Overview

This unit requires students to develop a strategic communication design project from initiation, design production and evaluation. Students will synthesise knowledge from design research methods, critical theory and design practice to examine and develop strategies underpinning a variety of commercial communication design projects. It will consolidate the nexus between design research methods and its practical application.

Requisites

Prerequisites
DCO20001 Brand and Identity Design

AND

150 Credit points

Teaching periods
Location
Start and end dates
Last self-enrolment date
Census date
Last withdraw without fail date
Results released date
Semester 1
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
03-March-2025
01-June-2025
Last self-enrolment date
16-March-2025
Census date
31-March-2025
Last withdraw without fail date
24-April-2025
Results released date
08-July-2025
Teaching Period 1
Location
Online
Start and end dates
10-March-2025
08-June-2025
Last self-enrolment date
23-March-2025
Census date
04-April-2025
Last withdraw without fail date
02-May-2025
Results released date
Semester 2
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
04-August-2025
02-November-2025
Last self-enrolment date
17-August-2025
Census date
31-August-2025
Last withdraw without fail date
19-September-2025
Results released date
09-December-2025
Teaching Period 3
Location
Online
Start and end dates
03-November-2025
08-February-2026
Last self-enrolment date
16-November-2025
Census date
28-November-2025
Last withdraw without fail date
02-January-2026
Results released date

Learning outcomes

Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:

  • Produce a research-instigated communication design strategy
  • Integrate research methods relevant to design enquiry
  • Develop strategic and appropriately-designed concepts and applications for a selection of media systems
  • Reflect upon and evaluate the viability and sustainability of the final outcome and recommended communication design strategy
  • Produce strategy and design outcomes as an integrated strategy document
  • Deconstruct the elements of communication design strategy into components of meaning that relate to a wider social context

Teaching methods

Hawthorn

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 4 4 weeks 1 Discussion online
Unspecified Activities Readings 6 6 weeks 1  
Unspecified Activities Various 4 4 weeks 1 Peer feedback
Unspecified Activities Independent Learning 96 12 weeks 8 Independent study, Assignment preparation, Revision
Total Hours: 146 Total Hours (per week): 14  

Swinburne Online

Activity Type Activity Total Hours Number of Weeks Hours Per Week Venue Type and Activity Detail
Online Learning activities 12 12 weeks 1 Review of online learning materials
Unspecified Activities Various 42 12 weeks 3.5 Discussion board, Real time board feedback, Review and discussion of learning activities and collaborate sessions
Unspecified Activities Independent Learning 96 12 weeks 8 Independent study, Assignment preparation, Revision
Total Hours: 150 Total Hours (per week): 12.5  

Assessment

Type Task Weighting ULO's
Development of Designed Communications and Strategy Document Individual  50%  2,3,4,5
Design Research and Strategy Individual/Group 50% 
 1,2,3,6

Content

  • Research of user, service or product, and market
  • Communication strategy generation and ideation
  • New forms of communication
  • Presenting strategic communication design solutions
  • Graduate Attribute – Communication Skills: Verbal communication
  • Graduate Attribute – Teamwork Skills: Teamwork roles and processes
  • Graduate Attribute – Digital Literacies: Information literacy

Study resources

Reading materials

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