Students develop skills in computer-based design to specialise in visual communication and prepare for professional practice in print design, online media and 3D design.
Introductory courses focus on developing an understanding of visual communication and computer literacy, and design and practice. Students also take an advanced editing course, while elective courses focus study in creative advertising, public relations, journalism, creative writing, marketing, and other areas. There are opportunities to exhibit work in the USC Art Gallery.
- Only a full-time option is available to international students on a Student visa. Online programs are not available to Student visa holders.
- * Estimated tuition fees are based on 2024 rates. Refer to international fees for more information.
- Not all majors/minors and elective options are available at every campus. You should refer to the What Can I Study tab, and the proposed study sequence for your chosen campus and intake for further information.
Introductory courses focus on developing an understanding of visual communication and computer literacy, and design and practice. Students also take an advanced editing course, while elective courses focus study in creative advertising, public relations, journalism, creative writing, marketing, and other areas. There are opportunities to exhibit work in the USC Art Gallery.
Majors
3D design; e-Media design; graphic design.
Career opportunities
Advertising, animation, information visualisation, packaging, publishing, visual communication or 3D, graphic, interpretive, multimedia or web design.
Program structure
Program requirements
In order to graduate you must:
- Complete 8 required introductory level (100 coded) courses.
- Complete 11 required advanced level (200/300 coded) courses.
- Complete 5 elective courses, 3 must be advanced level (200/300 coded) courses.
- Complete a major design area and a minor design area.
- Complete no more than 10 introductory level (100 coded) courses, including the core course.
- Complete no more than 6 courses from the School of Business or Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering.
- Register any selected Majors or Minors with your Faculty.
Program notes
- Completing this program within the specified (full-time) duration is based on studying 48 unit points per semester (normally 4 courses).
- The 6 advanced courses from one of the design streams, plus DES101 and DES105 , will constitute a major in that stream. The 4 advanced courses from one of the design streams will constitute a minor in that stream.
- Students can convert their chosen minor into a second major by taking 2 further advanced DES courses in that stream.
- Courses within this program are assessed using a variety of assessment methods including essays, seminar presentations, reports, in-class tests and examinations. Not all courses will necessarily include all methods.
- As part of your USC program, you may apply to participate in the Global Opportunities (GO) Program to undertake courses with an overseas higher education provider. It is advisable to contact your Program Advisor to discuss timing and course issues.
- Only a full-time study option is available to international students on a Student Visa.
- Students must commence the advanced design courses in Semester 1 following the successful completion of DES105 .
- When enrolling, refer to the Study Plan.
Program structure
Introductory courses (8)
CMN102 Private International Law
COR109 Human Rights Law
DES101 International Social Justice Clinic
DES102 Communication Theory and Practice
DES103 Introduction to Creative Writing
DES104 Public Relations: Contemporary Perspectives
DES105 Introduction to Journalism
DES106 Introduction to Creative Advertising
Advanced courses (11)
CMN213 Introduction to Marketing
PLUS select 10 required courses:
- Select 6 advanced level (200/300 coded) courses from one of the following streams for a major
- Select 4 advanced level (200/300 coded) courses from a second stream for a minor.
Graphic Design:
DES211 Editing for the Communications Professional
DES212 Paperback Hero
DES213 Creative Writing for Children and Young Adults
DES214 Creative Writing for the Illustrated Book
DES215 Novel Ideas
DES216 Creativity and Literature
e-Media Design:
DES221 Creativity and Literature: Victorians to Moderns
DES222 Creative Writing and Editing for e-Publication
DES223 The Writer and the Law
DES224 The ' English' Tradition: An Introduction to Literary Studies
DES225 Reality Bites: An Exploration of Non-Fiction
DES226 Wonderworlds: An Exploration of English Literature
3D Design:
DES231 Communication Theory and Practice
DES232 Public Relations: Contemporary Perspectives
DES233 Communication and Thought
DES234 Introduction to Journalism
DES235 Introduction to Creative Advertising
DES236 An Introduction to Australian Politics: The Makings of a Republic?
Elective courses (5)
Select 5 elective courses, 3 must be advanced level (200/300 coded) courses.
Up to 5 electives may be from either faculty (Arts and Business or Science, Health, Education and Engineering).
TOTAL UNITS 288