Bachelor of Design - Visual Communication (Dean's Scholars) (1737)
- Approved Abbreviation: BDes(DeansSchol)
- Western Sydney University Program Code: 1737
- AQF Level: 7
This program applies to students who commenced in 2017or later.
Students should follow the program structure for the session start date relevant to the year they commenced.
Commencement Year 2015-2016 - 1737.1 Bachelor of Design - Visual Communication (Dean's Scholars)
- Director of Academic Program - Dr Michelle Catanzaro
The Bachelor of Design (Visual Communication) Dean’s Scholars degree will provide you with fundamental skills and knowledge to communicate ideas and information across a wide range of visual media. With an emphasis on studio-based practice, you will study areas such as image design, typography, layout design, branding, design history, research methods, and web-based design. From year two, there are opportunities to engage with live community or industry projects, and you will choose two practical specialisations from the following pairs: motion design and data visualisation; game and app design; illustration; and photography. Throughout the program you will engage with individual and team-based projects, develop your conceptual thinking skills, use a variety of traditional and emerging technologies, and expand your creative practice. In year four you will take a position in our award-winning teaching design studio where you will gain experience in a professional learning environment, preparing you for work in an exciting and evolving industry. Students may exit with 1624 Bachelor of Design Studies after successful completion of the first three years of the program.
This degree is exclusively for high-achieving students, and will continually challenge you to do even better and build on your academic success.
Early Exit
Students may exit this program on completion of 240 credit points with a 1624 Bachelor of Design Studies (EX)
Study Mode
Four years full-time or part-time equivalent.
Program Advice
enquiriesHCA@westernsydney.edu.au
Prospective students should visit the following websites for general enquiries about this program.
Enquire about this program| Local Admission | International Admission |
Location
| Campus | Attendance | Mode | Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parramatta Campus - Victoria Road | Full Time | Internal | See above |
| Parramatta Campus - Victoria Road | Part Time | Internal | See above |
Accreditation
Graduates are eligible for membership of the Design Institute of Australia (DIA) and the Australian Graphic Design Association (AGDA).
Inherent Requirements
There are inherent requirements for this program that you must meet in order to complete your program and graduate. Make sure you read and understand the requirements for this program online.
Work Integrated Learning
Western Sydney University seeks to enhance student learning experiences by enabling students to engage in the culture, expectations and practices of their profession or discipline. This program includes a placement or other community-based unpaid practical experience.
There is a mandatory work component required for completion of this program. Please contact the Program Advisor listed above for information.
Admission
From Autumn 2024, there will be no further admissions into this program.
ATAR score of at least 90 required.
Applications from Australian and New Zealand citizens and holders of permanent resident visas must be made via the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC). Use the links below to apply via UAC or Western Sydney University. Applications made directly to Western Sydney do not have an application fee.
Applicants who have undertaken studies overseas may have to provide proof of proficiency in English. Local and International applicants who are applying through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) will find details of minimum English proficiency requirements and acceptable proof on the UAC website. Local applicants applying directly to the University should also use the information provided on the UAC website.
http://www.uac.edu.au/
https://westernsydney.uac.edu.au/ws/
Overseas qualifications must be deemed by the Australian Education International - National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition (AEI-NOOSR) to be equivalent to Australian qualifications in order to be considered by UAC and Western Sydney University.
Program Structure
Qualification for this award requires the successful completion of 320 credit points including the subjects listed in the recommended sequence as detailed in the 'Sequence' tab.
Students must complete two pairs of specialisation subject pairings as detailed below.
| Subject | Title | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|
| Illustration | ||
| DESN 2007 | Illustrating Narrative | 10 |
| DESN 3007 | Illustrating Popular Culture | 10 |
| Interactive | ||
| DESN 3008 | Interactive Design: Apps | 10 |
| COMM 2019 | Interactive Design: Games | 10 |
| Photomedia | ||
| VISU 3002 | Photomedia: Fashion and Identity | 10 |
| DESN 2013 | Photomedia: Photographic Practice | 10 |
| Digital Design | ||
| DESN 3002 | Data Visualisation | 10 |
| DESN 2011 | Motion Design | 10 |
Recommended Sequence
Full-time start-year intake
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Autumn session | Credit Points | |
| DESN 1009 | Graphic Design: Understanding the Principles | 20 |
| DESN 1003 | Design Histories and Futures | 10 |
| DESN 1011 | Image Design | 10 |
| Credit Points | 40 | |
| Spring session | ||
| DESN 1007 | Graphic Branding and Identity | 20 |
| DESN 1018 | Visual Storytelling | 10 |
| DESN 1021 | Web and Time-based Design | 10 |
| Credit Points | 40 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Autumn session | ||
| DESN 2005 | Graphic Design: Interactive Digital Media | 20 |
| DESN 2014 | Researching the Visual | 10 |
| Select one subject of the following Specialisation subject pairing: | 10 | |
| Illustrating Narrative | ||
| Interactive Design: Games | ||
| Motion Design | ||
| Photomedia: Photographic Practice | ||
| Credit Points | 40 | |
| Spring session | ||
| DESN 2006 | Graphic Design: The Professional Context | 20 |
| DESN 2001 | Australian Design | 10 |
| Select one subject of the following Specialisation subject pairing: | 10 | |
| Data Visualisation | ||
| Illustrating Popular Culture | ||
| Interactive Design: Apps | ||
| Photomedia: Fashion and Identity | ||
| Credit Points | 40 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Autumn session | ||
| DESN 3013 | Social Design: Research and Practice | 10 |
| DESN 3001 | Contextual Design Studies | 10 |
| Select one subject of the following Specialisation subject pairing: | 10 | |
| Illustrating Narrative | ||
| Interactive Design: Games | ||
| Motion Design | ||
| Photomedia: Photographic Practice | ||
| Select one Academy minor subject | 10 | |
| Credit Points | 40 | |
| Spring session | ||
| DESN 3006 | Graphic Design: Developing a Personal Portfolio | 10 |
| DESN 3003 | Design Research Project | 10 |
| Select one subject of the following Specialisation subject pairing: | 10 | |
| Data Visualisation | ||
| Illustrating Popular Culture | ||
| Interactive Design: Apps | ||
| Photomedia: Fashion and Identity | ||
| Select one Academy minor subject | 10 | |
| Students may exit with 1624 Bachelor of Design Studies after successful completion of 240 credit points in the first three years of the program sequence. | ||
| Credit Points | 40 | |
| Year 4 | ||
| Autumn session | ||
| DESN 4005 | Major Design Project | 10 |
| DESN 4007 | Professional Design Experience: The Studio | 20 |
| Select one Academy minor subject | 10 | |
| Please note: students must enrol in DESN 4005 Major Design Project in both Autumn and Spring sessions in order to receive final grades and credit points. | ||
| Credit Points | 40 | |
| Spring session | ||
| DESN 4005 | Major Design Project | 10 |
| DESN 4006 | Professional Design Experience: The Individual Practitioner | 20 |
| Select one Academy minor subject | 10 | |
| Please note: students must enrol in DESN 4005 Major Design Project in both Autumn and Spring sessions in order to receive final grades and credit points. | ||
| Credit Points | 40 | |
| Total Credit Points | 320 | |
Academy Minor Subjects
Please note: Applied Leadership, Minor (0178) has been replaced by Creative Leadership, Minor (0286) from 2022. Continuing students enrolled in 0178 are able to remain in and successfully complete the subjects requirements of this minor.
| Subject | Title | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|
| DESN 2016 | Creativity, Design Thinking and Visualisation | 10 |
| CULT 3011 | Ethical Leadership | 10 |
| BEHV 2019 | Citizenship and Community Engagement | 10 |
| BUSM 1044 | Leadership in Complexity | 10 |
Equivalent subject
The subject listed below counts towards completion of this minor for students who passed this subject in 2021 or earlier.
DESN 2002 - Creativity, Innovation and Design Thinking, replaced by DESN 2016 Creativity, Design Thinking and Visualisation
BUSM 1016 - Leadership in a Complex World, replaced by BUSM 1044 Leadership in Complexity
BEHV 2007 - Internship and Community Engagement, replaced by BEHV 2019 Citizenship and Community Engagement