Bachelor of Design (Communication Design)

If you are interested in designing visual communications that make an impact and want to learn from industry professionals in a stimulating, creative environment, this degree is a great choice.

Our teaching is informed by our research - 97 per cent of which is at or above world class1 - so you can be assured that by studying this degree at UniSA you will take away industry-relevant skills and knowledge. Many of our teaching staff are also professional designers, so the curriculum is industry-relevant and highly practical in nature.

On campus, our custom-built workshops, digital printing facilities and design studios ensure you have the opportunity to further develop valuable practical skills. In addition to these world-class facilities, you will benefit from our strong industry links and award-winning teaching staff and academics. Our teaching staff received top ratings in the 2017 Good Universities Guide for teaching and staff qualifications.

For high achieving students there is also the opportunity to complete a one-year Bachelor of Art and Design (Honours) degree, a one-year Graduate Diploma and two-year Master of Design (Communication Design).

12015 Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA)

With an emphasis on studio-based learning, research-led practice, creativity and teamwork you will graduate with the ability to design effective communications applied to diverse contexts. You will:

• learn to design visual communication, from information and publication design, identity, branding and design strategy, to design for motion and interaction
• cover topics including: typography, branding and identity design, packaging design, drawing and illustration, web and publication design.
• develop practical and technical skills in typography and image design in a variety of media
• learn how to integrate creative skill with design thinking methods to address wide-ranging communication tasks and scenarios

Communication design is a practice based on creative and critical thinking integrated with craft and technical skill. Throughout this degree you will learn how to respond effectively to communication problems through design as you develop the skills to articulate ideas and approaches and to working independently and in a team.

As part of your studies you will also be required to complete design electives, which provide the opportunity for you to further explore areas and pathways of interest. Design electives will be subject to student demand and staff availability.

You can gain an extra qualification and broaden your career prospects by completing a Diploma in Languages.

This industry is expecting strong growth in long-term employment Australia-wide, with the number of job openings over the next few years, until November 2019, expected to be above average1. Graduates enjoy careers in a variety of roles, such as:

• communications designer: specialised graphic designer that uses software applications to create visual design elements for publishers, web developers and multimedia companies
• graphic designer: create visual concepts to inspire, inform or captivate an audience
• art director/creative director: responsible for the visual aspects of a publication, campaign, or other published material; a chief liaison between the client and designers
• animation and motion designer: use graphic software to create animated images
• illustrator: produce still drawings for use in advertisements, magazines, on packaging, greeting cards and in newspapers
• typographer: create the typeface that graphically reflects a client's brief
• web designer: create and maintain websites, this may include the design, layout and coding
• packaging designer: create 2D graphics for 3D forms, and see your ideas to come life on the shelf.

Creativity, interpersonal skills, motivation, commitment and, of course, excellent communication skills, are all qualities of a successful communication designer.

1Australian Government Department of Employment, Occupational Employment Projections 2015