Critical Design Practice (UniSA)

Undergraduate | 2026

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Mode icon
Mode
Mode
Your studies will be on-campus, and may include some online delivery
On campus
area/catalogue icon
Area/Catalogue
GRAP 2020
Course ID icon
Course ID
206917
Campus icon
Campus
Adelaide City Campus West
Level of study
Level of study
Undergraduate
Unit value icon
Unit value
6
Course owner
Course owner
School of Art and Design
Course coordinator
Course coordinator
Chris Thornton
Course level icon
Course level
2
Work Integrated Learning course
Work Integrated Learning course
No
Study abroad and student exchange icon
Inbound study abroad and exchange
Inbound study abroad and exchange
The fee you pay will depend on the number and type of courses you study.
No
University-wide elective icon
University-wide elective course
No
Single course enrollment
Single course enrolment
No

Course overview

This course will extend students' ability to exercise critical thinking and judgement in the integration of the history, theory and social contexts of design through communication design practice. Students will consolidate knowledge of the discourses of design practice and identify contemporary influences on the making and reading of communication design as they integrate design theory with design practice. Students will review texts from a range of sources and use a critical approach to the analysis of relationships between image, text and historical/political/social conditions to articulate knowledge of the historical and ideological aspects of contemporary communication design.

Course learning outcomes

  • Discuss the development of design practice in relation to its history and theoretical concepts
  • Appraise significant social and technological factors that have shaped communication design practice in historical eras
  • Demonstrate a critical awareness, and articulation, of design practice discourse and influences on contemporary practice
  • Integrate theory and practice to formulate a critical self awareness and perspective on communication design and its conditions

Availability

Census date Icon
Census date
Fri 04/09/2026
Enrol by date
Enrol by date
Fri 21/08/2026
Last day to W
Last day to W
Fri 18/09/2026
Last day to WF
Last day to WF
Fri 16/10/2026

Class details

Adelaide City Campus West

Class number
Class number 57893
Section
Section TU01
Size
Size 25
Available
Available 25
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
14 Aug - 28 Aug Friday 9:10am - 11am Adelaide City Campus West Kaurna, K4-02
11 Sep - 25 Sep Friday 9:10am - 11am Adelaide City Campus West Kaurna, K4-02
23 Oct - 23 Oct Friday 9:10am - 11am Adelaide City Campus West Kaurna, K4-02
Class number
Class number 57894
Section
Section TU02
Size
Size 25
Available
Available 25
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
14 Aug - 28 Aug Friday 9:10am - 11am Adelaide City Campus West Kaurna, K4-05
11 Sep - 25 Sep Friday 9:10am - 11am Adelaide City Campus West Kaurna, K4-05
23 Oct - 23 Oct Friday 9:10am - 11am Adelaide City Campus West Kaurna, K4-05
Class number
Class number 57895
Section
Section TU03
Size
Size 25
Available
Available 25
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
14 Aug - 28 Aug Friday 9:10am - 11am Adelaide City Campus West Kaurna, K4-06
11 Sep - 25 Sep Friday 9:10am - 11am Adelaide City Campus West Kaurna, K4-06
23 Oct - 23 Oct Friday 9:10am - 11am Adelaide City Campus West Kaurna, K4-06
Class number
Class number 58779
Section
Section LE01
Size
Size 200
Available
Available 200
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
- Adelaide City Campus West ,
Notes:
Online lecture.

Prerequisite(s)

N/A

Corequisite(s)

N/A

Antirequisite(s)

  • must not have completed GRAP2022 Critical Design Practice at the University of South Australia

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The Student Contribution amount displayed below is for students commencing a new program from 2021 onwards. If you are continuing in a program you commenced prior to 1 January 2021, or are commencing an Honours degree relating to an undergraduate degree you commenced prior to 1 January 2021, you may be charged a different Student Contribution amount from the amount displayed below. Please check the Student Contribution bands for continuing students here. If you are an international student, or a domestic student studying in a full fee paying place, and are continuing study that you commenced in 2025 or earlier, your fees will be available here before enrolments open for 2026.