Sketch out your future in design.
Do you see things differently to other people and have a drive to develop a unique style? Develop skills to communicate visually and work in graphics, e-Media, and 3D design.
(formerly the Bachelor of Computer-Based Design. Current students should refer to previous student handbooks)
- Only a full-time option is available to international students on a Student visa. Online programs are not available to Student visa holders.
- * Estimated tuition fees are based on 2025 rates. Refer to international fees for more information.
- Not all majors/minors and elective options are available at every campus. You should refer to the What Can I Study tab, and the proposed study sequence for your chosen campus and intake for further information.
Do you see things differently to other people and have a drive to develop a unique style? Develop skills to communicate visually and work in graphics, e-Media, and 3D design.
Our design degree has a strong industry focus — our teaching staff, guest lectures and workshops, and alignment with industry bodies including AGDA and Analogue Digital introduce you to the design industry. Fine-tune your design skills with an advanced editing course and gain hands-on experience using industry standard software.
Choose elective courses to focus your study in creative advertising, public relations, journalism, creative writing, marketing, and other areas. In your final year, complete an internship or professional project to work in a design related business or for a real client. Gain valuable experience while building your design reputation and client commissioned works for your portfolio. You’ll exhibit in the USC Art Gallery to give you exposure to industry and potential employers.
Majors
3D design; e-Media design; graphic design.
Career opportunities
Advertising, animation, information visualisation, packaging, publishing, visual communication or 3D, graphic, interpretive, multimedia or web design.
Program structure
Introductory courses (8)
COR109 Occupational Therapy Research & Evaluation
CMN102 Communication and Thought
DES101 Communication Theory and Practice
DES102 Visual Literacy: Design Principles and Practice
DES103 Ways of Seeing: Understanding Images
DES104 Digital Photographic Practice
DES105 Visual Worlds: An Introduction to Art and Design History
DES106 Introduction to Design
Advanced courses (11)
CMN213 Typography
PLUS select 10 required courses:
- Select 6 advanced level (200/300 coded) courses from one of the following streams for a major
- Select 4 advanced level (200/300 coded) courses from a second stream for a minor.
Graphic Design:
DES211 Editing for the Communications Professional
DES212 Graphic Design A
DES213 Graphic Design B
DES214 Graphic Design C
DES215 Graphic Design D
DES216 Graphic Design E - Internship/Professional Project
e-Media Design:
DES221 Graphic Design F - Professional Portfolio
DES222 e-Media A
DES223 e-Media B
DES224 e-Media C
DES225 e-Media D
DES226 e-media E - Internship/Professional Project
3D Design:
DES231 e-Media F - Professional Portfolio
DES232 3D Design A
DES233 3D Design B
DES234 3D Design C
DES235 3D Design D
DES236 3D Design E - Internship/Professional Project
Elective courses (5)
Select 5 elective courses, 3 must be advanced level (200/300 coded) courses.
Up to 5 electives may be from either faculty (Arts and Business or Science, Health, Education and Engineering).
Note: Not all USC courses are available on every USC campus.
Total units: 288
Recommended study sequences
Program requirements and notes
Program requirements
In order to graduate you must:
- Complete 8 required introductory level (100 coded) courses, including the core course.
- Complete 11 required advanced level (200/300 coded) courses.
- Complete 5 elective courses, 3 must be advanced level (200/300 coded) courses.
- Complete a major design area and a minor design area.
- Complete no more than 10 introductory level (100 coded) courses, including the core course.
- Complete no more than 6 courses from the School of Business or Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering.
- Register any selected Majors or Minors with your Faculty.
Program notes
- Completing this program within the specified (full-time) duration is based on studying 48 unit points per semester (normally 4 courses).
- The 6 advanced courses from one of the design streams, plus DES101 and DES105 , will constitute a major in that stream. The 4 advanced courses from one of the design streams will constitute a minor in that stream.
- Students can convert their chosen minor into a second major by taking 2 further advanced DES courses in that stream.
- Courses within this program are assessed using a variety of assessment methods including essays, seminar presentations, reports, in-class tests and examinations. Not all courses will necessarily include all methods.
- As part of your USC program, you may apply to Study Overseas to undertake courses with an overseas higher education provider. It is advisable to contact your Faculty Program Advisor to discuss timing and course issues.
- Only a full-time study option is available to international students on a Student Visa.
- Students must commence the advanced design courses in Semester 1 following the successful completion of DES105 .
- When enrolling, refer to the Study Plan.