- This is a fee-for-service course, government funding is not available. Payment plans are available
- Only Australian Citizens and Residents can apply for this course. Limited visa holders can be accepted pending a VEVO check. We are not CRICOS registered and cannot accept Subclass 500 visa holders
Course Overview
Our nationally recognised CUA50720 Diploma of Graphic Design is designed to combine the technical, creative and conceptual skills you need to create designs that meet client requirements. You’ll learn the fundamentals of graphic design, and move to the more advanced practices of digital design, as well as UX, branding and freelancing.
Design is a rapidly changing market and Designers must learn quickly to adapt to new trends in technology. There is expected to be very strong growth in the 5 years to November 2026, with around 14,000 (or 22% growth) new roles expected to be required.
Who's It For?
If you love design and technology and have a bit of experience with graphic design (self-taught or through work experience), then the Diploma of Graphic Design may be the course for you.
The Diploma is a great way to get the skills you need to launch a brand-new career, or if you have been working in the industry, it is the perfect way to formalise your skills and get the qualification you need to take the next step in your career.
If you are an existing worker or have experience in the related industry, please inform our enrolment consultants during your enrolment conversation. You may be eligible to enrol as an existing worker and complete your studies faster. Please note – limitations do apply.
Job Outcomes
Potential career outcomes could include:
- Assistant Web/Digital Designer
- Graphic Designer
- Graphic Operator
- Junior Graphic Designer
- Junior Mac Operator
- Package Designer
What You'll Learn
During your studies, you will learn:
- Design fundamentals, such as, typography, colour, visual communication and manipulation of graphics and layouts
- How to master drawing and illustration, as well as print and packaging
- How to understand and interpret branding and identity
- How to understand and work with a client design brief
- How to work in digital design
- Creation of multiplatform assessments
- Key skills around developing your own professional design practice, setting you up to work effectively as a freelancer, or in an agency environment
Recognition
Study Method
- OnlineOnline delivery - online course content with the exception of assessments and work placement
- BlendedBlended delivery - both online course content and partial face to face requirements
- In-classIn class delivery - predominately face to face course content conducted at a specific location
- VirtualVirtual Delivery - Live and interactive classroom-style learning conducted completely online
Duration and Study Load
- Course duration: The duration for the course is maximum 24 months. As a self-paced online course, the time it will take you to complete is flexible and dependent on ability and time available
- Recommended hours per week: 15h
Delivery
- Delivery method: Online
Entry Requirements
This course does not require specific formal education qualifications. However, you must be a minimum of 18 years old to enrol. At Open Colleges, we’re passionate about helping you choose courses that are a perfect fit for your individual goals and aspirations. Please note that this course is not open to student visa holders. For personalised assistance and more information, please enquire now.
Course Features
- During this graphic design course, you will develop a portfolio of work which showcases your skills, ideas and creativity, as well as your ability to meet client briefs. You can use this portfolio to showcase your skills to potential employers and clients
- Your Trainers are industry experts who have decades of experience working in graphic design. They are on hand to help guide you through your studies and answer any questions that you may have
- The Diploma is designed to get you job-ready, so all assessments are created with a real-world focus to get you used to dealing with the type of design briefs and graphic design roles that you will encounter when you graduate
Recognition of Prior Learning
We value the diverse skills and expertise you may have gained from various sources. These experiences can be acknowledged through our Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) process.
For a more comprehensive understanding of our RPL procedure, please refer to our Credit Transfer & Recognition of Prior Learning Policy, available in the Key Student Information section of our website. Alternatively, you can contact an Enrolment Consultant to discuss your RPL options.
Assessment
- Multiple choice Quiz
- Projects
- Role plays
- Video
- Work Placement
- Written assignments
Materials
Your learning materials are access through our online platform OpenSpace. These learning materials include
- Learning content
- Media
- Additional resources
- Learning activities
- Self-checks
Subjects
- Research type as visual communication
- Analyse design needs
- Develop ideas for typographic solutions
- Manipulate and integrate type
- Integrate type within the overall design
- Evaluate typographic design solutions
- Analyse design needs
- Develop and refine ideas for graphics
- Manipulate graphic objects
- Finalise technical aspects of graphics work
- Evaluate graphics work
- Research information on colour theory and design processes
- Communicate ideas through the application of colour and design theory
- Evaluate design work
- Select focus for research
- Conduct critical analysis
- Present ideas about visual communication history and theory
- Develop own practice from research
- Evaluate the role of drawing in professional practice
- Support practice through experimentation with drawing and visual representation
- Develop individual approach to use of drawing
About Open Colleges
Open Colleges puts you at the centre of everything we do. As an institution, we measure our success in the success of our students.
We have more than 125 years of experience in distance education, and this has given us the time to perfect the ways we deliver education and training to people across Australia. In the last decade alone, we’ve helped more than 450,000 students reach their potential.
We understand the needs of adult learners. That’s why we created OpenSpace, our world-class online learning platform that gives you complete flexibility and control to study whenever and wherever you are. OpenSpace provides you with access to learning resources, expert trainers and assessors, a superior support network and the opportunity to connect with other learners just like you.
Our nationally recognised courses could help you launch, change or accelerate your career. Now is the time to make your next move. With Open Colleges, everything could happen.
Open Colleges Pty Ltd is a Registered Training Organization (RTO 90796)
