In this area of study students explore a range of existing visual communications in the communication, environmental and industrial design fields.

The focus of each design field is:

Communication – the design and presentation of visual information to convey ideas and concepts

Environmental – the design and presentation of visual information for built/constructed environments

Industrial – the design and presentation of visual information for manufactured products.

Students analyse how design elements, design principles, methods, media and materials are used in visual communications in these fields to achieve particular purposes for targeted audiences. Students draw on their findings from the analysis to inform the creation of their own visual communications and articulate these connections. In response to given stimulus material, students create visual communications for different purposes, audiences and contexts using a range of manual and digital methods, media and materials. The visual communications created by students include two- and three-dimensional presentation drawings.

Methods, materials and media refer to the processes used by the designer to produce a visual communication design. They include drawing, painting, printing, photography, collage, computer and 3D processes.

Designers make decisions throughout the design process about which methods to employ. Sometimes a designer will be given specific instructions on which production methods to use, as outlined in the brief. For example, a graphic designer might be requested to use only black-and-white photographic images to reduce the cost of the design or because it will provide a link to previous projects. In the initial stages of the design process, designers might rely heavily on freehand drawing when generating ideas, then scan their work and further develop imagery and concepts using programs such as Adobe® Illustrator®. They might take photographs as a way of recording research, or photograph a 3D model to be included in a brochure design.

These photographs may be manipulated further in Photoshop®. An architect or draftsperson will use computeraided design (CAD) software to assist in the development of a house plan to scale with accurate dimensions. A designer will employ a variety of media and materials throughout the design process. A fashion designer might draw a freehand sketch on textured paper using pastels, while an industrial designer might produce a three-dimensional drawing on bleed-proof paper, rendered with markers and pen. A textile designer might use a computer program to generate design patterns and combine this with screen-printing the final design onto fabric by hand.

Expensive magazines are often printed on heavyweight gloss paper, while cheaper magazines found at supermarket checkouts are often printed on thin, inexpensive paper to reduce the cost of the magazine, suggesting that the cheaper magazines are targeted at a different demographic. Some products are packaged in simple cardboard boxes, while others have layers made from different materials to make the product more seductive and attractive to the target audience.

The easiest and most effective way in to analysis of design is to identify dominant the elements and principles of design. Doing this is like identifying the ingredients in a cake. Once you know what it's made of you can discuss it well.