Bachelor of Arts (Digital Experience and Interaction Design) (Fine Art)
Undergraduate
CUR-DDF-DEG 2026Course information for 2026 intake View information for 2025 course intake
Illustrate your creative and animated career
Get designs on creating a future in fine art using paint and pixels. Animate interactive experiences. Draw on traditional and contemporary art techniques from painting to visual research. Layout digital design processes and principles.
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Applications close
- 22 Feb 2026,
- 24 May 2026,
- 23 Aug 2026,
- 22 Nov 2026
- Credit available
- Yes
- Duration
- 3 years full time or part time equivalent
- Total subjects
- 24
- Available loans
- Australian Higher Education Loan Program (HELP)
- CSP available
- Yes
Bachelor of Arts (Digital Experience and Interaction Design) (Fine Art)
About this degree
Digital Experience and Interaction Design
At the completion of this degree students will be able to:
- apply discipline knowledge of creative practice in design application, studio practice and critical discourse, contribute to evidence based practice through visual and technical research
- think critically and reflectively by incorporating creativity within design research, design practice and contemporary professional/industry practice
- critically evaluate design specific technologies and relevant design literature, synthesise information from a range of sources
- demonstrate effective audio/visual, spoken, written, graphic and technical communication appropriate to digital design within the confines of professional design practice, wroughting and production
- use and discern tools and technologies appropriate and relevant to the design, development, testing and production of digital content and its delivery
- demonstrate personal awareness of a design specific practice, apply effective self-directed learning skills; sustain an engagement with contemporary practices and the creative industries
- 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
- 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
- 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:
- apply discipline knowledge of creative production in both studio practice and art critical discourse; contribute to evidence based practice through visual research
- think critically and reflectively by incorporating creativity within visual research and studio practice
- critically evaluate visual culture, technology and literature relevant to the discipline, synthesise information from a range of sources
- demonstrate effective visual, spoken and written communication appropriate to both studio practice and art critical discourse
- use and discern technologies appropriate to the production of contemporary art
- demonstrate personal awareness of a critically reflective studio practice; apply effective self-directed learning skills; sustain an engagement with visual culture and creative industries
- recognise the significance of international visual arts and cultural practice in the development of local and national professional contemporary visual arts production
- 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
- work independently and collaboratively, demonstrating art relevant professional practice and leadership skills.
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 Subjects
- ENST1002 Sustainability Communication and Action (core subject)
- COM155 Culture to Cultures (core subject)
- GRDE1029 Motion Design Studio (Digital Experience and Interaction Design major subject)
- GRDE1033 Introduction to Digital Creative Practice (Digital Experience and Interaction Design major subject)
- VSW13 Fine Art Studio (Fine Art major subject)
- VSW14 Fine Art Studio Methods (Fine Art major subject)
- Two elective subjects
Level 2 and Level 3 Subjects
- Complete four Level 2 and four Level 3 Digital Design major subjects AND
- 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:
- ENST1002 Sustainability Communication and Action (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:
- 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.
Choose your subjects
Electives
Students are required to select 2 elective subjects. The OUA electives must be completed at an undergraduate level.
Degrees are usually made up of core subjects and electives. Some degrees include a choice of majors, so you can focus your studies on a specialisation.
This list is a general overview. Download the full Degree Guide for more information.
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 and select the Admissions and Credit for Recognised Learning - Entry pathways and eligibility menu option.
Transition arrangements are changes that occur when courses are updated or phased out. This happens regularly as part of continuous improvement. It may affect you if you are currently enrolled in this course, or if you plan to use credit from previous study towards it.
2026 Changes:
The following subjects will be offered from 2026:
- CUR-ENST1002 Sustainability Communication and Action
- CUR-GRDE1033 Introduction to Digital Creative Practice
- CUR-GRDE1029 Motion Design Studio
- CUR-GRDE2049 Interactive Platforms
- CUR-GRDE2054 Social Interactive Experiences
- CUR-GRDE3041 Digital Narrative Experience Studio
They will replace the following, which will no longer be offered in 2026:
- CUR-APC100 Academic and Professional Communications
- CUR-DIG12 Digital Design 1
- CUR-DIG22 Web Design 1
- CUR-DIG21 UX Design 2
- CUR-DIG24 Web Design 2
- CUR-DIG31 DigEx Major Project 1
- CUR-DIG32 Digital Portfolio Development
Students who have completed the above withdrawn/retired subjects will have them counted towards the completion of their degrees.
CUR-DIG39 Emerging Digital Experience Studio has been added as a core subject.
The transition tables below outline all subjects that have been removed from the structure or had a title change, along with the recommended replacement subjects.
Bachelor of Arts (Digital Experience and Interaction Design) Transition Tables 2026 (PDF)
For assistance with Student Services, please phone 1300 222 888 between 8:30 am to 4:30 pm AWST (Tuesday from 9:30 am), Monday to Friday, or contact Curtin Connect via the Ask Connect Webform.
Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.
Indicative first year fee
$10,302
Indicative total fee $30,906
The amounts shown here are indicative for an Australian citizen studying full-time, which is typically 8 subjects per year.
Fees may vary depending on:
- the subjects you choose
- credit from previous work experience
- your eligibility for government funding loans or subsidies such as HECS-HELP or a Commonwealth supported place.
To learn more, go to Fees or contact a student advisor.
Start your career with Curtin’s globally recognised courses and extensive industry connections. Through OUA, their online courses offer an interactive and collaborative learning experience that gets you the same degree as if you studied on campus. Curtin is a global university with a vibrant culture of innovation and collaboration and is ranked in the top one per cent of universities worldwide.
Learn more about Curtin University.
Explore Curtin courses.
- QS World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:
- 13
- Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:
- 14
Entry requirements
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).
- 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.
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 Prerequisites.
- 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.
- 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
- 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
- Domestic applicants with overseas qualifications
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 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: Credit for Recognised Learning (Advanced Standing)
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).
Career opportunities
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.
Australian job snapshots
Data sourced from Australian Jobs 2023.
Role | Earnings | Employment change |
---|---|---|
Graphic and Web Designers, and Illustrators | $75K to $93K | Down 9% |
Multimedia Designers | N/A^ | N/A^ |
Multimedia Specialists and Web Developers | $93K to $120K | Up 22.5% |
Web Designers | N/A^ | N/A^ |
Degree FAQs
How long does it take to finish an online degree?
That's up to you! Because we let you choose when to study online, you can actually pick up and pause study when it suits you. Many universities have a set time you need to complete your degree within. For some this is up to 10 years, and for others there is no limit.
There are some degrees that are stricter about when you can take breaks, and about how many years you can take to complete your degree. Please always check with your uni what the limits are.
As a general guide, Commonwealth supported place students have 10 years to finish their undergraduate degree through OUA, However, if you're studying with Griffith University, there's a limit of 8 years to complete your studies. If you want to take a break that lasts more than two study terms, you'll need to apply for a leave of absence. You can apply for a leave of absence for up to 12 months, as long as you complete your studies within the maximum time allowed for your degree.
If you're studying with Macquarie University, with the exception of certain degrees, there's no limit to how long you can take. But, please check with Macquarie Student Administration to be sure.
If you're studying with the University of Adelaide, you have up to 9 years to complete your undergraduate degree and graduate.
If you're studying with La Trobe University and want to take a break of minimum 1 study term, you must apply for leave of absence to avoid being inadvertently withdrawn from your degree.
Through OUA, you can study all year round, so it's possible to fast-track and finish up sooner than studying at a traditional uni would allow. That said, you need to spend around 12 hours a week on each undergraduate subject you do, so taking on extra work to finish ahead of time can be challenging.
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You have total control over how you study
Upskill without committing to a whole degree upfront. Or enrol in a full degree, but take it a subject at a time. We'll introduce you to flexible study options you didn't even know about, so you can fit uni around what matters to you.You'll graduate with the same qualification as an on-campus student
Once you enrol through us, you'll study online with the university that provides your degree. This means that when you complete your qualification, you'll graduate with the same degree as on-campus students.We'll help you navigate the university world
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