Course Title: Professional Practice Project

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Professional Practice Project

Credit Points: 12

Course Code	Campus	Career	School	Learning Mode	Teaching Period(s)
GRAP2142	City Campus	Postgraduate	335H Applied Communication	Face-to-Face	Sem 1 2006, Sem 2 2006, Sem 1 2007, Sem 2 2007, Sem 1 2008, Sem 2 2008, Sem 1 2009, Sem 2 2009
GRAP2142	City Campus	Postgraduate	345H Media and Communication	Face-to-Face	Sem 1 2010, Sem 2 2010, Sem 1 2011, Sem 2 2011, Sem 1 2012, Sem 2 2012, Sem 1 2013, Sem 2 2013, Sem 2 2015

Course Coordinator: Russell Kerr

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 1423

Course Coordinator Email:russell.kerr@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: Building 9, level 1, Room 03

Course Coordinator Availability: By appointment or via email.

Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

None.

Students applying through a Single Course Application should be aware that an appropriate undergraduate program and presentation and approval of a Folio is a requirement for entry into this course.

Course Description

In this course you will manage and produce a design project from start to finish. You will be involved in activities such as preparing budgets, writing return briefs and developing and delivering presentations, appropriate to a design studio environment.
You will examine strategies for collaborating and communicating with clients, and develop industry networks. You will also explore the background of the design industry and are encouraged to approach international designers in a research project.

This is the designated Work Integrated Learning (WIL) course for GD071 Graduate Diploma in Graphic Design. This course is designed to enable you to apply your academic learning to a contemporary workplace situation. The integration of work-based learning and academic learning, commonly referred to as Work Integrated Learning (WIL), will allow you to solve authentic workplace problems or address real issues faced in organisations.

Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to:
•    manage the client/designer relationship and apply design principles to achieve effective design outcomes;
•    prepare industry standard project management documentation (including proposals, timesheets and invoices);
•    critically analyse the conditions that influence graphic design presentation styles and apply in professional practice;
•    apply strategies for time management, organisation and client correspondence;
•    independently evaluate different opinions and feedback to your work; and
•    respond to feedback and justify the design solution.

In this course you will develop the following program capabilities:
•    analyse client-based and user-based audiences and contexts which visual communication solutions must address, including the recognition of the physical, cognitive, cultural, environmental and social human factors that shape design solutions;
•    solve visual communication problems using strategies for problem identification, research and information gathering, analysis, generation of alternative solutions, prototyping and evaluation of outcomes; and
•    interpret key graphic design business practices, including responding to briefs, organizing design projects, sustainability and working productively as a team member.

Overview of Learning Activities

You will be actively engaged in learning that involves a combination of lectures, tutorials, seminars, field trips, practical interactive exercises, group discussion and activities in which you will have the opportunity to practice the skills and knowledge discussed in class.
Peer and self-critique is an integral part of the teaching and learning philosophy of the course. This course will also provide you with the opportunity to receive industry feedback on your learning activities.

Overview of Learning Resources

A list of recommended learning resources will be provided by your lecturer, including books, journal articles and web resources. You will also be expected to seek further resources relevant to the focus of your own learning.
Macintosh computers and industry-standard software and fonts are available on campus.

Overview of Assessment

Assessment will cover both theoretical and practical aspects of your learning. Assessment will occur during and at the end of the course.
Your ability to professionally manage and complete a design project will be assessed by written and oral presentation tasks. Additional written and oral research tasks will assess your self-directed research and networking skills.
Methods may include any combination tasks such as reports, folio and presentations.