Outline

Overview

Publication design focuses on the design and production of magazines and other small-scale publications in print and digital form. The unit of study explores the visual language of contemporary magazines and introduces students to basic design principles. Students learn about the complex interplay of text, image and sequence occurring in magazine design through the practical experience of creating their own publication using Adobe InDesign software. The unit links creative design processes to current digital and print practice.

Unit details and rules

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

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Agata Mrva-Montoya, agata.mrva-montoya@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Amanda LeMay, amanda.lemay@sydney.edu.au
	David Corbet, david.corbet@sydney.edu.au
	Sonia Blaskovic, sonia.blaskovic@sydney.edu.au
	Gary Humphrys, gary.humphrys@sydney.edu.au
	Robin Austin, robin.austin@sydney.edu.au
	Matt Caulfield, matt.caulfield@sydney.edu.au
	Sharon Brown, sharon.brown@sydney.edu.au
	Katie Smith, ksmi0881@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 1 September 2025

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Creative work	Design proposal More information is available on Canvas.	15%	Week 05 Due date: 01 Sep 2025 at 23:59 Closing date: 19 Sep 2025	675 wd equivalent	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Creative work	Publication prototype More information is available on Canvas.	25%	Week 10 Due date: 13 Oct 2025 at 23:59 Closing date: 31 Oct 2025	1,125 wd equivalent	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Creative work	Final publication More information is available on Canvas.	40%	Week 13 Due date: 03 Nov 2025 at 23:59 Closing date: 21 Nov 2025	1,800 wd equivalent	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Portfolio or journal	Design process portfolio More information is available on Canvas.	20%	Week 13 Due date: 07 Nov 2025 at 23:59 Closing date: 21 Nov 2025	900 wd equivalent	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:

Assessment summary

ASSESSMENT 01 – Design proposal 9pg (15%)

This assessment task is to create a digital moodboard containing four double-page spreads plus a cover page in InDesign that outlines the concept, research and visual development of the proposed publication. Submitted as PDF document and a packaged InDesign file.

ASSESSMENT 02 – Publication prototype: 12pg (25%)

This assessment task involves creating a 12-page digital magazine, which includes a cover. Submitted as a print ready PDF document and a packaged InDesign file.

ASSESSMENT 03 – Final publication: 24pg (40%)

This assessment task is to produce a 24-page digital booklet including a cover submitted as a print ready PDF document and a packaged InDesign file.

ASSESSMENT 04 – Design Process Portfolio (20%)

In this assessment you will be build a comprehensive design process portfolio through iterative studio work and weekly design development tasks.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

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
Distinction	75 - 84
Credit	65 - 74
Pass	50 - 64
Fail	0 - 49	When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades

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.

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 the course; what is editorial design?	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 02	Design research, creating your design brief	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 03	Document structure, grid and composition	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 04	Introduction to typography	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 05	Colour theory and basic image preparation	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 06	Cover design and image theory	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 07	Display typography	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 08	Typesetting and layout	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 09	Print production	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 10	Accessibility	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 11	Assisted lab time for final project	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 12	Assisted lab time for final project	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 13	Assisted lab time for final project	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: According to Faculty Board Resolutions, students in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences are expected to attend 90% of their classes. If you attend less than 50% of classes, regardless of the reasons, you may be referred to the Examiner’s Board. The Examiner’s Board will decide whether you should pass or fail the unit of study if your attendance falls below this threshold.
Lecture recording: Lectures will not be recorded except in specific circumstances.
Preparation: Students should commit to spend approximately three hours’ preparation time (reading, studying, homework, essays, etc.) for every hour of scheduled instruction.

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

An extensive collection of design resources is available on Canvas to help expand your knowledge and skills.

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 a basic working knowledge of the Adobe InDesign
LO2. understand how Adobe InDesign works with other key digital design software such as Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Acrobat
LO3. recognise the basic design considerations and technical requirements associated with the layout and production of publications
LO4. demonstrate developed design and visual literacy skills
LO5. demonstrate the scholarship and research skills necessary to continue expanding student personal knowledge base and associated creative and professional practice
LO6. demonstrate an awareness of the issues associated with the design and production of contemporary magazines and other publications

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.

The unit has been revised in response to student and staff feedback.

Additional information

Academic honesty is a core value of the University, so all students are required to act honestly, ethically and with integrity. This means that the University is opposed to and will not tolerate academic dishonesty or plagiarism, and will treat all allegations of academic dishonesty and plagiarism seriously.

According to the Academic Honesty in Coursework Policy 2015, plagiarism means representing another person’s work (i.e., ideas, findings or words) as one’s own work by presenting, copying or reproducing it without appropriate acknowledgement of the source. Academic dishonesty means seeking to obtain or obtaining academic advantage for oneself or others (including in the assessment or publication of work) by dishonest or unfair means. Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to:

resubmission (or recycling) of work that is the same, or substantially the same as work previously submitted for assessment in the same or in a different unit of study.
every unit of study expects each student to produce new material based upon research conducted in that unit;
dishonest plagiarism;
engaging another person to complete or contribute to an assessment in your place; and
various forms of misconduct in examinations (including copying from another student and taking prohibited materials into an examination venue).

Additional costs

Students are required to purchase a subscription to Adobe Creative Cloud at a special student discount.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

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

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

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

MECO6930: Publication Design

Semester 2, 2025 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

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

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links