Diploma of Graphic Design
Overview
1 year full time
1 year
February
February
Design a bright future for yourself
Our Diploma of Graphic Design CUA50720 offers hands-on, practical skills. The course combines practical applied design and theory, allowing you to gain a solid range of skills for future employment within the design industry. Advance your knowledge of the fundamentals of graphic design and stand out from the pack in this creative industry.
Illustrate your skills
Melbourne Polytechnic’s graphic design program gives you practical design skills and the chance to develop a strong creative style. You’ll develop design skills to a proficient and professional level, ready to work as a junior graphic designer or freelance artist. You’ll develop skills for both contemporary technologies and traditional design processes, recognising that both are necessary for employment in the graphic design industry.
Your teachers are all industry professionals who guide and support students throughout their studies. You’ll access opportunities to connect with the design industry and collaborate with other students within the Melbourne Polytechnic creative arts network.
Learning from practising specialists ensures that the knowledge you gain is up-to-date and relevant to the industry. Melbourne Polytechnic has a huge range of facilities and software. You will have access to the Fairfield Campus computer labs, Epson printers and scanners. You will get your own subscription to Adobe Creative Cloud, to use on campus and for home use. Our Diploma of Graphic Design CUA50720 is the perfect pathway into our Bachelor of Illustration - the only specialist Illustration degree in Australia.
Major study topics:
- digital imaging
- advertising and promotional design
- drawing and illustration
- packaging and publication design
- finished art, prepress and printing
- typography and visual communications
- 2D design
- concept design
- business skills
Career Pathways
Where will the Diploma of Graphic Design CUA50720 take me?
Once you graduate, your prospective employers include:
- advertising agencies
- large and small art and design studios
- advertising departments of large retail companies
- packaging and publishing companies (newspapers, magazines and books)
- trade-houses (pre-press and large printing firms)
- multimedia studios
- Graphic Designer
Study Pathways
On successful completion of this diploma course you may continue on to further studies in the Advanced Diploma of Creative Product Development CUA60420 or a Bachelor of Illustration.
Book an interview
Course Details
Delivery methods
Classroom based with additional resources online.
How you will study
Each course has a dedicated learning method that is designed to let you thrive in your studies.
On-campus
Interactive learning in a face-to-face environment. Classes will be held at a Melbourne Polytechnic campus or partner institute.
Class Schedule
Tue - Morning and Afternoon
Wed - Morning and Afternoon
Thu - Morning and Afternoon
Fri - Morning and Afternoon
Assessment Methods
Assessment by coursework and folio presentation
Units of Study
The hours displayed are nominal, actual classroom hours delivered may differ. Please contact us for the latest student contact hours information.
| Code | Subject | Elective | Hours |
| BSBLEG525 | Apply legal principles in intellectual property law matters | Elective | 50 |
| BSBMKG551 | Create multiplatform advertisements for mass media | Elective | 40 |
| CUAACD531 | Refine drawing and other visual representation tools | Core | 80 |
| CUAACD536 | Refine 2-D design ideas and processes | Elective | 70 |
| CUAACD537 | Refine 3-D design ideas and processes | Elective | 70 |
| CUADES413 | Develop and extend design skills and practice | Core | 30 |
| CUADES511 | Implement design solutions | Elective | 70 |
| CUADIG512 | Design digital applications | Elective | 60 |
| CUADIG516 | Design interactions | Elective | 60 |
| CUADIG519 | Investigate technologies for the creation of digital art | Elective | 80 |
| CUAGRD501 | Research visual communication history and theory | Core | 55 |
| CUAGRD502 | Produce graphic designs for 2-D and 3-D applications | Core | 60 |
| CUAGRD503 | Produce typographic design solutions | Core | 60 |
| CUAGRD514 | Create and manipulate graphics | Core | 60 |
| CUAGRD515 | Design and manipulate complex layouts | Core | 65 |
| CUAGRD516 | Develop graphic design practice to meet industry needs | Core | 60 |
| CUAILL401 | Develop and refine illustrative work | Elective | 50 |
| CUAILL511 | Develop professional illustrations | Elective | 70 |
| CUAPPR513 | Present a body of own creative work | Core | 60 |
Graphic Design and Visual Arts courses at Melbourne Polytechnic
Fees & Costs
| Government subsidised fee | Non-subsidised fee | |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition fee | $12250 | $16350 |
| Materials fee | $0 | $0 |
| Maximum annual amenities | $250 | $250 |
| Total payable | $12500 | $16600 |
| Per year | $19052 |
| Per semester | $9526 |
The student tuition fees as published are subject to change given individual circumstances at enrolment.
Displayed course fees are indicative only. There are many variables that impact the total amount of your full course costs including qualification for government subsidies, concessions or recognition of prior learning. Tuition fees do not include the cost of student amenities or material costs.
This training is delivered with Victorian and Commonwealth Government funding. Contact us to find out if you’re eligible for a Government subsidy.
Melbourne Polytechnic offers a range of payment options to help you pay your tuition fees, so you can get on with your studies.
Fees displayed are effective for new applications received on or after 1 November 2021. Tuition fees do not include textbooks, course materials or overseas student health insurance and visa fees.
After initial deposit, international students are able to pay tuition fees in installments, four times per year.
For more detailed information please read the International Student Fees.
Materials
Lists of required materials, books and timetables will be provided at course induction or class enrolment by the teaching department.Fees explained
The fees for those ineligible for a government-funded enrolment.
The cost of tuition for those eligible for government funding.
Additional expenses
The Student Services and Amenities Fee is charged at forty cents (40 cents) per student contact hour and is capped over a twelve (12) month period, effective from the enrolment date, to:
- $250 for full fee-paying students; and
- $175 for concession-paying students studying Certificate I, II, III, or IV.
Amenities fees are used to improve non-academic services including libraries, counselling services, student support, and recreational activities.
Requirements
- All applicants are required to attend an interview and folio presentation.
- Your folio needs to provide evidence of technical skills demonstrating examples of graphic design work that responds to various design challenges. Use of typography that supports a design solution and an ability to use graphic design industry software, such as the Adobe Creative suite.
- Skills may have been acquired through personal or work experience, or formal study.
- Successful completion of VCE/equivalent or mature age
- Non-VCE applicants must be at least 17 years old
- VCE students selected on the basis of interview and folio
- Non-VCE and direct applicants selected on the basis of interview and folio
English: Academic IELTS 5.5 with no individual band below 5.0, Pearson PTE Academic 42 overall with no individual communicative skill below 36, or Melbourne Polytechnic recognised equivalency.
Other: Applicants are required to present a folio, which should demonstrate the use of a range of materials and techniques including a selection of graphic design solutions, typography, illustrations, visual artwork, photography, freehand observational drawings, digital and other artwork. Demonstrated ability to use graphic design industry software, such as the Adobe Creative suite. Skills may have been acquired through personal or work experience, or formal study. Attend an interview.
Next Steps
We're really excited for you to join the Melbourne Polytechnic community and we look forward to supporting you on your education journey.
The first step to enrolling is completing the application short form from the Apply Now page.
You'll then receive a link to complete a few more personal details.
You will be asked to attend an interview to ensure that this is the right course for you.
It is a mandatory government requirement for all prospective students to complete an online literacy and numeracy assessment.
Once you are ready to enrol, you will be invited to enrol online or come to campus to complete your enrolment in person.
Diploma students may be eligible for a VET Student Loan. Read more about them here.
If you need assistance with your application and the next steps, you can contact one of our Education and Course Advisors on 1300 635 276 or follow a step-by-step guide to enrolling for vocational education local students.
When we receive your application, the International Office will be in contact with you shortly to discuss your application and provide you additional instructions.
If you'd like to speak to one of our International Office staff directly, call 1300 635 276
Graphic Design at Melbourne Polytechnic
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Andrea Draper
Visual artist Andrea Draper teaches within the graphic design program at Melbourne Polytechnic. Andrea specialises in illustration and loves to investigate both the digital and hand-rendered realms.
Learn MoreRecognising Organisations
Nationally Recognised Training This course is government accredited and has national recognition.
Local student means; you are an Australian citizen or permanent resident, a New Zealand citizen or a permanent humanitarian visa holder.