Outline

Overview

This unit of study introduces students to the principles of visual communication, the basics of graphic design, as well as the role of visual communication in industry and society. Students will learn how to successfully utilise visual elements to effectively communicate ideas and concepts, in response to design briefs. Students will learn how to interpret design briefs, understand stakeholder requirements, and navigate design constraints. They will use their creativity to turn concepts into visual communication materials, regardless as to the software tools they choose to use. Using critical reflection, students will also learn to interpret and engage with a variety of visual design elements, so as to better understand the role of visual communication in a broader industry and societal context, as well as to better prepare for future design challenges.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Design Lab
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	DECO1015
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Yaron Meron, yaron.meron@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 31 March 2026

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
In-class quiz	Early feedback assessment In-class visual quiz	0%	Week 03 Due date: 13 Mar 2026 at 09:00 Closing date: 13 Mar 2026	In-class visual quiz	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Creative work	Assignment 2a: Designing for print and screen – research & reflection Design research & reflective tasks.	10%	Week 05 Due date: 25 Mar 2026 at 23:59	PDF/image uploaded files.	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Creative work	Assignment 2b: Designing for print and screen – assignment brief Design of two conceptual artefact deliverables	35%	Week 07 Due date: 10 Apr 2026 at 23:59	PDF of design concepts	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Creative work	Assignment 3a: VisCom campaign – design research Design research & reflection in response to assignment design brief	15%	Week 09 Due date: 29 Apr 2026 at 11:59	PDF of design research & reflection	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Creative work	Assignment 3b: VisCom campaign – design artefacts Design concept development in response to brief	40%	Week 13 Due date: 28 May 2026 at 11:59	PDF of design concepts	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
= early feedback task ?

Early feedback task

This unit includes an early feedback task, designed to give you feedback prior to the census date for this unit. Details are provided in the Canvas site and your result will be recorded in your Marks page. It is important that you actively engage with this task so that the University can support you to be successful in this unit.

Assessment summary

Attendance: Students should be present and engaged in their learning during classes. Late arrival/early departure will be deemed as an absence. Students who do not meet the minimum 90% threshold, who have approved special consideration may be offered the opportunity to sit an alternative assessment to pass this unit.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a High distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a Distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100	Work of outstanding quality, demonstrating mastery of the learning outcomes assessed. The work shows significant innovation, experimentation, critical analysis, synthesis, insight, creativity, and/or exceptional skill.
Distinction	75 - 84	Work of excellent quality, demonstrating a sound grasp of the learning outcomes assessed. The work shows innovation, experimentation, critical analysis, synthesis, insight, creativity, and/or superior skill.
Credit	65 - 74	Work of good quality, demonstrating more than satisfactory achievement of the learning outcomes assessed, or work of excellent quality for a majority of the learning outcomes assessed.
Pass	50 - 64	Work demonstrating satisfactory achievement of the learning outcomes assessed.
Fail	0 - 49	Work that does not demonstrate satisfactory achievement of one or more of the learning outcomes assessed.

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

As per unit guide

Academic integrity

The University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM) which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Introduction to visual communication design	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 01	Introduction to visual communication design	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 02	Creating visual communication (methods, software & other approaches)	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 02	Creating visual communication (methods, software & other approaches)	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 03	Where, Why & Who is Visual Communication for?	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 03	Where, Why & Who is Visual Communication for?	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 04	The design brief in visual communication design	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 04	The design brief in visual communication design	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 05	Visual communication basics in context	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 05	Visual communication basics in context	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 06	Branding & identity in visual communication design	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 06	Branding & identity in visual communication design	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 07	Visual design narratives – telling the ‘story’	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 07	Visual design narratives – telling the ‘story’	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 08	Breaking the rules – being prepared for diverse design situations	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 08	Breaking the rules – being prepared for diverse design situations	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 09	Presenting visual design concepts	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 09	Presenting visual design concepts	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 10	Photography, visual authenticity & design	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 10	Photography, visual authenticity & design	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 11	Visual communication, ethics & design in society	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 11	Visual communication, ethics & design in society	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 12	The future of visual communication design (& learning from the past)	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 12	The future of visual communication design (& learning from the past)	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 13	Presentation & critique	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 13	Presentation & critique	Tutorial (2 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Students must attend 90% of this unit's timetabled activities to satisfy attendance requirements, or risk failing the unit. Late arrival or early departure will be deemed as an absence. Students who are unable to attend class due to illness or misadventure must submit special consideration to be considered for an exemption from the attendance threshold. In this case, students may be offered the opportunity to complete an alternative assessment to meet the pass requirement for the unit. Students should refer to the School of Architecture, Design and Planning resolutions for specific information relating to attendance and participation.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

All readings for this unit can be accessed through links available on Canvas.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. demonstrate foundational knowledge of visual communication principles and core visual design concepts, including composition, typography, and visual hierarchy.
LO2. analyse and interpret design briefs to develop visual communication responses that address stakeholder needs and contextual constraints.
LO3. apply creative processes and digital tools to produce visual design outputs that effectively communicate defined messages.
LO4. critically reflect on visual communication theories and practices to evaluate their relevance and effectiveness within broader social, cultural, and industry contexts.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

We have made some changes to the weekly subject content as a result of the feedback received.

Additional information

More information can be found on Canvas.

Additional costs

More information can be found on Canvas.

Site visit guidelines

More information can be found on Canvas.

Work, health and safety

There are no specific WHS requirements for this unit.

Disclaimer

Important: the University of Sydney regularly reviews units of study and reserves the right to change the units of study available annually. To stay up to date on available study options, including unit of study details and availability, refer to the relevant handbook.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Early feedback task

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Additional costs

Site visit guidelines

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

DECO2101: Fundamentals of Visual Design

Semester 1, 2026 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Early feedback task

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Additional costs

Site visit guidelines

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links