Bachelor of Design (Communication Design) (Honours)

General Information

Overview

Tap into emotions. Bring information into order. Help start important conversations. Our Bachelor of Design (Communication Design) (Honours) is informed by cutting-edge research and practice. In it, you'll gain the high-end strategic and critical thinking skills, and practical production skills to become an imaginative communication designer and researcher.

Study structure

The Bachelor of Design (Communication Design) (Honours) consists of a total of 400 credit points. Units normally carry 12.5 credit points. A standard annual full-time load comprises eight (8) units (100 credit points), and a standard annual part-time load comprises four (4) units (50 credit points).

This course requires students to complete 1,320 mandatory placement hours for Stream 1 - Communication Design Honours or 720 mandatory placement hours for Stream 2 - Design Factory Melbourne.

Full-time study: 100 credit points/eight standard units of study per year
Part-time study: 50 credit points/four standard units of study per year
One credit point is equivalent to one hour of study per week per semester (including contact hours and private study)
See the course planner for an example degree structure.

Full-time study: 100 credit points/eight standard units of study per year
One credit point is equivalent to one hour of study per week per semester (including contact hours and private study)
See the course planner for an example degree structure.

Core units

250 credit points

Units of study	Unit code
Core units
Concepts and Narratives Core unit , 12.5 credit points	DCO10001
Digital Design Core unit , 12.5 credit points	DCO10002
Typography Core unit , 12.5 credit points	DCO10005
Twentieth Century Design Core unit , 12.5 credit points	DDD10001
Packaging Design Core unit , 12.5 credit points	DCO10003
Photography for Design Core unit , 12.5 credit points	DCO10004
Visual Communication Studio Core unit , 12.5 credit points	DCO10007
Contemporary Design Issues Core unit , 12.5 credit points	DDD20004
Brand and Identity Design Core unit , 12.5 credit points	DCO20001
Typography for Print and Interactive Publication Core unit , 12.5 credit points	DCO20009
User Interface Design Core unit , 12.5 credit points	DCO20004
Publication Design Core unit , 12.5 credit points	DDD30013
Major units
Information Design Major unit , 12.5 credit points	DCO20003
Industry Workshops Major unit , 25.0 credit points	DCO30011
Communication Design Strategy Major unit , 12.5 credit points	DDD30048
Industry Placement 1 Major unit , 25.0 credit points	DES30061
Case Studies in Design Practice Major unit , 25.0 credit points	DCO30003

Honours units

100 credit points

Year four

100 credit points

Units of study	Unit code
Communication Design Honours Stream
Studio 1: Methods for Design Research Honours unit, 25.0 credit points	DDD40001
Industry Placement 2 Honours unit, 25.0 credit points	DES30062
Design-Led Innovation: Research Project Honours unit, 25.0 credit points	DDD40002
Communication Design Studio Honours unit, 25.0 credit points	DCO40001
or
Design Factory Melbourne (Comm Design)
Studio 1: Methods for Design Research Honours unit, 25.0 credit points	DDD40001
DFM: Applied Innovation Studio 1 Honours unit, 25.0 credit points	DDD60030
Bureau: Industry Projects Honours unit, 25.0 credit points	DDD40016
DFM: Applied Innovation Studio 2 Honours unit, 25.0 credit points	DDD70031

Choose from a combination of the following course components to complete 50 credit points of other study. Students may also select elective units (12.5 credit points each).

Advanced minors

50 credit points

Advanced minors are a structured set of 4 units or 50 credit points in a field of study which builds upon your first major. Advanced minors can only be taken in conjunction with specific majors - more information will be available soon.

3D Modelling and Animation Advanced

Visual Effects Advanced

Minors

50 credit points

Minors are a structured set of 4 units or 50 credit points and may be chosen from any field of study.

Advertising
Branded Environments
Digital Advertising Technology
Entrepreneurship
Games and Interactivity
Indigenous Studies
Innovation
Motion Design
Photomedia
Social Media

View minor units

Recommended elective units

These recommended elective units can deepen your understanding of your chosen major or an area of interest. A full list of available elective units can be found upon enrolment.

ART20002 Experimental Image-Making Processes
DBE20001 Branded Environment Design Studio 1
DDD20003 Exhibition Design
DDD20007 Design Systems and Services
DDD20009 Photography and Art Direction
DDD20015 Interaction Design for Web
DDD20016 Experience Design and Usability for the Web
DDD20022 3D Modelling for Objects and Environments
DDD20023 3D Character Modelling
DDD30011 Compositing for Visual Effects
DDD30015 Visual Storytelling
DDD30018 3D Animation Project
DDD30019 Web Marketing and Advanced Usability
DDD30020 Interaction Design for Mobile Devices
DDD30021 Digital Video Compositing
DDD30028 3D Character Design and Animation
DDM10005 Imaging for Narrative and Storyboards
DDM10006 Typography for Screen and Motion
DDM20003 Digital Video Camera Techniques
DDM20007 Post Production for Digital Video
FTV30024 Visual Effects Production

Find more detail about elective units

Outcomes and course rules

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of the Bachelor of Design (Communication Design) (Honours), graduates will be able to:

develop knowledge and cognitive skills to exercise critical thinking, initiative, and judgement in the design process, while taking responsibility for their own learning and professional practice development
apply technical and practical skills as well as a broad understanding of the key concepts in communication design to generate design outcomes to a professional standard
curate the relevant knowledge, cognitive and creative skills to exercise critical thinking in identifying and solving problems independently and collaboratively, in diverse contexts
create design proposals that articulate a clear, coherent and independent exposition of knowledge and ideas to diverse audiences and stakeholders
develop design solutions that incorporate ethical and socio-ecological frameworks, demonstrating respect and inclusivity towards diverse audiences and Indigenous principles and practices
implement an organized schedule to deliver complex design projects which include design research methods, collaboration with peers, academics, industry professionals and other stakeholders
foster and develop professional networks and to synthesise the nexus between research principles and methods and design practice
apply cognitive skills to exercise critical thinking in developing new understandings of professional communication design problems and research principles, and be able to adapt these in diverse contexts

Career opportunities

Graduates may find employment in design consultancy, advertising, publishing, merchandising and government instrumentalities.

Professional recognition

Graduates may be eligible for membership of the Australian Graphic Design Association (AGDA) and Design Institute of Australia (DIA) and should confirm their eligibility with these entities.

Course rules

To qualify for the award of Bachelor of Design (Communication Design) (Honours), students must complete 400 credit points comprising:

Twelve (12) Core units of study (150 credit points)
Eight (8) Communication Design Major units (100 credit points)
Four (4) units of study (50 credit points) comprising a minor or electives
One Honours stream (100 credit points). Choose one of:
- Stream 1 – Communication Design Honours
- Stream 2 – Design Factory Melbourne

Mandatory Placement Hours:

Stream 1 - Communication Design Honours: Requires students to complete a total of 1,320 mandatory placement hours, including 720 hours within the Communication Design Major and 600 hours of Industry Placement.
Stream 2 - Design Factory Melbourne: Requires students to complete a total of 720 mandatory placement hours within the Communication Design Major.

The Honours merit calculation is based on the successful completion of all units in either Stream 1 or Stream 2 (100cp). These units must be completed at Swinburne in order for a merit-based honours description to be awarded.
If a student has not completed the specified units at Swinburne, they will graduate with a Bachelor of Design (Communication Design)(Honours) as an award title, but will not receive a merit-based honours description.

The following units will be used in the Honours merit calculation:

Stream 1 Communication Design

DCO40001 Communication Design Studio
DDD40001 Studio 1: Methods for Design Research
DDD40002 Design-led Innovation: Research Project
DES30062 Industry Placement 2

Stream 2 Design Factory Melbourne

DDD40001 Studio 1: Methods for Design Research
DDD40016 Bureau: Industry Projects
DDD60030 DFM: Applied Innovation Studio 1
DDD70031 DFM: Applied Innovation Studio 2

Industry experience

This course includes an industry experience component. Selection processes apply. This may be an external Industry Placement, Industry Projects completed at Swinburne or working in the Design Factory Melbourne.

External industry placement

This is a program in which students are placed in paid, supervised employment, for 24 or 48 weeks, relevant to their studies as part of their degree. It aims to provide experiential, discipline-specific learning in an authentic, real-world environment.

Through observation, enquiry and practice under the supervision and guidance of professional practitioners and an academic mentor, students will engage in professional experiences and test and critically assess their learning to date. The experience contextualises existing design skills within an understanding of the impact of client, customer, team dynamics and direction in the design process.

Industry Placement gives students practical experience to add to their academic studies, and is a proven advantage in the graduate job market. All Industry Placements are subject to availability of places.

Students entering the program with 250 credit points or more are unable to undertake the Industry Placement component of the course.

Honours merit calculation

An honours merit calculation will be based on the averaged results of the last 100 credits in the final year of the course with the following descriptive outcomes:

Bachelor of Design (Communication Design) (Honours) with High Distinction for students who achieve 80 or above
Bachelor of Design (Communication Design) (Honours) for students who achieve 70 – 79
Bachelor of Design (Communication Design) (Honours) with Credit; for students who achieve 60 – 69
Bachelor of Design (Communication Design) (Honours) for students who achieve less than 60.

For students who enter with exempted credits, a minimum of at least 100 credits within the Communication Design discipline units is required to be eligible for an award and for an honours merit calculation. At least 75 out of the last 100 credits comply with AQF level 8. This honours merit calculation will be based only on units completed at Swinburne. If a student has not completed the specified units, they will graduate with a Bachelor of Design (Communication Design) (Honours) as an award title, but not be eligible for a merit based honours description.

The following units will be used in the Honours merit calculation:

4th year - Stream 1 (Communication Design)

DCO40001 Communication Design Studio
DDD40001 Studio 1: Methods for Design Research
DDD40002 Design-led Innovation: Research Project
DES30062 Industry Placement 2

4th year - Stream 2 (Design Factory Melbourne projects)

DDD40001 Studio 1: Methods for Design Research
DDD40016 Bureau: Industry Projects
DDD60030 DFM: Applied Innovation Studio 1
DDD70031 DFM: Applied Innovation Studio 2

Maximum Academic Credit

The maximum level of credit that can be granted for the Bachelor of Design (Communication Design) (Honours) is 200 credit points (normally 16 units)

Admission criteria

Information about Swinburne's general admission criteria can be found at Admissions at Swinburne - Higher Education webpage.

Entry requirements

A. Applicants with recent secondary education (within past three years)

ATAR

This course uses the ATAR as part of its selection considerations.

Guaranteed ATAR: if you receive an ATAR of 80 or higher and meet all the essential requirements for this course, you will be guaranteed an offer.

Educational history

An applicant's entire academic history, including ATAR results, will be considered for entry into this course.

Selection rank adjustments

Selection ranks for this course will be calculated based on your ATAR with adjustments to overall study scores based on subjects studied, location of your home address, SEAS application, and participation In Swinburne's Early Leaders program. For further details about selection rank adjustments, see Admissions at Swinburne.

Subject adjustments

A study score of 25 in Art, Applied Fashion Design and Technology B, Product Design and Technology, Media, Interactive Digital Media C, Creative and Digital Media (VCE VET) I, Studio Arts, Systems Engineering or Visual Communication Design equals 4 aggregate points per study. Overall maximum of 15 points.

Meeting course prerequisites

VCE Units 3 and 4: a minimum study score of 20 in any English (except EAL) or 25 in English as Alternate Language (EAL) or equivalent and;

Units 3 and 4: satisfactory completion in one of Art Creative Practice, Product Design And Technology, Media, Creative And Digital Media (VCE VET) I, Art Making And Exhibiting or Visual Communication Design

ATAR profile for those offered places wholly or partly on the basis of ATAR in Semester 1 2024

ATAR-Based offers only, across all offer rounds	ATAR Excluding adjustment factors	Selection Rank ATAR + any adjustment factors
Highest rank to receive an offer	99	99.35
Median rank to receive an offe	88.62	91.8
Lowest rank to receive an offer	64.35	74.65

B. Applicants with higher education study

Educational history

An applicant's entire academic history, including results from previous higher education study will be considered for entry into this course. If previous higher education qualifications are incomplete, results must have been obtained in the last seven years.

Meeting course prerequisites

As for Year 12 or equivalent.

STAT/Bridging courses

Applicants who do not meet the English prerequisites can sit STAT Written English. STAT results are valid for two years.

C. Applicants with vocational education and training (VET) study

Educational history

An applicant's entire academic history from the past seven years, including complete and/or incomplete post-secondary VET studies, will be considered for entry into this course. Only graded results will be considered.

Meeting course prerequisites

As for Year 12 or equivalent.

STAT/Bridging courses

Applicants who do not meet the English prerequisites can sit STAT Written English. STAT results are valid for two years.

D. Applicants with work and life experience

Entire academic record

This course uses an applicant's entire academic record as part of its selection considerations, including an applicant's ATAR results from the last seven years can be considered for entry into this course.

Meeting course prerequisites

As for Year 12 or equivalent.

STAT/Bridging courses

Applicants who do not meet the English prerequisites can sit STAT Written English. STAT results are valid for two years.

Student profile

The table below gives an indication of the likely peer cohort for new students in this course. It provides data on students who commenced in this course in the most relevant recent intake period, including those admitted through all offer rounds and international students studying in Australia.

Student Profile table

Applicant background	Number of students	Percentage of all students
	Semester 1, 2024
(A) Higher education study (includes a bridging or enabling course)	N/P	N/P
(B) Vocational education and training (VET) study	0	0%
(C) Work and life experience (admitted on the basis of previous achievement not in the other three categories)	0	0%
(D) Recent secondary education:
Admitted solely on the basis of ATAR (regardless of whether 61 this includes the consideration of adjustment factors such as equity or subject bonus points)	18	72%
Admitted where both ATAR and additional criteria were N/A considered (e.g. portfolio, audition, extra test, early offer conditional on minimum ATAR)	N/A	N/A
Admitted on the basis of other criteria only and ATAR was N/A not a factor (e.g. special consideration, audition alone, schools recommendation scheme with no minimum ATAR requirement)	N/A	N/A
International students	<5	<5
All students	25	100%

Notes:

“<5” – the number of students is less than 5.
N/A – Students not accepted in this category.
N/P – Not published: the number is hidden to prevent calculation of numbers in cells with less than 5 students.

Interested in the Bachelor of Design (Communication Design) (Honours)?

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