Bachelor of Arts (Digital Experience and Interaction Design) (Fine Art)

Digital Experience and Interaction Design

At the completion of this degree students will be able to:

1. apply discipline knowledge of creative practice in design application, studio practice and critical discourse, contribute to evidence based practice through visual and technical research
2. think critically and reflectively by incorporating creativity within design research, design practice and contemporary professional/industry practice
3. critically evaluate design specific technologies and relevant design literature, synthesise information from a range of sources
4. demonstrate effective audio/visual, spoken, written, graphic and technical communication appropriate to digital design within the confines of professional design practice, wroughting and production
5. use and discern tools and technologies appropriate and relevant to the design, development, testing and production of digital content and its delivery
6. demonstrate personal awareness of a design specific practice, apply effective self-directed learning skills; sustain an engagement with contemporary practices and the creative industries
7. recognise the significance of international movements and influences in contemporary design and studio practice, understand and utilise international standards in cultural, regulatory and profession practice
8. recognise the importance of cultural diversity and visual language, respect individuals from all cultures, develop cross-cultural collaborations that foster innovation and diversity in design activities, studio practice and production
9. work independently and collaboratively, demonstrating design relevant professional practice and leadership skills, use responsible design, sustainable practices and ethical responsibilities within personal judgements. 

Fine Art

At the completion of this degree students will be able to:

1. apply discipline knowledge of creative production in both studio practice and art critical discourse; contribute to evidence based practice through visual research
2. think critically and reflectively by incorporating creativity within visual research and studio practice
3. critically evaluate visual culture, technology and literature relevant to the discipline, synthesise information from a range of sources
4. demonstrate effective visual, spoken and written communication appropriate to both studio practice and art critical discourse
5. use and discern technologies appropriate to the production of contemporary art
6. demonstrate personal awareness of a critically reflective studio practice; apply effective self-directed learning skills; sustain an engagement with visual culture and creative industries
7. recognise the significance of international visual arts and cultural practice in the development of local and national professional contemporary visual arts production
8. recognise the importance of cultural diversity through visual language; respect individuals from all cultures; develop cross-cultural collaborations that foster innovation and diversity in the visual arts
9. work independently and collaboratively, demonstrating art relevant professional practice and leadership skills.

Graduates will be equipped with relevant industry skills specific to careers as: website designers; 2D & 3D animation designers; as designers in the field of interactive design for digital simulators; designers in 3D modelling and rendering; character and avatar designers, mobile and computer game designers; professional art practitioners; art curators; exhibition coordinators; and arts administrators.

Higher education via OUA

• Successful study through OUA – either:
  • Successful completion of four OUA degree level subjects at pass level (this satisfies the English language proficiency requirement) OR
  • Successful completion of two OUA degree level subjects with separate evidence of English proficiency is required.

Higher education

• Successful completion of one full time semester (four standard subjects) towards an Undergraduate or higher level of study at an Australian University (separate evidence of English proficiency is not required).

Secondary education

• Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR) 70 or equivalent. Students must have English ATAR, Literature ATAR or English as an Additional Language/Dialect ATAR. To determine your eligibility for entry please refer to Interstate Year 12 and IB Students, TISC Tertiary Institutions Service Centre link http://www.tisc.edu.au/static/guide/prerequisites-comparison.tisc

VET studies

• Completion of an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Diploma or Advanced Diploma or Associate Diploma. You may also be eligible for credit toward your university study.
• Completion of an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Certificate IV and evidence of English proficiency.

Work and Life

• Successful completion of the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT). (Please note this test is valid for two years.)
• Finished secondary education more than two years ago
• Bridging and enabling degree entry
  • Curtin Enabling Program: UniReady - https://www.open.edu.au/degrees/uniready-enabling-subjects-curtin-university-cur-unr-deg
• Enabling degrees completed through other Australian Universities which meet minimum entry requirements for that institution will be accepted as minimum entry requirements for this degree.

Additional information

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people: Centre for Aboriginal Studies - http://karda.curtin.edu.au/
• Domestic applicants with overseas qualifications - https://study.curtin.edu.au/applying/overseas-qualifications/

English Proficiency Requirements

Applicants need to meet Curtin's English Language requirements. You normally need ONE of the following:

• Must have a 50% minimum in English ATAR (or equivalent).
• Completion of at least one full time semester (or equivalent) of Undergraduate level studies at an Australian University
• Completion of an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Diploma or Advanced Diploma or Associate Diploma
• Successful completion of two degree level subjects via Open Universities Australia (OUA) and English proficiency
• Successful completion of two degree level subjects at an Australian university and English proficiency
• Successful completion of the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT). (Please note this test is valid for two years.)

Please refer to the 'Minimum English Language Proficiency Requirements' document at https://study.curtin.edu.au/applying/english-language-requirements/.

*** Please Note: If any academic or legal document is not in English, you must provide a colour scan of the non-English documents, including a colour scan of the official English translations of these documents. This is for comparison purposes. ***

Credit for Recognised Learning (CRL) is assessed on individual merit and is awarded for different types of learning, for example, studies you have previously completed or for relevant work experience.

Students must be admitted in an award degree of study before lodging their completed CRL application, along with all required supporting documentation for a formal assessment.

To apply for CRL, please visit the Curtin University website: https://study.curtin.edu.au/credit/

It is important to note accepted documentation includes scans of the original Transcripts and/or Award Certificate; front and back; in colour; and original size. For further information see the scanned documents and certification requirements and guidelines.

More information about the policies and procedures related to CRL assessment and appealing a CRL assessment outcome can be found in the Credit for Recognised Learning Policy (PDF).

This degree was previously known as Bachelor of Arts (Digital Design and Fine Art).

This degree offers a choice of studying two single majors together and introduces students to the complementary fields of digital design and fine art. This degree enables students to understand web-based design, 2-D and 3-D animation design, digital photography, digital illustration and rendering, interactive and experience design, simulations and modelling, and electronic game design along with drawing upon the diverse and complex traditions of Fine Art and calls for a high degree of self-discipline, a capacity for self-criticism and dedication to the demanding profession of being an artist.

Recommended Study Pattern

To complete the degree as a full time student, a maximum of two subjects per Study Period is recommended.

Level 1 BA (Digital Experience and Interaction Design) (Fine Art) - complete the following:

• APC100 Academic and Professional Communication (core subject)
• COM155 Culture to Cultures (core subject)
• DIG11 Universal Design Principles (Digital Experience and Interaction Design major subject)
• DIG12 Digital Design Process (Digital Experience and Interaction Design major subject)
• VSW13 Fine Art Studio (Fine Art major subject)
• VSW14 Fine Art Studio Methods (Fine Art major subject)
• 2 elective subjects

Level 2 and level 3

Single Major BA (Digital Experience and Interaction Design)

Complete four Level 2 and four Level 3 Digital Design major subjects

AND

Single Major BA (Fine Art)

Complete four Level 2 and four Level 3 Fine Art major subjects

The Bachelor of Arts degree incorporates a progressive structure of subjects designed to build knowledge and enable you to successfully progress through the degree.

Award Requirements

To obtain the award for the BA (Digital Experience and Interaction Design) (Fine Art) students must complete a total of 24 subjects as follows:

• APC100 Academic and Professional Communication (core subject)
• COM155 Culture to Cultures (core subject)
• 10 Digital Experience and Interaction Design major subjects selected from Levels 1, 2 and 3
• 10 Fine Art major subjects selected from Levels 1, 2 and 3
• 2 elective subjects

The following criteria also apply:

• The combined Digital Experience and Interaction Design and Fine Art structure only allows two elective subjects.
• You must complete the degree within 10 years.
• You must complete at least eight Curtin University subjects where Credit for Recognised Learning (CRL) is applicable.

We recommend that all students, as soon as they are eligible, should apply for and take a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP). However, if you choose not to be a CSP student, please contact Curtin through the Ask Connect webform https://students.connect.curtin.edu.au/app/ask and select the Admissions and Credit for Recognised Learning - Entry pathways and eligibility menu option.

2020 Changes:

Degree structure changes

The title of the degree Bachelor of Arts (Digital Design and Fine Art) has been changed to Bachelor of Arts (Digital Experience and Interaction Design) (Fine Art).

From SP1 2020, students completing the Bachelor of Arts (Digital Experience and Interaction Design) (Fine Art) will be required to transition to the new degree structure as detailed below.  

Level 1:

• 2 Common Level 1 core subjects; APC100 and COM155,
• 2 Fine Art major subjects; VSW13 and VSW14, and
• 2 Digital Experience and Interaction Design major subjects; DIG11 and DIG12, and
• 2 elective subjects

Level 2:

• 4 Fine Art major subjects; VSW210, VSW220, VSW230, and VSW240, and
• 4 Digital Experience and Interaction Design major subjects; DIG21, DIG22, DIG23 and DIG24

Level 3:

• 4 Fine Art major subjects; VSW31, VSW32, VSW330 and VSW340,  and
• 4 Four Digital Experience and Interaction Design major subjects; DIG32, DIG31, DIG33 and WEB310

Digital Experience and Interaction Design Subject Changes

• Elective subjects may include VIS18 and VAR101 (previously VAR100).  Students who have previously completed VIS18  and VAR100 as core subjects will have these credited to their degree of study.

Fine Art Subject Changes

• VSW25, VSW26, VSW27 and VSW28 are no longer offered in 2020. Students who wish to continue studying the sculpture Fine Art stream will be able to do so in subjects VSW210, VSW220, VSW230 and VSW240. Students who have previously completed these subjects will have them credited to their degree as major subjects.
• VSW210, VSW220, VSW230 and VSW240 have been developed to allow students to choose either Painting OR Sculpture as their major studio focus.
• VSW330 replaces VSW33.  VSW330 will offer a broadening of subject outcomes to include both theoretical and practical perspectives in the production of art. Students who have previously completed VSW33 should not enrol in VSW330.
• VSW340 replaces VSW34.  VSW340 is the capstone subject for the fine art major where students present a final body of work that represents the culmination of their fine art specialism.

Curtin University is committed to the fundamental principle that, no matter which major structure students choose to stay in or transition into, students will not be disadvantaged in their education.  Curtin University is committed to discussion and consultation and would welcome your email or phone contact at any time to ensure you are fully informed and understand the changes. 

Students with enquiries please email:

Digital Experience and Interaction Design Major Coordinator: Joel Louie joel.louie@curtin.edu.au

Fine Art Major Coordinator: Moira Doropoulos m.doropoulos@curtin.edu.au