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:

On completion of this unit the student should be able to create visual communications for specific contexts, purposes and audiences that are informed by their analysis of existing visual communications.

Key knowledge:

• key design features of existing visual communications associated with the communication, environmental and industrial design fields
• techniques for analysing visual communications
• connections between existing and created visual communications
• characteristics of audiences that influence visual communications, including age, gender, interests, location, socioeconomic status and cultural background
• purposes of visual communications, including to advertise, promote, depict, teach, inform, identify and guide
• techniques for gaining attention and maintaining engagement of audiences using visual language
• characteristics and functions of design elements and design principles
• drawing methods to visualise ideas and concepts
• two-dimensional (orthogonal, plans and elevations and packaging nets) and three-dimensional (perspective: one and two point) and paraline (isometric and planometric) drawing methods to represent forms
• methods of converting two-dimensional representation to three-dimensional representation drawing and the reverse
• technical drawing conventions appropriate for specific purposes, including layout, dimensions, labels, symbols and lines
• techniques for creating visual communications using manual and digital methods
• methods, materials and media used for different visual communications
• key characteristics and functions of typography conventions including kerning, tracking and leading
• appropriate terminology

Key skills:

• analyse existing visual communications in terms of their key features in the three design fields
• make and document design decisions that are informed by the analysis of existing visual communications and the connections between them
• select and apply drawing methods and technical drawing conventions appropriate to different purposes, audiences and contexts
• select and apply a range of design elements, design principles, manual and digital methods, materials,
• conventions and media appropriate to different purposes, audiences and contexts
• use appropriate terminology.