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Curtin University
Courses Handbook 2014

This handbook contains information for courses and units at Curtin in 2014.
Information for the previous year's courses and units is available at Courses Handbook 2013.

300575 v.5 Graduate Certificate in Design and Art

GradCertDesArt(Curtin)

Course CRICOS Code: 037343E
Registered full-time Duration for International Onshore Students on student visas: 0.5 Years


Course Overview

Graduate certificates prepare students to develop advanced knowledge and skills for professional or highly skilled work and further learning corresponding to AQF level 8 qualifications.


This Graduate Certificate in Design and Art will provide students with a broad understanding of contemporary design and art practice. The graduate certificate is the first semester of the Masters in Applied Design and Art. Students will undertake projects that will build on their area of specialisation and enable the development of new skills and knowledge in the chosen discipline and specialisation within design and/or art. Engagement with practicing designers, artists and professionals in their particular specialisations is available through professional practicum units. These units provide the opportunity to learn knowledge and skills valued in individual and collaborative practice.


Professional Recognition

Graduates are recognised by professional associations such as the National Association for the Arts (NAVA) and Design Institute of Australia. Graduates are also eligible for membership in the Australia Graphic Design Association, Perth Art Directors Club, The Design Management Institute, and Design Institute of Australia, Perth Institute of Contemporary Art (PICA), Arts Source: The Artists Foundation of Western Australia, FORM (originally CraftWest).


Career Opportunities

Graduates of design and art generally find employment within all avenues of art and/or design: administrator, advertising professional, animator, art project manager, art consultant, art writer, arts administrator, computer game programmer, computer games developer, curator, community arts professional, design consultant, fashion professional, internet professional, lighting designer, media industry specialist, multimedia designer, public arts professional, project developer, project manager, producer, visual artist, visual arts or design and technology teacher or web designer.


Additional Course Expenses

Students may be expected to purchase a number of textbooks and other essential study materials.



Course Entry and Completion Details

Applicants are required to meet University academic and English language entry standards; details are provided at http://futurestudents.curtin.edu.au. Applicants generally require a bachelor degree or equivalent credit gained for recognised learning.


Applicants may also be considered for entry on the basis of vocational and/or professional experience. All applicants are required to attend an interview and may be required to submit a comprehensive folio of recent work.


Credit for Recognised Learning

Applications for credit towards a course are assessed on an individual basis. Credit reduces the amount of learning required to complete the course and may be granted for formal education qualifications, non-formal learning from non-award programs of study and informal learning through work experiences. Further information can be found at http://futurestudents.curtin.edu.au.


Pathway to Further Study

Graduates may qualify for entry to some graduate diplomas and master degrees. For further details, see the University website http://curtin.edu.au.



Course Organisation

Graduate certificates contain a series of units which may include compulsory (core), optional or elective units to cater for student preferences.


Through a combination of coursework, project based units and professional placements students will learn the skills and depth of knowledge required to produce contemporary design and art solutions. The program is flexible and can be tailored to suit individual interests and professional development. Students may choose to focus their studies in specialisations of 3D design, art and design studies, creative advertising and graphic design, fine art, fashion design, photography and illustration design, textiles, digital design.


Course Learning Outcomes

A graduate of this course can:

1. apply knowledge and skills to demonstrate autonomy, judgement and responsibility in complex and unpredictable contexts that require self directed work and learning.

2. apply cognitive skills using intellectual independence to think critically, creatively and to reflect on professional theory and practice

3. locate, critically evaluate and synthesise relevant and reliable information sources related to Design and Art

4. communicate textually, visually and verbally in a way that is appropriate to creative practice and target audiences

5. use appropriate technologies that demonstrate the application of comprehensive technical methodologies

6. demonstrate the application of knowledge and skills by taking full responsibility for professional and scholarly outputs in all aspects of the work

7. think globally and consider issues from a range of perspectives, know and apply when appropriate, international standards and practices within Design and Art disciplines

8. respect individual human rights; recognise the importance and benefits of cultural diversity to Design and Art practice, particularly the perspective of Indigenous Australians; value diversity of language

9. apply professional standards; work independently and collaboratively; demonstrate authoritative judgement, responsibility and ethical action as a leading practitioner in the disciplines


Duration and Availability

This fee-paying course is one semester full-time or equivalent part-time study.


Location and delivery Mode


Year Location Period All* Internal Partially Online Internal^ External Fully Online#
2014 Bentley Campus Semester 1   Y      

The information displayed above refers to study periods and locations where the course is available for first time entry. Students are normally only offered or admitted to a course once.

* The course itself may not be available either solely internally or externally but individual units may be offered in either or both of those modes. Prospective students should contact the Course Coordinator for further information.

^ Course and associated units are offered in this mode permitting International Onshore student enrolment.

# Course and associated units are offered in this online only mode and DO NOT permit International Onshore student enrolment.




Course Structure Hrs/Wk Credit
Year 1 Semester 1
309595 v.2   Studio Research 591 3.0 25.0
310731 v.3   Research Seminar 591 3.0 25.0
6301 v.12   Art and Design Contexts 501 3.0 25.0
  SELECT ELECTIVE UNITS TO THE TOTAL VALUE OF:   25.0
  100.0



Further Information

For more information about the course, please contact the Faculty of Humanities on telephone (08) 9266 3400, email humanities@curtin.edu.au, or visit our website: http://humanities.curtin.edu.au


Course Structure Disclaimer

Curtin University reserves the right to alter the internal composition of any course to ensure learning outcomes retain maximum relevance. Any changes to the internal composition of a course will protect the right of students to complete the course within the normal timeframe and will not result in additional cost to students through a requirement to undertake additional units.




Handbook Disclaimer

The online handbook is the repository of Curtin University of Technology (“Curtin”) course information. While Curtin makes all reasonable endeavors to keep its online courses handbook up-to-date, information within this website is subject to change from time to time. Curtin reserves the right to change the contents and/or the method of assessment, to change or alter tuition fees of any unit of study, to withdraw/any unit of study or program which it offers, to impose limitations on enrolment in any unit or program, and/or to vary arrangements for any program without notification via the website.

For course overviews and enrolment information please visit our future students website.