Overview
This unit will introduce you to fundamental principles and elements of visual design and how these can be applied in digital environments. You will develop an understanding of design as a visual language, become immersed in design thinking, and become proficient in visual communication for digital production. As you develop skills with industry-standard software tools such as Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop, you will work individually and collaboratively to create innovative solutions to design problems.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
There are no requisites for 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 Informal discussions with Digital Media team colleagues
Course content should include more discussion of intellectual property and ethical issues around generative AI and design.
Update and expand content relating to intellectual property and ethical issues around generative AI and design.
Feedback from Informal discussions with Digital Media team colleagues
Adobe Illustrator now incorporates a standardized way of working with generative AI. This method should be covered in the Unit teaching materials and the use of generative AI should be incorporated into one of the assessable exercises.
Use of Adobe Illustrator's AI tools will be taught. One of the assessable exercises will be modified to require students work with generative AI in Illustrator.
- apply fundamental principles and elements of visual design in digital environments
- communicate effectively with others in the process of design and presentation
- develop innovative visual design solutions which combine form and function
- create visual designs using digital technologies and industry-standard software tools
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| 1 - Practical and Written Assessment - 30% | ||||
| 2 - Practical and Written Assessment - 70% | ||||
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 and Written Assessment - 30% | ||||||||||
| 2 - Practical and Written Assessment - 70% | ||||||||||
Textbooks
There are no required textbooks.
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
- Adobe Illustrator CC
- Adobe Photoshop CC
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.
b.murphy@cqu.edu.au
Module/Topic
Design Elements, Art and Design Movements
Chapter
Readings provided on Moodle
Events and Submissions/Topic
Design Portfolio Exercise 1
Workbook Exercise 1
Module/Topic
Principles of Design
Chapter
Readings provided on Moodle
Events and Submissions/Topic
Design Portfolio Exercise 2
Workbook Exercise 2
Module/Topic
Processes and Tools
Chapter
Readings provided on Moodle
Events and Submissions/Topic
Design Portfolio Exercise 3
Workbook Exercise 3
Module/Topic
Abstraction through Simplification
Chapter
Readings provided on Moodle
Events and Submissions/Topic
Design Portfolio Exercise 4
Workbook Exercise 4
Workbook and Portfolio part 1 Due: Week 4 Friday (2 Aug 2024) 11:59 pm AEST
Module/Topic
Abstraction through repetition
Chapter
Readings provided on Moodle
Events and Submissions/Topic
Design Portfolio Exercise 5
Workbook Exercise 5
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Break week
Module/Topic
Abstraction through line and shape
Chapter
Readings provided on Moodle
Events and Submissions/Topic
Design Portfolio Exercise 6
Workbook Exercise 6
Module/Topic
Abstraction using letterforms
Chapter
Readings provided on Moodle
Events and Submissions/Topic
Design Portfolio Exercise 7
Workbook Exercise 7
Module/Topic
Value
Chapter
Readings provided on Moodle
Events and Submissions/Topic
Design Portfolio Exercise 8
Workbook Exercise 8
Module/Topic
Colour
Chapter
Readings provided on Moodle
Events and Submissions/Topic
Design Portfolio Exercise 9
Workbook Exercise 9
Module/Topic
Applying abstraction
Chapter
Readings provided on Moodle
Events and Submissions/Topic
Design Portfolio Exercise 10
Workbook Exercise 10
Discuss your draft work so far with your class
Module/Topic
Non-objective shape, textures and gradients
Chapter
Readings provided on Moodle
Events and Submissions/Topic
Design Portfolio Exercise 11
Workbook Exercise 11
Module/Topic
Review
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Review: seek feedback on your Portfolio and Workbook exercises
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Submit Assessment Item 2 on the due date
Workbook and Portfolio Part 2 Due: Review/Exam Week Monday (7 Oct 2024) 11:59 pm AEST
1 Practical and Written Assessment
Please refer to the learning resources on the Unit Moodle site for a full breakdown of assessment requirements.
The first assignment requires you to submit your responses to the following:
- Workbook activity 1
- Design Portfolio exercise 1
- Workbook activity 2
- Design Portfolio exercise 2
- Workbook activity 3
- Design Portfolio exercise 3
Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence agents (Gen AI)
Within this assessment, the use of Microsoft Copilot, Chat GPT or other Gen AI agents is as follows:
- Gen AI may only be used as specified in the assignment instructions in Moodle.
Week 4 Friday (2 Aug 2024) 11:59 pm AEST
Week 7 Tuesday (27 Aug 2024)
Results and feedback will be returned via Moodle
The Design Portfolio exercises account for 20 of the 30 marks. The Workbook activities account for the other 10.
Your marker will mark each element out of 10, and from this calculate a total mark out of 30.
The following criteria will be used in marking each element:
Design Portfolio Exercises:
9-10 An exemplary design that represents a thoroughly professional and creative response to the set task
7-8 A sound design that successfully responds to the set task but has an awkward finish or does not demonstrate significant creativity
5-6 A design that meets the requirements of the set task but in a basic manner that does not reflect a sophisticated application of basic design principles
3-4 A generally relevant but inadequate response that disregards some relevant design principles or does not meet all of the set requirements
1-2 A result that is not clearly relevant but touches on some aspects of the set task.
Workbook activities:
9-10 An exemplary response to the set question. Discussion and/or analysis demonstrates very sophisticated understanding and skilful application of design principles and course material
7-8 A sound response to the set question. Discussion and/or analysis demonstrates very sound understanding and skilful application of design principles and course material
5-6 A basic response to the set question. Discussion and/or analysis demonstrates understanding and application of design principles and course material with little depth or sophistication
3-4 A generally relevant but inadequate response that does not demonstrate clear understanding of the set question
1-2 An attempt to carry out the required discussion or reflection that does not significantly engage with concepts from the course or is unclear.
- apply fundamental principles and elements of visual design in digital environments
- communicate effectively with others in the process of design and presentation
- develop innovative visual design solutions which combine form and function
- create visual designs using digital technologies and industry-standard software tools
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Information Technology Competence
2 Practical and Written Assessment
Please refer to the learning resources on the unit Moodle site for a full breakdown of assessment requirements.
You must complete all Design Portfolio and Workbook exercises.
This assignment requires you to:
- submit your responses to all Workbook activities from the period Week 4 to Week 11
- submit your responses to all Design Portfolio exercises from the period Week 4 to Week 11
Seventy marks are allocated for this assessment piece. They are distributed as follows:
- all Workbook exercises: 20 marks
- all Design Portfolio exercises: 45 marks
- Class participation - based on your Lecturer's assessment of your participation in class discussion OR the presentation of your draft Assessment Item Two in class or via Zoo in a week 10 seminar: 5 marks.
Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence agents (Gen AI)
Within this assessment, the use of Microsoft Copilot, Chat GPT or other Gen AI agents is as follows:
• Gen AI may only be used as specified in the assignment instructions in Moodle.
Review/Exam Week Monday (7 Oct 2024) 11:59 pm AEST
Exam Week Friday (18 Oct 2024)
Marks and feedback will be returned via Moodle.
Design Portfolio Exercises
Each Design Portfolio will be marked out of ten. These marks will be converted to a total mark out of 45
Each Design Portfolio Exercise is marked out of ten. The marker will appropriately scale these marks so that you will be given a mark out of 55 that represents your overall mark for the Design Portfolio component
9-10 An exemplary design that represents a thoroughly professional and creative response to the set task
7-8 A sound design that successfully responds to the set task but has an awkward finish or does not demonstrate significant creativity
5-6 A design that meets the requirements of the set task but in a basic manner that does not reflect a sophisticated application of basic design principles
3-4 A generally relevant but inadequate response that disregards some relevant design principles or does not meet all of the set requirements
Workbook
17 - 20 The workbook is of an exemplary standard. Discussion and/or analysis demonstrates sophisticated understanding and skilful application of design principles and course concepts throughout.
15- 16.5 The workbook is of a very good standard. The majority of the responses demonstrate sound understanding and skilful application of design principles and course concepts.
13 - 14.5 The workbook is of a good standard. The majority of the responses demonstrate sound understanding and skilful application of design principles. Concepts from the course and textbook have been applied correctly in a majority of cases.
10 - 12.5 The workbook is of an acceptable standard. The majority of the responses demonstrate understanding and application of design principles and the responses answer the set tasks.
0 - 9 The workbook is significantly incomplete or does not demonstrate an ability to understand and apply course concepts.
Seminar participation / Class Participation
Up to one mark will be given for each of the following points:
- Student participated in seminar in week 10
- Student's draft Portfolio showed an appropriate level of development
- Student explained their designs using appropriate course concepts
- Student answered questions from their peers using appropriate course concepts
- Student asked questions of others that demonstrated a good understanding of course concepts.
If students are not able to present their work in Week 10, their Lecturer will award equivalent marks based on their participation in class discussion (face-to-face or online) as they develop their designs for Assessment Item 2.
- apply fundamental principles and elements of visual design in digital environments
- communicate effectively with others in the process of design and presentation
- develop innovative visual design solutions which combine form and function
- create visual designs using digital technologies and industry-standard software tools
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Information Technology 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?
