Bachelor of Arts (Digital Experience and Interaction Design) (Visual Culture)

Digital Experience and Interaction Design

At the completion of this degree students will be able to:

1. apply discipline knowledge of creative practice in design application, studio practice and critical discourse, contribute to evidence based practice through visual and technical research
2. think critically and reflectively by incorporating creativity within design research, design practice and contemporary professional/industry practice
3. critically evaluate design specific technologies and relevant design literature, synthesise information from a range of sources
4. demonstrate effective audio/visual, spoken, written, graphic and technical communication appropriate to digital design within the confines of professional design practice, wroughting and production
5. use and discern tools and technologies appropriate and relevant to the design, development, testing and production of digital content and its delivery
6. demonstrate personal awareness of a design specific practice, apply effective self-directed learning skills; sustain an engagement with contemporary practices and the creative industries
7. recognise the significance of international movements and influences in contemporary design and studio practice, understand and utilise international standards in cultural, regulatory and profession practice
8. recognise the importance of cultural diversity and visual language, respect individuals from all cultures, develop cross-cultural collaborations that foster innovation and diversity in design activities, studio practice and production
9. work independently and collaboratively, demonstrating design relevant professional practice and leadership skills, use responsible design, sustainable practices and ethical responsibilities within personal judgements. 

Visual Culture

At the completion of this degree students will be able to:

1. apply discipline knowledge of critical discourses within art and design; contribute to evidence based practice through visual research
2. think critically and reflectively by incorporating creativity within the research and articulation of visual culture
3. critically evaluate visual culture, technology, practices and literature relevant to the discipline, synthesise information from a range of sources
4. demonstrate effective visual, spoken and written communication appropriate to art and design critical discourses
5. use and discern visual and other technologies appropriate to the understanding of contemporary art and design
6. sustain an engagement with visual culture and creative industries through self-directed ongoing learning skills
7. recognise the significance of disparate international visual art and design practices in the development of local and national professional contemporary visual cultural production
8. recognise the importance of cultural diversity through visual language; respect individuals from all cultures; develop cross-cultural collaborations that foster innovation and diversity in art and design
9. work independently and collaboratively, demonstrating art and design professional practice and leadership skills.

This degree was previously known as Bachelor of Arts (Digital Design and Visual Culture).

This degree offers a choice of studying two single majors together and introduces students to the complementary fields of digital design and visual culture. This degree enables students to understand web-based design, 2-D and 3-D animation design, digital photography, digital illustration and rendering, interactive and experience design, simulations and modelling, and electronic game design along with exploring the history and theories of art and learn to critically evaluate how art informs our world. Students are also trained in practices of seeing and representation through technical and intuitive skills based in drawing.

Recommended study pattern

To complete the degree as a full time student, a maximum of two subjects per Study Period is recommended.

Level 1 BA (Digital Experience and Interaction Design) (Visual Culture) - complete the following:

• APC100 Academic and Professional Communication (core subject)
• COM155 Culture to Cultures (core subject)
• DIG11 Universal Design Principles (Digital Experience and Interaction Design major subject)
• DIG12 Digital Design Process (Digital Experience and Interaction Design major subject)
• VIS18 Introduction to History of Art and Design (core subject)
• VIS19 Issues in Contemporary Art (Visual Culture major subject)
• Two elective subjects

Level 2 and level 3

Single Major BA (Digital Experience and Interaction Design)

Complete four level two and four level three Digital Experience and Interaction Design major subjects

AND

Single Major BA (Visual Culture)

Complete four level two and four level three Visual Culture major subjects

The Bachelor of Arts degree incorporates a progressive structure of subjects designed to build knowledge and enable you to successfully progress through the degree.

Award requirements

To obtain the award for the BA (Digital Experience and Interaction Design) (Visual Culture) students must complete a total of 24 subjects as follows:

• APC100 Academic and Professional Communication (core subject)
• COM155 Culture to Cultures (core subject)
• Ten Digital Experience and Interaction Design Major subjects selected from Levels 1, 2 and 3
• Ten Visual Culture Major subjects selected from Levels 1, 2 and 3
• Two elective subjects

The following criteria also apply:

• The combined Digital Experience and Interaction Design and Visual Culture structure only allow two elective subjects.
• You must complete the degree within 10 years.
• You must complete at least eight Curtin University subjects where Credit for Recognised Learning (CRL) is applicable.

Degrees are usually made up of core subjects and electives. Some degrees include a choice of majors, so you can focus your studies on a specialisation.

This list is a general overview. Download the full Degree Guide for more information.

• Common Level 1 Subjects

• Level 1 Major - Digital Experience and Interaction Design

• Level 1 Major - Visual Culture

• Level 2 Major - Digital Experience and Interaction Design

• Level 2 Major - Visual Culture

• Level 3 Major - Digital Experience and Interaction Design

• Level 3 Major - Visual Culture

We recommend that all students, as soon as they are eligible, should apply for and take a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP). However, if you choose not to be a CSP student, please contact Curtin through the Ask Connect webform and select the Admissions and Credit for Recognised Learning - Entry pathways and eligibility menu option.

2020 Changes

Degree structure changes

The title of the degree Bachelor of Arts (Digital Design and Visual Culture) has been changed to Bachelor of Arts (Digital Experience and Interaction Design) (Visual Culture).

From SP1 2020, students completing the Bachelor of Arts (Digital Experience and Interaction Design) (Visual Culture) degree will be required to transition to the new degree structure as detailed below.  

Level 1:

• Two humanities core subjects; APC100 and COM155,
• Two Digital Experience and Interaction Design major subjects; DIG11 and DIG12, and
• Two Visual Culture major subjects; VIS18 and VIS19, and
• Two Elective subjects

NOTE:  Students who have previously completed Humanities common core subjects VIS18 and VAR100 will have these credited to their degree of study.

Level 2:

• Four Digital Experience and Interaction Design major subjects; DIG21, DIG22, DIG23 and DIG24
• Four Visual Culture major subjects; VIS24, VIS27, VIS29 and VAR250

Level 3:

• Four Digital Experience and Interaction Design major subjects; DIG31, DIG32, DIG33 and WEB310
• Four Visual Culture major subjects; VIS320, VIS330, VIS340 and VAR300,

Digital Experience and Interaction Design Subject Changes

• Elective subjects may include VIS18 and VAR101 (previously VAR100).  Students who have previously completed VIS18 and VAR100 as core subjects will have these credited to their degree of study.

Visual Culture Subject Changes

• VIS18 has been changed from a Humanities common core subject to a Visual Culture major subject.
• VAR110 (previously VAR11) is no longer a Visual Culture degree subject.  Students may select this subject as an optional subject in level 1.
• VAR250 replaces VAR25.   VAR250 will provide students optional pathways to develop their research skills through theoretical or practical approaches.   
• VAR300 replaces VAR31.  VAR300 will provide students optional pathways to develop their research skills through theoretical or practical approaches.
• VIS340 is a new level 3 version of previous level 2 subject VIS25 in the Visual Culture Degree.  Students who have completed VIS25 should not complete the third year level subject VIS340. Instead students should select another VIS subject from level 2 not already completed.
• VAR26 and VAR32 will be available in 2020 only and then deactivated in 2021. Existing registered degree students may continue to select these subjects to complete their degree of study in 2020 only.  
• VIS26 will be available for SP1 2020 only.
• Students who have previously completed VIS26, VAR26 and VAR32 will have them credited in the new structure.
• Existing students will need to select from the available subjects to complete the BA (Digital Experience and Interaction Design) (Visual Culture) degree.

Curtin University is committed to the fundamental principle that, no matter which major structure students choose to stay in or transition into, students will not be disadvantaged in their education.  Curtin University is committed to discussion and consultation and would welcome your email or phone contact at any time to ensure you are fully informed and understand the changes. 

Students with enquiries please email:

Digital Experience and Interaction Design Major Coordinator: Joel Louie joel.louie@curtin.edu.au

Visual Culture Major Coordinator: Gina Cinanni g.cinanni@curtin.edu.au

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• Successful completion of one full time semester (four standard subjects) towards an Undergraduate or higher level of study at an Australian University (separate evidence of English proficiency is not required).

• Successful study through OUA – either:
  • Successful completion of four OUA degree level subjects at pass level (this satisfies the English language proficiency requirement) OR
  • Successful completion of two OUA degree level subjects with separate evidence of English proficiency is required.

• Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR) 70 or equivalent. Students must have English ATAR, Literature ATAR or English as an Additional Language/Dialect ATAR. To determine your eligibility for entry please refer to Interstate Year 12 and IB Students, TISC Tertiary Institutions Service Centre Prerequisites

• Completion of an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Diploma or Advanced Diploma or Associate Diploma. You may also be eligible for credit toward your university study.
• Completion of an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Certificate IV and evidence of English proficiency.

• Successful completion of the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT). (Please note this test is valid for two years.)
• Finished secondary education more than two years ago
• Bridging and enabling degree entry
  • Curtin Enabling Program: UniReady
• Enabling degrees completed through other Australian Universities which meet minimum entry requirements for that institution will be accepted as minimum entry requirements for this degree.

Additional information

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people: Centre for Aboriginal Studies
• Domestic applicants with overseas qualifications

Applicants need to meet Curtin's English Language requirements. You normally need ONE of the following:

• Must have a 50% minimum in English ATAR (or equivalent).
• Completion of at least one full time semester (or equivalent) of Undergraduate level studies at an Australian University
• Completion of an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Diploma or Advanced Diploma or Associate Diploma
• Successful completion of two degree level subjects via Open Universities Australia (OUA) and English proficiency
• Successful completion of two degree level subjects at an Australian university and English proficiency
• Successful completion of the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT). (Please note this test is valid for two years.)

Please refer to the 'Minimum English Language Proficiency Requirements' document at English Language Requirements.

*** Please Note: If any academic or legal document is not in English, you must provide a colour scan of the non-English documents, including a colour scan of the official English translations of these documents. This is for comparison purposes. ***

Credit for Recognised Learning (CRL) is assessed on individual merit and is awarded for different types of learning, for example, studies you have previously completed or for relevant work experience.

Students must be admitted in an award degree of study before lodging their completed CRL application, along with all required supporting documentation for a formal assessment.

To apply for CRL, please visit the Curtin University website: Credit for Recognised Learning (Advanced Standing)

It is important to note accepted documentation includes scans of the original Transcripts and/or Award Certificate; front and back; in colour; and original size. For further information see the scanned documents and certification requirements and guidelines.

More information about the policies and procedures related to CRL assessment and appealing a CRL assessment outcome can be found in the Credit for Recognised Learning Policy (PDF).