Visual Representation Techniques (11041.1)

Please note these are the 2026 details for this unit
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Visual Representation Techniques
Available teaching periods Delivery mode Location
View teaching periods On-campus
Online self-paced
 Bruce, Canberra
UC College, Bruce, ACT
EFTSL Credit points Faculty
0.125 3 Faculty Of Arts And Design
Discipline Study level HECS Bands
School Of Design And The Built Environment Level 1 - Undergraduate Introductory Unit Band 2 2021 (Commenced After 1 Jan 2021)
Band 2 2021 (Commenced Before 1 Jan 2021)
In this unit students will develop skills and techniques in creating visuals for ideation and communication that cut across design disciplines. From initial concepts and quick sketches through to more sophisticated visual responses, students will form a basic skill set in a variety of drawing, sketching and image creation tools and media. The aim is to provide a comprehensive visual vocabulary to enable the student to effectively articulate ideas through drawing, digital tools and photography.

Learning outcomes

After successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
1. Recognise and apply drawing skills for design;
2. Prepare visuals for design applications and presentations;
3. Identify and apply photographic techniques and applications; and
4. Select and apply different imaging tools for both ideation and communication.


Graduate attributes

1. UC graduates are professional - employ up-to-date and relevant knowledge and skills
1. UC graduates are professional - communicate effectively
1. UC graduates are professional - use creativity, critical thinking, analysis and research skills to solve theoretical and real-world problems
2. UC graduates are global citizens - make creative use of technology in their learning and professional lives
2. UC graduates are global citizens - behave ethically and sustainably in their professional and personal lives
2. UC graduates are global citizens - communicate effectively in diverse cultural and social settings
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - adapt to complexity, ambiguity and change by being flexible and keen to engage with new ideas
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - be self-aware
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - evaluate and adopt new technology
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - reflect on their own practice, updating and adapting their knowledge and skills for continual professional and academic development


Prerequisites

None.

Corequisites

None.

Incompatible units

None.

Equivalent units

8322 Visual Representation.

Assumed knowledge

None.
Availability for enrolment in 2026 is subject to change and may not be confirmed until closer to the teaching start date.
Year Location Teaching period Teaching start date Delivery mode Unit convener
2025 Bruce, Canberra Semester 1 03 February 2025 On-campus Dr Emma Phillips
2025 Bruce, Canberra Semester 1 03 February 2025 Online self-paced Dr Emma Phillips
2025 UC College, Bruce, ACT UC College Trimester 2 26 May 2025 On-campus Miss Swarali Sidhaye
2025 Bruce, Canberra Winter Term 26 May 2025 On-campus Miss Kylie Foira
2026 Bruce, Canberra Semester 1 16 February 2026 Online self-paced Dr Emma Phillips
2026 Bruce, Canberra Semester 1 16 February 2026 On-campus Dr Emma Phillips
2026 Bruce, Canberra Winter Term 08 June 2026 On-campus Miss Kylie Foira
2026 UC College, Bruce, ACT UC College Trimester 2 29 June 2026 On-campus Miss Swarali Sidhaye
The information provided should be used as a guide only. Timetables may not be finalised until week 2 of the teaching period and are subject to change. Search for the unit timetable.

Required texts

Recommended:

Brief lessons in creativity by Frances Ambler (2019)

Other readings will be prescribed through the UC Learn Canvas site for this unit. 

Submission of assessment items

Extensions & Late submissions

Resubmission

This unit provides significant opportunities for feedback and self-assessment. Students who actively engage with the learning activities are unlikely to fail. In certain circumstances, it may be possible to resubmit a failed assessment task if it can feasibly be improved to meet the pass requirements—for example, by supplying a missing component.

The maximum grade awarded for a resubmitted assessment is 50%. Resubmission is at the discretion of the Unit Convenor and must be requested in writing (via email) within one week of the assessment grade being released.

Artificial intelligence

Students are permitted to use generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) as indicated in the assessment instructions for this unit.

GenAI may only be used in authorised ways when completing assessments at UC. This means that GenAI can only be used for an assessment when:

  1. the Unit Convener has authorised GenAI use for that assessment
  2. the student uses GenAI in the way that the assessment instructions allow
  3. the student fully acknowledges their use of GenAI, with proper citations, references and a GenAI Acknowledgement Statement in line with the assessment instructions.

Where the assessment instructions do not specifically state that GenAI may be used and how, then its use is not permitted for that assessment. Students must still provide the required GenAI Acknowledgement Statement to indicate whether GenAI has or has not been used in the preparation of the assessment. If unsure, students should seek advice from the Unit Convener.

The GenAI for Students Library Guide provides further information, including how to reference GenAI.

Students must apply academic integrity in their learning and research activities at UC. This includes submitting authentic and original work for assessments and properly acknowledging any sources used.

Academic integrity involves the ethical, honest and responsible use, creation and sharing of information. It is critical to the quality of higher education. Our academic integrity values are honesty, trust, fairness, respect, responsibility and courage.

UC students have to complete the Academic Integrity Module annually to learn about academic integrity and to understand the consequences of academic integrity breaches (or academic misconduct).

UC uses various strategies and systems, including detection software, to identify potential breaches of academic integrity. Suspected breaches may be investigated, and action can be taken when misconduct is found to have occurred.

Information is provided in the Academic Integrity Policy, Academic Integrity Procedure, and University of Canberra (Student Conduct) Rules 2023. For further advice, visit Study Skills.

Inclusion and engagement

Students with Reasonable Adjustment Plans seeking extensions must apply for the extension ON or BEFORE the due date - not after. Students should not expect extensions to be automatically accepted, it is important to keep in regular contact with your tutor and convenor regarding expected submission dates. 

Participation requirements

It is essential for students to attend tutorials every week, to keep up with the weekly tasks and assessment requirements and expectations. Students are also expected to check their UC student email and Canvas site for the unit every day for any updates or announcements.

Required IT skills

This unit includes tutorials to develop your technical skills in Adobe Creative Suite programs (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, and XD). However, it is strongly recommended that you spend time familiarising yourself with these applications prior to the start of the unit to support your learning.

In-unit costs

Students require access to Adobe Creative Cloud for this unit; free access is available in computer labs on campus.

Work placement, internships or practicums

None

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