Advanced Diploma of Graphic Design

Introduction to Design Studies, immerses students in the dynamic world of design. Fostering self-discovery and creative inquiry, students acquire essential skills and strategies for academic success. Through exploration and experimentation, students develop a fundamental understanding of emerging trends and practices in a variety of design contexts while gaining initial insight into the diverse career paths available. Through an integrated and practical approach incorporating vital skills such as time management and reflection, students engage in creative self-discovery, develop storytelling and presentation skills, and establish literacy in design communication and practice. At the conclusion of this subject, students emerge equipped with the tools and confidence to enrich and inform their future studies in design.

Assessment Tasks: Self-reflection, Presentation

Delivery Mode: On Campus, Online

This subject introduces a core set of industry-standard specialist design software tools from Adobe. The emphasis of this subject is on building a comprehensive familiarity with these tools and features so that their application becomes second nature and can be treated as part of the overall creative tool kit.

Students will work through a range of small exercises to cement their learning and to build their working knowledge by experimenting with different tools and techniques. Students will then combine these tools and techniques to explore print and screen-based projects and in doing so, become aware of how to create flexible visual outcomes and not wedded to single-use mediums.

Assessment Tasks: Quiz, Design Artefacts, Ad and Brochures Design

Delivery Mode: On Campus, Online 

See. Make. Tell. introduces students to the art and practice of storytelling across analogue and digital creative mediums. Students craft narratives that take audiences on meaningful journeys and communicate ideas that resonate through visual, verbal and written forms. Students generate authentic concepts, explore diverse storytelling techniques, and experiment with visual ideas through sketching, prototyping, and research. Through reflection and the use of metaphor, symbolism, and abstraction, they refine their ideas and develop their narrative voice. They also practice responsible use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) to support with ideation and communication. By the end of the subject, students can reflect on their own work and the work of others, understand what makes ideas resonate with an audience, and articulate their creative decisions confidently to produce conceptually rich and engaging creative solutions.

Assessment Tasks: Presentation, Case Study, Creative Concept Pitch

Delivery Mode: On Campus, Online

Typography shapes how we read, interpret, and experience visual communication. This subject explores the history and origins of typographic communication, from cuneiform through to contemporary digital type. It introduces the fundamental principles and terminology relating to typography, including letterform structure, classifications of faces and styles, and typesetting. Students will work with specialist software to create and manipulate type, and will start to formulate their own set of strategies for effective use of typography as an element of design.

Assessment Tasks: Quiz, Presentation, Design Artefacts

Delivery Mode: On Campus, Online

Brands are more than logos. They are stories, signals and symbols that shape how people recognise and connect with ideas, products and experiences. This subject introduces students to brand identity design, with an emphasis on ideation, concept development and the design process. Students explore the history, types, elements, and nuances of brand identities, focusing on how visual symbols communicate meaning and are interpreted by audiences. Through research and iterative making, students develop both the theoretical understanding and technical skills to design original brand identities. Students apply their ideas across a range of media and formats, learning to create cohesive and adaptable visual identity systems that respond to context and purpose.

Assessment Tasks: Report

Delivery Mode: On Campus, Online

Good publication design is often invisible, yet it shapes how we read, navigate, and understand information. This subject introduces contemporary print and digital publishing conventions through the study of advanced typesetting, layout design, image integration, grid systems, hierarchy, and pre-production processes. Students consider the nuances of different media platforms to develop an understanding of how users interact with content across a range of contexts. They apply publication design principles and best practice, developing technical skills using industry-standard design software to produce outcomes across a range of print and digital formats.

Pre-requisite: CGD102 Digital Design Foundations, CGD104 Typography

Assessment Tasks: Quiz, Report, Design Artefact

Delivery Mode: On Campus, Online

Designing engaging digital experiences begins with understanding how people interact with and navigate digital systems. In this subject, students explore core principles of user experience and interface design, focusing on creating clear, accessible and visually effective interfaces. They apply user-centred approaches by identifying user needs, mapping simple user flows, and developing ideas through prototyping and iterative refinement.

Students also explore front-end fundamentals, creating web pages using HTML and CSS, and translating design concepts into functional outcomes. They apply key design principles such as layout, typography, colour, and responsive design across devices, while being introduced to structured design approaches, reusable elements, and contemporary tools, including emerging generative AI practices.

Assessment Tasks: Report, Web Development

Delivery Mode: On Campus, Online

Packaging design sits at the intersection of communication, function and experience, shaping how products are understood and engaged with from first encounter to end of life. Students design, iterate, and produce a holistic packaging solution that integrates user insight, functional requirements, branding and visual communication strategies.

Students examine sustainability and social responsibility in packaging design, situating their thinking within contemporary industry trends and practices. They apply persona development and narrative frameworks to inform practical outcomes, integrating commercial considerations with design thinking methodologies. This approach supports the creation of empathetic solutions that consider the entire lifecycle of packaging, from point of sale, through consumer use, to end of life and disposal.

Pre-requisite: CGD102 Digital Design Foundations, CGD104 Typography

Assessment Tasks: Quiz, Pitch, Presentation, Report, Design Artefact

Delivery Mode: On Campus, Online

Undertaken towards the end of their course, this subject provides students with real-world design experience through a live brief and in collaboration with an industry client. Students apply design methodologies to interpret and define a creative problem, translating research and analysis into resolved design outcomes. They develop documentation to communicate their creative process and decision-making, with emphasis on iterative development, critical reflection and responding objectively to constructive feedback.

Throughout the experience, students build confidence in professional communication and presentation skills and gain insight into contemporary industry practice and expectations, preparing them for transition into the industry through strengthened work-ready capabilities and demonstrating how their learning translates into professional practice.

Preparing for the transition into the design industry, students develop their professional identity and build portfolio and self-promotional materials that support career readiness and entry into professional practice.

Students examine contemporary graphic design practice, including studio structures, workflows, professional roles and interdisciplinary collaboration, alongside emerging technologies and industry trends shaping the future of design practice. They develop an understanding of career pathways in graphic design, including industry expectations, remuneration structures and freelance practice, building insight into how designers operate within professional contexts.

The subject also develops professional and business skills, including communication, presenting, client interaction and interview preparation, supporting students to confidently discuss their practice and navigate employment opportunities.