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Graduate Diploma of Design (Communication Design)

DMCD61  074987F



Duration

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Fee*
1 Year/s Prahran (Semester 1, Semester 2) A$22,500 (total for 2012) 
*The indicative course fees shown in Course Search apply to international students studying on-campus in Australia for the relevant year only. They are based on a standard study load per year. However, please note that fees are assessed according to a student's study load in each semester, and variation to study load will result in an adjustment to tuition fees. All fees are subject to annual review and may be adjusted.

This is a new course commencing in February 2012 and replaces the earlier Graduate Diploma of Design (Communication Design).
 
This is a nested suite of programs comprising the Graduate Diploma of Design (Communication Design) and Master of Design (Communication Design). These programs provide advanced study for designers wishing to achieve higher specialisation in communication design, preparing them well to meet the increasing demands of the design industry.

This new program offers a flexible structure with more discipline focus and specific research and studio-based practice units. Students have the opportunity to choose an elective area of design as a specialisation.

The program offers an advanced understanding of how communication design projects (including brand identity and information design) are developed and executed in contemporary design practice. Students gain insight into strategic planning from the client’s perspective, allowing them to develop an awareness of client’s needs in relation to design services. Students are also encouraged to approach design from a range of theoretical frameworks to determine the users needs, project parameters and purpose of design. The program challenges participants to refine their iterative design and production processes to an advanced level.

Please note that while most units are offered as evening classes, some units are available only as afternoon classes.
 
(International students are required to study full-time and on campus and cannot take the part-time or online study modes.)

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The Graduate Diploma of Design (Communication Design) aims to provide a coherent suite of units for graduate designers in the area of communication design.
 
Through its range of units the program aims to:
  • offer participants the opportunity to (1) specialise in their discipline and (2) engage in interdisciplinary design activity, involving direct co-operation between design disciplines to explore new kinds of design outcomes and experiences unachievable through any of the individual design disciplines involved, the promotion of teamwork and group-based activity being fundamental to the design philosophy of the faculty;
  • provide postgraduate design degrees that allow multiple entry and exit points for participants;
  • graduate individuals able to (1) work as leaders in design and related industries through their expertise in corporate product and service development; (2) possess the processes, creative tools and research skills for innovation in design; (3) be willing to investigate and manage change in the nature of design; and (4) demonstrate an advanced understanding of the impact of information and communications technology (ICT) on the practice of design.
The program also acknowledges that the principles of human-centred design are fundamental to the future of design practice. The aim of human-centred design is to transcend simple ideas of functionality and styling to emphasise how design works, services and systems are used by real people. Human-centred design draws human factors like perception, cognition, behaviour, physiology, and ergonomics into the design process to ensure design outcomes reflect users' needs and perspectives.
 
The program focuses on promoting usability through scenario building and iterative processes of applied research, involving user participation in the course of design development. The designer's ability to effectively communicate design thinking to different audiences through image, text and demonstration is given high priority, as is their ability to evaluate design propositions in terms of human factors and user needs.

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The Graduate Diploma of Design (Communication Design) is a 12 month full-time (or equivalent part-time*) 100 credit point program.

This is a coursework program with emphasis on structured skills acquisition, design investigation and applied design projects. It offers advanced knowledge and experience in design practice, design management, creative strategies and relevant technical knowledge. Participants may join the program in either Semester 1 (February intake) or Semester 2 (August intake).
 
Places in units with face-to-face delivery may be limited. Enrolment into face-to-face units will be subject to maximum enrolment restrictions, with preference given to students undertaking the full Masters program.
 
*International students are required to study full-time and on campus and cannot take the part-time or online study modes.

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The Graduate Diploma is a 100 credit point program consisting of 37.5 credit points from two core units, 37.5 credit points from three Communication Design units and 25 credit points from two elective specialisation units.

All units of study are 12.5 credit points unless otherwise indicated. Students are normally required to achieve a credit average at graduate diploma level to progress to the master program.
 
Elective Specialisation Units
Two units from your chosen specialisation in:

Cross-cultural Brand Identity Design
HDCC670 Introduction to Cross Cultural Brand Identity Strategy
HDCC671 Design Strategy for a Global Context
 
 
OR
Design Entrepreneurship (by special application)
HDCC671 Design Strategy for a Global Context

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Graduates may find work in design consultancies, advertising, publishing, packaging, merchandising, publication, design research and design management.

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Upon completion of this qualification students may be eligible to become a member of the Design Institute of Australia (DIA) and the Australian Graphic Design Association (AGDA) but should confirm eligibility with the association.

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Apply for this course by following the step-by-step process on our How to Apply page.

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Swinburne College English for Academic Purposes Advanced level certificate at the postgraduate level (EAP 5: PG-70%); OR, obtaining a minimum IELTS overall band of 6.5 (Academic Module) with no individual band below 6.0; OR, a TOEFL (Paper-based) minimum score of 575 (with Test of Written English (TWE) score of 5); OR, a TOEFL (Computer-based) minimum score of 232 (with Written Writing score of 5); OR, a TOEFL (Internet-based) minimum score of 90 with no band less than 20.

 

Refer to the English Language Requirements website for further information.

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Admission to the program is normally through a degree in a design-related discipline from a recognised tertiary institution. However, applicants with a diploma in a design-related discipline and at least five years experience may be eligible for entry. All applicants are required to submit a design portfolio that clearly illustrates their skills, knowledge and capabilities in their chosen field. Applicants are chosen on the combination of their previous academic performance and the contents illustrated through their design portfolio.

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Enquire online: http://www.swinburne.edu.au/international/enquiry

Email: international@swinburne.edu.au

Phone:
+613 8676 7002 (outside Australia)
Freecall 1800 897 973 (within Australia)

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Visit our Meet Us page to see when we are visiting your home country (or here in Australia).

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A range of scholarships is available to international students, visit our Scholarship Page for details.

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