Design Fundamentals

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
MDIA 1021
Course ID icon
Course ID
207649
Campus icon
Campus
Adelaide City Campus East
Level of study
Level of study
Undergraduate
Unit value icon
Unit value
6
Course owner
Course owner
School of Art and Design
Course level icon
Course level
1
Work Integrated Learning course
Work Integrated Learning course
No
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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

Designs of images, stories and technologies are central to the ways that we engage with the world. However, our capacity to make, share, and evaluate designs has radically expanded throughout history, with profound impacts. In this course, you will engage with histories of designs and design cultures from around the world and locate cutting edge media production within this historical context to better understand how to put compelling designs into practice. Key concepts that this course introduces include theories of aesthetics, narrative structures and philosophies of design and ethics. Design Fundamentals introduces students in the Story Production, Visual Design and Immersive Media courses to central concerns of their field, as well as providing a focused engagement with design and technology for students in other programs.

Course learning outcomes

  • Demonstrate understanding of design theories, practices and principles
  • Apply theory to case study analysis
  • Utilise design practices to demonstrate understanding of key concepts
  • Be able to communicate design concepts in collaboration with others
  • Determine appropriate design strategies for a variety of scenarios

Prerequisite(s)

N/A

Corequisite(s)

N/A

Antirequisite(s)

  • must not have completed MDIA1018 Key Concepts in Media and Communication

Fee calculator

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Study Abroad student tuition fees are available here.

Only some Postgraduate Coursework programs are available as Commonwealth Supported. Please check your program for specific fee information.

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.