James Cook University Subject Handbook - 2003

GA3020:04

Industry Experience

Townsville HECS Band 1

156 hours practicals. Full year.

Available to students enrolled in the BCommunication Design degree.

The Livework studio introduces students to the operation, management and day to day running of a commercial design and illustration studio. Working under the guidance of an experienced Art Director/Studio Manager, in an off-campus commercial environment, students will apply their practical, conceptual, theoretical and creative skills to a range of live work projects. Students will be involved in all aspects of the creative process, from client meetings and liaison through to final design and production and will utilise a broad range of applied media solutions to satisfy focussed communications and design objectives. Students will work both individually and as a team member according to project needs and will develop proficiency in communicating with a range of trade and design professionals associated with the visual communications industry. Live projects will provide students with the opportunity to produce finished, commercially applied pieces, enhancing their industrial and practical expertise whilst simultaneously sharpening their ability to work with and meet real world demands. Advanced level students may be offered additional work experience in the studio during non-semester periods.

Tutorials will be provided on an “as needs” basis to suit student requirements, with guest lecturers organised if and where appropriate.

Learning Objectives:

  1. work with clients and analyse their communication needs;
  2. demonstrate an ability to respond effectively to real world design and communication problems;
  3. select appropriate communication pathways to suit client needs;
  4. produce effective design solutions to given tasks and communicate to the client;
  5. accurately estimate production costs;
  6. liaise with a range of design professionals and tradespeople;
  7. prepare work for pre-press or multimedia use;
  8. continue to extend the development of a personal yet flexible design direction or style;
  9. familiarity with professional expectations and obligations with an ability to meet deadlines.

On-going assessment during the period of internship, with fortnightly work reviews and group critique sessions. Assessment will examine the student’s capacity to work effectively within the normal studio environment, work as part of a team, respond creatively to design challenges, liaise and communicate with clients, design professionals and tradespeople and meet deadlines (80%); attendance, punctuality and overall professionalism (20%).