300136 v.5 Bachelor of Arts (Design) (Honours)

BA(Hons)(Curtin)

Introduction
This honours program by virtue of lecturer and student collaboration celebrates the individual and their ideas by imbuing a strong sense of passion and rigor for quality, design and research that is meaningful, insightful, innovative and socio-contextually relevant. It is offered by invitation to those students with a record of outstanding achievement in their degree experience. This achievement includes being highly creative, skilful, intrigued and inspired by the phenomena of Design. The course extendsindividual interests and skills through engagement in professional Design Issues Seminar and by undertaking an advanced level of design research, leading to the design and creative production of the student's individual research project. It includes a combination of academic directed and individually inspired work, group activities and discussion and also encourages professional and personal development through investigative learning that is relevant and transferable to the circumstances of real organisations.

Course Entry Requirements/Prerequisites
A Bachelor of Arts from Curtin University or other equivalent Tertiary Instituaion with a background in design and have achieved a weighted average of not less than 65 per cent in at least the previous two semesters of equivalent full-time study.

Recognition of Prior Learning
Applications for recognition of prior learning are encouraged from applicants and are assessed on an individual basis.

Duration and Availability
This course is of one years full-time or equivalent part-time study.

Course Organisation
This one year full-time or two-year part-time Honours course extends individual interests and skills through engagement in professional Design discourse and the undertaking of an advanced level of design research leading to the design and creative production outcome of the student's individual research project. Examples might be a live or virtual exhibition, design schemas and models supported by a report, as well as a more conventional written dissertation. The course includes a combination of academically directed and individually inspired work, group activities and discussion through the following units - Design Research Methods, Design Investigation and Design Issues Seminar. These are designed to support the student in achieving their Honours Research Project. The course encourages professional and personal development through investigative learning that is relevant and transferable to the circumstances of real organisations.

Professional Recognition
Graduates are eligible for membership in the Australian Graphic Design Association, Perth Art Directors Club, Design Management Institute and Design Institute of Australia.

Career Opportunities
Graduates of Design generally find employment within all avenues of Design inclusive of - Design Studios, Advertising Agencies, Public Relations, Marketing organisations, Government institutions and Universities. In addition, the Honours course providesthe opportunity for further career opportunities including identifying niche specialisation leading to self-employment, Design research, scholarship and the Doctor of Philosophy.

Additional Course Expenses
In addition students may need to purchase a number of textbooks, readers and other vital study materials and may, if required, also need to contribute some of the cost of consumables which varies according to the area of study.

Special Note
Continuing and new students in this course have the choice depending on their previous and current area of specialisation, to graduate with a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) majoring in one of - Creative Advertising Design, Design, Design Photography, GraphicDesign, Illustration or Product Design.

Course Structure Hrs/Wk Credit

Year 1 Semester 1

301539 v.3 Design Research Methods 495 3.0 25.0

307836 v.2 Honours Design Project Development 491 1.0 25.0

307839 v.1 Design Investigations 491 5.0 25.0

308121 v.1 Design Issues Seminar 491 3.0 25.0

100.0

Year 1 Semester 2

307842 v.1 Honours Design Project 492 1.0 50.0

307844 v.1 Honours Design Project Report 492 1.0 50.0

100.0

Availability

Year Location Period Internal External
2004 Bentley Campus Semester 1 Y Y
2004 Bentley Campus Semester 2 Y Y

The information displayed above refers to study periods and locations that students are eligible to be offe red and admitted to this course for the first time only.