Bachelor of Design (Communication Design) (Honours)
Blended learning – on-campus and digital learning
The Bachelor of Design (Communication Design) (Honours) prepares you with the theoretical knowledge and practical skills to become imaginative and advanced communication designers and researchers.
You'll develop high-end strategic and critical thinking skills informed by the latest research and practice. You'll learn how to create powerful, innovative and refined design solutions to meet the needs of the communication design industry.
Build up your CV with real industry experience while you study through our embedded Industry Placement program (DES30061/DES30062) or in our student-led studio, the Bureau (DDD30039/DDD40014), which are a guaranteed part of Communication Design (Honours). You'll work on industry projects to develop your design and management skills; from client meetings and scoping projects, to speculative presentations and working to fixed deadlines and budgets.
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VTAC codes
- 3400236041 (CSP)
- 3400236043 (IFP)
Wild animal inspired road safety campaign launches in Melbourne
A live outdoor ad campaign in Melbourne’s CBD featuring wild animals has been created by Bachelor of Design (Communication Design) (Honours) students. Launched in partnership with oOh!media the ads are located at major road intersections and popular meeting places on digital billboards and screens across the city.
Course details
- Course structure, work integrated learning, career opportunities and professional recognition.
Course structure
Successful completion of the Bachelor of Design (Communication Design) (Honours) 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.
View course rules and special requirements
| Units | Unit codes | Credit points |
|---|---|---|
| Concepts and Narratives | DCO10001 | 12.5 |
| Digital Design | DCO10002 | 12.5 |
| Packaging Design | DCO10003 | 12.5 |
| Photography for Design | DCO10004 | 12.5 |
| Typography | DCO10005 | 12.5 |
| Visual Communication Studio | DCO10007 | 12.5 |
| Twentieth Century Design | DDD10001 | 12.5 |
| Brand and Identity Design | DCO20001 | 12.5 |
| Web Design | DCO20004 | 12.5 |
| Typography for Print and Interactive Publication | DCO20009 | 12.5 |
| Contemporary Design Issues | DDD20004 | 12.5 |
| Publication Design | DDD30013 | 12.5 |
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Explore the communication imperative in a commercial environment and learn how to respond confidently to design problems. Explore an area of specialisation and produce a portfolio that demonstrates diverse idea generation and production skills.
| Units | Unit codes | Credit points |
|---|---|---|
| Information Design | DCO20003 | 12.5 |
| Case Studies in Design Practice | DCO30003 | 25 |
| Industry Workshops | DCO30011 | 25 |
| Communication Design Strategy | DDD30048 | 12.5 |
| Industry Placement 1 | DES30061 | 25 |
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Other studies
4 units (50 credit points)
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).
Work Integrated Learning
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.
Choose a Work Integrated Learning option:
You'll get paid to work in an area related to your field of study for 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.
The Professional Placement co-major has four 25 credit point units.
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You'll get paid to work in an area related to your field of study for 6 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.
The Professional Placement minor has two 25 credit point units.
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A Professional Internship is all about gaining valuable real-world skills in your area of study all while earning credit points towards your degree. Plus, it looks great on your CV as it shows you’ve had real industry experience before you’ve even graduated!
You might choose to complete your internship part-time over a semester or in a more intensive block during Summer or Winter terms.
Travel overseas, discover other cultures, enrich your professional experience and enhance your CV all while gaining credit towards your course.
- 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
Course learning outcomes
On successful completion of the Bachelor of Design (Communication Design) (Honours), graduates will be able to:
- demonstrate knowledge of cognitive skills to critically review, analyse, consolidate (apply) and synthesise knowledge in the field of communication design and apply this with initiative in planning, problem solving and decision making in professional practice and/or scholarship
- demonstrate technical and practical skills, and a broad understanding of communication design knowledge with depth in, conceptualisation, visualisation, application, usability and sustainability
- demonstrate knowledge and creative skills to exercise grounded judgment in design thinking to identify and solve communication problems collaboratively and/or independently, in diverse contexts
- apply communication skills to present a clear, coherent and independent understanding of communication sesign to diverse audiences and stakeholders, explaining the role and significance of the communication design project
- apply knowledge of production skills to evaluate environmental considerations and apply principles of sustainability to the development of responsible and accountable design solutions
- exercise organisational and leadership skills, and the ability to plan and execute a project and research with groups that may include academics, industry professionals and students
- foster and develop professional networks and to synthesise the nexus between research and design practice
- apply cognitive skills to exercise critical thinking in developing new understandings of professional communication design problems and research principles, and be able to adapt these in diverse contexts.
Career opportunities
Graduates may find employment in design consultancy, advertising, publishing, merchandising and government instrumentalities.
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.
Fees
- Fees for 2022 and 2023.
Students who participate in a six- or 12-month professional placement will be subject to an increase in total course fees.
Fees for 2022
| 2022 rate* | Estimated total cost of the course | Estimated cost of the course per year if studying full-time* | Amenities fee per year if studying full-time* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) |
$32,084 | $8,021 | See how your SSAF is calculated |
How do I pay my fees?
HECS-HELP is a loan and discount scheme available to eligible students enrolled in a Commonwealth supported place. A HECS-HELP loan can cover all or part of the student contribution amount.
Find out more about fees.
Fees for 2023
| 2023 rate* | Estimated total cost of the course | Estimated cost of the course per year if studying full-time* | Amenities fee per year if studying full-time* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) |
$33,204 | $8,301 | See how your SSAF is calculated |
How do I pay my fees?
HECS-HELP is a loan and discount scheme available to eligible students enrolled in a Commonwealth supported place. A HECS-HELP loan can cover all or part of the student contribution amount.
Find out more about fees.
Scholarships
At Swinburne scholarships are about providing opportunity, promoting equity and recognising excellence and achievement. Scholarships are available for both commencing and current students.
How to enter this course
- Entry requirements, pathways, credit transfer and recognition of prior learning.
How to apply
Applications for Semester 1 for courses listed on the VTAC Guide are generally made through VTAC. Under certain circumstances, some students (e.g. Non-Year 12) may apply directly to Swinburne. Find out more about how to apply.
Applications for all other intakes should be made directly to Swinburne.
View the Course Admission Information, which includes the ATAR and Student profiles for this course. Swinburne’s general admissions information is also available here.