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.

Career opportunities

The teaching principle adopted for the graphic design course is simple: actively promote all our students to think first, and worry about the technology second.

The merging of disciplines as diverse as design, animation, digital publishing, illustration, multimedia, packaging, web design and advertising has ensured that design graduates will have many career opportunities and options including:

  • design studios
  • advertising agencies
  • digital publishing and interactive design
  • magazine and print production
  • freelance work

The latest facilities

Our facilities at CSU Wagga Wagga include a modern purpose-built studio with its own Mac lab and printing facilities.

The School of Communication and Creative Industries also has well equipped photography, television and design studios that Graphic Design students may access.

Your course is recognised by industry

The Bachelor of Creative Arts and Design (Graphic Design) is a nationally accredited and registered award in tertiary education. Graduates are eligible to apply for Associate Status with the Design Institute of Australia (DIA) and the Australian Graphic Design Association (AGDA).

To graduate students must satisfactorily complete 192 subject points.

Core subjects = 72 points
Specialisation = 64 points
Capstone subject = 24 points
Minor subjects = 32 points

To graduate with a double specialisation students must satisfactorily complete 256 subject points.

Core subjects = 72 points
2 x Specialisation = 128 points
Capstone subject = 24 points
Minor subjects = 32 points

The course structure is as follows:

Core subjects (72 points)

VPA 101 Design fundamentals
VPA 104 Introduction to photomedia
CCI100 Introduction to media production
VIS101 Visual communication
COM111 Professional writing
IKC101 Indigenous cultures, histories and contemporary realities
ETH205 Ethics and law for creative industries
ART304 Aspects of design
ART222 Art, technology and culture

Specialisation subjects (64 points)

Animation and visual effects specialisation
VFX101 Introduction to animation
VFX105 3D Modelling and rendering
VFX106 3D animation
VFX205 Digital compositing
VFX206 Special effects
VFX220 Interactive animation
VFX301 Production project (16 points)

Or
Graphic design specialisation
GRP117 Graphic design theory, context and practice
VPA105 Typography and publishing
GRP223 Strategic thinking in design
GRP224 Identity and branding
GRP209 Design for communication
GRP225 Experimental design
GRP322 Professional graphic design practice (16 points)

Or
Photography specialisation
PHT115 Black and white analogue photography
PHT116 Introduction to digital photography
PHT203 Imaging theories and techniques
PHT220 Photo imaging
PHT221 Digital photography studio
PHT222 Photomedia studio
PHT321 Photography practice and research (16 points)

Or
BCad without specialisation
64 subject points selected from the specialisation subjects listed above.

Capstone subject
CCI300 Professional practice in Communciation and Creative Industries (24 points)

Minor/elective sequence (32 points)
Students may opt to study a minor of four subjects selected from the list below; or a minor of four subjects, or four unrestricted elective subjects offered within the School of Communication and Creative Industries; or a minor of four subjects, or four unrestricted electives offered by another school within the University, with the Course Director’s approval.

Graphic design minor
GRP117 Graphic design theory, context and practice
VPA105 Typography and publishing
Plus two of GRP223 Strategic thinking in design, GRP224 Identity and branding, GRP209 Design for communication, GRP225 Experimental design

Animation and visual effects minor
VFX101 Introduction to animation
VFX205 Digital compositing
VFX105 3D modelling and rendering
VFX106 3D animation

Photography minor
PHT114 Digital imaging or PHT115 Black & white analogue photography
PHT221 Digital photography studio
PHT222 Photomedia studio
PHT220 Photo imaging

Illustration/imagemaking minor
VPA211 Materials & image development
VPA212 Materials & image research
GRP330 Illustration and concepts
ART317 Art and books

Sound minor
VPA106 Introduction to sound production
VPA113 Sound and space
VPA213 Music technology
VPA215 Broadcast sound

Art history minor
An art history minor consists of 4 subjects from the list below, at least one of which must be a level one subject. A level three subject is recommended.
ART113 European art 1850-1920
ART114 Modern art 1920-1970
ART210 Australian art to 1939
ART215 Australian art from 1939
ART310 Issues in contemporary art
ART315 Perspectives in photography
ART316 Renaissance art
ART317 Art and books

Enrolment pattern

Animation Specialisation

Year 1 - Session 1
VPA101 Fundamentals of design 1
VPA104 Introduction to photomedia
CCI100 Introduction to media production
VIS101 Visual communication

Year 1 - Session 2
VFX101 Introduction to animation
VFX105 3D Modelling and rendering
COM111 Professional writing
Minor

Year 2 - Session 1
VFX205 Digital compositing
VFX106 3D Animation
IKC101 Indigenous cultures, hstories and contemporary realities
Minor

Year 2 - Session 2
VFX220 Interactive animation
VFX206 Special effects
ETH205 Ethics and law for creative industries
Minor

Year 3 - Session 1
VFX301 Production project (16 points)
ART304 Aspects of design
Minor

Year 3 - Session 2
CCI300 Professional practice in Communication and Creative Industries (24 points)
ART222 Art, technology and culture

Graphic Design Specialisation

Year 1 - Session 1
VPA101 Fundamentals of design 1
VPA104 Introduction to photomedia
CCI100 Introduction to media production
VIS101 Visual communication

Year 1 - Session 2
GRP117 Graphic design theory, context and practice
VPA105 Typography and publishing
COM111 Professional writing
Minor

Year 2 - Session 1
GRP223 Strategic thinking in design
GRP224 Identity and branding
IKC101 Indigenous cultures, histories and contemporary realities
Minor

Year 2 - Session 2
GRP225 Experimental design
GRP209 Design for communication
ETH205 Ethics and law for creative industries
Minor

Yera 3 - Session 1
GRP322 Professional graphic design practice (16 points)
ART304 Aspects of design
Minor

Year 3 - Session 2
CCI300 Professional practice in Communication and Creative Industries (24 points)
ART222 Art, technology and culture

Photography Specialisation

Year 1 - Session 1
VPA101 Fundamentals of Design 1
VPA104 Introduction to photomedia
CCI100 Introduction to media production
VIS101 Visual communication

Year 1 - Session 2
PHT115 Black and white analogue photography
PHT116 Introduction to digital photography
COM111 Professional writing
Minor

Year 2 - Session 1
PHT220 Photo imaging
PHT221 Digital photography studio
IKC101 Indigenous cultures, histories and contemporary realities
Minor

Year 2 - Session 2
PHT222 Photomedia studio
PHT203 Imaging theories and techniques
ETH205 Ethics and law for creative industries
Minor

Year 3 - Session 1
PHT321 Photography practice and research (16 points)
ART304 Aspects of design
Minor

Year 3 - Session 2
CCI300 Professional practice in Communication and Creative Industries (24 points)
ART222 Art, technology and culture

Bachelor of Creative Arts and Design

Year 1 - Session 1
VPA101 Fundamentals of design 1
VPA104 Introduction to photomedia
CCI100 Introduction to media production
VIS101 Visual communication

Year 1 - Session 2
COM111 Professional writing
[ ] Specialisation
[ ] Specialisation
Minor

Year 2 - Session 1
IKC101 Indigenous cultures, histories and contemporary realities
[ ] Specialisation
[ ] Specialisation
Minor

Year 2 - Session 2
ETH205 Ethics and law for creative industries
[ ] Specialisation
[ ] Specialisation
Minor

Year 3 - Session 1
ART304 Aspects of design
[ ]Specialisation (16 points)
Minor

Year 3 - Session 2
ART222 Art, technology and culture
CCI300 Professional practice in Communication and Creative Industries (24 points)

Bachelor of Creative Arts and Design (Photography / Graphic Design)

Year 1 - Session 1
VPA101 Fundamentals of design 1
VPA104 Introduction to digtial imaging
CCI100 Introduction to media production
VIS101 Visual communication

Year 1 - Session 2
PHT115 Black and white analogue photography
PHT116 Introduction to digital imaging
GRP117 Graphic design, theory, context and practice
COM111 Professional writing

Year 2 - Session 1
PHT220 Photo imaging
PHT221 Digital photography sudio
GRP223 Strategic thinking in design
IKC101 Indigenous cultures, histories and contemporary realities

Year 2 - Session 2
PHT203 Imaging theories and techniques
PHT222 Photomedia studio
VPA105 Typography and publishing
ETH205 Ethics and law for creative industries

Year 3 - Session 1
PHT321 Photography practice and research (16 points)
GRP224 Identity and branding
MInor

Year 3 - Session 2
GRP225 Experimental design
GRP209 Design for communication
ART222 Art, technology and culture
Minor

Year 4 - Session 1
GRP322 Professional graphic design practice (16 points)
ART304 Aspects of design
Minor

Year 4 - Session 2
CCI300 Professional practice in Communication and Creative Industries (24 points)
Minor

Special admission requirements

In addition to applying through UAC, applicants must submit a Supplementary Application form.

On the basis of your Supplementary Application form you may be contacted for a course consultation. Late applicants should contact CSU on 1800 334 733 before submitting their Supplementary Application form.

It is recommended that prospective students set up a supplementary course consultation in Wagga Wagga in late November. The consultation is completely informal and relaxed and is designed to ensure that you have the opportunity to gain first-hand information that will help you make an informed decision about your course. Alternatively, you can organise a telephone consultation.

Year 12 students are eligible for admission on the basis of their Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR), and supplementary application. For further information please telephone info.csu on 1800 334 733.

To be admitted into the course, applicants need to indicate their likelihood of success through:

  1. previous studies, and
  2. other attainments and experience.

Admission requirements

To be admitted into the course, prospective students need to indicate their likelihood of success through:

  1. previous studies, and
  2. other attainments and experience.

Previous studies

Previous studies include:

  • the NSW Higher School Certificate or interstate /overseas equivalent;
  • the International Baccalaureate Diploma;
  • a completed or part completed course of a university, college of advanced education or other accredited tertiary institution;
  • a completed or part completed course of a TAFE college or other accredited post-secondary institution (including TAFE Tertiary Preparation Certificate);
  • an approved Foundation Studies program certificate;
  • completion of undergraduate subjects as an Associate Student with the University or through another University, or Open Universities Australia.

NSW and interstate school leavers are normally selected on the basis of their Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR) or interstate equivalent. You may also be admitted on the basis of a strong performance in subjects relevant to your course preferences.

Currently no secondary school subjects are prerequisites for admission to particular CSU courses however some courses assume a certain level of knowledge. This will be specified in the course information if applicable.

English language proficiency

The University has minimum requirements for English language proficiency prior to entry to our courses. Some courses also have a requirement for a higher entry or exit level of English proficiency. More information on English language requirements.

Attainment and experience

You may also be admitted to a course based on other attainments and experience. These may include:

  • voluntary or paid work experience;
  • performance in tests and examinations conducted by professional recognised bodies;
  • participation in continuing education programs and/or staff development programs conducted by adult education agencies, consultancies, professional bodies or employers;
  • completion of the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT).

Internet access

CSU places great emphasis on services to its students. It is a leader in the provision of online services and, in particular, the use of the internet in the support of teaching, administration and communications with students.

The online environment is so integrated into all aspects of student life and the learning experience at CSU that the University now assumes that all on campus and distance education students at CSU will have ongoing access to an internet connected computer capable of communicating with CSU online systems.

Students enrolled in Information Technology subjects (i.e. with an ITC subject code) may be required to have additional hardware and/or software that is deemed essential for the completion of the learning activities in that subject.

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Apply now

This course is available to commence study in

Session 1

Australian and New Zealand students

Apply through UAC/VTAC

Full-time on campus study only

Admission code: 211414

Apply online

Admission code:

  • Distance education - EABG

International students

Apply online

Admission code: Distance education - JAAQ

Recruitment agent

Contact a Recruitment agent in your country who can answer your questions about CSU as well as help with the student visa application process.

More information:

Consider also:


info.csu

Prospective Student Inquiries

Australian campus business hours are Monday to Friday 9.00am to 5.00pm, Australian Eastern Time (GMT +10).

info.csu can provide support and guidance to prospective students on everything you need to know on the University, courses, fees, accommodation, etc.

within Australia 1800 334 733
International + 61 2 6338 6077 Fax (02) 6338 6001