Bachelor of Design (Illustration and Animation) (TAFESA Diploma program in Game Art)

University of South Australia

About

This unique packaged degree will equip you with the skills needed to kick-start your rewarding career in the creative and innovative world of illustration, animation and the rapidly growing field of games development and virtual world simulation.

Throughout your studies, you will gain an understanding of picture making, visual storytelling and narratives across a range of contexts using the techniques of illustration, animation and game art.

You will learn a broad range of techniques needed to produce industry-standard visuals for industries such as book and comic publishing, gaming, movies, advertising, animation and design, become skilled in free-hand drawing, develop knowledge of digital software for moving and static pictures, work in on-campus workshops that are fitted out with state-of-the-art equipment.

Structure

Course name	Area and cat no	Units	Reference	Rules
FIRST YEAR
First Semester (Study Period 1, 2 or 3)
Illustration Animation Studio 1	GRAP 1029	9
Introductory Drawing for Design	GRAP 1019	4.5
Cinematic Design	INFT 1019	4.5
Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6)
Illustration Animation Studio 2	GRAP 2009	9
Computer Graphics and Imaging for Design	GRAP 1018	4.5
Introduction to CGI	COMM 1067	4.5
SECOND YEAR
First Semester (Study Period 1, 2 or 3)
Major		4.5	Note(s): 1	Rule(s): 1,2
Major		4.5	Note(s): 1	Rule(s): 1,2
Major		4.5	Note(s): 1	Rule(s): 1,2
Major		4.5	Note(s): 1	Rule(s): 1,2
Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6)
Major		4.5	Note(s): 1	Rule(s): 1,2
Major		4.5	Note(s): 1	Rule(s): 1,2
Major		4.5	Note(s): 1	Rule(s): 1,2
Major		4.5	Note(s): 1	Rule(s): 1,2
THIRD YEAR
First Semester (Study Period 1, 2 or 3)
Illustration Animation Studio 4	GRAP 3017	9
Life Drawing	VSAR 2049	4.5
Elective		4.5
Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6)
Visual Narrative	GRAP 3019	9
Integrated Studio Practice	GRAP 3018	9

Entry requirements

Admission criteria

The admission criteria have been grouped to assist you to easily find the information most relevant to your circumstances. However, you may fit into more than one and the university will consider applicants against each of the relevant criteria.

Certain conditions apply. For more information refer to Appendix 4 of the University's Selection and Entry policy.

Applicants are required to meet one of the following criteria with a competitive result, and demonstrate that they fulfil any prerequisite requirements and essential requirements for admission:

Recent secondary education Meet any prerequisite requirements with a minimum grade of C- or equivalent AND

Qualify for the South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE), and achieved a competitive Selection Rank (ATAR), or
Complete secondary qualifications equivalent to SACE, or
Complete the International Baccalaureate Diploma with a minimum score of 24 points

Applicants who have not achieved the Selection Rank required for automatic selection may be selected for any remaining places based on the grades of their year 12 subjects.

Recent secondary education ATAR profile

OR Higher education study

Complete or partly complete a recognised higher education program at a recognised higher education institution, or
Complete at least four Open Universities Australia (OUA) courses at undergraduate level or above

OR Vocational Education and Training (VET)

Complete an award from a registered training organisation at Certificate IV or above

OR Work and life experience

Qualify for Special Entry, or
Complete a UniSA Foundation Studies program or equivalent, or
Hold completed secondary qualifications equivalent to SACE obtained more than 2 years in the past

Essential requirements for admission

Prerequisites

Assumed Knowledge

Deferment

This degree is available for deferment. This option is made available by responding to your offer during the application process via the SATAC website. Applicants who receive an offer into a midyear degree are eligible to defer for six months.

Learning outcomes

Commencing at UniSA in their first year of study, you will undertake Semester 1 courses from Bachelor of Design (Illustration and Animation), where you will explore and gain the technical skills and theoretical knowledge required for pictorial development, visual storytelling and game art within international professional gaming, illustration and animation fields.

You will gain skills in:

drawing
painting
sculpture to make static and moving pictures
animation techniques
design processes for problem solving and solution generation
visual storytelling
conceptual thinking
critical analysis and visual literacy
2D and 3D digital software
visual effects

In Semester 2 of the first year and Semester 1 of the second year, you will undertake the Game Art Diploma courses at TAFE SA. You will then return to UniSA, where you will complete the remainder of your degree, culminating in a personal portfolio or show reel specific to the area(s) of professional practice you choose.

You will hone your skills through experiential studio workshops, professional production, industry networking and mentorship within the program. You will also develop research and project management skills enabling you to pursue further learning through postgraduate studies.

You will also develop an understanding of current trends, technologies and professional practices, ensuring you graduate industry-ready.

For each course you study, you will need to allocate time for various classes such as lectures, tutorials, workshops, seminars and practicals. Plus you will need additional hours to study in your own time to complete assignments, readings and projects and contribute to online discussion forums (independent study). So as a general rule, if you are studying full-time you would need to allocate 12 – 26 hours of study when at university and 14 – 28 hours of independent study per week.

Your studies will incorporate practical, professionally focused and research-based learning, so assessment types will vary. You can expect them to include:

There is the opportunity for you to undertake project engagement with world-renowned visual effects studios, including Rising Sun Pictures. Rising Sun Pictures' Adelaide based studio has created thousands of visual effects for over 100 motion pictures, including Gravity, X-Men, Days of Future Past, The Great Gatsby, and the Harry Potter series. Through this industry engagement opportunity, you will graduate with an invaluable connection with one of Australia’s leading visual effects companies.

Alternatively, you may choose to complete a Gaming or Animation industry placement or collaborate with other creative organisations in the completion of an industry project during your third year of study.

UniSA offers an extensive range of career-related events and workshops online, on campus and around Adelaide to develop your skills and increase your knowledge.

Your career

Careers to consider:

games developer: develop, design, create and produce computer or video games
animator: use sequential images to produce moving pictures
graphic designer: create visual concepts and graphics; you may work in advertising, publishing, public relations or manufacturing
illustrator: development and production of pictures for a broad range of creative industry sectors, for example, publishing, design, advertising, visual art, motion film, advertising, gaming and software development

technical illustrator: design and create visual representations for use in technical publications and manuals

Additionally, this degree opens career pathways into other fields such as broadcasting and motion film, visual effects and animation, educational and science-based media, streaming web content provision, design agencies, product production (fashion, toys, giftware), evolving communication technologies such as mobile technology and virtual reality, and as independent artists developing original content, advertising and publishing.

Applying to study with us:

go to the top of this page and make note of the SATAC code, then click Apply
you will be redirected through to the SATAC website to continue your application

Our campuses have fantastic facilities including modern lecture theatres, libraries, workshops, laboratories, and areas that simulate real work environments. But you’ll also discover that your journey at UniSA is about social experiences, healthy living and getting involved. You’ll find student sports and fitness facilities, community clinics, tech zones and chill-out spaces. There are campus sport activities to keep you active, and if you are keen to explore the social side of university life, there are movies, cooking demonstrations, parties and loads more.

Adelaide has a variety of accommodation options to suit different requirements and budgets. Options include dedicated student accommodation or private rentals. See our long-term accommodation pages for plenty of options. If you need somewhere to live, our new student accommodation by urbanest is on Bank Street in Adelaide’s lively cultural precinct, an ideal perfect location for students. It is within easy reach of UniSA’s city and metropolitan campuses, Rundle Mall shopping, the Central Market, Chinatown, and the West End’s vibrant nightlife. It is also across the road from the Adelaide train station, and on bus and tram routes.

Our student support services will make your life at university easier. We want you to be successful, and if you need help, we're here to assist. We provide a full range of support services, including:

academic counselling
personal counselling
social support services, including family support and nearby childcare

We have six campuses in metropolitan and regional areas, each with advanced facilities including modern lecture theatres, libraries, laboratories, and areas that simulate real work environments.

As a design student, you will have access to:

state-of-the-art on-campus design studios
workshops
computer studios

Institution