Bachelor of Creative Arts and Design (Graphic Design)

What is this course about?

CSU's Bachelor of Creative Arts and Design (Graphic Design) encompasses a diverse range of disciplines and develops creative, theoretical and technical design skills.

About the course

The Bachelor of Creative Arts and Design (Graphic Design) at CSU is tailored in response to the demands of industry and the aspirations of highly motivated students.

During the course, students are encouraged to develop creative, theoretical and technical skills with a focus on aesthetic and professional understanding.

Diversity underpins the structure of the course with a cross-section of specific subjects covering all aspects of design, advertising and new media - including web and video applications. The course is available by distance education.

Supplementary consultations

One of the unique things about CSU's Bachelor of Creative Arts and Design (Graphic Design) is that we have small class sizes, which allow intensive learning and interaction with your lecturers and fellow students, as well as the opportunity to work with the latest software and learning tools, not just watch the work being done. This makes our course very competitive. To give you the best opportunity to gain entry into the Bachelor of Creative Arts and Design (Graphic Design), CSU offers you the opportunity to undertake a supplementary course consultation as part of your application process. This gives you the chance to meet with the course lecturers and demonstrate your interest, enthusiasm and talent for this career area, as well as finding out more about the course, our excellent facilities and exceptional work placements.

Course components

CSU’s Bachelor of Creative Arts and Design (Graphic Design) is a three-year undergraduate course with an option to study Honours in the fourth year. The Bachelor of Creative Arts and Design (Graphic Design) offers an integrated program combining subjects which provide foundational and contextual knowledge and skills with specialised studies in graphic design. A minor or elective sequence adds breadth, enabling you to select subjects from another specialisation or discipline area. The program finishes with a professional capstone subject which prepares students to embark on a career in their chosen area.

Major studies include digital design, experimental design, design for industry and digital design. These examine the different aspects of graphic design - the techniques, the process and the technology. Minor studies can be chosen from areas such as acting, advertising, art history, animation and visual effects, design for theatre and television, image making and illustration, photography, sound or television production.

Work experience program

On campus students receive hands-on experience through an extensive work experience program in second and third year. In third year students are also required to work collaboratively with small clients and/or non-profit organisations researching, designing and developing a variety of promotional strategies and awareness campaigns for their client.

Professionals teaching you

Dedicated professionals with a wide range of teaching and industry experience teach the course.

Academic expectations

For each 8 point subject at CSU, students should normally expect to spend between 140-160 hours engaged in the specified learning and assessment activities (such as attending lectures or residential schools, assigned readings, tutorial assistance, individual or group research/study, forum activity, workplace learning, assignments or examinations). The student workload for some subjects may vary from these norms as a result of approved course design.

Students will be assessed on the basis of completed assignments, examinations, workplace learning, or other methods as outlined in specific subject outlines.

Where applicable, students are responsible for travel and accommodation costs involved in workplace learning experiences, or attending residential schools (distance education students).

Expectations relating to academic, workplace learning, time and cost requirements for specific subjects are provided in the subject abstracts and in course materials.