Photography for Design
Overview
This unit aims to introduce students to the basic principles and application of photography in design through creative camera controls and techniques. It aims to generate understanding of the symbiotic relationship between photographic image and design skills. It will also develop an understanding of basic design principles and practice as applied to photography through the exploration of resolution, colour theory, scaling, editing and image analysis
Requisites
Rule
Admission into Bachelor of Design Courses (including double degrees)
OR
Admission into Photmedia Minor MN-PHOMED
Assumed Knowledge
Competency in a range of web technologies
Equivalent
DES10030 Photography in Communication Design (Discontinued) and
DCO10004 Design Studio: Photography (Version 1)
01-June-2025
08-June-2025
03-August-2025
02-November-2025
08-February-2026
Learning outcomes
Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:
- Apply the basic principles of photography using camera controls to produce images
- Analyse imagery by examining visual literacy
- Implement colour theory to develop design outcomes that express ideas
- Use scaling and cropping to place creative emphasis in photographic images
Teaching methods
Swinburne Online
| Activity Type | Activity | Total Hours | Number of Weeks | Hours Per Week | Venue Type and Activity Detail |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Online | Directed Online Learning and Independent Learning | 36 | 12 weeks | 3 | Contact with students online seminar, through the larning management system |
| Online | Learning activities | 36 | 12 weeks | 3 | Asynchronous online activities through online sharing platforms |
| Unspecified Activities | Independent Learning | 72 | 12 weeks | 6 | Independent study, Assignment preparation, Revision |
| Total Hours: | 144 | Total Hours (per week): | 12 | ||
All Applicable Locations
| Activity Type | Activity | Total Hours | Number of Weeks | Hours Per Week | Venue Type and Activity Detail |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| On-campus | Studio | 36 | 12 weeks | 3 | |
| Unspecified Activities | Various | 36 | 12 weeks | 3 | Interaction through online programs as specified in class. |
| Unspecified Activities | Independent Learning | 72 | 12 weeks | 6 | Independent study, Assignment preparation, Revision |
| Total Hours: | 144 | Total Hours (per week): | 12 | ||
Assessment
| Type | Task | Weighting | ULO's |
|---|---|---|---|
| Major Project | Individual | 0% | 1,2,3,4 |
| Skill building exercises | Individual | 0% | 1,2,3,4 |
Content
- Lighting conditions and types of lighting and its effect on the photograph
- Basic camera controls such as depth of field and movement and setting the right exposure
- Resolution, white balance, ASA and other digital requirements
- Colour and contrast plus consideration for monochromatic output
- Image scaling and abstraction for visual impact
- Photographic compositional exploration – ways of seeing, varying viewpoint, angle, perspective
- Research a variety of photographic genres, iconic images and specific photographers
- Graduate Attribute – Communication Skills: Communicating using different media
Study resources
Reading materials
A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.