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Communication Design and Graphic Design

This guide showcases the major resources available for research in the field of communication design and graphic design. Use databases and LibrarySearch to search for academic journal articles, magazine articles, as well as books and ebooks, conference pr

Inspiration

Behance - a social media platform designed for creatives. Develop an online portfolio, showcase your work and gain inspiration. 

Visual Journal 

Design Inspiration 

Dezeen - architecture, interiors and design. 

The Design Files 

Design Addict 

It’s Nice That 

Made by Folk - Inspiration from around the world. 

The Brand Identity 

Organisations & associations

 Australian Book Designers Association - supports Australian book designers to promote their work and connect with the broader publishing community.

Australian Graphic Design Association - the peak national organisation representing the Australian communication design industry. 

AIGA - the professional association for design.

Australian Design Council - a not-for-profit industry body established to advocate for a design-led future for Australia. 

Design Institute of Australia - the voice of professional design in Australia. 

The Design Kids - Connections and opportunities for students and graduates. 

Good Design Australia - an international design organisation responsible for managing the annual Australian Good Design Awards. 

Illustrators Australia - a not-for-profit peer support network for professional and emerging illustrators.

Interaction Design Association - a global, member-supported network dedicated to advancing interaction design through community and professional development.

Interpretation Australia - a membership-based organisation dedicated to supporting and advancing the profession of natural and cultural heritage interpretation across Australia.

Ladies, Wine & Design a global non-profit initiative with the aim of increasing diversity in the industry. 

Queer Design Club - a community where LGBTQ+ designers can celebrate queer contributions to the design industry and visual culture, share their work, and connect with each other. 

Competitions for students

ADC Young Guns - Worldwide competition for creatives under 30. 

AGDA – have a section for student awards each year 

iF Design Talent Award - Open to students and recent graduates of all design-related courses. 

Victorian Premier’s Design Awards 

Young Ones Competition (The One Show) - Offers advertising, interactive and design students across the globe the opportunity to compete for cash prizes and a coveted One Show Pencil 

Evaluating information sources

The CRAAP test

Evaluate the quality of a range of sources using the CRAAP test.

Currency: when was it created?
Relevance: is it on my topic?
Authority: is it by an expert?
Accuracy: is it correct?
Purpose: why was it created?

The SIFT method

Evaluate the quality of web and social media sources using the SIFT method.

Stop - think before using a source.
Investigate where it is from.
Find alternative sources.
Trace claims, quotes and media.

Fact checking

Find out how to verify the factual accuracy of sources using the Fact Checking guide.

• Assess content created by humans and artificial intelligence (AI).
• Learn how to spot fake news.
• Access different fact checking tools.