Diploma of Graphic Design
CRS2026DGD
The Diploma of Graphic Design has been designed to equip students with both the creative and technical foundations required for employment or freelance practice in the design industry.
Next intake: February, June, September 2026
Duration: 8 Units across 2 Trimester of Study
Delivery: Face-to-face OR real-time learning via Zoom
Next intake: February, June, September 2026
Duration: 8 Units across 2 Trimester of Study
Delivery: Face-to-face OR real-time learning via Zoom
It addresses a clear need for accessible, industry-led qualifications that balance conceptual exploration with the practical, entrepreneurial, and digital skills required in a fast-changing global marketplace.
Through an applied and project-based curriculum, students learn to research, plan, and execute design solutions that persuade, inform, and engage audiences. The course introduces essential design principles such as typography, layout, colour theory, and composition, while embedding professional competencies including communication, teamwork, and self-management. Students develop a professional portfolio and personal brand identity that reflects their distinctive design voice and readiness for professional practice.
The rationale for this course is underpinned by three key drivers:
Industry Relevance: The curriculum reflects current professional standards and workflows, incorporating industry-standard software and digital design tools. Students gain hands-on experience translating conceptual briefs into real-world visual outcomes that align with industry expectations for creativity, precision, and innovation.
Employability and Entrepreneurship: The course supports career outcomes in a wide range of contexts, including design studios, marketing and media agencies, and freelance or start-up enterprises. By developing both technical mastery and business literacy, graduates are equipped to engage with clients, build sustainable creative practices, and navigate the commercial realities of the design profession.
Pathways and Progression: The Diploma provides both a standalone qualification for entry-level employment and a pathway into higher-level study in design, or related disciplines. The online delivery model extends accessibility to diverse learners while maintaining the high-engagement, mentor-supported approach that characterises the College’s design education philosophy.
Grounded in creative experimentation, design research, and digital proficiency, the Diploma of Graphic Design prepares students to contribute to the visual culture of contemporary society. Graduates will emerge with the confidence, technical skill, and professional insight to create, communicate, and innovate within the dynamic global design landscape.
Graduates of the Diploma of Graphic Design will be equipped with the creative, technical, and professional skills to enter the design industry or pursue further study. They will possess the capability to apply design principles, digital production skills, and client communication techniques within professional contexts across print and digital media.
Typical employment outcomes include:
Junior Graphic Designer: working within design studios, advertising agencies, publishing houses, or marketing departments.
Digital Designer: assisting in the creation of social-media content, web graphics, and digital advertising assets.
Design Assistant / Production Artist: preparing artwork, files, and layouts that meet professional print and digital specifications.
Branding or Marketing Assistant: contributing to brand identity development, visual communication campaigns, and promotional materials.
In-house Design Support: assisting corporate, education, or not-for-profit teams with visual communication, presentations, and marketing collateral.
The course emphasises employability, professional communication, and collaborative practice, enabling graduates to work effectively as part of a design team under supervision and contribute to the delivery of creative projects.
The Diploma provides a foundation for articulation into Bachelor-level study in graphic design, communication design, or related creative disciplines, supporting continued professional and academic development.
Applicants must meet one or more of the following criteria:
Successful completion of Year 12 (or equivalent senior secondary qualification); or
Successful completion of at least six months of an AQF Certificate III or higher qualification.
Applicants who do not meet the formal academic entry requirements may be considered for admission on the basis of at least three years of post-secondary work experience demonstrating capability to undertake study at the required level.
All applicants confirm their suitability for study through one of the following:
Submission of a 150-word personal statement as part of the application form, outlining their interest in the creative industries and motivation for study; or
A consultation with the College, conducted in person, online, or by phone.
Unit Code & Title | Credit Points | Prerequisites |
TRIMESTER 1 | ||
DES111 Visual Design This subject introduces students to the core building blocks of visual communication, from colour and composition to shape, space, pattern, and texture. Students learn how meaning is created through images while building practical skills using Adobe Creative Suite. Through hands-on projects, they develop confidence applying design principles to create polished, visually engaging work. | 6 | Nil |
DES112 Culture of Design Students explore how design responds to human, social, cultural, and environmental needs. This subject looks at the evolution of design, its influence on society, and the emerging role of AI in creative practice. Through research, review, and concept development, students learn how design thinking shapes ethical, innovative solutions across industries. | 6 | Nil |
DGD111 Typography Typography is at the heart of visual communication, and this subject gives students a strong foundation in how type works and why it matters in design. Students explore the history of typography, learn how letterforms are constructed, and work with grids, typefaces, and typesetting to create clear and engaging communication. Using Adobe Creative Suite, they develop practical skills in designing, selecting, and manipulating type, building confidence in applying typography across different design contexts. | 6 | Nil |
DGD112 Digital Media This subject introduces students to the essentials of digital content creation for graphic design, including photography, video, editing, and digital storytelling. Students learn to capture and edit visual content using industry-standard software and tools, while also developing skills in creating interactive and 2D design assets. By producing their own design templates, digital models, and a curated digital media folio, students build a strong foundation in creative digital practice and contemporary media workflows. | 6 | Nil |
TRIMESTER 2 | ||
DGD121 Designing Visual Identities Students explore what makes a brand visually memorable by learning how logos, colour systems, imagery, and typography connect to audience perception. Through research, design development, and practical exercises, they create a series of logo concepts and learn the full brand identity design process. The subject culminates in the development of a personal brand identity and style guide, equipping students with the foundational skills needed to craft cohesive and meaningful visual identities. | 6 | DES111 Visual Design DES 112 Culture of Design DGD111 Typography DGD112 Digital Media |
DGD122 Graphic Design Folio This subject builds students’ foundational graphic design capabilities through a guided, simulated design project that mirrors real industry practice. Students work through the complete design process—researching client needs, analysing visual references, exploring creative concepts, and developing a cohesive visual identity. Using professional design software, they produce both printed and digital collateral that aligns with contemporary design standards. Throughout the subject, students document their design decisions, present their ideas in a professional format, and refine their visual communication skills, culminating in a polished folio that demonstrates their readiness for industry. | 6 | DES111 Visual Design DES 112 Culture of Design DGD111 Typography DGD112 Digital Media |
DGD123 The Creative Professional This subject introduces students to the professional skills needed to begin a career in graphic design across studio, in-house, and freelance environments. Students build a polished online presence, strengthen their communication skills, and learn how design, branding, and digital tools support professional identity. The subject concludes with a practical planning task that covers key operational, marketing, and financial considerations, helping students prepare for early-career opportunities in the design industry. | 6 | DES111 Visual Design DES112 Culture of Design DGD111 Typography DGD112 Digital Media |
DES121 Design Studio This subject consolidates and extends the design knowledge and practical skills developed across the Diploma through a simulated online design studio. Students work in small teams, rotating between client and designer roles as they respond to personal or brand-based briefs and experience a realistic professional workflow. Graphic Design students create their own client-style brief, conduct market and visual research, and develop mood boards and concepts that lead to a coordinated visual identity. They produce professional design outcomes such as logos, print or digital collateral, and social media assets, documenting their process in a Design Process Book and presenting their final work in a polished folio and live pitch. This subject strengthens professional communication, collaboration, and industry-readiness for entry-level or freelance design roles. | 6 | DES111 Visual Design DES 112 Culture of Design DGD111 Typography DGD112 Digital Media |
Total | 48 |
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