Bachelor of Design (Visual Communication)

The rapid changes brought about by globalisation and new developments in information and media technology are reshaping visual communication design, and raising significant challenges and opportunities for those prepared to play a creative role in this design area.

The Bachelor of Design (Visual Communication) degree gives you fundamental skills and knowledge in the exciting and constantly changing area of visual communication. Underpinned by a foundation of graphic design, the program delivers a mix of creative and professional design approaches encompassing typography, image graphics and graphic systems.

You will learn about design management, the history and theory of visual communication design, typography, advertising, the web and visual literacy, through a range of studio (opens in a new window) and project work. Your study will include individual and team-based project work, extensive use of advanced computer technologies, concept development studio practice, and a significant opportunity to engage with real community and industry projects.

During your fourth year, you'll participate in team-based projects with students from other programs including marketers, branding experts, organisational communicators and production specialists.

Part time-study is only available to local students and is generally completed by day classes as there are limited night classes.

Practical Experience

You are required to complete an industry placement as a mandatory part of the program. This provides invaluable industry experience and contacts. You may choose to specialise in a particular design area during this placement. In addition, a fourth-year professional program is linked to an in-house design production office where you will gain experience in a professional studio environment. You will develop a major design project and professional portfolio in your chosen visual design specialisation. There are also a number of opportunities for you to take combined studies with other areas in the school. These may include video and media production, writing and publication design, advertising and graphic design. Students take these through open electives across their program of study.

A Career in Visual Communication

As a Visual Communication graduate, you'll enjoy a broad and exciting range of career options. You may work as a:

• graphic designer
• photographer
• illustrator
• art director
• design journalist
• information designer
• interactive multimedia designer
• web designer
• design educator
• animator
• television or video designer

The scope and market potential for a specialist visual communication designer is expanding rapidly as new areas of digital and traditional media converge and emerge.

If you are interested in becoming a secondary teacher you can study the Bachelor of Design Studies (three-year exit point), followed by the UWS secondary teacher education course.

How to Apply

All domestic applications for entry to UWS undergraduate courses must be made through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) (opens in a new window). Step by step instructions are available on the Apply Now pages.

All international applications for entry to UWS undergraduate courses must be made via the International Student Admission Application form. Step by step instructions are available on the International Admissions pages.