MADA
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Honours degree of Bachelor of Visual Communication

For much of the conversation around the expected decline of print, the students undertaking Honours in Visual Communication collectively embraced materials and craft over technology and progress. Whilst the diversity of projects spanning type design, information graphics, publication design, artist books and illustration reflect the expanding field of graphic design practice – the historical inquiries filtered through studio projects, experimental exercises and writing helped shape the eight projects represented in the 2012 graduand exhibition.

A focused year of studio practice presents students with an opportunity to initiate major projects in the field of Visual Communication design and build a concise research archive around studio practice and methodologies critical to output in a professional environment. It also provides a platform for experimentation and risk not often afforded in commercial practice.

The success of this year’s program owes much to the rigorous research stream led by Dr Brad Haylock. As Visual Communication design navigates through technology and media, it is through historical inquiry that many of these projects resonate. Special thanks must also go to typography lecturer Dan Milne and his dedicated mentorship and guidance, which is reflected in the sophistication of the type design projects. Thanks to the MADA staff including Professor John Warwicker, Gene Bawden, Robyn Robins, Trent Walter, Saffron Newey, Ned Culic and Wendy Ellerton, as well as the many fulltime and sessional staff that have crossed paths with these students in their studio and elective units.

In 2012 MADA invited practice professionals to contribute the Volume Control Speaker Series – unpacking the processes and ideas surrounding contemporary design practice. The reflections and advice of Dominic Hofstede, Andrew Ashton, Stuart Geddes, Bruce Mutard, Mimmo Cozzolino, Rose Nolan, Jon Campbell, Gwynneth Porter, Adam Cruickshank, Ariel Aguilera & Andrea Benyi, Vincent Chan, Erik Van Blokland, Geoff Digby, Geoff Hocking, Max Robinson & Winston Thomas, Stewart Russell and Tobias Titz have not only sparked critical discourse within the student group – but contributed to the development of research within the Faculty.

As a lecturer, the studio environment presents not only an opportunity to contribute to the projects undertaken by these students – but a year of supervision has afforded me the opportunity to engage in critical and personal conversation which has been a rich as the work presented. I wish the students of Visual Communication Honours every success for their future.

Warren Taylor
Lecturer, Department of Design