
Program Leader
Dr Debra Livingston
Tel: +61 7 5430 1252
Email: dlivings@usc.edu.au
Program structure
Program requirements
In order to graduate you must:
- Complete 2 core courses, 18 required courses including 1 major design area (8 courses), and 4 electives.
- Complete no more than 10 introductory level courses, including core courses.
- Complete no more than 6 courses from the School of Business or Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering.
- Register your selected Majors and Minors with Student Administration.
Program notes
- Completing this program within the specified (full-time) duration is based on studying 48 unit points per semester (normally 4 courses).
- Courses within this program are assessed using a variety of assessment methods including essays, seminar presentations, reports, in-class tests and examinations. Not all courses will necessarily include all methods.
- Only a full-time study option is available to international students on a Student Visa.
- As part of your USC program, you may apply to participate in the Global Opportunities (GO) Program to undertake courses with an overseas higher education provider. It is advisable to contact your Program Advisor to discuss timing and course issues.
- The 6 advanced courses from one of the design streams, plus DES101 and DES105 , will constitute a major in that stream.
- Some of the required introductory courses may count towards some majors and minors
- Students must commence the advanced design courses in Semester 1, following the successful completion of DES105 .
- When enrolling, refer to [TabLink top Study Plan]Study Plan.
Core courses
Select 2 core courses from:
COR109 Responsive Website Design
COR110 e-Media C
COR111 e-Media D
Introductory courses
3 required courses:
CMN102 e-media E - Internship/Professional Project
DES101 e-Media F - Professional Portfolio
DES105 Animation Principles, Process and Production
PLUS select 1 course from:
CMN116 3D Design B
CMN120 3D Design C
CMN130 3D Design D
CMN140 3D Design E*
PLUS select 2 courses from:
DES102
DES103 Communication and Thought
DES104 Innovation, Creativity and Entrepreneurship
DES106 Environment, Technology and Sustainability
Advanced courses
1 required course
CMN213 Creativity and Communication
PLUS select 5 courses from:
CMN214 The Language of Design
CMN216 Introduction to Design and Concept
CMN218 Playing with Words : an Introduction to Creative Writing Craft
CMN222 Public Relations: Contemporary Perspectives
CMN224 Introduction to Journalism
CMN226 Introduction to Creative Advertising
CMN227 Visual Storytelling
CMN228 Fundamentals of Photographic Practice
CMN229 Art, Design and Visual Culture
CMN231 Typography
CMN235 Editing for the Communications Professional
CMN237 Computer-Assisted Reporting
CMN240 Crisis and Issues Management
CMN248 Media and Community Relations
CMN249
CMN256
PLUS select 6 courses from your chosen major study area:
Graphic Design major
DES211 Visual Identity
DES212 Visual Communication and Culture
DES213
DES214
DES215
DES216
e-Media major
DES221 Introduction to Interactive Media
DES222 Responsive Design and Technology
DES223
DES224
DES225
DES226
3D Design major
DES231 Animation Principles, Process and Production
DES232 Visualisation and Sonification
DES233
DES234
DES235
DES236
Please note: Students must commence the advanced design courses in Semester 1 following the successful completion of DES105.
Elective courses
Select 4 elective courses from either faculty (Arts and Business or Science, Health, Education and Engineering).
TOTAL UNITS 288
Study Plan
The Bachelor of Design and Communication Study Plan is for students commencing in the current semester.
Core courses (2)
Select 2 core courses from:
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| COR109 Introduction to Informatics | |||
| COR110 Strategic Management | |||
| COR111 Corporate Governance and Social Responsibility |
Required courses (12)
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| CMN102 Business Law and Ethics | |||
| CMN213 Managing Human Resources | |||
| DES101 Staffing and Remuneration | |||
| DES105 Managing Workplace Relations |
PLUS select 1 course from:
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| CMN116 Employment and Industrial Law | |||
| CMN120 Leadership and Team Dynamics | |||
| CMN130 Training and Development | |||
| CMN140 Managing Organisational Change |
PLUS select 2 courses from:
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| DES102 Communication and Thought | |||
| DES103 Innovation, Creativity and Entrepreneurship | |||
| DES104 Environment, Technology and Sustainability | |||
| DES106 Communication Theory and Practice |
PLUS select 5 courses from:
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| CMN214 Editing for the Communications Professional | |||
| CMN216 Visual Literacy: Design Principles and Practice | |||
| CMN218 Introduction to Design | |||
| CMN222 Introduction to Creative Writing | |||
| CMN224 Public Relations Strategies and Tactics | |||
| CMN226 Introduction to Journalism | |||
| CMN227 Introduction to Creative Advertising | |||
| CMN228 Ways of Seeing: Understanding Images | |||
| CMN229 Digital Photographic Practice | |||
| CMN231 Visual Worlds: An Introduction to Art and Design History | |||
| CMN235 Typography | |||
| CMN237 Computer-Assisted Reporting | |||
| CMN240 Crisis and Issues Management | |||
| CMN248 Media and Community Relations | |||
| CMN249 Multimedia Advertising | |||
| CMN256 Advertising Campaigns |
Required advanced courses—from your chosen major study area (6)
Graphic Design major
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| DES211 Advertising: Copy and Image | |||
| DES212 News Rounds | |||
| DES213 The Writer and the Law | |||
| DES214 Media and Promotion: Tourism and Hospitality | |||
| DES215 Communication Campaign Planning | |||
| DES216 News Writing and Reporting |
e-Media major
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| DES221 Online Journalism | |||
| DES222 Feature Writing | |||
| DES223 Creative Advertising | |||
| DES224 Television & Video Journalism | |||
| DES225 Research into Journalism | |||
| DES226 Visual Identity |
3D Design major
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| DES231 Visual Communication & Meaning | |||
| DES232 Graphic Design C | |||
| DES233 Graphic Design D | |||
| DES234 Graphic Design E - Internship/Professional Project | |||
| DES235 Graphic Design F - Professional Portfolio | |||
| DES236 Introduction to Interaction & UX Design |
Please note: Students must commence the advanced design courses in Semester 1 following the successful completion of DES105.
Elective courses (4)
Select 4 elective courses from either faculty (Arts and Business or Science, Health, Education and Engineering).
TOTAL UNITS 288