Why study visual communication design at UoN?

Visual Communication, also referred to as design or graphic design, is a creative process concerned with the development of visual ideas and communication of information in ways that engage audiences and influence human perceptions or behaviour. Visual Communicators create solutions to communication problems using media such as print, press, TV, radio, web and digital media. This field is an exciting area of study and research, because of the rapidly changing technological environment and the development of new ways to communicate.

When studying visual communication design you will gain experience in advertising, web design, animation, illustration, photography, typography, drawing, branding, digital design, games and virtual worlds, communication and graphic design. These elements combine together to give you the knowledge to become a creative Visual Communicator.

Study with industry professionals

Our academic staff have extensive experience in the design, illustration and advertising industries. They are encouraged to use their industry knowledge and experience in their teaching, allowing students to gain first-hand knowledge of the career market and employer expectations. Courses also feature guest lectures by industry practitioners, and focus projects on topics that address emerging industry trends and contemporary professional practices.

For an insight into the academic industry professionals you could work with, take a look at the work of Professor Mario Minichiello.

Promoting our students

In your final year you will have your work displayed in an exhibition open to industry representatives and the general public. This is a very successful vehicle for promoting our graduates and gives you and your work the chance to be recognised by important industry decision makers

For examples of student work, events, videos and an insight into visual communication design at The University of Newcastle, visit the links below:

• Visual Communication Design student work gallery
• Silver Bullet

What you will study

The Bachelor of Visual Communication Design is a three-year full-time or equivalent part-time degree offered at our Callaghan campus, established to meet the growing industry demands for design and visual communication. Find out more

Gain real-world experience

While studying visual communication, you will have the opportunity to participate in external projects with industry and regional organisations. Find out more

Universal increase in demand for graduates

Design is now universally recognised as an essential element in commercial enterprise; many large national and international organisations utilise design to gain a competitive advantage. Find out more

Meet our achievers

Why would you do this degree? Find out from graduates, students and academics. Discover how their future is taking shape, and learn first-hand what it's like to study at uni. Find out more

What you will study

The Bachelor of Visual Communication Design is a three year full-time (or equivalent part-time degree) offered at our Callaghan campus, established to meet the growing industry demands for graphic design and visual communication. Through selective study and appropriate course choices, you will have the opportunity to satisfy your broader interests and abilities while gaining the skills and flexibility to occupy a range of positions within the visual communication industry.

The degree's core courses are based around essential design skills and knowledge including visual communication drawing, technology, photography, professional practice, principles and processes. Upon completion of the core courses you will have professionally prepared and presented your work in a design portfolio.

The structure of the Bachelor of Visual Communication Design allows you to focus on the essential visual communication core courses, whilst also providing the flexibility to explore a range of elective courses related to visual communication.

Depending on your elective choices, you will have the opportunity to select from courses investigating areas such as:

• Media production - video, television and music video
• Digital technology
• Web based media
• Animation
• Graphic design
• Design for computer games
• Drawing and Illustration
• Design for advertising/new media
• 2-D Art

You will have an opportunity to undertake supervised design projects or supervised industry placement depending on your choices. If you perform well academically during the degree, you will be encouraged to undertake a further year of full-time (or equivalent part-time) study to obtain an Honours degree enhancing your career prospects. It will also provide a pathway for further study into postgraduate research higher degrees.

Universal increase in demand for graduates

Design is now universally recognised as an essential element in commercial enterprise; many large national and international organisations utilise design to gain a competitive advantage. Due to this trend, employment growth and demand in this sector is generally higher than the average for other industries. In a world that experiences daily increases in the volume of visual communication material, but with ever-smaller amounts of time in which to notice it, the creative impact of the designer has never been more in demand.

As a graduate you may find employment in:

• Advertising agencies
• Public relations firms
• Design consultancies
• Government (including defence) and business promotion departments
• Corporate sales and training departments
• Desktop publishing and graphic design
• Web design
• Printing companies
• Packaging companies
• Manufacturers
• Publishers - books or magazines
• Design and art education
• Self-employed/freelance work

With the rising trend of new media and digital technologies that rely on sophisticated graphic or illustrative outcomes, you may also find employment in television, film animation and special effects, computer games development, as well as exhibition and display in museums and galleries.

Meet our achievers

Brooke

Present: Art Director, Euro RSCG Australia, Sydney

Bachelor of Visual Communication Design

I am currently working for top advertising agency, Euro RSCG Australia in Sydney as an art director. My degree was extremely valuable as it helped me realise my potential and provided me with the creative skills to start my career.

I chose Newcastle because it was one of the few universities which offered a visual communication course that included web/digital subjects as a major component. Secondly, I was from Sydney and I liked the idea of moving away from the city to study

The variety of the degree program was the best. Every aspect of design was covered and I was exposed to all areas of visual communication. Completing this degree meant that my decision for my future was an educated one

Brooke’s advice for students thinking of a visual communication design degree is to:

Try everything once, prepare to work hard and prepare to have loads of fun. The support from academic staff is always available - all of the staff has worked in the industry and their knowledge was invaluable.

Jeremy

Bachelor of Visual Communication Design (Honours)

The assistance and feedback offered by the design staff is so valuable. It really challenges me to push my design work to a higher level.

Tom

Bachelor of Visual Communication Design (Honours)

After completing this degree program, I now feel like I belong to a select group of people who understand how and why our world works to shape culture, commerce, communication, art and experience.

Tom

Bachelor of Visual Communication Design (Honours)

The final year of this degree program proved to be both challenging and inspiring, as I learnt to finesse my skills to give myslef a competitive edge against other designers in the industry.