What does this course involve?
As you read this information, please note that this course is going to be re-accredited in the coming future. There will be minor changes to the course information provided here.
If you’re keen to work as a graphic designer, preparing concepts and digital artwork ready for production, this is the course for you.
You’ll receive an introduction to design principles and elements, learn how to create technical drawings and produce digital images.
You’ll learn how to apply the design process when responding to briefs, develop a basic design concept and gain an understanding of graphics prepress.
You’ll also gain valuable industry experience with a practical placement in your second year.
This course is also available to international students.
What employment opportunities will I have?
This course may provide you with employment opportunities in these industries:
- graphic design and digital media
- advertising
- printing
- publishing
You may also wish to start your own small design or graphic art business.
As a student, the Institute’s Employment Service is your first port of call for advice on gaining employment in this field, and can be contacted on 1300 BOX HILL (1300 269 445).
Accreditation
Nationally Recognised
What further study options will I have?
You may wish to articulate into the Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Contemporary Arts at Deakin University and receive credits for studies already undertaken.
Can I apply?
- You must have successfully completed year 12, or equivalent
- Relevant work experience may mean you are suitable for this course
If you do not meet the above requirements, contact the Institute - as there may be ways for us to prepare you for this course
How do I apply?
- To apply for a full time position in this course you must use the Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC) process. Details of the VTAC application process are at www.vtac.edu.au and in the VTAC Guide, which is available from leading newsagents and libraries from August. If the Institute still has vacancies after the VTAC places have been offered, you will be able to apply directly to the Institute.
- Supplementary application requirements are necessary for this course. Please read the information contained in the selection process.
If you have any queries, please contact the Institute on 1300 BOX HILL (1300 269 445).
How will I be selected for this course?
- Individual Interview
- Assessment of Folio
- An Information Session will be held, details to be advised.
- Supplementary requirements to the application process apply:
- You will need to contact the Institute in October on (03) 9286 9632 to book your interview.
Length of course
Full time – 2 years (commences in February with no mid-year intake)
Where will I study?
Whitehorse Campus
What costs and other fees should I expect?
Government Funded
This course attracts Victorian Government funding. For information about Fees and Charges please click here. This qualification may also be provided on a fee for service basis to industry, interstate or international students.
Click here to learn about scholarships that may be relevant to this course.
How will I be assessed?
- Written assessment
- Practical assessment
- Project work
Will my previous experience or study count?
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) or Recognition of Current Competencies (RCC) takes into account the knowledge and skills you’ve already gained through your previous education and work. This may be through formal or informal training, paid or unpaid work experience, and can earn you credit if relevant to your chosen course.
Unit of Competency Details
First Year
CUVDSP02A – Develop self as designer - (60 hours)
This is a professional practice unit, which describes the development of technical and conceptual skills required to work as a practising designer. It also deals with communication effectively and working strategically to achieve planned outcomes as a designer.
CUVCOR09A – Select and apply drawing techniques and media to represent and communicate the concept - (80 hours)
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to develop drawings which represent and communicate the concept.
CUFSAF01B – Follow health, safety, security procedures - (15 hours)
This unit describes the skills and knowledge which everyone in the workplace must have in order to work safely. It covers a range of industry contexts involving a variety of different conditions and hazards.
CUVDSP04A – Research and apply the history and theory of design to design practice - (65 hours)
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to research and analyse the history and theory of design for application to design practice.
CUVVSP12A – Produce digital images - (50 hours)
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to produce digital images through the exploration and application of a range of techniques, equipment and materials.
First Year Unit Clusters
CUVDES02A – Apply the design process to two-dimensional work in response to a brief - (50 hours)
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to explore and apply the design process in a 2-dimensional (2D) way in response to a brief. This is a core unit in design fundamentals and as such underpins many other specialisation units.
ICPPP11BA – Develop a basic design concept - (30 hours)
This unit is combined with others into Design Studio. It develops the skills and knowledge to produce solutions to simple graphic design briefs and the required finished art processes.
CUVVSP11A – Apply techniques to produce digital images - (50 hours)
Provides students with the skills and knowledge to use techniques, materials and equipment for the production of digital images.
CUVVSP13A – Research and experiment with techniques for digital imaging enhancement and manipulation - (50 hours)
This unit is combined with others into Digital Design & Image Production. This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to research and experiment with various techniques for the realisation of digital images.
CUVCRS16A – Prepare text and graphics files for print processing - (50 hours)
This unit is combined with others into Graphic Design Studio. This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to prepare electronic files for pre-press processing. It applies to files that still require some processing before printing or electronic diffusion.
ICPKN11A – Demonstrate knowledge and requirements of graphics prepress - (70 hours)
This unit is combined with others into Prepress Studio 1. IT develops knowledge of printing processes, pre press processes, terminology, colour and production costs.
ICPPP32CA – Electronically combine and assemble data - (50 hours)
This unit is combined with others into Prepress Studio 1. This unit develops skills in the use of software to scan images, combine images and produce digital files that match job specifications.
ICPPP53BA – Output images to electronic media - (30 hours)
This unit develops knowledge to correctly select file formats, software applications and suitable print processes for layouts and images.
CUVCRS05A – Use typography techniques for design work - (50 hours)
This unit is combined with others into Graphic Design Studio. Provides students with the skills and knowledge required to use typography techniques for design work. It outlines how typography can be applied to a range of design contexts in response to a brief.
ICPPP21BA – Select and apply type - (30 hours)
This unit is combined with others into Typography Studio 1. This unit develops knowledge to use correct terminology, correctly identify and select type, copy fit and proof read text and produce typographic solutions to design briefs.
Second Year
CUVCRS04A – Produce technical drawings - (50 hours)
This unit describes the skill and knowledge required to develop and refine a range of techniques to produce technical drawings. It outlines the ways technical drawing can be applied to a range of contexts where visual representation is required.
CUVDSP02A – Develop self as designer - (60 hours)
This is a professional practice unit, which describes the development of technical and conceptual skills required to work as a practising designer. It also deals with communication effectively and working strategically to achieve planned outcomes as a designer.
ICPMM65DA – Create web pages with multimedia - (50 hours)
This unit develops skills and knowledge to identify the tools and parameters of web page design, produce web pages that can be transferred across sectors of the prepress and
design industries
VBS749 – Finished art level 2 - (80 hours)
To provide participants with the skills required to produce manual and computer finished art from a designer's brief or rough, on time and within budget.
VBS750 – Finished art level 3 - (80 hours)
This module provides participants with the knowledge and skills required to create design concepts and produce artwork to finished art stage.
VBS757 – Extended practical placement - (224 hours)
Participants work in an assistant capacity in graphic arts studios with real industry briefs and meet expectations of employers for the completion of workplace projects.
Second Year Unit Clusters
ICPPP21CA – Produce a typographic image - (50 hours)
This unit is combined with others into Typography Studio 2. This unit develops skills and knowledge acquired in Typography studio 1. An advanced level of typographic application is required: selection and evaluation, production and proofing.
ICPPP21DA – Compose and evaluate typography - (50 hours)
This unit describes how type is composed using overlays and tints according to job specifications. How allowance is made for type run arounds, stipples, spot colour and complex shapes together with application of kerning to type in accordance with
job specifications.
ICPPP52BA – Output images to film and paper - (30 hours)
This unit is combined with others into Pre Press Studio 2. This unit develops knowledge to select, maintain and manage suitable output sources of graphic design and prepress files.
ICPPP22CA – Scan images for reproduction - (50 hours)
This unit is combined with others into Pre Press Studio 2. This unit develops skills to correctly scan and produce images for graphic reproduction using a variety of input and output methods or types.
ICPPP32DA – Electronically combine complex images - (50 hours)
This unit is combined with others into Pre Press Studio 2. This unit develops an advanced skill level in image production, editing and combining including technical troubleshooting.