General Information

Overview

Design has the power to shape our understanding of the world and our experience within it. Our Bachelor of Design will arm you with broad design skills in typography, brand and identity design, and more. Make your degree custom-fit by choosing a future-focused major. Emerge ready to transform lives and empower society towards a brighter (and even more beautiful) future.

Double degree options

You can also study Design in a double degree with Business, Media and Communication or Applied Innovation. 

Study structure

Successful completion of the Bachelor of Design requires students to complete units of study to the value of 300 credit points. All units of study are valued at 12.5 credit points unless otherwise stated.

  • 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

Branded Environments major units

Communication Design major units

Motion Design major units

Photomedia major units

UX Interaction Design major units

*Outcome unit – completion demonstrates the attainment of course learning outcomes

Choose from a combination of the following course components to complete 100 credit points of other study. Students may also select elective units (12.5 credit points each).

A second major can be chosen in addition to your first major and will be named on your testamur certificate. Please note you cannot choose the same major as your first major. To see specific units for the second major go to Major units accordion.

  • Branded Environments
  • Communication Design
  • Motion Design
  • Photomedia
  • UX Interaction Design

A co-major is a major in a field of study outside this course. You can choose one in addition to a first major. Co-majors will not be named on your testamur certificate however will be shown on your transcript of results.

  • Accounting
  • Advertising
  • Animation
  • Biotechnology
  • Business Analysis
  • Business Analytics and Analysis
  • Cinema and Screen Studies
  • Climate and Social Justice
  • Computer Science
  • Creative Writing and Literature
  • Criminology
  • Data Analytics
  • Digital Advertising Technology
  • Entrepreneurship and Innovation
  • Environmental Science
  • Environmental Sustainability
  • Ethics and Technology
  • Finance
  • Financial Planning
  • Games and Interactivity
  • Global Studies
  • History
  • Human Resource Management
  • Indigenous Studies
  • Information Systems
  • Journalism
  • Logistics and Supply Chain Management
  • Management
  • Marketing
  • Media Industries
  • Neuroscience
  • Perspectives on Globalisation
  • Philosophy
  • Politics and International Relations
  • Politics, Power and Technology
  • Professional and Creative Writing
  • Professional Writing and Editing
  • Psychology
  • Public Relations
  • Screen Production
  • Screen Studies and Popular Culture
  • Social Media
  • Space Technology
View co-major units

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.

3D Modelling and Animation Advanced
 
Visual Effects Advanced

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

  • Accounting
  • Advertising
  • Branded Environments
  • Communication Design
  • Computer Science
  • Creative Writing
  • Digital Advertising Technology
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Games and Interactivity
  • Indigenous Studies
  • Industrial Design
  • Interior Architecture
  • Interior Documentation and Construction
  • Management
  • Marketing
  • Media Industries
  • Motion Design
  • Photomedia
  • Social Media
  • Space Technology Minor
View minor units

You'll get paid to work in an area related to your field of study for either 6 or 12 months, where you'll combine hands-on learning with academic submissions, workplace reflection and feedback from your host organisation. Most students undertake their placements in the third year of their degree, so you’ll want to map out your electives as soon as you can and register for a placement at least 6 months before your preferred start date.

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.

Branded Environments major
  • ART10004 Introduction to Game Studies
  • ART20002 Experimental Image-Making Processes
  • COM10007 Professional Communication Practice
  • DCO20003 Information Design
  • DIG20001 Digital Narratives
  • DIG20005 User Experience Design
  • DIG30003 Advertising Technology
  • MDA10001 Introduction to Media Studies
  • MDA10006 Innovation Cultures: Perspectives On Science and Technology
  • MKT20025 Consumer Behaviour
  • MKT30017 Innovative Branding
  • NEU20005 Sensation and Perception
  • PEH20004 Built and Sustainable Communities
  • PHI10007 What is Power?
  • PHI10008 Introduction to Ethics
  • PHI20001 Environmental Philosophy
  • PHI20006 Philosophy, Media, Culture
  • PHI30008 Ethics
  • PHI30010 Philosophy, Politics and Society
  • SOC10005 Environment and Society: Problems and Solutions
     
Communication Design major
  • DCO20003 Information Design
  • DIG20001 Digital Narratives
  • DIG20005 User Experience Design
  • FTV30024 Visual Effects Production
  • GAM10002 Principles of Game Design
  • GAM20001 Introduction to Games Production
  • GAM20004 Writing for Interactive Narratives
  • HEP20002 Health Promotion and Disease Prevention
  • LIT20004 Exploring Iconic Texts
  • MDA10001 Introduction to Media Studies
  • MDA10003 Screen Studies: Movies, Television and Ourselves
  • MDA20001 Business of Media
  • MDA20003 Networked Selves
  • MDA20007 Screen Franchising and Innovation
  • MDA20009 Digital Communities
  • MDA20011 Sports/Advertising/Media
  • MDA20014 Media and Social Impact
  • MDA20025 National Media in A Globalised World
  • MDA30009 Radio, Audio and Podcasting
  • MDA30011 Global Screen Studies: Beyond Hollywood
  • PHI20006 Philosophy, Media, Culture
     
Motion Design major
  • ART10004 Introduction to Game Studies
  • DIG20001 Digital Narratives
  • DIG20005 User Experience Design
  • ENG10001 Humanitarian Engineering Design Project
  • FTV30024 Visual Effects Production
  • GAM10002 Principles of Game Design
  • GAM20001 Introduction to Games Production
  • GAM20004 Writing for Interactive Narratives
  • INS10001 Connecting with Culture: Indigenous Australian Experiences
  • MDA10001 Introduction to Media Studies
  • MDA10003 Screen Studies: Movies, Television and Ourselves
  • MDA20001 Business of Media
  • MDA20003 Networked Selves
  • MDA20007 Screen Franchising and Innovation
  • MDA20009 Digital Communities
  • MDA20011 Sports/Advertising/Media
  • MDA20014 Media and Social Impact
  • MDA20025 National Media in A Globalised World
  • MDA30009 Radio, Audio and Podcasting
  • MDA30011 Global Screen Studies: Beyond Hollywood
     
Photomedia major
  • DDD20003 Exhibition Design
  • DIA10005 Interior Architecture Communication
  • DIG20001 Digital Narratives
  • DIG20001 Digital Narratives
  • DIG20005 User Experience Design
  • DIG20005 User Experience Design
  • DIG30003 Advertising Technology
  • FTV30024 Visual Effects Production
  • GAM10002 Principles of Game Design
  • GAM20001 Introduction to Games Production
  • MDA10001 Introduction to Media Studies
  • MDA20001 Business of Media
  • MDA20009 Digital Communities
  • MKT10009 Marketing and the Consumer Experience
  • MKT20025 Consumer Behaviour
  • MKT30017 Innovative Branding
  • PEH20004 Built and Sustainable Communities
  • PHI20001 Environmental Philosophy
  • PHI20006 Philosophy, Media, Culture
     
UX Interaction Design major
  • ART20002 Experimental Image-Making Processes
  • COS10009 Introduction to Programming
  • DCO10007 Visual Communication Studio
  • DCO20009 Typography for Print and Interactive Publication
  • DDD20022 3D Modelling for Objects and Environments
  • DDD20023 3D Character Modelling
  • DDD30011 Compositing for Visual Effects
  • DDD30015 Visual Storytelling
  • DDD30018 3D Animation Project
  • DDD30021 Digital Video Compositing
  • DDD30022 Motion Graphics Project
  • DDD30028 3D Character Design and Animation
  • DDD30046 Commercial Photography on Location
  • DDM10005 Imaging for Narrative and Storyboards
  • DDM10006 Typography for Screen and Motion
  • DDM20003 Digital Video Camera Techniques
  • DDM20007 Post Production for Digital Video
  • ENG10001 Humanitarian Engineering Design Project
  • HEA10001 Introduction to Health Sciences
Find more detail about elective units

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of the Bachelor of Design, graduates will be able to:

  • develop knowledge and cognitive skills to review critically, analyse, consolidate and synthesise and apply this with initiative and judgement
  • demonstrate technical and practical skills, and a broad understanding of key concepts in their chosen field of study
  • critically apply knowledge, cognitive and creative skills to exercise critical thinking and judgment in identifying and solving problems independently and collaboratively, in diverse contexts
  • articulate a clear, coherent and independent exposition of knowledge and ideas to different audiences and stakeholders
  • apply a value system that includes empathy, principles of sustainability and respectful design, to their knowledge and scholarship of design practice
  • implement an organised schedule to deliver a complex design project which may include research, group work, academics, industry professionals, students and other stakeholder.

Course rules

To qualify for the award of Bachelor of Design, students must complete 300 credit points comprising of:

  • 8 core units of study (100 credit points)
  • 7 units of study from a Design discipline major in one of the following: Branded Environments, Communication Design*, Graphic Design**, Motion Design, Digital Media Design**, Photomedia, and UX Interaction Design (100 credit points)
  • 8 units of study (100 credit points) comprising of a second major, co-major, advanced minor, minor/s, and or electives.
     

Students may not complete more than 150 credit points (normally 12 units) at Introductory Level. A unit of study can only be counted once, where units are shared between majors and/or minors, students must choose an approved alternate.

* SOL students can only enrol in the Communication Design major.
** NOTE: the Graphic Design and Multimedia Design majors are available to Sarawak students only.

Domestic students also have an opportunity to undertake a WIL Professional Placement. This option is not available to International Students. Professional Placements are not available to students at Sarawak.

Professional placements

Professional Placements are subject to a competitive selection process. International students may be eligible for a Professional Placement where a relevant Professional degree exists.

International students who successfully gain a placement through the selection process will be required to change courses to the relevant Professional degree, in order to complete a placement and should consider any visa and extended study duration implications prior to applying.

Students who undertake a 12-month professional placement are subject to the following course rules and must complete 375 credit points comprising:

  • 8 core units of study (100 credit points)
  • 7 units of study from a Design discipline major in one of the following: Branded Environments, Communication Design, Motion Design, Photomedia, and UX Interaction Design (100 credit points)
  • 4 units of study from the Professional Placement Co-Major (100 credit points)
  • 6 units of study (75 credit points) comprising of an advanced minor, minor/s, and or electives.
     

Students who elect to undertake a 6-month professional placement are subject to the following course rules and must complete 337.5 credit points comprising:

  •  8 core units of study (100 credit points)
  • 7 units of study from a Design discipline major in one of the following: Branded Environments, Communication Design, Motion Design, Photomedia, and UX Interaction Design (100 credit points)
  • 2 units of study from the Professional Placement Minor (50 credit points); and
  • 7 units of study (87.5 credit points) comprising of an advanced minor, minor/s, and or electives.

Maximum Academic Credit

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

Admission criteria

Meeting the minimum entry requirements for the course does not guarantee offer of a place. 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 70 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 study score of at least 25 in any English (except EAL) or at least 30 in English as Alternate Language (EAL) or equivalent.

VCE units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 20 in one of Art, Product Design and Technology, Media, Interactive Digital Media C, Creative and Digital Media (VCE VET) I, Studio Arts or Visual Communication Design or equivalent.

ATAR profile for those offered places wholly or partly on the basis of ATAR in Semester 1 2022

ATAR-Based offers only, across all offer rounds ATAR
Excluding adjustment factors		 Selection Rank
ATAR + any adjustment factors
Highest rank to receive an offer 97 97
Median rank to receive an offer 69 74.22
Lowest rank to receive an offer 47.9 59.45

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

Results from the STAT Multiple Choice will be considered for applicants without an ATAR and whose post-secondary studies do not meet the minimum requirements. 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

Results from the STAT Multiple Choice will be considered for applicants without an ATAR and whose post-secondary studies do not meet the minimum requirements. 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

Results from the STAT Multiple Choice will be considered for applicants without an ATAR and whose post-secondary studies do not meet the minimum requirements. 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.

  Semester 1, 2022
Applicant background Number of students Percentage of all students
(A) Higher education study (includes a bridging or enabling course) 43 24%
(B) Vocational education and training (VET) study 41 23%
(C) Work and life experience (admitted on the basis of previous achievement not in the other three categories) N/P N/P

(D) Recent secondary education:

    
Admitted solely on the basis of ATAR (regardless of whether this includes the consideration of adjustment factors such as equity or subject bonus points) 46 26%
Admitted where both ATAR and additional criteria were considered (e.g. portfolio, audition, extra test, early offer conditional on minimum ATAR) <5 <5
Admitted on the basis of other criteria only and ATAR was not a factor (e.g. special consideration, audition alone, schools recommendation scheme with no minimum ATAR requirement) 8 4%
International students 33 18%
All students 180 100%

Notes:
“<5” – the number of students is less than 5.
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?

From state-of-the-art facilities to opportunities to engage with industry – this course is designed with your future in mind. Let's get started.

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