General Information

Overview

Design is central to our everyday lives, from the websites we browse, to the clothes we wear, or simply getting from A to B. Swinburne’s global reputation for design excellence now gives you even more advantage with our unique Bachelor of Design/Bachelor of Applied Innovation double degree.

These combined degrees provide a unique range of skills and knowledge to get a head start in the evolving and dynamic design and innovation industries.

Study structure

Successful completion of the Bachelor of Design / Bachelor of Applied Innovation requires students to complete units of study to the value of 400 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
  • 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.

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
Photography for Design
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
DCO10004
Web Design
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
DCO20004
Contemporary Design Issues
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
DDD20004
Brand and Identity Design
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
DCO20001
Units of study Unit code
Core units
Exploring Creativity and Innovation
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
INV10001
Fundamentals of Innovation Practice
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
INV10002
Innovation Sandpit
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
INV10003
Responsible Innovation Futures
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
INV10004
Innovation for Challenges of Today
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
INV20001
Innovation for the Future
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
INV20002
Applied Innovation Internship
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
INV20003
Applied Innovation Studio A
Core unit, 25.0 credit points
INV30001
Applied Innovation Studio B
Core unit, 25.0 credit points
INV30002
Leadership and Facilitation of Innovation
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
INV30003
Units of study Unit code
Introductory Design Studio
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
DDD10006
Interior Architecture Communication
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
DIA10005
Exhibition Design
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
DDD20003
Branded Environment Design Studio 1
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
DBE20001
Innovation and Technology in the Branded Environment
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
DBE30001
Branded Environment Design Studio 2
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
DBE30003
Branded Environment Capstone
Major unit, 25.0 credit points
DBE30004
Units of study Unit code
Visual Communication Studio
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
DCO10007
Packaging Design
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
DCO10003
Typography for Print and Interactive Publication
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
DCO20009
Communication Design Strategy
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
DDD30048
Publication Design
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
DDD30013
Design for Production
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
DCO30002
Communication Design Capstone Project
Major unit, 25.0 credit points
DDD30047
Units of study Unit code
Imaging for Narrative and Storyboards
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
DDM10005
Typography for Screen and Motion
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
DDM10006
Digital Video Camera Techniques
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
DDM20003
Digital Video Compositing
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
DDD30021
Motion Design New Technologies
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
DDM30005
Motion Graphics Project
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
DDD30022
Motion Design Capstone Project
Major unit, 25.0 credit points
DDM30001
Units of study Unit code
Experimental Image-Making Processes
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
ART20002
Photography and Art Direction
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
DDD20009
Digital Video Camera Techniques
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
DDM20003
Compositing for Visual Effects
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
DDD30011
Commercial Photography on Location
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
DDD30046
Visual Storytelling
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
DDD30015
Photomedia Capstone Project
Major unit, 25.0 credit points
DDD30042
Units of study Unit code
Interaction Design for Web
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
DDD20015
Experience Design and Usability for the Web
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
DDD20016
Design Systems and Services
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
DDD20007
Web Marketing and Advanced Usability
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
DDD30019
Toolbox for Prototyping and Interdisciplinary Collaboration
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
DES20057
Interaction Design for Mobile Devices
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
DDD30020
UX Interaction Design Capstone Project
Major unit, 25.0 credit points
DDD30045

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).

Swinburne's Work Integrated Learning program provides additional opportunities for you to gain valuable skills and real industry experience in the form of placements, internships or study tours - all while earning credit towards your degree.

Units of study Unit code
Option 1
Work Experience In Industry A
Academic unit, 25.0 credit points
WEI20001
Integrated Professional Placement A - Design
Practical unit, 25.0 credit points
DDD20031
Work Experience in Industry B
Academic unit, 25.0 credit points
WEI20002
Integrated Professional Placement B - Design
Practical unit, 25.0 credit points
DDD20032

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

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

  • 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  

Any of the following units may be undertaken.

  • ACC10007 Financial Information for Decision Making 
  • ADV10001 Principles of Advertising 
  • ANI10001 Introduction to Animation 
  • ANI10003 History of Animation 
  • ANI10004 Introduction to Character and Environment Design 
  • ANI10006 Action Analysis and Locomotion
  • ART10004 Introduction to Game Studies 
  • COM10007 Professional Communication Practice
  • DCO10001 Concepts and Narratives 
  • DCO10002 Digital Design 
  • DCO10003 Packaging Design
  • DCO10004 Photography for Design 
  • DCO10005 Typography 
  • DCO10007 Visual Communication Studio
  • DDD10001 Twentieth Century Design 
  • DDD10006 Introductory Design Studio 
  • DDM10006 Typography for Screen and Motion
  • DDM20007 Post Production for Digital Video
  • DIA10004 History of Interior Architecture 
  • DIA10005 Interior Architecture Communication 
  • DIA10006 Interior Architecture Studio 1 - Space, Form & Human Occupation 
  • DID10001 Product Visualisation 1: Hand Sketching 
  • DID10004 User Centered Design 
  • DID10006 Materials, Finished and Form
  • DIG10004 Digital Video and Audio 
  • ECO10004 Economic Principles 
  • ENT10001 Entrepreneurship and Opportunity 
  • FTV10003 Screen Literacy and Contemporary Cinema
  • FTV10004 Scriptwriting and Directing: Short Narrative Film 
  • FTV10005 Sound Design and Aquisition 
  • FTV10006 Genre and the Moving Image 
  • FTV10007 Postproduction and Editing 
  • GAM10002 Principles of Game Design 
  • JOU10004 News Writing 
  • LAW10004 Introduction to Business Law
  • MDA10001 Introduction to Media Studies 
  • MGT10001 Introduction to Management 
  • MKT10007 Fundamentals of Marketing 
  • NTR10001 Introduction to Nutrition 
  • PSY10008 Fundamentals of Psychology
  • STA10003 Foundations of Statistics 
  • ACC20013 Company Accounting 
  • ART20002 Experimental Image- Making Processes 
  • CAR20001 Future Work Skills 
  • DCO20001 Brand and Identity Design
  • DCO20003 Information Design
  • DCO20003 Web Design
  • DCO20004 Typography for Print and Interactive Publication 
  • DDD20003 Exhibition Design 
  • DDD20004 Contemporary Design Issues 
  • 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 
  • DIA10001 Construction 1: Building Systems and Materials
  • DIA20003 Interior Architecture Digital Documentation 1
  • DID20001 Design and Emotion Studio
  • DID20007 Product Visualisation 2: Digital Sketching 
  • DID20008 Product Visualisation 3: Surface Modelling and Rendering
  • DPD20001 Digital Modelling 
  • ECO20004 Macroeconomic Policy
  • FIN20014 Financial Management 
  • FTV20005 The Australian Screen
  • GAM20001 Introduction to Games Production
  • JOU20004 Broadcast News Reporting 
  • MGT20006 Business and Society
  • MGT20007 Organisational Behaviour
  • MKT20019 Marketing Research and Analytics 
  • MKT20021 Intergrated Marketing Communication 
  • MKT20025 Consumer Behaviour
  • PHI20006 Philosophy, Media, Culture
  • PUB20001 Global Public Relations Practice 
  • PUB20002 Public Relations Theory and Practice
  • PUB20003 Public Relations Writing
  • PUB30002 Issues, Crisis and Risk Communication 
  • ACC30009 Analysis for Competitive Advantage
  • COS30008 Data Structures and Patterns 
  • COS30017 Software Development for Mobile Devices 
  • COS30019 Introduction to Artificial Intelligence 
  • COS30031 Games Programming 
  • DCO30002 Design for Production 
  • DCO30011 Industry Workshops 
  • DDD30011 Compositing for Visual Effects 
  • DDD30013 Publiocation Design 
  • DDD30015 Visual Storytelling 
  • DDD30019 Web Marketing and Advanced Usability 
  • DDD30021 Digital Video Compositing 
  • DDD30022 Motion Graphics Project
  • DDD30028 3D Character Design and Animation 
  • DDD30046 Commercial Photography on Location 
  • DDD30048 Communication Design Strategy 
  • DDM10005 Imaging for Narrative and Storyboards 
  • FTV30005 Hollywood Cinema
  • MKT30017 Innovative Branding 
  • PUB30003 Public Relations Project and Campaign Planning
  • COS40003 Concurrent Programming

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this course, graduates will be able to:

  • develop knowledge and cognitive skills to review critically, analyse, consolidate and synthesise knowledge 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 cognitive and technical skills and to principles of sustainability and respectful design to their knowledge and development of their design solution with responsibility and accountability
  • exercise organisational and leadership skills, and demonstrate the ability to plan and execute a project and/or piece of research with groups that may include academics, industry professionals and students
  • apply a series of thinking systems, creativity toolkits and innovation frameworks to design contextually-relevant solutions addressing local and global challenges in and outside their discipline
  • identify and articulate opportunities to innovate and create impact informed by user-centred research and/or data
  • adapt their discipline skillsets in new situations in response to complex and changing contexts, including interdisciplinary environments
  • facilitate and contribute to innovation teams that seek solutions to complex challenges, using inclusive collaboration practices to leverage different skills and perspectives
  • navigate commercial, human and technical requirements aided by prototyping and testing to deliver solutions that create value
  • communicate the value of experimentation, ideas and innovation with confidence in developing solutions to investors, potential partners, employers or other stakeholders
  • develop futures-focused innovations that integrate responsible social, technological and environmental factors.

Career opportunities

The course seeks to blend design and applied innovation in new ways to produce highly desirable graduates who will bring a new approach to organisational structures.

Employment may be found in the areas of design consultancy, design management, publishing, merchandising, packaging and design research.

Course rules

To qualify for the award of Bachelor of Design / Bachelor of Applied Innovation, students must complete 400 credit points comprising:

  • 12 core units of study (150 credit points)
  • 7 units from a Design major (100 credit points)
  • 6 units from Applied Innovation major (100 credit points)
  • 4 units of other studies comprising a minor, an advanced minor or electives (50 credit points)

Students must not complete more than 200 credit points (normally 16 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 alternative.

Professional placements

Domestic students also have an opportunity to undertake a WIL Professional Placement through a competitive selection process. Please note that due to government regulation international students holding a student visa are not able to undertake Professional Placements in this course.

Students who undertake a 12-month professional placement are subject to the following course rules and must complete 475 credit points comprising:

  • 12 core units (150 credit points)
  • 7 units from a Design major (100 credit points)
  • 6 units from Applied Innovation major (100 credit points)
  • 2 units comprising electives (25 credit points)
  • 4 units from Professional Placement co-major (100 credit points)


Students who elect to undertake a 6-month professional placement are subject to the following course rules and must complete 437.5 credit points comprising:

  • 12 core units (150 credit points)
  • 7 units from a Design major (100 credit points)
  • 6 units from Applied Innovation major (100 credit points)
  • 3 units comprising electives (37.5 credit points)
  • 2 units from Professional Placement minor (50 credit points)

Maximum Academic Credit

The maximum level of credit that can be granted for the Bachelor of Design / Bachelor of Applied Innovation is 200 credit points (normally 16 units), 100 credit points maximum from each discipline.

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 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 2023

ATAR-Based offers only, across all offer rounds ATAR
Excluding adjustment factors
Selection Rank
ATAR + any adjustment factors
Highest rank to receive an offer <5 <5
Median rank to receive an offer <5 <5
Lowest rank to receive an offer <5 <5
Notes:  “<5” – indicates less than 5 ATAR-based offers were made 

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, 2023
Applicant background Number of students Percentage of all students
(A) Higher education study (includes a bridging or enabling course) 0 0%
(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) <5 <5
(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) <5 <5
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) <5 <5
International students 0 0%
All students 6 100%

Notes: 
N/A – Students not accepted in this category.

Interested in the Bachelor of Design / Bachelor of Applied Innovation?

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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