Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2025

Course Code: GRAP5401C

Course Title: Interpret and respond to a design brief

Important Information:

Please note that this course may have compulsory in-person attendance requirements for some teaching activities. 

To participate in any RMIT course in-person activities or assessment, you will need to comply with RMIT vaccination requirements which are applicable during the duration of the course. This RMIT requirement includes being vaccinated against COVID-19 or holding a valid medical exemption. 

Please read this RMIT Enrolment Procedure as it has important information regarding COVID vaccination and your study at RMIT: https://policies.rmit.edu.au/document/view.php?id=209. 

Please read the Student website for additional requirements of in-person attendance: https://www.rmit.edu.au/covid/coming-to-campus 

 

Please check your Canvas course shell closer to when the course starts to see if this course requires mandatory in-person attendance. The delivery method of the course might have to change quickly in response to changes in the local state/national directive regarding in-person course attendance. 

School: 515T Creative Industries

Campus: City Campus

Program: C4415 - Certificate IV in Photography and Digital Imaging

Course Contact: Nat Morawski

Course Contact Phone: +61399255583

Course Contact Email: nat.morawski@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Martin Reftel

reftel.larsmartin@rmit.edu.au

Nominal Hours: 30

Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites

None

Course Description

In this course you will learn the skills and knowledge required to interpret and creatively respond to a design brief through the production of work.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

CUADES412 Interpret and respond to a design brief

Element:

1 Interpret design brief

Performance Criteria:

  • 1.1 Analyse the specifications of design brief
  • 1.2 Establish client for the proposed product/service
  • 1.3 Identify and clarify specifications, parameters or constraints of design brief in consultation with required personnel
  • 1.4 Source and evaluate information pertinent to design brief

Element:

2 Explore and develop design concept

Performance Criteria:

  • 2.1 Generate ideas for design concept through research, exploration and experimentation
  • 2.2 Develop initial design concept consistent with design brief parameters
  • 2.3 Evaluate and explore options for refining concept that meets design brief parameters
  • 2.4 Refine options and select approach which best meets design brief requirements

Element:

3 Liaise with client

Performance Criteria:

  • 3.1 Agree on communication process and frequency of communication with client
  • 3.2 Present concepts for work at required stages during design process
  • 3.3 Present and explore different options and creative ideas with client when required
  • 3.4 Reach agreement on concept for work which complies with design brief

Element:

4 Plan production of work

Performance Criteria:

  • 4.1 Assess specific design production risks
  • 4.2 Identify all components required to produce a prototype
  • 4.3 Assess technical requirements for production against specified guidelines
  • 4.4 Identify and consult with support services required for production
  • 4.5 Produce a prototype and evaluate against design brief requirements
  • 4.6 Analyse prototype and determine any further adjustments to production requirements
  • 4.7 Finalise production specifications supported by required documentation

Element:

5 Complete production of work

Performance Criteria:

  • 5.1 Collect and organise required components for the work
  • 5.2 Produce or monitor the production of work and confirm all parameters of design brief are met
  • 5.3 Document work progress in format required for the nature of the design and requirements of design brief
  • 5.4 Seek client approval for work as required

Learning Outcomes


On successful completion of this course you will have developed and applied the skills and knowledge required to demonstrate competency in the above elements.


Details of Learning Activities

Learning Activities may include but are not limited to:

 

  • class exercises to review discussions/lectures  
  • practical demonstrations in studio  
  • Blog/Wiki or other online discussion and participation  
  • analysis/critique of relevant reading material  
  • seminars/workshops  
  • design activities or projects  
  • group projects  
  • peer learning  
  • guest lecture/presentation  
  • class presentations  
  • group discussion  
  • research  
  • independent project-based work  
  • group activities/projects  
  • ‘workshopping’ of student projects including peer/lecturer feedback  
  • visits to galleries and events  
  • practical placement  
  • simulated workplace activities.  


Teaching Schedule

Please refer to Canvas for detailed info and updates.

Please note: While your teacher will cover all the material in this schedule, the weekly order is subject to change depending on class needs and availability of speakers and resources.

 

Semester 1 2025WeekDateTopicAssessment / Learning activities

Week 1

w/c 10/2

Delivery: Introduction to subject, assessments

How designers and photographers work together

Copyright

Mood boards

Class Activity: Mood board pitch to a designer

 Learning activity: Set up InDesign document with margins and columns, Paragraph Styles and placing images

Week 2

w/c 17/2

Delivery: Colour theory –  primary/secondary colours – warm/cold – saturated colours

Colour theory in design – PMS colours – converting to CMYK and RGB

Class Activity: Colour wheel

Learning activity: Selecting colours in InDesign and Illustrator

Week 3

w/c 24/2

Delivery:  A01 due what to submit

Colour theory in design – colours in branding

Class Activity: Circus logo colour ways

Class Activity: Casa da Musica logo colour ways

 A01 Colour in Design Due

Week 4

w/c 3/3

Delivery:  A02: briefing: NGV Poster brief

Ad campaigns

Class Activity: Find a standout ad campaign

Learning activity: Understanding how advertising campaigns work
Week 5 w/c 10/3

Delivery:  Logo design – Type of logo – logo usage

How the NGV logo works

Class Activity: My favourite logo

 Learning activity: How logos and branding works with communication
Week 6 w/c 17/3

Delivery: A02a due what to submit

Assessment workshop

A02a NGV Exhibition Research Due
Week 7 w/c 24/3

Delivery:  Ideas generation
Class Activity: Wallet project

Learning activity: Creating and responding to a design brief 

Week 8

w/c 31/3

Delivery:  Elements and principles of design

Layout principles

Class Activity: Critiquing ad layouts

 Learning activity: Building a design layout
Week 9 w/c 7/4

 Delivery:  Working with type

Class Activity: Formatting type

Learning activity: Understanding how designers use type to build a message
Week 10 w/c 14/4

 

Delivery:  Working to specifications

Media kits

 Learning activity:  design workshop, getting the job done.

MID SEMESTER BREAK

w/c 21/4

NO CLASSES 

  

Week 11

 w/c 28/4

Delivery:  Presenting to clients

 Learning activity:  design workshop, getting the job done.
Week 12 w/c  5/5

Delivery: A02b due what to submit

Assessment workshop

Class Activity: Package InDesign 

Learning activity:  design workshop, getting the job done. Print out designs to check for consistency.

A02b NGV Exhibition Design Due
Week 13 w/c 12/5

Delivery: Magazine design – page layout

Facing pages

Master pages

Class Activity: Page hierarchy activity

 Learning activity:  setting up an InDesign document.
Week 14 w/c 19/5

Delivery: Magazine design – pull quotes text wrapping

Class Activity: Pull quotes

Text wrap

 Learning activity: design workshop, getting the job done.
Week 15 w/c 26/5

Delivery: Magazine design – covers

Class Activity: Incorporate masthead and image

 Learning activity: design workshop, getting the job done.
Week 16 w/c 2/6

Delivery: A03 due what to submit

Package InDesign recap

Class Activity: Export PDF with crops and bleed 

Learning activity:  design workshop, getting the job done.

A3: Magazine Design due
       


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References


Other Resources

The library provides free study support services and resources to help you build your academic skills. This includes subject specialist expertise, research advice, help with referencing and other services. You can also access one-on-one consultations through the library. For further information:  

https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/support-services/study-support


Overview of Assessment

Assessment for this course is ongoing throughout the semester. Your knowledge and understanding of course content is assessed through participation in class exercises, oral/written presentations and through the application of learned skills and insights. Full assessment briefs will be provided and can be found on CANVAS.


Assessment Tasks

Please see Canvas for the specific details of your assessments. 

Students enrolled in Vocational Education and Training qualifications are assessed for Competency. To be assessed as Competent means you have consistently demonstrated the required knowledge and skills at a standard expected in the workplace.   

To be assessed as Competent in this course, you will need to complete each assessment task to a satisfactory standard. You will receive feedback from the teacher at the conclusion of each assessment task. 


Assessment Matrix

The assessment matrix demonstrates alignment of assessment tasks with the relevant unit of competency. These mapping documents are available through Program Administration if required.

Other Information

Attendance:  
Your learning experience will involve class-based teaching, discussion, demonstration and practical exercises.   

It is strongly advised that you attend all timetabled sessions. This will allow you to engage in the required learning activities, ensuring you the maximum opportunity to complete this course successfully.  
  
Information about your studies:  
You can access My Studies through the RMIT website for information about timetables, important dates, assessment dates, results and progress, Canvas etc.  
 https://www.rmit.edu.au/students  
  

Assessment:  
Information on assessment including Special consideration, Adjustments to assessment, (eg. applying for an extension of time):  
https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-exams/assessment  
  
Academic Integrity and Plagiarism:   
RMIT University has a strict policy on plagiarism and academic integrity. Please refer to the website for more information on this policy.  
https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-exams/academic-integrity  
  
Credit Transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning:   
Credit transfer is the recognition of previously completed formal learning (an officially accredited qualification).  

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is an assessment process that allows you to demonstrate competence using the skills you have gained through experience in the workplace, voluntary work, informal or formal training or other life experiences.    
Please speak to your teacher if you wish to discuss applying for Credit Transfer or RPL for the unit(s) of competency addressed in this course.  
https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/enrolment/apply-for-credit

Course Overview: Access Course Overview