Graphic Design

Add to your palette of graphic design skills

The Advanced Diploma will make you ‘industry-ready’ and during the course, you will develop a stunning portfolio that culminates in the end-of-year graduation show. The graduations show is the highlight of the year and is attended by industry stakeholders, many of whom are alumni who are now leading the industry.

You can choose from two streams - User Experience Design or Illustration. This means that although everyone does the common core units there is the opportunity to specialise in electives. Our industry consultation outlines the demand for illustrative design as well as a more User Experience/ User Interface approach.

We integrate live briefs with real clients. All students become members of the Australian Graphic Design Association (AGDA), the industry’s leading body.

We also host the annual AGDA folio review where feedback is received from industry members in how to best structure your portfolio. In addition to this, we conduct industry visits and host guest speakers who shed light on the latest trends in our industry.

This course is demanding, but the rewards and satisfaction are great. We have pathways and agreements with Curtin University in particular.

Complete this Diploma and you will be well equipped to find employment with experience in running live briefs and advanced software skills

Study the Diploma of Graphic Design and you will develop advanced techniques in InDesign and Illustrator and use them to design annual reports, corporate identities, packaging and other press-ready artwork.
The Diploma also provides in-depth exposure to web design using WordPress, user interfaces, an introduction to game graphics using Unity and the current trend of UX Design (User Experience).

You will also learn 3D modelling using Trimble Sketchup to assist in visualising packaging, signage and concept art and bring them to life with Octane renderer. The Diploma course also gives you the opportunity to continue explorations into concept development, creative thinking, online social media advertising and digital illustration using Corel Painter.

We usually run several live briefs with external clients, mainly not-for-profit organisations, to replicate real client experiences. From this exposure, you will also learn about the business aspect of graphic design.

At the Diploma level, it is expected that you will work with a certain level of autonomy regarding research and time management.

The umbrella of Graphic Design covers many diverse career possibilities

Our Certificate IV in Design (Graphic Design) is a foundation course that provides you with a broad understanding and experience of the graphic design discipline, including Corporate and Branding, Packaging, User Experience, Web/Interface and Environmental signage design to name but a few.

This qualification is weighted approximately 50/50 digital versus traditional, manual skills. We concentrate on solid software skills using industry-standard Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop and InDesign in an environment that replicates a real industry setup. Our lecturers are hands-on and always present to help as the course is delivered using learning activities such as tutorials, design briefs and class discussions.

Some units concentrate on an introduction to web and interface design, while other units cover conceptual and creative thinking skills.

Graphic Designers communicate through images and words. The industry demands a mastery of typography and you will begin this journey by having fun combining digital techniques with traditional Letterpress to learn the basics. Our industry also demands drawing and sketching skills to convey concepts to both clients and fellow designers and our drawing unit lays the foundation for further development in digital illustration required in the Diploma and beyond.

Design is a process that combines elements into a workable solution whether it be a logo or an app interface and our concept development and ideation units have these foundation skills covered.