- 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 Study Plan.
Core courses
Select 2 core courses from:
COR109 3D Design D
COR110 3D Design E - Internship/Professional Project
COR111 3D Design F - Professional Portfolio
Introductory courses
3 required courses:
CMN102 Communication and Thought
DES101 Innovation, Creativity and Entrepreneurship
DES105 Environment, Technology and Sustainability
PLUS select 1 course from:
CMN116 Communication Theory and Practice
CMN120 Visual Literacy: Design Principles and Practice
CMN130 Introduction to Design
CMN140 Introduction to Creative Writing
PLUS select 2 courses from:
DES102 Public Relations Strategies and Tactics
DES103 Introduction to Journalism
DES104 Introduction to Creative Advertising
DES106 Ways of Seeing: Understanding Images
Advanced courses
1 required course
CMN213 Digital Photographic Practice
PLUS select 5 courses from:
CMN214 Visual Worlds: An Introduction to Art and Design History
CMN216 Typography
CMN218 Editing for the Communications Professional
CMN222 Computer-Assisted Reporting
CMN224 Crisis and Issues Management
CMN226 Media and Community Relations
CMN227 Multimedia Advertising
CMN228 Advertising Campaigns
CMN229 Advertising: Copy and Image
CMN231 News Rounds
CMN235 The Writer and the Law
CMN237 Media and Promotion: Tourism and Hospitality
CMN240 Communication Campaign Planning
CMN248 News Writing: Print and Broadcast
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 Life Crisis - Translating Theory Into Caring Practice | |||
| COR110 The Child Client | |||
| COR111 Communication and Thought |
Required courses (12)
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| CMN102 Innovation, Creativity and Entrepreneurship | |||
| CMN213 Environment, Technology and Sustainability | |||
| DES101 Communication Theory and Practice | |||
| DES105 Editing for the Communications Professional |
PLUS select 1 course from:
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| CMN116 Visual Literacy: Design Principles and Practice | |||
| CMN120 Introduction to Design | |||
| CMN130 Introduction to Creative Writing | |||
| CMN140 Public Relations Strategies and Tactics |
PLUS select 2 courses from:
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| DES102 Introduction to Journalism | |||
| DES103 Introduction to Creative Advertising | |||
| DES104 Ways of Seeing: Understanding Images | |||
| DES106 Digital Photographic Practice |
PLUS select 5 courses from:
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| CMN214 Visual Worlds: An Introduction to Art and Design History | |||
| CMN216 Typography | |||
| CMN218 Computer-Assisted Reporting | |||
| CMN222 Crisis and Issues Management | |||
| CMN224 Media and Community Relations | |||
| CMN226 Multimedia Advertising | |||
| CMN227 Advertising Campaigns | |||
| CMN228 Advertising: Copy and Image | |||
| CMN229 News Rounds | |||
| CMN231 The Writer and the Law | |||
| CMN235 Media and Promotion: Tourism and Hospitality | |||
| CMN237 Communication Campaign Planning | |||
| CMN240 News Writing: Print and Broadcast | |||
| CMN248 Online Journalism | |||
| CMN249 Digital Photojournalism and Feature Writing | |||
| CMN256 Creative Advertising |
Required advanced courses—from your chosen major study area (6)
Graphic Design major
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| DES211 Advanced News Reporting | |||
| DES212 Research into Journalism | |||
| DES213 Graphic Design A | |||
| DES214 Graphic Design B | |||
| DES215 Graphic Design C | |||
| DES216 Graphic Design D |
e-Media major
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| DES221 Graphic Design E - Internship/Professional Project | |||
| DES222 Graphic Design F - Professional Portfolio | |||
| DES223 Communication Campaign Planning | |||
| DES224 e-Media A | |||
| DES225 e-Media B | |||
| DES226 e-Media C |
3D Design major
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| DES231 e-Media D | |||
| DES232 e-media E - Internship/Professional Project | |||
| DES233 e-Media F - Professional Portfolio | |||
| DES234 3D Design A | |||
| DES235 3D Design B | |||
| DES236 3D Design C |
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