Overview
This unit builds on the foundation provided by Visual Design Fundamentals, to further develop your skills and knowledge in visual communication design. Using industry-standard software tools such as Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop, you will learn how to produce visual design solutions that communicate effectively with a target audience. Through the exploration of design theories and their application, you will learn how to employ appropriate design methods and formats for different communication problems.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
Prerequisite: MMST11003 Visual Design Fundamentals Students who have completed DGTL11004 Digital Design and Communication may not enrol in this unit.
Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
Offerings For Term 2 - 2024
Attendance Requirements
All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes - in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.
Class Timetable
Assessment Overview
Assessment Grading
This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of 'pass' in order to pass the unit. If any 'pass/fail' tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully ('pass' grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the 'assessment task' section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University's Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback - Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
Feedback, Recommendations and Responses
Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.
Feedback from Student evaluation data, student feedback, academic feedback
Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator have introduced significant updates in 2023, in particular generative AI, that students need to learn to use.
Review learning opportunities and tasks that form part of the portfolio exercises to include updated content on the use of generative AI, and other new features and tools in Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator.
- apply principles and processes of visual communication design in digital environments
- create visual designs in various formats using industry-standard software tools
- produce design solutions that communicate effectively with a target audience
- employ appropriate visual design methods and formats for different applications.
Not applicable
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| 1 - Practical Assessment - 50% | ||||
| 2 - Practical Assessment - 50% | ||||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| 1 - Communication | ||||
| 2 - Problem Solving | ||||
| 3 - Critical Thinking | ||||
| 4 - Information Literacy | ||||
| 5 - Team Work | ||||
| 6 - Information Technology Competence | ||||
| 7 - Cross Cultural Competence | ||||
| 8 - Ethical practice | ||||
| 9 - Social Innovation | ||||
| 10 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures | ||||
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes
| Assessment Tasks | Graduate Attributes | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | |
| 1 - Practical Assessment - 50% | ||||||||||
| 2 - Practical Assessment - 50% | ||||||||||
Textbooks
DESIGN ELEMENTS, USING IMAGES TO CREATE GRAPHIC IMPACT: A GRAPHIC STYLE MANUAL FOR EFFECTIVE IMAGE SOLUTIONS IN GRAPHIC DESIGN
Edition: 1 (2013)
Authors: Aaris Sherin
Rockport Publishers
Beverly Beverly , MA , USA
ISBN: 9781592538072
Binding: eBook
Smashing Logo Design: The Art of Creating Visual Identities
(2011)
Authors: Gareth Hardy
Wiley
ISBN: 9781119993322
Binding: eBook
Graphic Design for Everyone - Understand the Building Blocks so you can do it yourself
Edition: 1 (2019)
Authors: Cath Caldwell
DK
London London , Great Britain
ISBN: 9780241343814
Binding: Hardcover
Photoshop Tricks for Designers: How to Create Bada$$ Effects in Photoshop
(2016)
Authors: Corey Barker
Peachpit Press
ISBN: 978-0-134-38657-7
Binding: eBook
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
- Adobe Acrobat Pro (Adobe Creative Cloud student subscription recommended)
- Adobe Illustrator (Adobe Creative Cloud student subscription recommended)
- Adobe Photoshop (Adobe Creative Cloud student subscription recommended)
- Firefox
- Google Chrome
- Micorsoft Office or equivalent (wordprocessing) software for preparation of assessment items in the appropriate format
- Adobe Dimension (Adobe Creative Cloud student subscription recommended)
- Adobe Creative Cloud subscription (student price) is recommended as it provides access to all required Adobe products, including Typekit (Adobe Fonts).
- Microsoft Teams
- Portfolium
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: American Psychological Association 7th Edition (APA 7th edition)
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
m.roberts@cqu.edu.au
Module/Topic
Brand Identity: The Power of Logos
Chapter
- Part I:The power of Logos
- Chapter 1: The Logo
- Chapter 2: Types of Logos
- Chapter 3: The Key to Success
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Brand Identity: The Design Brief
Chapter
Smashing Logo Design: The Art of Creating Visual Identities
- Chapter 4: Communicating with your Client: The Design Brief
- Chapter 5: Conducting Preliminary Research
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Brand Identity: Conceptualising
Chapter
Smashing Logo Design: The Art of Creating Visual Identities
- Chapter 6: Conceptualising a Logo
- Chapter 7: Getting your ideas on screen
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Brand Identity: Typography and Layout
Chapter
Smashing Logo Design: The Art of Creating Visual Identities
- Chapter 8: Turning to Typography
- Chapter 9: Playing with Layout
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Brand Identity: Pitching and Presentation
Chapter
Smashing Logo Design: The Art of Creating Visual Identities
- Chapter 10: Considering Colour
- Chapter 11: Presenting Your Designs to Your Client
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Brand Identity: Creating guidelines
Chapter
Smashing Logo Design: The Art of Creating Visual Identities
- Chapter 13: Setting Logo Usage Guidelines
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Visual Communication: Composition
Chapter
Design Elements: Using Images to Create Graphic Impact
- Chapter 1: Image Formats and Use
- Chapter 2: Communicating with Imagery
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Visual Communication: Visual Content
Chapter
Design Elements: Using Images to Create Graphic Impact
- Chapter 3: Sourcing and Regulation
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Visual Communication: Ideation
Chapter
Design Elements: Using Images to Create Graphic Impact
- Chapter 4: The Power of Imagery
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Visual Communication: Personalising typography
Chapter
Design Elements: Using Images to Create Graphic Impact
- Chapter 5: Image in Context
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Visual Communication: Pitching and Presentation
Chapter
Design Elements: Using Images to Create Graphic Impact
- Review
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Visual Communication: Review and Reflection
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
TERM SPECIFIC INFORMATION
You must have access to the following resources for this unit of study.
UNIT WEBSITE
The unit website provides essential resources for the unit such as a Study Guide and an online discussion forum. It can be accessed at moodle.cqu.edu.au
STUDY GUIDE
The online Study Guide will direct you to all of the essential readings, videos, discussion questions and exercises for each module of the unit. The Study Guide is available in Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) from the unit website.
DISCUSSION FORUM via TEAMS
An online discussion forum will be provided through the unit website for discussing matters that relate to the unit. The discussion forum is the primary means of support for online students who want assistance with tutorial exercises and assignments. This discussion forum will be hosted in Microsoft Teams
WORD PROCESSOR
You will need a word processor such as Microsoft Word for writing parts of your assignments.
ADOBE ACROBAT READER
You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is a free program that lets you view, navigate and print PDF documents like the DGTL12006 Study Guide. Adobe Acrobat Reader can be downloaded from the Adobe website at www.adobe.com
ADOBE ILLUSTRATOR
You will need Adobe Illustrator CC, which is a popular software application for creating vector-based graphics. Illustrator CC is available in the on-campus digital media labs. It can also be purchased at a discounted education price as part of an Adobe Creative Cloud subscription from the Adobe website at www.adobe.com.au. A free 7-day trial version can be downloaded from https://www.adobe.com/au/downloads.html
ADOBE PHOTOSHOP
You will need Adobe Photoshop CC, which is a popular software application for image editing. Photoshop CC is available in the on-campus digital media labs. It can also be purchased at a discounted education price as part of an Adobe Creative Cloud subscription from the Adobe website at www.adobe.com.au. A free 7-day trial version can be downloaded from https://www.adobe.com/au/downloads.html
ADOBE DIMENSION (optional)
You may need Adobe Dimension, which is a software application for creating product mockups, brand visualisations, packaging designs and more with easy 3D tools. Adobe Dimension is available in the on-campus digital media labs. It can also be purchased at a discounted education price as part of an Adobe Creative Cloud subscription from the Adobe website at www.adobe.com.au. A free 7-day trial version can be downloaded from https://www.adobe.com/au/downloads.html. Adobe Photoshop may be used also to create mockups if Adobe Dimension is not available.
ADOBE CREATIVE CLOUD
It is recommended that you purchase an Adobe Creative Cloud subscription (student subscription) which will provide you with access to all the Adobe software applications listed above, as well as access to Adobe Adobe Fonts, Bridge and other Adobe software.
SAFARI O'REILLY
As a student you will be required to log into Safari O'Reilly with your CQUni student login to access free online resources, such as the Smashing Logo Design: The Art of Creating Visual Identities textbook, and Photoshop CC Masterclass video tutorials, as well as access to a large library for research purposes. There are links provided to these resources via the eReading List for the unit.
PORTFOLIUM
Students will complete each item and submit it through Portfolium. Links to this will be available on the unit website. Video tutorials have been created to demonstrate how to do this – they will also be available from the unit website. Please note that Portfolium works best in Google Chrome or Firefox.
1 Practical Assessment
This assignment requires you to submit
- a digital sketchbook that includes weekly design tasks
- a logo and brand identity for a fictional business
- a report that explains the logo and brand identity development and iteration.
Please refer to the unit web site for the assignment details.
Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence agents (Gen AI)
Within this assessment, the use of Microsoft Copilot, Chat GPT or other Gen AI agents (such as those found within the Adobe Creative Suite software) is as follows:
- Gen AI may only be used as specified in the assignment instructions in Moodle.
Week 7 Monday (26 Aug 2024) 11:55 pm AEST
2 weeks after submission
Please refer to the unit website for the detailed assessment criteria. The assessment weighting is as follows:
- a digital sketchbook that includes weekly design tasks (15 marks)
- a logo and brand identity for a fictional business (15 marks)
- a report that explains the logo and brand identity development and iteration (20 marks)
|
Part 1: Digital Sketchbook · All required design tasks completed |
|
Part 2: Logo and Brand Identity · Technical Execution |
|
Part 3: Report · Report format |
- apply principles and processes of visual communication design in digital environments
- create visual designs in various formats using industry-standard software tools
- produce design solutions that communicate effectively with a target audience
- employ appropriate visual design methods and formats for different applications.
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Information Technology Competence
- Cross Cultural Competence
2 Practical Assessment
This assignment requires you to submit
- a digital sketchbook that includes weekly design tasks
- a poster design that promotes studying Digital Media at CQUniversity
- a report that explains the poster development and iteration.
Please refer to the unit web site for the assignment details.
Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence agents (Gen AI)
Within this assessment, the use of Microsoft Copilot, Chat GPT or other Gen AI agents (such as those found within the Adobe Creative Suite software) is as follows:
- Gen AI may only be used as specified in the assignment instructions in Moodle.
Review/Exam Week Monday (7 Oct 2024) 11:55 pm AEST
2 weeks after submission
Please refer to the unit website for assignment submission instructions. This assessment weighting is as follows:
- a digital sketchbook that includes weekly design tasks (15 marks)
- a poster design that promotes studying Digital Media at CQUniversity (20 marks)
- a report that explains the poster development and iteration (15 marks).
|
Part 1: Digital Sketchbook · All required design tasks completed |
|
Part 2: Poster Design · Includes all required components included (heading, body copy, hero image, call to action) |
|
Part 3: Report · Report format |
- apply principles and processes of visual communication design in digital environments
- create visual designs in various formats using industry-standard software tools
- produce design solutions that communicate effectively with a target audience
- employ appropriate visual design methods and formats for different applications.
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Information Technology Competence
- Cross Cultural Competence
As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.
Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.
When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.
Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.
As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.
What is a breach of academic integrity?
A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.
Why is academic integrity important?
A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.
Where can I get assistance?
For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.
What can you do to act with integrity?
