Bachelor of Design
with a major in Communication Design – Blended learning – on-campus and digital learning
Selected major: Communication Design
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.
Designers don’t just make things beautiful and purposeful, they create the items that we come to rely on every day, the ideas that propel us forward and change the world. After all, where would we be without Times New Roman, WhatsApp, or the Nike Swoosh?
Whether you’re passionate about a particular path or still exploring what it is that interests you, our Bachelor of Design will give you skills and knowledge across a range of disciplines, with core subjects in 20th century design, typography, brand and identity design and more.
All our bachelor degrees include a guaranteed Work Integrated Learning opportunity, which could be a placement, internship or industry-linked project. In your final-year Captone Project, you’ll team up with other students to work on an industry-related project relevant to your major area of study. For example, communication design students worked on projects briefed by the City of Boroondara, City of Melbourne, Melbourne Water and Metro Tunnel.
Every international student application is considered for a scholarship
Whether you’re living in Australia or overseas, you’re automatically considered for a scholarship of up to 75% off your course fees. Please check our updated entry requirements.
Your dream course starts in 2022
See what life at Swinburne looks like for you, get the nitty gritty on start dates, receive application support, and find answers to all your Semester 1 kick-off queries.
Start dates
Hawthorn campus
- Semester 1 - 28 February 2022
- Semester 2 - 1 August 2022
Duration
3 Year/s
Full-time
VTAC codes
- 3400210711 (CSP)
- 3400210713 (IFP)
CRICOS code
088395D
Fees
A$33780 (annual for 2022)*
The indicative course fees shown in Course Search apply to international students for the relevant year only. They are based on a standard study load per year. However, please note that fees are assessed according to a student's study load in each semester, and variation to study load will result in an adjustment to tuition fees. All fees are subject to annual review and may be adjusted.
International students in Australia who hold student visas are required to study full-time and on campus. Courses that are taught entirely online are only available to international students studying outside Australia or those in Australia who are not on a student visa. Online courses are not available to international students in Australia who hold a student visa.
Throughout my degree, I worked on a variety of exciting design projects that helped me build my portfolio. For one of these projects, I won an Adobe Design Achievement Award. Swinburne allowed me to develop my self-confidence and gave me the courage to be heard and seen.
Anar
Bachelor of Design - Communication Design major
Course details
- Description, course structure and work integrated learning.
Course 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.
View course rules and special requirements
| Units | Unit codes | Credit points |
|---|---|---|
| Concepts and Narratives | DCO10001 | 12.5 |
| Digital Design | DCO10002 | 12.5 |
| Photography for Design | DCO10004 | 12.5 |
| Typography | DCO10005 | 12.5 |
| 20th Century Design | DDD10001 | 12.5 |
| Brand and Identity Design | DCO20001 | 12.5 |
| Web Design | DCO20004 | 12.5 |
| Contemporary Design Issues | DDD20004 | 12.5 |
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Selected major: Communication Design
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Packaging Design | DCO10003 | 12.5 |
| Visual Communication Studio | DCO10007 | 12.5 |
| Typography for Print and Interactive Publication | DCO20009 | 12.5 |
| Design for Production * | DCO30002 | 12.5 |
| Publication Design * | DDD30013 | 12.5 |
| Communication Design Capstone Project * | DDD30047 | 25 |
| Communication Design Strategy * | DDD30048 | 12.5 |
*Outcome unit – completion demonstrates the attainment of course learning outcomes
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Other studies
8 units (100 credit points)
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).
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.
Professional Placement in Design
| Units | Unit codes | Credit points |
|---|---|---|
| Work Experience In Industry A | WEI20001 | 25 |
| Integrated Professional Placement A – Design | DDD20031 | 25 |
| Work Experience In Industry B | WEI20002 | 25 |
| Integrated Professional Placement B – Design | DDD20032 | 25 |
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.
Professional Placement in Design
| Units | Unit codes | Credit points |
|---|---|---|
| Work Experience In Industry A | WEI20001 | 25 |
| Integrated Professional Placement A – Design | DDD20031 | 25 |
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 description
The Bachelor of Design provides students with a broad, coherent body of knowledge across the discipline of design where they select an industry focused major.
Branded Environments focuses on communication within retail and exhibition environments combining knowledge of interior architecture and communication design.
Communication Design/Graphic Design focuses on communication within web design, printed media and digital publishing, branding, illustration, photography and packaging.
Motion Design/Multimedia Design focuses on communication within visual design, motion graphics, animation, video production, sound design and interactive media. This is equivalent to the Multimedia Design major, available only to Sarawak students.
Photomedia focuses on highly conceptual communication using visual and technical practices of photography and image making as applied to digital mass media.
UX Interaction Design focuses on communication within the design and development of apps, interfaces, user experience for interactive and mobile.
Course 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.
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, English language requirements, prerequisites and pathways.
How to apply
Find out more about how to apply.
View the Course Admission Information, which includes the ATAR and Student profiles for this course. Swinburne’s general admissions information is also available here.