Scotch College

VCE: Visual Communication and Design

Rationale

Visual Communication is a bridge between an idea and its intended audience as seen in architecture, industrial design, multimedia design, advertising and graphic design. The production of visual communications involves the application of a design process in which final presentations are developed in response to needs identified in an initial brief. The design process provides a defined, yet flexible approach, to the development, evaluation and refinement of visual communication solutions. The vocabulary and grammar of visual communication is based on understanding and applying drawing and drawing conventions, design elements and design principles. The study also provides the opportunity for students to develop an informed, critical and discriminating approach to visual communications encountered in everyday life.

Structure

Students will investigate the production of visual communications in a professional setting and evaluate examples of visual communications produced. The work ranges from formal instrumentation drawing of plans and elevations to freehand concept drawings and rendering, as well as computer generated images.

Unit 1: Visual Communication

The main purpose of this unit is to enable students to develop an understanding of instrumental drawing methods including relevant Australian Standards conventions and freehand drawing including drawing from direct observation. It also introduces students to the diversity of visual communication and the role of the design process in visual communication production. Students explore the use of elements and principles of design in the analysis and production of visual communication.

Unit 2: Communication in Context

Unit 2 enables students to develop and refine practical skills by generating images and developing them through freehand drawing, instrumental drawing and the use of information and communications technology. The design process is used to facilitate explore and experiment and to show how information and ideas are communicated.

Unit 3: Visual Communication Practice

In Unit 3 students develop an understanding of visual communication production through the application of the design process to satisfy specific communication needs. Students consider existing visual communication and analyse and evaluate examples and will also investigate the production of visual communications in a professional setting to examine the nature of professional practice in the design and production of visual communications.

Unit 4: Designing to a Brief

The main purpose of this unit is to enable students to apply their knowledge of the components of the design process in the preparation of one design brief. Students apply their practical skills to the development and production of two distinct final visual communication presentations through application of the design process as based on the requirements of the brief.

Assessment

Units 1 and 2: Communication Theory & Practice (Examination)

Folio (Class Work & Final Design Solutions)

Research & Design Development Tasks

Unit 3: School Assessed Coursework 33 per cent

Unit 4: School Assessed Task 33 per cent

Unit 4: Examination 34 per cent