Bachelor of Visual Arts in Melbourne

Visual Art at LCI Melbourne is built around the Design Laboratory — a studio-based learning environment where you apply research, technical skill, and creative thinking to develop original work within your chosen specialisation. Every trimester begins with a combined theoretical lecture shared across all four disciplines, before moving into discipline-specific studio practice where academic mentors guide you through lectures, tutorials, technical demonstrations, and self-directed studio time.

Across six trimesters — Exploration, Foundation, Issues, Global, Industry, and Capstone — you'll progress from discovering your creative identity to producing a sophisticated, exhibition-ready body of work that reflects your artistic ethos. Along the way, you'll respond to real industry briefs, collaborate on global projects with LCI campuses internationally, and complete a professional placement that puts you inside a real creative organisation.

The Visual Art major lets you work across painting, drawing, printmaking, sculpture, digital media, and photography, giving you both the breadth to experiment and the depth to specialise. Purpose-built facilities — including individual artist studios, printmaking rooms, aerosol and spray workshops, and a public gallery for student exhibitions — support your practice at every stage. A dedicated photography studio with cyclorama, lighting equipment, and audiovisual production tools means lens-based work is fully integrated into your studies.

Graduate not just as an artist, but as a working creative professional — with a portfolio, a network, and the business and communication skills to back it up.

Students have access to a wide range of discipline-specific facilities, including individual artist studios, aerosol and spray workshops, printmaking facilities, art materials supply, and a public gallery for student exhibitions. Photography and filmmaking facilities include a studio with cyclorama, professional lighting and audiovisual equipment, printing and scanning equipment, props and background paper, and a computer lab with industry-standard software.

Design Laboratories (Major in Fashion & Costume Design)

The core of the degree — studio-based labs progressing through Exploration, Foundation, Issues, Global, Industry, and Capstone themes, culminating in a capstone exhibition of advanced work.

• Design Laboratory: Exploration (LABF101)
• Design Laboratory: Foundation (LABF102)
• Design Laboratory: Issues (LABF103)
• Design Sub Major or Entrepreneurship Fundamentals (ENT01)
• Design Laboratory: Global (LABF204)
• Design Laboratory: Industry (LABF205)
• Design Laboratory: Capstone (LABF206)

Exploration Units

Foundation workshop-based study expanding core design and art knowledge across all disciplines.

• Future Forward Design (ACC111)
• Elective: Brand Strategy (ELE001)
• Elective: Design & Wellbeing (ELE002)
• Elective: Project Management (BUS08)
• Elective: Design Thinking for Business (BUS01)

Contextual Units

Exploring the historical, cultural, and contemporary forces shaping design, communication, and digital practice.

• Design, History & Culture (AXC111)
• Social Trend Forecasting (AXC121)
• Global Design Culture (AXE241)

Professional Practice

Units Real insight from practising creatives, combined with business and communication skills for a sustainable career.

• Design Fundamentals (COM111)
• Digital Communication (COM222)
• Business Principles (ACC241)
• Professional Practice & Systems (BPC351)
• Professional Placement (APE241)
• Professional Communication (BCC351)
• Personal & Professional Practice (BPC361)