Diploma of Graphic Design

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National code: CUA50720 Diploma (TAFE) Hawthorn Send me a link to this course

As the world grows smaller, clear visual communication is an increasingly valuable commodity. Swinburne’s Diploma of Graphic Design sets the stage for you to make impactful visual statements of your own.

Responding to professional-style design briefs, you’ll learn to create and execute design concepts efficiently and economically. Through face-to-face practical workshops, individual guided projects, tutorials and online activities, you’ll combine creative, conceptual and exceptional technical skills to solve a range of visual communication problems.

You’ll become well-versed in using Adobe suite with Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, XD, Dimension, After-Effect, Spark and others. In fact, Swinburne is the first university in Australia to be an Adobe Creative Campus and you’ll enjoy free access to Adobe Creative Cloud software on all of your devices.

Study areas include:

Typography
Light and colour
Environmental graphics
Print production
Web-based applications
UI/UX
Drawing/illustration
Packaging
Photography and digital imaging

Graduates will have an excellent understanding of design and the industry, with a comprehensive portfolio to help gain employment. Your career may be waiting for you in an advertising agency, graphic design studio, or in-house design department, working on branding, web design, publishing, art direction, film and television, and much more.

Duration

1 year full-time or equivalent part-time

Intakes

Hawthorn (February, July) - View application and start dates

Study mode

Full-time

VTAC course code

3400278114 (fee type determined by provider)

This is a nationally approved vocational course that is recognised throughout Australia.

Student work

Alex, Diploma of Graphic Design
Andrew, Diploma of Graphic Design
Daniel, Diploma of Graphic Design
Leijin, Diploma of Graphic Design
Nyria, Diploma of Graphic Design
Tyson, Diploma of Graphic Design
Zac, Diploma of Graphic Design
Zych, Diploma of Graphic Design
Chris, Diploma of Graphic Design

I learned how to look at designs critically. My illustrations, and their composition, colour and technique, improved dramatically and I was a finalist in the Australian Good Design Award for student packaging. Now, I’m working as a freelance illustrator and designer in one of the illustration hubs of the world – the UK.

Georgia

Diploma of Graphic Design

Course information in detail

- Course detail, course structure and units of study.

Course description

In the Diploma of Graphic Design students learn to create and execute design concepts efficiently and economically. The course teaches students how to combine creative, conceptual and technical skills to meet the demands of contemporary design briefs and solve a range of visual communication problems.

Study areas include typography, light and colour, design principles, contemporary design, environmental graphics, print production, web-based applications, UI/UX, drawing/illustration, packaging, photography, and digital imaging.

Students engage in the units of study via face-to-face practical workshops, individual guided projects, tutorials, and online activities.

Swinburne is the first university in Australia to be an Adobe Creative Campus. Swinburne students have free access to Adobe Creative Cloud software.

On successful completion of the Diploma of Graphic Design, graduates can pathway to the Advanced Diploma of Graphic Design or Bachelor or Design (year two, with a credit average required).

Course structure

The Diploma of Graphic Design is a 1-year program delivered over three semesters. Classes are scheduled up to 25 hours per week including online units, additional study hours may also be required to prepare and complete tasks.

Technical Requirements:

Students will need to have access to a small practical workspace to continue working on projects remotely from time to time.

Students will also require the technology and access to the internet for facilitation of online classes including video and audio requirements.

Online digital units require students to download and use the Swinburne supported software such as the Adobe Creative Suite.

Units of study

To attain the Diploma of Graphic Design, students are required to complete the 19 units listed below.

Core Units

Refine drawing and other visual representation tools (CUAACD531)

Develop and extend design skills and practice (CUADES413)

Research visual communication history and theory (CUAGRD501)

Produce graphic designs for 2-D and 3-D applications (CUAGRD502)

Produce typographic design solutions (CUAGRD503)

Create and manipulate graphics (CUAGRD514)

Design and manipulate complex layouts (CUAGRD515)

Develop graphic design practice to meet industry needs (CUAGRD516)

Present a body of own creative work (CUAPPR513)

Elective Units

Work with photomedia in creative practice (CUAACD522)

Research and apply light and colour (CUAACD534)

Refine 2-D design ideas and processes (CUAACD536)

Design specifications for animation and digital visual effects (CUAANM513)

Create user interfaces (CUADIG413)

Design digital applications (CUADIG512)

Design interactions (CUADIG516)

Develop graphic designs for the built environment (CUAGRD615)

Develop graphic designs for packaging (CUAGRD616)

Develop professional illustrations (CUAILL511)

Careers and graduate outcomes

- Career opportunities, course aims and objectives and graduate skills.

Career opportunities

Career opportunities exist within advertising agencies and graphic design studios with branding, web design, publishing, advertising, printers, film, and television production. Students may also find employment through in-house design studios for large corporations, educational institutions, and government departments.

Aims and objectives

The course aims to provide participants with the skills, knowledge and attributes required to work as graphic designers across a wide range of graphic design industry occupations.

Graduate will have:

A Graphic Design portfolio
An understanding of Graphic Design and Design related industries
Practice and understanding in solving Graphic Design problems.

Graduate skills

Graduates are good visual communicators who are self-motivated and organised with exceptional computer and technical skills.

Graduates will acquire problem-solving skills from conceptual to project completion. They will also possess sufficient skills in using Adobe suite with Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, XD, Dimension, After-Effect, Spark, and others. Graduates will have a strong understanding of print production, web, interface, and environmental design.

Course fees and requirements

- Entry requirements and non-year 12 entry.

Course fees

A VET Student Loan is available for this course – allowing you to defer part of your fees if you're eligible.

The maximum VET Student Loan amount for this course is $16,788. You must start repaying this loan once you earn above the compulsory repayment threshold.

Diploma of Graphic Design Estimated course fees for 2023*
*You will need to pay this amount if you do not* receive a VET Student Loan**	$17,240	$11,450	This course is not eligible for Free TAFE
You will need to pay this amount if you do receive a VET Student Loan	$452	Fully Covered	This course is not eligible for Free TAFE

Estimated course fees for 2023*

For students who are not granted a Skills First government-subsidised place

For students who are granted a Skills First government-subsidised place

Is this a Free TAFE course?

You will need to pay this amount if you do not receive a VET Student Loan

$17,240

$11,450

This course is not eligible for Free TAFE

You will need to pay this amount if you do receive a VET Student Loan

$452

Fully Covered

This course is not eligible for Free TAFE

Fees published on this page are estimates only and are subject to change depending on individual circumstances at the time of enrolment. The above fees apply for units studied in 2023 only and may change for units studied in future years. There may be additional costs related to learning material and equipment.

This training is delivered with Victorian and Commonwealth Government funding.

Skills First Government-subsidised place
You could be granted a Skills First government-subsidised place when you apply for this course. Check your eligibility now.

Concession rates for vocational students
Concession rates for Diploma and Advanced Diploma programs are also available if you self-identify as being of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent and qualify for a government-subsidised training place under the Indigenous Completions Initiative.

The eligibility criteria are set by the Victorian Government and assessed by Swinburne in accordance with government directives, which are subject to change at any time.

Find out if you’re eligible for a fee concession here.

Full course fee
If you are not granted a government subsidised place, the full course fee will apply. Check your eligibility now.

Indicative nominal course hours: 1,180.

Entry requirements

To enter this qualification, individuals must provide evidence of their technical skills and ability to:

produce multiple examples of graphic design work that meets different design requirements
produce typography that supports the overall design solution
use graphic design industry software (e.g. Adobe)

Applicants will be required to provide a folio of work.

Skills may have been acquired through personal or work experience, or through formal study.