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University of South Australia (UNISA)

Adelaide , South Australia ,Australia

Bachelor of Design (Illustration and Animation)

This unique degree will equip you with the skills needed to kick-start your rewarding career in the creative and innovative world of illustration and animation.

You will learn a broad range of techniques needed to produce industry-standard pictures for industries such as:

  • book and comic publishing
  • gaming
  • movies
  • advertising
  • animation and design

You will also become skilled in free-hand drawing, develop knowledge of digital software for moving and static pictures, and work in on-campus workshops that are fitted out with state-of-the-art equipment.

During your final year you will be given the opportunity to practice your skills when you undertake an industry internship, mentorship, collaborative project or free elective.

Explore everything from the history of hand-drawn narrative to digital technologies that are now pivotal to this creative industry.

You will cover topics such as:

  • drawing
  • painting
  • illustration design and production
  • digital compositing
  • animation design
  • visual effects
  • communication design
  • computer graphics and imaging

You will also develop an understanding of current trends, technologies and professional practices, ensuring you graduate industry-ready.

Campus Information

Adelaide- City West

On the edge of Adelaide’s central business district, City West houses studies in business, law, art, architecture, design, Indigenous cultures and Australian society.

Intakes

  • Feb
  • July

Application Processing Time in Days: 14

Minimum English Language Requirements

English Level Description IELTS (1.0 -9.0) TOEFL IBT (0-120) TOEFL CBT (0-300) PTE (10-90)
Expert 9 120 297-300 86-90
Very Good 8.5 115-119 280-293 83-86
Very Good 8 110-114 270-280 79-83
Good 7.5 102-109 253-267 73-79
Good 7 94-101 240-253 65-73
Competent 6.5 79-93 213-233 58-65
Competent 6 60-78 170-210 50-58
Modest 5.5 46-59 133-210 43-50
Modest 5 35-45 107-133 36-43
Limited 4 32-34 97-103 30-36
Extremely Limited < 4 < 31 < 93 < 30

Job Opportunity Potential

Our students are passionate about the visual storytelling for children’s books, graphic novels, comics, editorial illustration, 2D, 3D and stop motion animation, concept design for film, game and digital production industries. 

Careers to consider:

  • animator: use 2D and 3D software, drawing, painting and models to produce moving pictures
  • illustrator: develop and produce pictures for a broad range of creative industry sectors, for example, publishing, design, advertising, visual art, motion film, advertising, gaming and software development
  • technical illustrator: design and create visual representations for use in technical publications and manuals
  • graphic designer: create visual concepts and graphics; you may work in advertising, publishing, public relations or manufacturing

Additionally, this degree opens career pathways into other fields such as broadcasting and motion film, visual effects and animation, educational and science-based media, streaming web content provision, design agencies, product production (fashion, toys, giftware), evolving communication technologies such as mobile technology and virtual reality, and as independent artists developing original content, advertising and publishing.

PSW Opportunity

Bachelor Degree or Masters by Coursework Degree - 2 years - 3 years (Adelaide)

Masters by Research - 3 years - 4 years (Adelaide)

PhD qualification - 4 years - 5 years (Adelaide)

Admission Requirement / Eligibility Criteria

The admission criteria have been grouped to assist you to easily find the information most relevant to your circumstances. However, you may fit into more than one and the university will consider applicants against each of the relevant criteria.

Certain conditions apply. For more information refer to Appendix 4 of the University's Selection and Entry policy.

Applicants are required to meet one of the following criteria with a competitive result, and demonstrate that they fulfil any prerequisite requirements and essential requirements for admission:

Recent secondary education

  • Meet any prerequisite requirements with a minimum grade of C- or equivalent
    AND
  • Qualify for the South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE), and achieved a competitive Selection Rank (ATAR), or
  • Complete secondary qualifications equivalent to SACE,
    or
  • Complete the International Baccalaureate Diploma with a minimum score of 24 points

Applicants who have not achieved the Selection Rank required for automatic selection may be selected for any remaining places based on the grades of their year 12 subjects.

OR
Higher education study

  • Complete or partly complete a recognised higher education program at a recognised higher education institution, or
  • Complete at least four Open Universities Australia (OUA) courses at undergraduate level or above
    OR

Vocational Education and Training (VET)

  • Complete an award from a registered training organisation at Diploma level or above
    OR

Work and life experience

  • Qualify for Special Entry, or
  • Complete a 12-month UniSA Foundation Studies program or equivalent, or
  • Hold completed secondary qualifications equivalent to SACE obtained more than 2 years in the past.