"Design is the human power to conceive, plan, and realise products that serve human beings in the accomplishment of any individual or collective purpose." (Richard Buchanan, Carnegie Mellon University)

Design involves the strategic development, planning and production of visual and tactile communication. It deals with the effective and efficient communication of ideas, values, beliefs, attitudes, messages and information to specific audiences for specific purposes and with specific intentions.

Design has its own set of theories and practices and incorporates a wide range of principles, methods and techniques drawn from a variety of different disciplines, such as psychology, communication studies, digital design, technical graphics, art, engineering, architecture, sociology, cultural studies, marketing and economics. The disciplined application of these elements forms a design process that guides the development of creative and functionally effective solutions to identified possibilities or problems.

We live in a diverse and constantly changing information-rich society and culture, constantly immersed in design communication. Sometimes the intention of design is to inform, express, educate or entertain. Often the intention is also to influence or persuade. An understanding of design and how it works can enhance an individual’s ability to interact with their environment, to learn from it and to grow within it. It also empowers the individual by making them more discerning of, and therefore less susceptible to, manipulation and influence via design.

The goals of the Design ATAR course are to facilitate a deeper understanding of how design works; and how ideas, beliefs, values, attitudes, messages and information are effectively communicated to specific audiences with specific intentions or purposes via visual media forms. This course aims to achieve these goals by exposing you to a variety of communication forms and a thorough exploration of design.

Design projects allow you to demonstrate your skills and understandings of design principles and processes; to analyse problems and possibilities; and to devise innovative strategies within design contexts. There is potential for you to develop transferable skills and vocational competencies while devising innovative designs.

In this course, you will develop a competitive edge for current and future industry and employment markets. This course also emphasises the scope of design in professional and trade based industries allowing you to maximise vocational and/or university pathways.