Course description
Pursue a Creative Career in Graphic Design!
Unlock your creativity and gain an industry-ready qualification with this comprehensive 10-month course. Learn from practicing industry professionals and explore a wide range of essential skills. Build a strong foundation in the key areas of graphic design as you create innovative design solutions for diverse client briefs using typography, illustration, packaging and photography, all while developing a job-ready portfolio.
Studying Graphic Design at The Gordon will provide you with a strong technical foundation in both digital and print media. You will become proficient in industry-standard software including Adobe InDesign, Illustrator and Photoshop.
Possible career outcomes
- Graphic Designer
- Content Creator
- Illustrator
- Brand Designer
- Editorial or Publication Designer
- Freelance Designer
Applications & attendance
Applications for this course are not currently open.
Please contact customer service on 5225 0800 during business hours to discuss upcoming intake dates.
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. Spaces are limited and only completed applications will be considered for an offer. Intakes can be cancelled at any time.
Additional attendance information
Note: A digital portfolio is required for entry into this course, except for students who have completed Certificate III Design Fundamentals or Screen and Media at The Gordon
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 who have not undertaken Certificate III in Design Fundamentals at The Gordon, 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.
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 |
| Present a body of own creative work | CUAPPR513 | 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 |
| 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:
- Questioning
- Observations and practical demonstrations
- Product (reports, projects, role plays etc)
Fees
| Fees | Rate | Unit | Indicative Course Hours | Indicative Tuition | Indicative Gov Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Tuition | AUD $6.05 | per hour | 1170 | AUD $7,078.00 | AUD $7,572.00 |
| Full Fee Tuition | AUD $12.54 | per hour | 1170 | AUD $14,672.00 |
|
| Add the costs below to your relevant tuition fee | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Education Levy | AUD $175.50 |
|
Charged at enrolment | ||
| Materials | AUD $374.00 | Once | Charged at enrolment | ||
| Resources | AUD $280.00 | Once | Charged at enrolment | ||
| Printing | AUD $240.00 | Once | Charged at enrolment | ||
| Equipment Levy | AUD $271.00 | Once | Charged at enrolment | ||
| Excursion | AUD $60.00 | Once | Charged at enrolment | ||
All fees and charges are correct at time of publication but may change without notice. The student tuition fees are indicative only. Additional fees may apply. Where GST is applicable to any courses or materials, the fee displayed is inclusive of the GST.
Which fee will I pay?
Your fees will be charged according to your eligibility for government funding. For more information, visit our Fees & Payments pages.
Fee help
Payment plans may be available for eligible students who need assistance to manage their fee payments.
If you are eligible for a VSL, you may be able to access a payment plan for any non-tuition costs and tuition over the VSL Course Cap.
VET Student Loans (VSL)
VET Student Loans are available for eligible students for tuition fees ONLY up to the VSL Course Cap.
VET Student Loan (VSL) Course Cap
$19,290 (2026)
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.