This course emphasises creativity, innovation and communication in the analysis and visualisation of ideas and information through print, screen, and interactive multimedia technologies. Students are encouraged to develop their own creative abilities and to be aware of the broader cultural, social and political impact of their design work.
The subjects in this course actively promote conceptual skills and design processing in the context of communication, over purely technical skills. Students gain broad-based visual communication design skills with an ideas emphasis. Integrated and interdisciplinary activities are central to the intention of the curriculum.
This course aims to produce graduates who work with words, images and audio in a diverse range of visual design practices. It also aims to prepare students for diversity in design practice and expects graduates to aspire to the highest professional levels. Students develop individual talent and imagination through selected media specialisation and projects.
Career options include designer in advertising, animation, broadcasting, exhibition, graphics, illustration, new media, photography or publications.
International students (excluding those studying in an Australian high school) must submit an application to UTS: International (in person, by mail or online) or through an accredited UTS representative. The application must include a portfolio of the student's work (preferably provided on CD or DVD).
In addition to the standard application requirements, all non-current school leaver applicants to this course are required to submit online a compulsory Personal Statement directly to UTS by the end of September. For further information, see UTS Personal Statements.
Any two units of English.
Visual Arts; Art History; Design Fundamentals; and Advanced English are recommended. For non-current school leavers, previous related study or work experience would be of assistance.
This course is offered on a four-year, full-time basis. Students may study this program part time after consultation with the Director of Program.
Students must complete 192 credit points comprising the following:
The course is structured to allow students to focus, particularly in its second half, on areas of interest to them.
Students can undertake part-time work experience in their third year of study.
CBK90152 Visual Communications Technology subjects | 12cp | |
CBK90242 Sub-major/Electives (Design) | 24cp | |
CBK90275 Advanced Visual Communications Technology subjects | 6cp | |
STM90648 Core subjects | 138cp | |
CBK90778 Design Studies Year 2 | 6cp | |
CBK90779 Design Studies Year 4 | 6cp | |
Total | 192cp |
The example program below is for a student commencing in Autumn semester and undertaking the course full time. In Years 2 and 3 students choose a total of 24 credit points from CBK90242, comprising one sub-major or four electives.
Year 1 | ||
Autumn semester | ||
85502 Researching Design History | 6cp | |
87100 VC Project: Ways of Seeing | 6cp | |
87117 VC Technology: Visible Language | 6cp | |
87118 VC Studies: Image Experimentation | 6cp | |
Spring semester | ||
85503 Researching Design Processes | 6cp | |
87221 VC Studies: Histories of Visual Communication | 6cp | |
87222 VC Project: Symbols and Systems | 6cp | |
87333 VC Technology: Typography, Text and Form | 6cp | |
Year 2 | ||
Autumn or Spring semester | ||
Select one subject from the following in CBK90778: | 6cp | |
85500 Design Futures: Creative Technologies | 6cp | |
85505 Design Interventions: Making Theories | 6cp | |
85506 Design Differences: Intercultural Asia | 6cp | |
85602 Interdisciplinary Design Lab: Undergraduate | 6cp | |
85603 Interdisciplinary Design Experience: Undergraduate | 6cp | |
Autumn semester | ||
87335 VC Project: Sequence and Narrative | 6cp | |
87443 VC Technology: Type for Print | 6cp | |
Select 6 credit points of electives | 6cp | |
Spring semester | ||
87441 VC Studies: Contexts of Visual Communication | 6cp | |
87445 VC Project: Schema and Non-Linear Narrative | 6cp | |
87447 VC Technology: Motion Graphics | 6cp | |
Select 6 credit points of electives | 6cp | |
Year 3 | ||
Autumn semester | ||
87551 VC Studies: Concepts of Professionalism | 6cp | |
87555 VC Project: Design Practice | 6cp | |
Select one subject from the following in CBK90152: | 6cp | |
87529 VC Technology: Pre-press and Print Production | 6cp | |
87539 VC Technology: Introduction to Web Media | 6cp | |
87549 VC Technology: Introduction to Interactive Media | 6cp | |
87559 VC Technology: Introduction to Video Media | 6cp | |
87569 VC Technology: Historical Photo Media | 6cp | |
Select 6 credit points of electives | 6cp | |
Spring semester | ||
87665 VC Project: The Community | 6cp | |
85701 Research Based Designing | 6cp | |
Select one subject from the following in CBK90275: | 6cp | |
87639 VC Technology: Advanced Web Media | 6cp | |
87649 VC Technology: Advanced Interactive Media | 6cp | |
87659 VC Technology: Advanced Video Media | 6cp | |
87669 VC Technology: Digital Photo Media | 6cp | |
Select 6 credit points of electives | 6cp | |
Year 4 | ||
Autumn semester | ||
87773 Visualising Research | 12cp | |
Select one subject from the following in CBK90779: | 6cp | |
85504 Design Futures: Sustainable Lifestyles | 6cp | |
85601 Design Interventions: Business Innovation | 6cp | |
85602 Interdisciplinary Design Lab: Undergraduate | 6cp | |
85603 Interdisciplinary Design Experience: Undergraduate | 6cp | |
85605 Design Differences: Community Identities | 6cp | |
Select one subject from the following in CBK90152: | 6cp | |
87529 VC Technology: Pre-press and Print Production | 6cp | |
87539 VC Technology: Introduction to Web Media | 6cp | |
87549 VC Technology: Introduction to Interactive Media | 6cp | |
87559 VC Technology: Introduction to Video Media | 6cp | |
87569 VC Technology: Historical Photo Media | 6cp | |
Spring semester | ||
87880 Major Project VC | 24cp | |
CBK09242 Sub-major and electives list | ||
CBK90246 Electives | 24cp | |
SMJ03029 Technology | 24cp | |
SMJ08157 Business Accounting | 24cp | |
SMJ08189 Project Management | 24cp | |
SMJ08190 Advertising | 24cp | |
SMJ08191 Public Relations | 24cp | |
SMJ08197 Marketing Principles | 24cp | |
SMJ08198 Advertising Principles | 24cp | |
SMJ08200 Construction Finance and Economics | 24cp | |
SMJ09035 Language Other Than English (LOTE) | 24cp | |
SMJ09036 Specialist Country Studies | 24cp | |
SMJ09039 Aboriginal Studies | 24cp | |
SMJ10011 Photography | 24cp | |
SMJ10012 Textile Design | 24cp | |
SMJ10013 Film and Video | 24cp | |
SMJ10016 Furniture Design | 24cp | |
SMJ10017 Design for Theatre | 24cp | |
SMJ10019 Exhibition Design | 24cp | |
SMJ10020 Architectural Studies | 24cp | |
SMJ10021 Cultural Studies | 24cp | |
SMJ10022 Public Communication | 24cp | |
SMJ10023 Property Analysis | 24cp | |
SMJ10024 Social Political and Historical Studies | 24cp | |
SMJ10025 Writing | 24cp | |
SMJ10026 Object and Accessory Design | 24cp | |
SMJ10027 Audio Production | 24cp |
Further information is available from the Faculty Student Administration Unit on: