Unit 3/4 VCD

aka Visual Communication Design

Year Level: 12

Duration: All Year

Periods: 5

Subject Type: VCE

Leads to Tertiary Studies In Architecture, Design, Animation, Engineering

Career Pathways: Architect, Art Director, User Experience Design, Product Designer, Interface Designer, Web and App Designers, Fashion Designer, Game Designer, Animator, Spatial Designer, Advertising, Creative Director

Unit 3 VCD

In unit 3, students study the how designers structure their thinking and communicate ideas. We complete practical investigations and analysis of real world designs such as the mPavilion seen below. We gain insight into how methods, media, materials and the application of design elements and design principles can create effective visual communications for specific audiences and purposes.

We look at contemporary design and the practice of industry - based designers. We also complete 2 small practical assessments in response to the research and analysis we do. We write our own brief and research design from a variety of historical and contemporary design fields for possible directions, themes or starting points for investigation and inspiration for our own work. We also use visualisation drawings to generate a wide range of design ideas and apply design thinking strategies to organise and evaluate ideas.

Unit 4 VCD

In unit 4, the focus is on the development of design concepts and two final solutions to meet the requirements of the brief which was written in Unit 3. We use a range of methods, media and materials and investigate how the application of design elements and design principles creates different communication messages with the target audience.

Ongoing reflection and evaluation of design solutions against the brief helps keeping us focused. We devise a pitch to communicate design thinking and decision making to the client and our peer designers. Then we use this feedback to refine and present two visual communications within the parameters of the brief.

In VCD we love going out on excursions to the city to the NGV and CBD to check out design in a real life context. Here we are sketching at the NGV.

Are there any prerequisite subjects?

No, while there are no prerequisite subjects you will be significantly advantaged in year 12 if you complete the year 11 course. In units 1/2 you will develop the skills and understandings necessary for units 3/4. The skills learnt are built upon and examined in units 3/4 SACs and exams also.

What careers will VCD lead me into?

It would be a good idea for anyone who is considering a career in any area of design to study VCD. You will gain a greater understanding of design in industry and how to approach and solve design problems through studying the subject. You will also have the opportunity to develop work, which can contribute to your folio for entrance into university level design courses.

Some typical careers which result from study in this subject include; Architect, Graphic Designer, Industrial Designer, Illustrator, Web Designer, Animator, Gallery/ Museum Curator, Art Teacher, Cartoonist, Costume Designer, Set Designer, Interior Designer, Photographer, Visual Merchandiser, Web Designer ...

Your folio work in VCD can be in many areas; architecture, graphic design, fashion, branding, industrial design, interior design, animation, illustration, web design to name a few.

How will studying VCD benefit me in the future?

1. The internet has created an explosion of opportunity for digital designers and multimedia artists video producers, online publishers, animation artists, game designers. There is a huge demand in industry for people skilled in all these areas.

2. Good marks impress, no matter what, if you excel in the Arts, don’t dismiss an Arts choice over a more ‘traditional’ subject. If you have ability in any creative area: grasp it and let it shine. A high study score is an impressive achievement in any field.

3. In industry, those with a diverse skill set have a clear advantage, in any career. Those who are multi-skilled are astronomically more useful, well-rounded, hireable and capable of excelling in a much wider range of professions.

4. Design enhances fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, problem solving skills, lateral thinking, complex analysis and critical thinking skills. No matter what career you choose, those who can arrange, present and display material in a way that is aesthetically pleasing have an advantage.

5. Folio work teaches you self-discipline. While the practical workload can be an initial shock, you will find you develop the focus, organisational and time management skills that many other students only dream of.

6. Design and art makes you happy. It gives you a fresh view of even mundane ordinary aspects of the world. Communicating with colour and shape and form awakens the imagination and keeps you grounded. If you love making art, you’ll miss it when it’s gone. And if you do choose to study VCD, chances are, it will be your favourite class of the day.

Over the past 5 years numerous VCD students from GWSC have been shortlisted for the VCAA 'Top Designs' exhibition at the Melbourne Museum. We were thrilled to announce that Kenny Guo from the VCD class of 2017 was selected to be exhibited.

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