Learn the fundamentals of 2D drawing and cover basic skills in design, media and art. You’ll use the latest Adobe Creative Cloud applications, including Photoshop and Illustrator, while exploring drawing, colour theory, digital image creation and editing when you complete a Certificate III in Design Fundamentals.

  • Wantirna campus
  • Two years part-time
  • Year 1: Wednesday 9am–3.30pm, Year 2: Wednesday 8.30am–12.30pm
  • Classroom/online delivery
  • Materials fee: Year 1 = $150, Year 2 = $150

Units of competency

Unit code Unit name Nominal hours Compulsory/Elective
CUAACD311 Produce drawings to communicate ideas 80 Compulsory
CUAPPR311 Produce creative work 45 Compulsory
CUADES301 Explore the use of colour 40 Compulsory
CUADES302 Explore and apply the creative design process to 2D forms 50 Compulsory
CUAWHS312 Apply work health and safety practices 10 Compulsory
ICPPRP2210 Select and apply type 30 Elective
  Total nominal hours 255  
Unit code Unit name Nominal hours Compulsory/Elective
CUADIG304 Create visual design components 30 Compulsory
CUAILL401 Develop and refine illustrative work 50 Elective
CUADES303 Explore and apply the creative design process to 3D forms 60 Elective
CUAPHI312 Capture photographic images 60 Compulsory
CUADES201 Follow a design process 50 Compulsory
CUADES304 Source and apply design industry knowledge 20 Compulsory
  Total nominal hours 270  

Outcomes

On successful completion of this program, students will:

  • VCE: be eligible for block credit recognition. A maximum of five units at Units 1 to 4 level are available for this program. Students who receive a Units 3 and 4 sequence through block credit recognition may be awarded a 10% increment towards their ATAR.
  • Qualification: be eligible for the award of CUA30720 Certificate III in Design Fundamentals.
     

Complementary studies include Visual Communication and Design.

Career opportunities include graphic design, graphic pre-press, multimedia, print finishing, printing, screen printing and web design.

How to apply for VET Delivered to Secondary Students

Essentially, we’re in partnership with you and your school. You speak to your school and they coordinate your application with Swinburne. Seek out your school’s VET or careers coordinator for course recommendations and discuss your options. Then, when you’ve decided on a VDSS course that fits, your school will forward your application directly to us.

To be eligible for consideration for a VDSS program you must be currently enrolled in Year 10, 11 or 12.

You’ll receive notification from your school about the outcome of your application. Successful? More information about enrolment will follow.

If there is greater demand than course places available, you’ll be placed on a waiting list. So, take note of our key application dates to allow time for your school-endorsed application to get to us.

Please refer to Swinburne's policies and regulations for student rights and responsibilities while on campus.

Course costs

The costs associated with Swinburne VDSS programs is invoiced directly to schools. For more information on course costs, it’s best to contact your school’s VET or careers coordinator.

2025 key dates

Applications
First round applications open Wednesday 14 August 2024
First round applications close

Wednesday 11 September 2024

Schools notified Friday 11 October 2024
Late applications open Monday14 October 2024
Late applications close Wednesday 6 November 2024


Note: 
These dates are indicative only.

Enrolment and Orientation

Orientation for courses at Wantirna campus and Croydon campus is scheduled for Wednesday 27 November 2024.

When you’ve completed your enrolment and we’ve seen you on campus for orientation, you’ll attend Swinburne one day per week for training while continuing at your secondary school.

Courses commence Wednesday 5 February 2025.

Explore other VET courses Delivered to Secondary Students

Contact the VET Delivered to Secondary Students team

Have questions? If you would like more information about Swinburne's Vocational Education and Training Delivered to Secondary Students, please call us on 1300 275 794 or email VETDSS@swin.edu.au