Unit rationale, description and aim
In a rapidly evolving visual culture where artists must communicate complex ideas through reproducible and accessible media, printmaking offers critical tools for contemporary practice.
This second-year unit builds on foundational drawing knowledge to extend students’ mark-making repertoire through technical, conceptual and critical engagement with printmaking. Through studio-based projects, students acquire skills in processes such as relief, monotype and intaglio techniques while developing an informed and experimental approach to materials and methods. Emphasis is placed on the relationship between practice and research, enabling students to integrate historical and contemporary perspectives into their creative work. Students engage with diverse printmaking traditions, and analyse contemporary practitioners to situate their work within broader cultural and theoretical contexts. The unit further supports the development of independent studio practice, encouraging experimentation, problem-solving and critical reflection through peer discussion and critique. By strengthening technical proficiency and conceptual depth, students build confidence in articulating and presenting their ideas within a professional visual arts context.
This unit aims to develop students’ capacity to integrate technical skill, research and critical inquiry into a sustained and independent printmaking practice.
Learning outcomes
To successfully complete this unit you will be able to demonstrate you have achieved the learning outcomes (LO) detailed in the below table.
Each outcome is informed by a number of graduate capabilities (GC) to ensure your work in this, and every unit, is part of a larger goal of graduating from ACU with the attributes of insight, empathy, imagination and impact.
Explore the graduate capabilities.
Make evident an understanding of the interrelation...
Learning Outcome 01
Create project-based artworks using diverse approa...
Learning Outcome 02
Analyse and interpret contemporary printmaking art...
Learning Outcome 03
Critically evaluate the way in which historical an...
Learning Outcome 04
Content
Topics will include:
- Development of individual art-making intentions in printmaking.
- Technical skills, knowledge and understanding of printmaking through practical demonstrations.
- Workplace Health and Safety for the professional artist.
Specialisations vary between iterations, but may include:
- Relief Printmaking with linoleum.
- Monotype(s) and Monoprints:
- watercolour monotype
- oil based monotypes, reductive and additive method
- intaglio process –drypoint
- Colloagraph
Visual Arts Research Processes related to printmaking:
- Historical and contemporary practitioners.
- Art history and theoretical contexts which underpin artistic practice
- Printmaking terminology.
Assessment strategy and rationale
The assessment tasks for this unit are designed to enable students to progressively demonstrate achievement of each learning outcome through a scaffolded sequence of studio-based and independent activities. Learning outcomes are developed through knowledge gained in lectures, workshops, and practical exercises, alongside creative responses to briefs. These emphasise the technical and conceptual dimensions of printmaking, foster critical reflection, and support the development of graduate attributes outlined in the unit.
The staged structure of assessment, including components undertaken under supervision in the ACU studio, provides an authentic and supported learning environment. Supervised studio work enables real-time feedback, observation of process, and confirmation of individual engagement with materials, techniques, and safe studio practices. This approach also promotes academic integrity and equitable access to specialised facilities.
The Portfolio of Prints A assesses foundational printmaking skills developed through lectures and demonstrations, with supervised studio work supporting guided application.
The Portfolio of Prints B extends technical proficiency and experimentation with media through continued studio practice. The Self-Directed Artwork and Research Documentation consolidates skills and critical understanding, demonstrating achievement of Learning Outcomes 1–4.
Overview of assessments
Assessment Task 1: Portfolio of Prints A The por...
Assessment Task 1: Portfolio of Prints A
The portfolio of prints A assignment assesses skills and techniques acquired during lectures/demonstrations in the use of the printmaking practices, techniques and wider research.
30%
Assessment Task 2: Portfolio of Prints B The por...
Assessment Task 2: Portfolio of Prints B
The portfolio of prints B assignment assesses skills and techniques acquired during lectures/demonstrations and studio practice in the use of the technical applications and use of variable media.
30%
Assessment Task 3: Self-Directed Artwork and Rese...
Assessment Task 3: Self-Directed Artwork and Research Documentation
This task ties together skills in competency developed throughout the lectures and practical sessions and tests skills in the documentation of Visual Arts research processes and an understanding of contemporary art practice and how this informs their own practical work.
40%
Learning and teaching strategy and rationale
Printmaking has a rich tradition in the visual arts that, through its diverse mediums, can concisely communicate and reflect the contemporary world. This unit is designed to develop students’ skills and techniques in printmaking across a broad range of practices, including lino printing, screen printing, intaglio and monoprinting. The historical lineage and critical frameworks of printmaking inform students’ development of concepts, technical skills and material understanding through studio-based projects. The unit also emphasises building confidence in making, presenting and discussing artworks, enabling students to develop critical insights into their own practice and contemporary art in Australia and internationally.
Due to the inherently practical, process-driven and resource-dependent nature of printmaking, attendance at scheduled studio classes is a core requirement of the unit. Studio sessions provide essential access to specialised equipment, materials, technical demonstrations and safe working procedures that cannot be fully replicated through independent study. Regular attendance supports the incremental development of technical competency, allows for immediate feedback and guided problem-solving, and ensures students can engage in collaborative discussion and critique. These structured, supervised learning experiences are fundamental to achieving the unit learning outcomes and to developing a responsible, sustainable studio practice.