Bachelor of Design (Honours)
Course handbook
On this page you will find:
General Information
Overview
Tap into emotions. Bring information into order. Help start important conversations. Our Bachelor of Design (Honours) is informed by cutting-edge research and practice. In it, you'll gain high-end research and critical thinking skills, and be able to specialise via a major in Communication Design or UX Interaction Design to become a strategic designer and researcher.
Study structure
The Bachelor of 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).
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 |
|
Introduction to Design Principles and Processes
Core unit , 12.5 credit points |
DDD10007 |
|
Typography
Core unit , 12.5 credit points |
DCO10005 |
|
Twentieth Century Design
Core unit , 12.5 credit points |
DDD10001 |
|
Visual Communication Studio
Core unit , 12.5 credit points |
DCO10007 |
|
Design Practices and Employability
Core unit , 12.5 credit points |
DDD10014 |
|
Digital Design
Core unit , 12.5 credit points |
DCO10002 |
|
Contemporary Design Issues
Core unit , 12.5 credit points |
DDD20004 |
| Units of study | Unit code |
|---|---|
|
Typography for Print and Interactive Publication
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
DCO20009 |
|
Brand and Identity Design
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
DCO20001 |
|
User Interface Design
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
DCO20004 |
|
Information Design
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
DCO20003 |
|
Design for Production
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
DCO30002 |
|
Communication Design Strategy
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
DDD30048 |
|
Publication Design
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
DDD30013 |
|
Case Studies in Design Practice
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
DCO30018 |
| Units of study | Unit code |
|---|---|
|
Typography for Print and Interactive Publication
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
DCO20009 |
|
User Interface Design
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
DCO20004 |
|
Information Design
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
DCO20003 |
|
Interaction Design
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
DDD20015 |
|
Brand and Identity Design
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
DCO20001 |
|
Service Design
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
DDD30059 |
|
Interaction Design for Mobile Devices
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
DDD30020 |
|
Case Studies in Design Practice
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
DCO30018 |
Choose one stream for honours year:
- Communication Design honours stream
- UX interaction Design honours stream
- Design Factory Melbourne honours stream.
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).
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
- DDD20022 3D Modelling for Objects and Environments
- DDD20023 3D Character Modelling
- DDD30028 3D Character Design and Animation
- DDD30018 3D Animation Project
Visual Effects Advanced
Minors are a structured set of 4 units or 50 credit points and may be chosen from any field of study.
- Advertising
- Digital Advertising Technology
- Entrepreneurship
- Experiential Design
- Games and Interactivity
- Indigenous Studies
- Innovation
- Motion Design
- Photography
- Social Media
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
Outcomes and course rules
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of the Bachelor of Design (Honours), graduates will be able to:
- critically analyse and evaluate design processes using advanced practice-based knowledge, exercising independent judgement appropriate for scholarly and professional practice
- synthesise advanced conceptual, technical and methodological disciplinary knowledge to generate design outcomes that meet disciplinary and professional standards
- critically analyse, frame and resolve complex design problems independently and collaboratively across diverse and emerging contexts
- produce and articulate design proposals and research outcomes that coherently communicate critical analysis, theoretical positioning and design intent to diverse stakeholders, including specialist and non-specialist audiences
- critically evaluate and integrate ethical and socio-ecological frameworks, demonstrating responsible engagement with culturally diverse communities and Indigenous knowledge and perspective in design practice
- design, conduct and synthesise independent research to plan and deliver a substantial design project, demonstrating advanced inquiry and collaboration with peers, academics, industry professionals and other stakeholders.
Career opportunities
Graduates may find employment in communication design, user experience, interaction design, design strategy and research roles within creative agencies and various organisations.
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 (Honours), students must complete 400 credit points comprising:
- Eight (8) core units of study (100 credit points)
- Eight (8) major units (100 credit points)
- Eight (8) units of study (100 credit points) comprising a minor or electives
- Four (4) honours units at a minimum (100 credit points).
The Honours merit calculation is based on the successful completion of all honours units (100 credit points). 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 (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:
Communication Design honours stream
- DCO40001 Communication Design Honours Studio
- DDD40001 Methods for Design Research
- DDD40016 Bureau: Industry Projects
- DDD40017 Design-led Research Project
- DDD40018 Professional Practice and Design Strategy
UX Interaction Design honours stream
- DDD40001 Methods for Design Research
- DDD40016 Bureau: Industry Projects
- DDD40017 Design-led Research Project
- DDD40018 Professional Practice and Design Strategy
- DDD70019 Co-design and Participatory Approaches
Design Factory Melbourne honours stream
- DDD60030 DFM: Design Innovation and Disruption
- DDD70031 DFM: Designing Futures
- DDD40001 Methods for Design Research
- DDD40016 Bureau: Industry Projects
Volume of Learning
The Bachelor of 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).
Maximum Academic Credit
The maximum level of credit that can be granted for the Bachelor of Design (Honours) is 200 credit points (normally 16 units)
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 (Honours) with High Distinction for students who achieve 80 or above
- Bachelor of Design (Honours) for students who achieve 70 – 79
- Bachelor of Design (Honours) with Credit; for students who achieve 60 – 69
- Bachelor of Design (Honours) for students who achieve less than 60.
For students who enter with exempted credits, a minimum of 100 credits 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 (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:
Communication Design honours stream
- DCO40001 Communication Design Honours Studio
- DDD40001 Methods for Design Research
- DDD40016 Bureau: Industry Projects
- DDD40017 Design-led Research Project
- DDD40018 Professional Practice and Design Strategy
UX Interaction Design honours stream
- DDD40001 Methods for Design Research
- DDD40016 Bureau: Industry Projects
- DDD40017 Design-led Research Project
- DDD40018 Professional Practice and Design Strategy
- DDD70019 Co-design and Participatory Approaches
Design Factory Melbourne honours stream
- DDD60030 DFM: Design Innovation and Disruption
- DDD70031 DFM: Designing Futures
- DDD40001 Methods for Design Research
- DDD40016 Bureau: Industry Projects
Maximum Academic Credit
The maximum level of credit that can be granted for the Bachelor of 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.
Interested in the Bachelor of Design (Honours)?
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.