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Bachelor of Design and Visual Communication

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Overview

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Download our Degree Brochure 2021-2022, including payment plan and options:

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Course Overview

Undertake the Bachelor of Design and Visual Communication at SAE and start your career in the limitless world of the design industry. Explore all areas of design from typography, pre-press, design for print media and digital plus more. You will focus on the creation of visual images and develop a broad understanding in all areas of the design industry with a focus on graphic design and components of web design and beyond.

You will study the concepts and methodologies of drawing using a variety of media with an emphasis on drawing from life, including anatomical studies and perspective techniques for the environment and character construction.

You will undertake specialized units designed for students to participate in real-world projects under the guidance of expert SAE staff. With this unique teaching style, you will demonstrate your skills and technical knowledge in a collaborative and creative studio-based learning environment.

 

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Your Studies:

Each degree program is broken up into discrete stages, each designed to promote different skills.

Stage I – Foundational Skills Development
In Stage I, you will undertake a number of foundational units which will give you the essential technical skills and knowledge not only relevant to your discipline area but also give you the skills required to collaborate with other creative media students and professionals in later stages of the program.

  • Fundamentals of drawing
  • Principles of design
  • Design and layout
  • Interaction design
  • Web design
  • Project Management and Professional Etiquette
  • Critical and creative thinking
  • Contemporary industry overview

Stage II – Interdisciplinary Projects, Media and Cultural Studies
In Stage II you will be working in simulated project groups where you are working towards large scale deliverables each trimester. Within Stage II we will not only get you to apply your Stage I skills in a deeper context but help you work within the contemporary creative media workforce.

In Stage II we show you how your work contributes to and interacts with broader culture and media practice. This knowledge will enable you to work with a variety of other disciplines and artists and expand your potential on the global stage.  

You will complete a number of real-world projects with students not only in your own discipline but in all other SAE disciplines.

In Stage II, you will be given the opportunity to work as project specialists within the following areas. The types of projects and project roles you choose to undertake will determine what area of specialization you fall within. Stage II has two studio modules with projects based on Graphic Design.

In the Graphic Design specialization, you will hone the skills learnt in Stage I. Students will further explore typography, design for print and media and pre-press to create professional projects relevant to your industry and further develop strong project techniques.  Students will discover additional facets of the design industry including photography and working with other professional tools to develop a full sense of the design industry in its entirety.

Stage III
Stage III is the final part of your studies. Here you will undertake an interdisciplinary project of your choice to be the final and most ambitious portfolio project that you will undertake.

You will also finalize your studies by undertaking an elective module and completing a compulsory internship.

By the time you graduate, you will have; a professional portfolio that you will have begun building at the start of the program, a wide range of interdisciplinary projects present in your portfolio, and a deeper understanding of the creative media fields and real-world experience.

Upon graduating, you will have a sound knowledge of many facets of the design industry, graduating with a large portfolio of work in both physical and digital media. You will have full knowledge and understanding of the Adobe Creative Suite and through interdisciplinary projects and real-world tasks throughout your degree, you will make a seamless transition into your career.


QUALIFICATION
Bachelor of Design and Visual Communication


INDUSTRY ASSOCIATIONS

  • TONIC
  • JWT
  • Living Room
  • Action Impact
  • Leoburnett
  • Landor
  • Brand Lounge
  • Ranson Dubai
  • Jack Morton
  • Geometry
  • Latitude Agency
  • Havas
  • Genius Loci
  • Start JG
  • Bash Brands
  • Wolff Olins
  • 2pure Branding
  • MullenLowe 

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Courses

Your learning experience

SAE has implemented a remote flexible learning option for current and future students. The range of tools developed by SAE will not only allow students to collaborate online but also gain experience in remote working practices widely used within the creative industries.

  • Start design studio work in trimester 1.
  • Work with a range of talented students and staff, build professional networks, and collaborate on real-world projects.
  • Experience a course designed in collaboration with industry partners, develop the skills the creative industries want.
  • Develop advanced skills in industry-standard software packages, including Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Dreamweaver and Acrobat.
  • Build high-level visual thinking and design knowledge – learn the skills the creative industries demand.
  • Learn how to produce advanced designs for web, digital publishing and print.
  • Learn marketing skills relevant to the current industry such as search engine optimisation and development of social media campaigns.
  • Become part of an exceptional creative, multi-disciplinary team: be encouraged to take creative risks, work collaboratively, and develop artistic independence.

Bachelor of Design (Graphic Design)

The Graphic Design degree program is broken up into discrete stages, each designed to promote different skills.

Stages of Design Degree

Stage I – Foundational Skills Development
In Stage I, students will undertake a number of foundational design units which will give students the essential technical skills and knowledge not only relevant to the chosen discipline area, but also give students the skills required to collaborate with other creative media students and professionals in later stages of the Design course.

  • Fundamentals of drawing
  • Principles of design
  • Design and layout
  • Interaction design
  • Web design
  • Project Management and Professional Etiquette
  • Critical and creative thinking
  • Contemporary industry overview 

Stage II – Interdisciplinary Projects, Media and Cultural Studies
In Stage II we show students how their Graphic Design work contributes to and interacts with broader culture and media practice. This knowledge will enable students to work with a variety of other disciplines and artists and expand their potential on the global stage.

Students will complete a number of real-world projects with students not only in their own discipline, but also in all other SAE disciplines.

In the Graphic Design specialisation, students will hone the skills learnt in Stage I. Students will further explore typography, design for print and media and pre-press to create professional projects relevant to their industry and further develop strong project techniques. Students will discover additional facets of the design industry including photography and working with other professional tools to develop a full sense of the design industry in its entirety.

Stage III
Stage III is the final part. Here students will undertake an interdisciplinary project of their choice to be the final and most ambitious portfolio project that they will undertake.

Students will also finalise their studies by undertaking an elective module and completing a compulsory internship.

 

Careers

Career Options

  • Graphic designer
  • Motion graphics designer
  • Creative director
  • Art director
  • Layout designer
  • In-house designer
  • Pre press operator
  • Finished artist
  • Package designer
  • Print publication designer
  • Infographics designer

Employers

SAE design graduates have been involved with well-known companies in advertising, marketing and retail, including:

  • TONIC
  • JWT
  • Living Room
  • Action Impact
  • Leoburnett
  • Landor
  • Brand Lounge
  • Ranson Dubai
  • Jack Morton
  • Geometry
  • Latitude Agency
  • Havas
  • Genius Loci
  • Start JG
  • Bash Brands
  • Wolff Olins
  • 2pure Branding
  • MullenLowe

Units

Bachelor of Design and Visual Communication
VIEW UNIT
Trimester 1 (1st Year)
Scholarly Perspectives on DesignPrinciples of DesignDesign for Print Media
Trimester 2
Contemporary Industrial PracticesFundamentals of Image MakingUser Centered Design
Trimester 3
Media StudiesDesign Studio 1
Trimester 4 (2nd Year)
Design Studio 2
Trimester 5
Design Studio 3
Trimester 6
Cultural PerspectivesDesign Studio 4
Trimester 7 (3rd Year)
Work Integrated LearningMajor Project Development
Trimester 8
Creative MediaElectiveMajor Project Production
  • Discipline Specialisation Unit
  • Creative Industry Unit
  • Elective Unit

Note: 
Elective unit is selected from any other bachelor course, trimester 1 or 2 units.
Studios are professionally oriented production units modelled on real-world work environments. 

Exit point options:

Option to complete your studies with a Diploma after 80 credit points or an Associate Degree of Animation after 160 credit points.

With the Diploma of Graphic Design you will understand the fundamentals to design and layout, drawing, typography, visual communication and an introduction to designing for the web. You can become:

  • an Entry level Graphic designer, Typographer or Illustrator
  • a Junior Mobile First Design and Layout Assistant
  • a Graphic design Production assistant

Through the Associate Degree of Graphic Design you will develop high-level creative design skills and hone your talents on industry-standard software. With the Associate Degree you can become:

  • Graphic or Motion graphic designer
  • Pre Press operator
  • Finished artist
  • Content development
Trimester 1
Scholarly Perspectives on Design
Principles of Design
Design for Print Media
Trimester 2
Contemporary Industrial Practices
Fundamentals of Image Making
User Centered Design
Trimester 3
Media Studies
Design Studio 1
Trimester 4
Design Studio 2
Trimester 5
Design Studio 3
Trimester 6
Cultural Perspectives
Design Studio 4
Trimester 7
Work Integrated Learning
Major Project Development
Trimester 8
Creative Media
Elective
Major Project Production
  • Discipline Specialisation Unit
  • Creative Industry Unit
  • Elective Unit

Note: 
Elective unit is selected from any other bachelor course, trimester 1 or 2 units.
Studios are professionally oriented production units modelled on real-world work environments. 

Exit point options:

Option to complete your studies with a Diploma after 80 credit points or an Associate Degree of Animation after 160 credit points.

With the Diploma of Graphic Design you will understand the fundamentals to design and layout, drawing, typography, visual communication and an introduction to designing for the web. You can become:

  • an Entry level Graphic designer, Typographer or Illustrator
  • a Junior Mobile First Design and Layout Assistant
  • a Graphic design Production assistant

Through the Associate Degree of Graphic Design you will develop high-level creative design skills and hone your talents on industry-standard software. With the Associate Degree you can become:

  • Graphic or Motion graphic designer
  • Pre Press operator
  • Finished artist
  • Content development
  • Design Alumnus
    Studying at SAE professionally uplifted my understanding of art. I gained background knowledge of design, business ideas and benefits of combining soft and hard art.
    -
  • Design student
    The guidance and encouragement we receive here at SAE, from our beloved lecturers, guest lecturers, industry professionals and fellow students has been critical to my professional development.
    -
  • Design Alumnus
    At SAE Institute, the degrees offered are very hands-on and they help to build a strong foundation in creative media.
    -
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