Design (Photography or Graphic Design)

Conrad HoggNovember 30, 2017March 1, 2019

Design involves the planning and production of visual and tactile communication. It deals with the communication of messages and information to specific audiences for specific purposes.

The Design course has its own set of theories and practices and incorporates a wide range of principles, methods and techniques drawn from a variety of different disciplines, such as psychology, communication, digital design, technical graphics, art, engineering, architecture, sociology, cultural studies, marketing and economics. The disciplined application of these elements forms a design process that guides the development of creative and functionally effective solutions to identified possibilities or problems. There are three available contexts: Graphic Design, Photography and Dimensional.

The goals of the Design ATAR course are to facilitate a deeper understanding of how design works, and how ideas, beliefs, values, attitudes, messages and information are effectively communicated to specific audiences with specific intentions or purposes via visual media forms. This course aims to achieve these goals by exposing students to a variety of communication forms and a thorough exploration of design.

Design projects allow students to demonstrate their skills and understandings of design principles and processes, to analyse problems and possibilities, and to devise innovative strategies within design contexts. There is potential for students to develop transferable skills and vocational competencies while devising innovative designs.

In this course, students develop a competitive edge for current and future industry and employment markets. This course also emphasises the scope of design in professional and trade-based industries allowing students to maximise vocational and/or university pathways.

Note: Students may choose only one Design course, either the Photography, Graphic or Dimensional context.

Year 11 ATAR Course

Unit 1 - Product Design

Students learn that the commercial world is comprised of companies requiring consumer products, services and brands for a particular audience. They are introduced to the concept of intellectual property. They create products/services, visuals and/or layouts with an understanding of codes and conventions. They use relevant and appropriate production skills and processes, materials and technologies relevant to the design.

Unit 2 - Cultural Design

Students learn that society is made up of different groups of people who share diverse values, attitudes, beliefs, behaviour and needs, and that different forms of visual communication transmit these values and beliefs. Students are encouraged to create designs that link to a culture or sub-culture and are introduced to ethical issues concerning representation. Students develop a design process with an understanding of codes and conventions. They analyse communication situations and audience. They define and establish contemporary production skills and processes, materials and technologies.

Assessments

Response
30%
Production
50%
Examination
20%

Year 12 ATAR Course

Unit 3 - Commercial Design

Students become aware that design has commercial considerations that are influenced by various stakeholders to produce products, services and brands. Commercial design is client and market driven and is a reflection of contemporary consumer demands. Students are introduced to a client-focused design brief to create a product or service. They plan, develop and analyse to create designs that reflect the client, audience, and market needs. They also consider commercial and manufacturing requirements for a real world solution, with relevant production skills and processes, materials, and technologies.

Unit 4 - Influential Design

The focus of this unit is the communication of ideals, messages, information and values, to influence opinion and attitudes. Students produce products and visual layouts for specific and applied contexts with an understanding of applied semiotics and the construction of meaning. They analyse the audience in terms of empathy, profiling and stereotyping, and develop persuasive solutions using a research, testing and feedback mechanism.

Assessments

Response
30%
Production
50%
Examination
20%
All students enrolled in the Design ATAR Year 12 course are required to sit the WACE examination. The Design WACE examination includes a practical (portfolio) submission which should demonstrate a comprehensive design process, and a written examination of 2.5 hours.

Courses