Bachelor of Design (Visual Communication)
The rapid changes brought about by globalisation and new developments in information and media technology are reshaping visual communication design, and raising significant challenges and opportunities for those prepared to play a creative role in this design area.
The University of Western Sydney's Bachelor of Design (Visual Communication) degree gives you fundamental skills and knowledge in the exciting and constantly changing area of visual communication. Underpinned by a foundation of graphic design, the program delivers a mix of creative and professional design approaches encompassing typography, image graphics and graphic systems.
You'll learn about design management, the history and theory of visual communication design, typography, advertising, the web and visual literacy, through a range of studio and project work. Your study will include individual and team-based project work, extensive use of advanced computer technologies, concept development studio practice, and a significant opportunity to engage with real community and industry projects.
During your fourth year, you'll participate in team-based projects with students from other programs including marketers, branding experts, organisational communicators and production specialists.
Course Details
| UAC Code | Campus | UAI 2008 |
| 702700 | Penrith | 60.20 |
Duration
4 years full-time.
Note: 'part-time' refers to study load, not to timetabling of evening classes.
Practical Experience/Internship
You are required to complete an industry placement as a mandatory part of the program. This provides invaluable industry experience and contacts. You may choose to specialise in a particular design area during this placement.
In addition, a fourth-year professional program is linked to an in-house design production office where you will gain experience in a professional studio environment. You will develop a major design project and professional portfolio in your chosen visual design specialisation. There are also a number of opportunities for you to take combined studies with other areas in the school. These may include video and media production, writing and publication design, advertising and graphic design. Students take these through open electives across their program of study.
Professional Recognition
Graduates are eligible for membership of the Design Institute of Australia (DIA) and the Australian Graphic Design Association.
A Career in Visual Communication
As a Visual Communication graduate, you'll enjoy a broad and exciting range of career options. You may work as a:
- graphic designer
- photographer
- illustrator
- art director
- design journalist
- information designer
- interactive multimedia designer
- web designer
- design educator
- animator
- television or video designer
The scope and market potential for a specialist visual communication designer is expanding rapidly as new areas of digital and traditional media converge and emerge.
If you are interested in becoming a secondary teacher you can study the Bachelor of Design Studies (three-year exit point), followed by the UWS secondary teacher education course.
Application Information
To lodge an application for the course of your choice check the Application Information.
Honours
An Honours option is available for high-achieving students with a credit or higher grade average in years 1-3 and with an acceptable research proposal. The Honours program involves undertaking a substantial piece of individual design research as a project and/or thesis.
Do you need more information?
Request a course and application information pack:
Course Enquiry Form
International Course Enquiry Form
