Design

Graduate Certificate of Design

CRICOS 095350C

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What is a Graduate Certificate of Design?

A Graduate Certificate of Design provides a theoretical foundation in applying contemporary design practices and principles within professional environments. Throughout the course, you’ll enhance your design knowledge as you learn about advanced design and creative thinking practices.

The course comprises two core subjects and two electives. The core subjects cover Design Identity, contextualising philosophical and theoretical text, and Design Context, which aims to provide an understanding of the user experience. You’ll also be able two complete electives from our MBA and Project Management programs, ensuring you graduate as a design expert with an extensive understanding of operating in global creative businesses. The Graduate Certificate of Design can be completed in two trimesters with a full-time study load, or four trimesters if studying part time.

Critically evaluate findings and discussions in contemporary design literature.
Demonstrate mastery in design theory and practice to generate innovations that respond to future need.
Develop skills to argue the case to support a particular design position, drawing on relevant research, analysis and evidence.
Engage in rigorous intellectual analysis, criticism and problem-solving to create a range of solutions to identified design problems.
Learn to resolve a range of complex design tasks using enhanced skills and knowledge.
Articulate design principles, theories and practice to a variety of stakeholders across a range of cultural groups.
Apply highly specialised design knowledge and skills to solve problems in a professional context.

Adobe affiliation benefits

You'll receive a free Adobe Creative Cloud Pro licence for the entire time you're studying Design with us.

Download course guide Start online application

Study mode

On campus, Online

Campus locations*

Sydney, Online

Student

Domestic

International

Course duration

2 trimesters full time, 4 trimesters part time

Start date

05 Jun 2023

18 Sep 2023

View all key dates

Fees

View fees

This is an AQF Level 8 course delivered by Torrens University Australia Ltd T/A Billy Blue College of Design.

*For more details on international student study options.

Explore work from Billy Blue College of Design students.

Career opportunities

Upon graduating, you’ll be well equipped for a successful career as an inter-disciplinary designer. Embark on your adventure and apply the theoretical and practical skills you’ve learnt, flexing your ability to problem-solve and create innovative design solutions. You will be ready to pursue a career in one of the below roles or pursue further study with the Master of Design.

Potential career paths

Art Director
Average salary: $88,000 - $148,000
Design Strategist
Average salary: $118,000 - $138,000

Learn more about careers in Design

Subjects and units

This course comprises of two core subjects and two elective subjects.

Each subject involves 10 hours of study per week, comprising three hours of facilitated study and seven hours self-directed study.

Core
Electives

Requirements

Complete the two core subjects listed. Additionally, you’re required to select two electives from the electives tab.

Core subjects

Design Identity | DSGN6026

This subject introduces students to philosophical and theoretical lenses for interpreting the various contexts of reception within which their designs will be encountered, engaged with, experienced or consumed. Design Identity, focuses specifically on ‘the connections of text as a stimulus to design approaches and understanding but more importantly on new ways of seeing. In this subject students engage with texts that are, or have been, influential in shaping ways in which designers and design theory engages the worlds that designed things enter into and subsequently re-define. A range of differing texts, including theoretical, literary and designed texts, and texts utilizing different media, are introduced and explored.
Design Context | DSGN6027

This subject provides a suite of cross disciplinary, practice based topics for designers in the areas of, time, space, motion and interaction. Designers will explore conceptual challenges and questions of visual expression in the quest to develop useful, usable and resonant designs for good. This will include understanding and articulating ‘user experience’, the role of design in humanizing information, the aesthetic and conceptual dynamics of effective communication, branding and communication within the international industry landscape.

Requirements

Choose two electives from level 400 or level 600 from the elective bank.

Elective subjects

Interface Development | DID600A

This subject introduces the practical and conceptual skills and knowledge required to design and produce online user interfaces. Students learn how to use compliant standards- based markup and scripting language to develop interfaces. The subject covers concept development, prototyping, development, testing and troubleshooting concepts and techniques typical to interface development. Students also learn how to produce animated elements suitable for online interactive media.
User Experience Design | DID602A

This subject develops conceptual and practical knowledge and skills in experience design for interactive and online media. Students will use common experience design research methods to analyse audience and content requirements. Students will work through concept development, prototyping, validation and testing phases to improve and refine a user experience design in relation to the requirements of a specific client brief. Throughout students will develop their knowledge and skillset in terms of creating usable and user- centred interactive design experiences.
Multi-Platform Experience Design | DID603A

This subject covers the scoping, planning, design and delivery of a continuous multi-platform user experience design project. As part of this project, students will develop and integrate promotional and social media strategy. The subject explores agile and iterative design and project management methodologies, and the use of scenario/story-based analysis to inform the design and development of interactive features. The subject also develops and extends students’ skillset in terms of usability testing and validation processes.
User Experience Management and Systems | DID601A

This subject covers the use and customization of content and technology systems for the delivery of online content. Students learn how to generate flexible design solutions to present and manage complex and variable content. The subject introduces online content management systems and specialist development tools, and students will learn how to use and customize these systems and tools to meet specific design and project requirements. Students will also learn about hosting platforms, performance measurement and metrics systems for online content.
Principles of Project Management | PROJ6000

This course provides students with a grounding in the principles of project management, its methods and contemporary standards associated with managing diverse projects. Students in this course are introduced to the knowledge, tools, and techniques needed to manage projects (including IT projects) successfully throughout a project life cycle, and to the language used by practitioners in conjunction with the terminology recognised by the Project Management Institute (PMI). Students explore the project management knowledge areas and process groups of the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBoK) guide. Students also examine the ways these two dimensions of project management interact in initiating (scoping), planning, executing (launching), monitoring and controlling, and closing a project. The subject provides students with opportunities to also examine the challenges of project management and the professional traits that project managers are associated with.
Organisational Best Practice | MGT610

Benchmarking and the ability to collect, analyse and present benchmarking data to influence organisational decision making is a core competence for many organisations. This subject develops students’ analytical skills and understanding of benchmarking processes and procedures before supporting them in a benchmarking exercise of their own.
Global Management | MGT616

This subject addresses management issues other than those of Western capitalism and will prepare students with knowledge of global enterprises and issues. There will be a focus on: •Analysing and responding to different business cultures, and developing a global business mindset •Gaining knowledge and insight into business ethics and the international responsibilities of company directors facing issues such as bribery/corruption laws, and corporate social responsibility (CSR) •Developing an understanding and insight into the rationale and practices of global mixed economies (e.g. state-owned enterprises) It is recommended that this subject is completed at the beginning of the MBA. The subject challenges the student to think differently about organisational experiences, to look at these through a variety of cultural lenses, and to explore different ways by which people are influenced within the organisation and have an impact through the management function. The student can gain different insights into management and an increased understanding of how we experience the world.
Dynamic Leadership | MGT601

Leadership in modern organisations is a way of thinking and behaving. It is not necessarily a position in a hierarchy. Leadership is a process of energising, influencing and motivating others: up, down, sideways and diagonally. Becoming an effective leader requires self-awareness, self-management and a strong set of interpersonal communication skills, a set of capabilities that are often described as Emotional Intelligence (EQ). In addition, effective leaders think and act strategically, they build a climate for creativity and innovation, and are culturally sensitive and comfortable with ambiguity.

This subject focuses on developing your leadership capability and not leadership as a theoretical concept that applies to other people. It helps you explore your own leadership development and self-image, using the techniques of reflective research and supported by a mentoring partner. It guides you through the preparation of plan for your continued leadership and professional development that is consistent with your personal values, anchored by the academic literature and enables you to be authentic, confident and resilient in leading productive work places for the future.
Dynamic Leadership provides learning at the cognitive or intellectual level and at the affective or emotional level. It develops explicit knowledge of leadership (know-what) and the often-neglected tacit knowledge (know-how).
Design Thinking for Education | DTE401

Design thinking is an approach to innovation that involves identifying ‘problems’ or issues in a particular context, considering those who have a stake in these problems/issues, and designing a range of possible solutions that are then tested and refined in practice. In this subject, students will explore the concepts and processes of design thinking, including the origins of design thinking and its use across a range of disciplines and contexts. Following these general processes, students will then engage in a design thinking process to identify and address an issue within their own professional context. Through this design thinking process, students will engage in reflection and analysis of their professional skills, knowledge and judgement, and ultimately arrive at an advanced understanding of their roles as innovators and leaders in education.
Technology and Education | TED403

This subject challenges students to engage with a diverse range of educational technologies with a view to critically examining the relevance and application of such technologies within their professional context. More broadly, students will engage critically with the discourses surrounding technologies in education, refining their skills of critique and analysis to articulate the principles through which educators might make informed decisions about the effectiveness and appropriateness of specific technologies for learning. The subject will provide students with the opportunity to consider specific technologies that are relevant for their professional setting, for example technologies to engage students with Autism, and/or technologies relevant to the teaching of particular disciplines.

Technology

Learn with industry standard technologies

International students must not enrol in more than one-third (33%) of online subjects over their course, and must study at least one face-to-face subject each study period. Please note that due to COVID-19, authorities have provided exceptions to the usual face-to-face learning requirements until 30 June 2023 only. For more information, visit Study in Australia.

International students on a student visa are required to study full time (i.e. must complete a minimum of 1.0 EFTSL of study per year). For the latest information on study locations, please check the entry requirements flyer.

Industry partners and work placements

The big difference at Billy Blue College of Design at Torrens University Australia is that you’ll start working in the design industry from day one – gaining valuable experience, learning from industry professionals and making industry connections.

Entry details

Domestic
International

Fees

Check the domestic course fee schedule for the cost of your course.

FEE-HELP

Eligible Australian students may choose to defer some, or all, of their tuition fees through FEE-HELP, a loan scheme repaid through the tax system based on income.

Learn more about fees and FEE-HELP

Scholarships

If you are truly passionate about Design and Creative Technology, we want to hear from you. We have a variety of Design and Creative Technology scholarships on offer to assist you in becoming a key part of the Design and Creative Technology industry:

Admission criteria

Before you begin your course application, check that you meet all of the requirements listed below.

Completion of a bachelor-level degree or postgraduate study and;

A written proposal and;

Portfolio of relevant work and;

Resume and;

Selection interview

OR work life experience demonstrating the ability to undertake study at the required level.

View full course admission information

Guaranteed pathway and Recognition of Prior Learning

If you have already completed a qualification you may be able to credit this against your degree with us, even if it’s from another institution. This is called Recognition of Prior Learning. We also offer pathway opportunities to further your learning.

Learn more about study pathways

Fees

Check the international course fee schedule for the cost of your course. Onshore international students requiring a student visa should choose campus-based / blended options.

Fee payment

Course fees can be paid across three study periods. Each instalment to be paid before the beginning of the academic stage census date.

Scholarships

We want you to have the best possible chance to succeed, which is why we offer a range of financial scholarships to support our international students during their study journey.

Admission criteria

Before you begin your course application to study as an international student, check that you meet the requirements below.

Completion of a bachelor-level degree or postgraduate study and;

A written proposal and;

Portfolio of relevant work and;

Resume and selection interview and;

Academic IELTS 6.5 (no band less than 6.0) or equivalent

OR alternative entry requirement may be available. Contact the International Admissions team for more information.

Guaranteed pathway and Recognition of Prior Learning

Learn more about study pathways

Frequently asked questions

What are Torrens University Australia’s ATAR requirements for domestic students?

Torrens University Australia no longer considers ATAR (Australian Tertiary Admission Rank) as our primary entry requirement. We have removed ATAR as the key admissions criteria for applicants aiming to study at Torrens University Australia. We strongly believed an alternative to the ATAR system should be found, which more broadly assesses students, especially when soft skills are emerging as important employability attributes. So, students with a recent secondary school education are now considered for admission if they have a Year 12 (Australian secondary school) certificate. Exceptions may apply to some courses.
What if  I don’t meet the entry criteria for a degree?

Torrens University Australia has a range of application pathways to help you gain entry into our degrees based on different criteria.

To find out more, visit Study Pathways or contact our Future Student Advisors.
Am I eligible for FEE-HELP?
If you are a domestic student attending university or an approved higher education provider, you can get a FEE-HELP loan to pay all or part of your tuition fees.

You are eligible for FEE-HELP assistance for a unit of study (i.e. subject) if you:

Undertake study with an approved provider.

Meet the citizenship and residency requirements:

An Australian citizen or a New Zealand Special Category Visa holder who meets the long-term residency criteria and who will undertake, in Australia, at least one unit of study contributing to your course; OR

A permanent humanitarian visa holder who will be a resident in Australia for the duration of your unit; OR

Are a permanent visa holder who is undertaking bridging study for overseas-trained professionals, and will be a resident in Australia for the duration of the study.

Enrolled in an eligible unit of study by the census date for the unit.

Have not exceeded the FEE-HELP limit.

For full details, visit the Australian Government website Study Assist.

If you are still unsure, please contact our Future Student Advisors who can talk you through the information.

Can I get course credit for previous experience?

Yes, course credit is available for most courses upon application and academic approval (excluding Higher Degree by Research programs). 

If you have already completed a qualification or have relevant work experience, you may be eligible for credit towards your course. This credit can take the form of credit transfer, block credit or Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). Review our Course Credits page or chat to our Future Student Advisors.
What are Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and Credit Transfer (CT)? How do I apply?

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is an assessment process that recognises experience, previous study and qualifications, and other forms of informal and non-formal learning, to determine if you meet course requirements.

If you have relevant qualifications or experience, you may be eligible for credit towards your course and a reduction in tuition costs.

Please speak to our Future Student Advisors to discuss your prior learning experiences.

For more information, please visit Course credits.
How do I apply for a scholarship?

Torrens University has a wide range of scholarship options to support new, returning, international and Australian students. They all include a reduction in tuition fees, and some scholarships include a mentoring component with our industry partners.

Domestic students

When you speak to our Future Student Advisors, let them know you wish to be considered for a scholarship in your application form. They will show you how to apply for a scholarship.

International students

Please contact your Education Agent for further information. Alternatively, you can call us on 1300 575 803 or by email.

For more details, explore our range of scholarships.

View all FAQs

Graduate Certificate of Design