Description
VCE Visual Communication Design (VCD) is guided by the current VCAA Study Design. This subject enables students to explore how visual language can be used to communicate ideas, information and messages across a range of design fields. Students engage in both practical and theoretical components, developing skills in manual and digital drawing methods, design thinking, research, and visual analysis.
They investigate the three fields of design—Communication Design, Industrial Design, and Environmental Design—through a range of short tasks and design projects. This culminates in the design process and production of a major folio in Unit 4, where students address a client’s needs in a sustained visual communication design project.
Unit Topics
- Unit 1 – Finding and Defining Design Problems
Students learn how designers identify and define visual communication problems, and use creative, critical, and reflective thinking in their approach.
- Unit 2 – Design Exploration and Concepts
Students explore how to generate and develop design ideas in response to specific communication needs across the three design fields.
- Unit 3 – Visual Communication Design Practices
Students investigate professional design practices and apply the design process to create and refine their own work.
- Unit 4 – Delivering Design Solutions
Students complete a major design project by developing and presenting final visual communications that satisfy a brief.
Skill Development
Students develop technical and creative skills in drawing, rendering, digital design, and layout, using both manual techniques and industry-standard software. Key areas of skill development include:
- Technical drawing in both architectural (environmental) and product (industrial) design.
- Graphic design and typography, including branding and layout.
- Use of Adobe Creative Cloud programs (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign) to produce digital work.
- Introduction to 3D modelling software such as SketchUp or ArchiCAD for environmental and product design.
Students are supported in learning these tools during class time.
Possible Assessment Tasks
Assessment tasks may include:
- Design projects and concept development
- Short visual and written folios
- Observational and technical drawings
- Written analyses of existing visual communications
- Final Year 12 folio based on a brief, including two final presentations
Activities/Camps/Excursions
Students will attend excursions such as Top Designs exhibition at Melbourne Museum to view exemplary student work and gain insight into design thinking and creative processes in a real-world context.
Career Options
Communication Designer, Graphic Designer, Industrial Designer,Architect, Interior Designer, Landscape Architect, Fashion Designer, Product Designer, Illustrator, Typographer, Exhibition Designer, UX/UI Designer, Web Designer, Engineer, Photographer, Printmaker, Animator
Year 11 & 12