Bachelor of Graphic Design with nested Associate Degree of Graphic Design
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Bachelor of Graphic Design with nested Associate Degree of Graphic Design
Wesley Institute’s School of Design offers a highly practical graphic design degree, taught by industry professionals. Students develop their practice through a unique and innovative program that focuses on design thinking, experimentation and responsible design. The Bachelor of Graphic Design is a specialist degree with professional outcomes satisfying student aspirations and industry expectations. Graduates excel in the strength of their practical profiles and in their ability to apply theoretical concepts, technical and creative skills to a diverse range of design outcomes. They prepare for employment through the development of professional portfolios and final year exhibition. Students are also eligible for membership of professional organisations such as AGDA and the Design Institute of Australia. Course Code: Credit Points: Full-time: Part-time: Number of Units: Student Workload: Delivery Mode:
WGR12 144 3 years Up to 9 years 33 40 hours per week (full-time) On campus studies
A nested Associate Degree of Graphic Design gives students skills encompassing both contemporary technologies and traditional design process that will facilitate industry entrylevel as a junior graphic designer. The Associate Degree also provides an optional exit award from the Bachelor degree. Course Code: WGR02 Credit Points: 96 Full-time: 2 years Part-time: Up to 6 years Number of Units: 24 Student Workload: 40 hours per week (full-time) Delivery Mode: On campus studies.
FEE-HELP available
Why Study Graphic Design @ Wesley Institute? • Industry-standard facilities and technology • Supportive and highly driven studio environment • Experienced industry designers and leaders as lecturers • Integration of theoretical concepts and practical learning • Exceptionally high rate of post-degree industry employment • Creative, collaborative Christian environment
How to apply...
Intakes: February. Midyear intake is available if applicant is transferring from a previous course or has previous industry experience. Admission: By interview and portfolio. Educational Requirements: • Successful completion of the NSW Higher School Certificate or equivalent, or • Successful completion of an accredited tertiary course. • Additionally, international applicants need to demonstrate English proficiency equivalent to an overall minimum score of 6.0 on the IELTS Academic test. • Applicants 21 years or over, who satisfy the artistic entry requirements and who possess qualifications and/or experience deemed equivalent to the NSW HSC, may be admitted. Artistic Requirements: Applicants are expected to have had some art and/ or design experience at school as a minimum and are required to present a portfolio of approximately ten pieces of current work demonstrating artistic aptitude. For more information: Visit www.wi.edu.au/graphic-design
Graphic Design Units Design Studio Practice Graphic Design Studio I-VI Typography I-II Advertising Design I-II Major Project I-II Theoretical Context Design History Contemporary Issues in Design Visual Communication in Culture Visual Communication and the Designer Concepts of Professionalism I-II
Bachelor of Graphic Design Graphic Designer
Associate Degree of Graphic Design Junior Graphic Designer Bachelor of Graphic Design
+
Graduate Diploma of Education (Secondary) OR Master of Teaching (Primary)
Personal and Professional Development Faith and the Contemporary Artist I-V Technological Support Imagemaking I-II Digital Graphics I-II Motion Graphics Interactive Design Electives Designing for the Web I-II Drawing I-II Photography I-IV Video Production
Secondary Design & Technology Teacher OR Primary School Teacher
Bachelor of Graphic Design Design Studio Practice
Theoretical Context
Technological Support
Personal & Professional Development
Elective
BACHELOR OF GRAPHIC DESIGN
69cp
30cp
18cp
15cp
12cp
144cp
Associate Degree of Graphic Design Design Studio Practice
Theoretical Context
Technological Support
Personal & Professional Development
Elective
ASSOCIATE DEGREE OF GRAPHIC DESIGN
36cp
24cp
18cp
12cp
6cp
96cp
A typical program for a full-time student follows: Semester 1
Graphic Design Studio I Typography I
YEAR 1 Semester 2
Design History
Graphic Design Studio II Contemporary Issues in Design Typography II
Semester 1
Graphic Design Studio III Visual Communication in Culture Advertising Design I
Semester 2
Graphic Design Studio IV Visual Communication and the Designer Advertising Design II
YEAR 2
Digital Graphics I Imagemaking I Digital Graphics II Imagemaking II
Faith and the Contemporary Artist I Faith and the Contemporary Artist II
Faith and the Contemporary Artist III Faith and the Interactive Design Contemporary Artist IV Motion Graphics
Elective Elective
OPTIONAL EXIT – ASSOCIATE DEGREE OF GRAPHIC DESIGN Semester 1
Graphic Design Studio V Concepts of Professionalsm I Major Project I
Faith and the Contemporary Artist V
Semester 2
Graphic Design Studio VI Concepts of Professionalism II Major Project II
Elective
YEAR 3
Elective
Course Units DESIGN STUDIO PRACTICE Graphic Design Studio I-VI 6 credit points This series of six units introduces students to the major elements of visual communication in the context of the ways images are viewed, interpreted and understood. Students will explore creative solutions in sequential two and three dimensional design exercises aimed at applying these principles to graphic design collateral. The studies engage with various expressions of graphic design in the industry, and culminate in a public exhibition of student works. Typography I-II 3 credit points These two units explore the historical evolution of typefaces and the specialised terminology used in typographic practice, as well as type anatomy, classification and function. Students investigate traditional (pre-digital) typographic practice through the work of luminary typographers, and engage in sequential typesetting exercises, type detailing, text setting and the use of typographic grids to structure graphic layouts incorporating images and establishing visual hierarchy. Advertising Design I-II 3 credit points These units introduce the principles and practice of advertising and the role of creativity within the complexities of the industry. Students investigate the function of research, demographic analysis, message development, brand awareness, strategic media planning, marketing mix and measuring audience response. Throughout, students focus on ethics, codes of practice, government regulations and the social effect of advertising on consumption, sustainability and environmental impact. Major Project I-II 9-12 credit points Students undertake an experimental project to encourage ‘playful’ investigation and lateral thinking, and enable them to contemplate the orientation of their major project. They then submit in writing their major project proposal, and in the final semester they continue the process of design development and gradual refinement. Final presentation is made to a panel that includes at least one external design academic.
THEORETICAL CONTEXT Design History 6 credit points This introduction to the history of design from the 1500s to the19th century enables students to understand the traditions of their practice and the expectations and demands of a graphic designer. Speculating on future developments with the exponential growth and applications of digital alternatives in this century, the unit expands students’ awareness of the integral role of technology in practice. Contemporary Issues in Design 6 credit points This unit examines in detail the evolution of graphic design and typography over the early years of Modernism. Students, engaging in this discourse, learn to appreciate and understand the distinct intentions of commercially aligned typographers aiming for consistency and legibility in typeface design and typography. Students also consider late Modernism, the rise of advertising and the promotion of consumer culture. Visual Communication in Culture 6 credit points The overarching theme of this unit addresses the topic of design as an instrument of change, investigating practitioners operating beyond the boundaries of mainstream commercial practice. Topics include: the artist’s and designer’s relationship to politics and civic involvement; the impact of technology on image and text production; the search for national identity; the use and power of propaganda and protest; and the rise of ‘house style’ branding and corporate identity. Visual Communication and the Designer 6 credit points This unit identifies and examines the major issues of topical currency in design discourse. Lectures include communication theory and a number of communication models, including visual narratives, visual rhetoric and the requirement for designers to be able to shift the communication objective from achieving an emotive response to that of informed clarity. The unit also challenges students to question the role and responsibility of the graphic designer in terms of professional norms, principled considerations, sustainable practice, personal integrity and future goals. Concepts of Professionalism I-II 3 credit points The focus of these units is professional practice. In the first unit students are required to gain either part-time employment in a graphic design or associated practice, or make investigatory visits to a number of such companies. Business management is the focus of the second unit. Content includes contracts, costings, production procedures and portfolio preparation, planning, record taking, taxation, work place agreements, copyright and accountancy. TECHNOLOGICAL SUPPORT Imagemaking I-II 3 credit points These two units encourage students to explore and discover the unique qualities of hand-generated images in comparison to the outcome available from digital software. Experimental exercises give students confidence to create images without reliance on technology, while gaining an understanding of the added value available for further development through scanning or photographic transfer. Digital Graphics I-II 3 credit points These two units focus on the use and relevance of computers in academic research and in a contemporary design environment. Students gain a basic knowledge of computer operating systems and start to develop a range of essential skills in understanding and using professionally specific software to process and refine design production.
Motion Graphics 3 credit points This unit outlines the history, associated technologies and the design and production of motion graphics. It explores the relationship between graphic elements, time and motion. It introduces fundamental concepts of image development, kinetic typography, visual composition and editing. With continual exploration, it enhances the repertoire of a graphic designer in a field that is in constant flux. Interactive Design 3 credit points The ability to design for the Web is now integral to the knowledge and skills required by a graphic designer. The learning acquired in Motion Graphics is expanded to the complexities of multiple and consecutive framing. Image and text structuring to achieve optimum hierarchy and useability is a major topic requiring the methodological application of interactive design principles. PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT Faith and the Contemporary Artist I-IV 3 credit points The Faith and Contemporary Artist sequence is common to all the Institute’s creative arts degrees, facilitating integration between the creative arts, as well as integration between faith and artistic endeavour. The first unit investigates worldviews and beliefs, and locates the Christian story within a backdrop of philosophy and ethics. It also builds on orientation study seminars, providing detailed guidance and tutorial assistance with the demands of essays and other assessments. Throughout the remaining units, theological reflection is grounded in history, philosophy and aesthetics to promote the process of spiritual enquiry and development in the artist. ELECTIVE STUDIES Designing for the Web I-II 3 credit points The first unit introduces website design and current work practices. It looks into the design process utilising principles of interaction and web usability. Students use relevant web software and develop their understanding of the professional framework and techniques associated with website design. Students complete a major project and develop an advanced interactive design solution. Drawing I-II 3 credit points The emphasis in Drawing is on the figure (life drawing), both in relation to technical proficiency and as a medium of personal expression and exploration. Students extend intellectual and practical skills in seeing, observation, analysis, selection and visual expression, and develop their understanding of rendering form and space. Their confidence grows in the line and movement of the figure. A research project will lead students to express complex human emotions and attitudes. Photography I-IV 3 credit points After examining the place of photography in the design industry, students explore a wide range of digital photography equipment and learn the techniques and principles of image capture, manipulation and processing. The fourth semester culminates in a portfolio demonstrating work of a professional standard. Video Production 3 credit points Digital video is a rapidly expanding new area which offer possibilities for specialisation in a number of areas. This unit gives students an overview of video techniques, particularly those of filming, story boarding and editing. Students will gain insights into and experience in the processes and ideas involved in film and video production, culminating in a group project of a short film.
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I chose to study at Wesley Institute because of the structure of the Bachelor of Graphic Design. It’s very practical; not only are we learning about design, we are learning how to put our training into practice. The classes are small and intimate so our lecturers actually know us individually and where we are at with our abilities. Krystal Dandan Student
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What I love about Wesley Institute is the environment. As a graphic designer, I gather so much inspiration for my own work through other arts such as music, dance and drama. I have learnt so much, and grown both artistically and spiritually through the encouragement of peers and lecturers who constantly support you and push you to do the best that you can do. Wesley Institute is definitely the place to be and as a graphic designer, I have never regretted my decision to come here to learn.
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Jenica Uy Student
For more information: t: +61 2 9819 8824 e: info@wi.edu.au w: www.wi.edu.au
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