Overview

This unit enables students to develop their foundational communication skills in design. Key outcomes are based upon conceptual and problem solving skills in order to design effective communication solutions in academic and workplace environments. Students will be introduced to the exploration of typographic form and the photographic process - whilst using design elements and principles (DEPs) to create meaningful and effective communications. A critical awareness of the relationship between content (information) and form (arrangement of information) will be developed through these fundamental and universal skills. Students will be introduced to the exploration of typographic form and the photographic process and will develop a logical and effective design process which includes testing, feedback and refinement. 

Requisites

Teaching periods
Location
Start and end dates
Last self-enrolment date
Census date
Last withdraw without fail date
Results released date
Pathways Teaching 3
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
21-October-2024
31-January-2025
Last self-enrolment date
03-November-2024
Census date
15-November-2024
Last withdraw without fail date
13-December-2024
Results released date
11-February-2025
Pathways Teaching 1
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
24-February-2025
30-May-2025
Last self-enrolment date
09-March-2025
Census date
21-March-2025
Last withdraw without fail date
02-May-2025
Results released date
10-June-2025
Pathways Teaching 2
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
23-June-2025
26-September-2025
Last self-enrolment date
06-July-2025
Census date
18-July-2025
Last withdraw without fail date
15-August-2025
Results released date
07-October-2025
Pathways Teaching 3
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
20-October-2025
30-January-2026
Last self-enrolment date
02-November-2025
Census date
14-November-2025
Last withdraw without fail date
12-December-2025
Results released date
10-February-2026

Learning outcomes

Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:

  • Identify and utilise design elements and principles (DEPs) in order to communicate information
  • Create effective visual solutions using research, experimentation, and documentation, whilst applying contemporary industry processes
  • Apply both photographic and typographic principles as a means of visual communication, whilst within context
  • Construct appropriate narratives between type and image in order to communicate effectively
  • Develop a critical framework in order to distinguish between effective and ineffective design solutions
  • Refine design solutions by applying constructive analysis, evaluation, and external feedback

Teaching methods

Hawthorn

Type Hours per week Number of weeks Total (number of hours)
Online
(Online Workshop)
12 weeks  24
On-Campus
(Lab 1)
2 12 weeks 24
On-Campus
(Lab 2)
2 12 weeks 24
Unspecified Activities 
(Independent learning)
6.5 12 weeks 78
TOTAL     150

Assessment

Type Task Weighting ULO's
Project 1 Individual  30-50% 1,2,6
Project 2 Individual  25-35%  1,3,4,5,6
Project 3 Individual/Group 25-35%  1,3,4,5,6

Content

  • Design elements and principles
  • Basic camera controls and image capture
  • Resolution, colour and lighting
  • Composition exploration
  • Research and documentation of ideas
  • Using typography and photography to develop and achieve communication objectives Typographic history, terminology, conventions and technology.
  • Type form, families and classification
  • Type legibility and expression
  • Hierarchies, composition, spatial manipulation and layout.
  • Grids, proportions, page and document structure
  • Synthesis of Form and Content

Study resources

Reading materials

A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.