Credit Points: 6
Trimester 1

Students will have the opportunity to investigate widely used design processes, including the UK Design Council’s “Double Diamond” and human-centred design practices. This unit explores foundational theory related to universal design (‘design for all’) and assistive technology (‘design for need’) principles. The unit investigates the relational aspects of inclusive design with a view to addressing human needs and desires, including culturally and linguistically diverse communities, the aged, children/youth, and people with disability sectors. This is the first of two units that take students through the full life span of a creative project, from brief to implementation.

This unit addresses the principles and practices of the ‘first diamond’, from challenging the brief and discovery, to conducting research, and developing insights – right through to identifying opportunity areas. Students will be required to apply the methodology learned to a design project, focussing on challenging their position (beliefs, values) in relation to the process and the brief.  

Credit Points: 6
Trimester 2

Design Processes II provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the design process. Building upon the knowledge acquired in Design Processes I, this unit focuses on introducing students to various design processes, including Design Thinking, to supplement their understanding of the double diamond model. Students will explore theories, concepts and principles that deepen their understanding of the design process and enhance their ability to apply iterative design methods effectively. Through engaging in user research, usability testing, ideation, and concept development, students will refine their design skills, equipping them with the necessary tools to develop robust hypotheses and test their assumptions. This unit aims to prepare students for practical applications of design, providing them with a solid foundation for future design endeavours. 

Credit Points: 6
Trimester 1

This unit explores the foundations of good visual design. Students will learn the different elements and principles of visual communication including Gestalt, colour theory, layout and typography. They will explore how to bring these components together to create strong visual messages.

Credit Points: 6
Trimester 2

Creative industry sub-sectors like design, UX, experience design, games, film, animation, sequential arts, illustration, use storytelling frameworks and methods to create collaborative, emotionally resonant visual communication outputs and interactive media. This storytelling unit aims to introduce students to narrative art to ignite imagination and explore universal cultural truths and aspirations. Students will employ collaborative methods and techniques for authorship that builds familiarity and trust, encourages storytelling of our own experiences, and affirms teamwork.

Credit Points: 6
Trimester 1

In this unit, students will be required to reflect upon the fundamental rules of typographic design so they can meaningfully experiment with making and breaking the grid. They will be given the opportunity to develop their understanding of the role of text in visual communication and critically analyse its use in design. They will investigate layout and composition and will explore how to arrange design elements across different media, both digital and print, while acquiring the skills to use the appropriate software to help them bring their designs to life.

Credit Points: 6
Trimester 2

This unit allows students to understand the design process in context with Branding and identity. They will study the reasons behind certain brands' success in comparison to others that struggle. Students will explore how to bring together visual communication principles and the design process – skills learned in corresponding units – to create strong brand strategies and messaging.

Credit Points: 6
Trimester 1

This unit explores the foundations of visual thinking, building on and enhancing the student’s ability to observe and interpret ideas using effective visualisation techniques. The unit is divided into two parts. Part 1 focuses on the development of visual thinking throughout human history. Part 2 looks more deeply at enhancing practical skills as the student explores different exercises and assignments that build on their theoretical understanding. Over the twelve weeks, students will learn about the origins of visual thinking, it’s effect on cognition, and the vast array of signs and symbols humans use to communicate with one another. These will be framed and reinforced with practical exercises that help to link theory to practice.

The delivery of the lessons is divided into small bits of theory and practice, where the lecturer presents ideas and topics for short periods of time throughout the 3-hour lesson. Dispersed in between these short presentations are activities and exercises that are designed to allow students to directly put into practice and explore what they are learning. This allows for increased engagement throughout the class and for students to see how the value and practicality of the theory they are learning. There are also a few excursions scheduled; these aim to broaden the students’ perspective and put what they are learning into a real-world context.

Credit Points: 6
Trimester 2

Interface design facilitates the interaction between people and software or machines, by focusing on the look and style of interfaces. In this unit, students will learn the concepts and processes behind creating intuitive and friendly user interfaces (UI). They will also learn the tools they need for wireframing and prototyping these interfaces.