Course description
The Diploma of Graphic Design furthers your ability to thrive in the dynamic world of design. This comprehensice course builds your design skills by exposing you to a wide range of tools to respond to current trends in graphic design.
You will create compelling visual solutions in response to practical projects, tackling diverse client briefs and real-world scenarios. Guided by industry professionals in simulated design studio environments, you will enhance your software, photography and digital content creation skills.
A digital folio is required for entry. Check the entrance requirements below.
Information sessions
5:00pm
Auditorium (H1.03)
Geelong City
Possible career outcomes
- Graphic Designer
- Content Creator
- Illustrator
- Graphic Artist
- Editorial or Publication Designer
- Brand Designer
Wondering if this industry will suit you?
We have created a very short course quiz to help you gain a little more understanding of what is required and whether you might enjoy a role in this industry. Take the quiz here.
Applications & attendance
How to apply
- Follow our instructions for how to apply for a course.
- Apply online by selecting an intake from the Applications & attendance table below.
If you need help, visit Customer Service or request application support via email.
Submission of an application does not guarantee a place in the course.
| Intake | Applications | Attendance | Classes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 February Geelong City Campus |
Open: 1 Aug 2024 Close: 1 Feb 2025 |
Class Day | Full Time Mon to Thurs 9.00am to 4.00pm | Apply |
Class times are indicative and may change before the course starts. Students may need to complete some self-paced learning and assessments outside class, varying by course and skill level, or may be required to attend classes both on campus and online.
Follow the link for more information on attendance mode definitions and offer timing.
An application doesn't guarantee a place in the course.
Many courses have limited spots and may fill quickly, so apply early and ensure your application is fully completed, as only successful applicants will receive offers, issued as soon as possible. If numbers are low, intakes or courses may be cancelled.
Additional attendance information
To be successful in the is course it is recommended for students to have access to a laptop or desktop computer (MAC or PC) and a student licence for the Adobe Creative Cloud All Apps software.
Computer specifications
2 GHz processor, 8-16 GB RAM, GPU with DirectX 12 support Graphics card, 1920 x 1080 display monitor, 50 GB of available hard disk space and internet connection.
Entrance requirements
- Applicants are expected to have literacy and numeracy skills at Year 11 or Year 12 or Australian Core Skills Framework Level 3.
- Applicants must provide evidence, via submission of a digital folio, of their technical skills and ability to: produce multiple examples of graphic design work that responds effectively to different design challenges, produce typography that supports the overall design solution and use graphic design industry software. Skills may have been acquired through personal or work experience, or through formal study.
- You must reside in Victoria to access Victorian Government Subsidised Fees and any incentive such as Free TAFE. Full fees apply to all non-Victorian residents.
Personal Learning Requirements
There are personal learning requirements for each qualification at The Gordon. These are essential personal capabilities and skills required to successfully complete the course and be ready to work in the industry.
Please review the requirements here and consider any challenges you may have in meeting them. When applying for your course, please let us know what support you may need.
Pre-training review
Each student must complete a pre-training review as part of their application. The outcome of your pre-training review assists our teachers and trainers to better understand your capabilities prior to training and enables you to be matched to the right program. Your literacy and numeracy skills will be evaluated and you may be required to undertake a separate assessment. Follow this link for more information about literacy and numeracy skills.
In order to prepare for your LLN, you may wish to attempt some practise tests in which you will find similar questions (with solutions too). These practice tests are not VSL approved but may be similar in question type and level of difficulty to what may be asked in the VSL approved LLN. Click here for practice tests. Please note, the VSL approved LLN cannot be resat within 3 months of undertaking it.
Units & assessments
| Core Units | Code | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Create and manipulate graphics | CUAGRD514 | 60 |
| Design and manipulate complex layouts | CUAGRD515 | 65 |
| Develop and extend design skills and practice | CUADES413 | 30 |
| Develop graphic design practice to meet industry needs | CUAGRD516 | 60 |
| Produce graphic designs for 2-D and 3-D applications | CUAGRD502 | 60 |
| Produce typographic design solutions | CUAGRD503 | 60 |
| Refine drawing and other visual representation tools | CUAACD531 | 80 |
| Research visual communication history and theory | CUAGRD501 | 55 |
| Elective Units | Code | Hours |
| Create observational drawings | CUAACD532 | 60 |
| Develop and refine illustrative work | CUAILL401 | 50 |
| Develop graphic designs for branding and identity | CUAGRD617 | 65 |
| Develop graphic designs for packaging | CUAGRD616 | 65 |
| Establish, negotiate and refine a design brief | CUADES512 | 65 |
| Investigate technologies for the creation of digital art | CUADIG519 | 80 |
| Present a body of own creative work | CUAPPR513 | 60 |
| Provide freelance services | CUAIND412 | 40 |
| Realise a body of creative work | CUAPPR511 | 80 |
| Select and refine a specialised drawing technique | CUAACD533 | 70 |
| Work with photomedia in creative practice | CUAACD522 | 65 |
Please note that the listed electives are delivered by The Gordon but you may not need to complete all of these units to successfully complete this qualification. If you have previously completed any of the units of competency relevant to this course, you may be eligible for Credit Transfer (CT). Any previous relevant experience may qualify you for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). Find out more about CT or RPL here.
Assessment is based on:
- Hands-on projects
- Written assignments
Fees
| Fees | Rate | Unit | Indicative Course Hours | Indicative Tuition | Indicative Gov Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Tuition | AUD $5.87 | per hour | 1170 | AUD $6,868.00 | AUD $7,572.00 |
| Full Fee Tuition | AUD $12.18 | per hour | 1170 | AUD $14,251.00 |
| Add the costs below to your relevant tuition fee | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Education Levy | AUD $175.50 | Charged at enrolment | |||
| Resource Fee | AUD $333.00 | Once | charged at enrolment | ||
| Materials | AUD $319.00 | Once | charged at enrolment | ||
| Equipment Levy | AUD $271.00 | Once | charged at enrolment | ||
| Excursion | AUD $60.00 | Once | charged at enrolment | ||
| Printing cost | AUD $240.00 | Once | charged at enrolment | ||
Further study options
Many Gordon courses offer pathways to higher qualifications within The Gordon and in some cases, to university degrees. Your Gordon course may provide credit points which could reduce further study time. Follow the link to find more information about pathways, or contact Customer Service.