Become a graphic designer with this Associate Degree.

Graphic designers are visual problem solvers with highly specialised technical, creative and conceptual skills and knowledge in visual communication. You may specialise in a number of fields including corporate identity, book and magazine layout, advertising, branding, packaging, web design, way-finding and exhibition design.

This degree combines communication, design, technology and business. It will provide you with strong skills in finished art and design concept development, as well as in-depth knowledge of the design process. The rigorous research and learning experiences will challenge you to develop a deeper level of critical thinking enabling you to create high level and innovative design solutions and concepts.

You’ll explore many forms of visual and graphic communication, including:

• illustration
• computer aided design
• typography
• packaging design
• books
• advertising
• publicity material
• social media marketing

You will also become competent in industry standard software including InDesign, Illustrator and Photoshop.

The focus of the second year is to give you a professional level of technical expertise, project management and teamwork skills, along with a clear understanding of industry business practices.

You will be qualified to take responsibility for the work of others in terms of establishing and monitoring systems to ensure the effective production of work.

Career Outcomes

Graduates from this degree are highly sought after by agencies and design studios. You may also wish to undertake freelance or consultancy work or continue your studies in communication design. 

You will graduate as a highly trained graphic designer, ready to start your own business or work for companies in Australia and overseas.

Graphic designers work in many different commercial and community contexts across both print and digital media.

Their work as professional designers may include or link to areas such as advertising and promotion, art direction, branding and corporate identity, instructional design, packaging, signage and web design.

As a graphic designer, daily activities may include:

• commercial area: create logos and artwork for products such as packaging or cafe menus
• electronics area: focus on graphics used for websites, commercials, TV and film
• advertising industry: create graphics for clients to sell a product or service through print or digital publications such as newspapers and magazines, or outdoor signage.

Careers

Graduates of this degree can continue on to become:

• desktop publishers and Mac operators
• graphic designers
• illustrators and finished artists
• graphic artists
• design/creative directors
• art directors
• design/project managers
• web designers.

Professional recognition and accreditation

This program is supported by a Program Advisory Committee that consists of industry representatives from a range of design areas who also offer support through industry placement and portfolio feedback.

You are able to join these organisation as a student member while studying,

• Australian Graphic Design Association AGDA
• Design Institute of Australia (DIA) (Please note: eligibility for full membership is based on a points system.)

Graduates can apply for associate membership and full membership once they have obtained their professional experience.