Certificate in Graphic Design & Desktop Publishing
(PC)

This Open Colleges course provides foundation knowledge about the principles and practice of graphic design. It builds practical skills in using Adobe InDesign software, and may also provide a pathway to employment as a designer.

You will be guided through the basics of desktop publishing, learning, among other skills, how to use fonts, design a corporate logo, produce a newsletter and use images creatively. If you are planning a freelance career in the industry, there are also modules on the business of graphic design such as portfolio creation, client service and printer liaison.

• Course Detail

  Course number 90420	Course duration Max 12 months
  Course fees from $57.22 per week	Qualification Open Colleges Certificate
  Delivery mode Online	Nationally recognised No
  Assessments 10 written assessments	Awarded By Open Colleges

• Subjects

  • Principles of good design
    • Avoiding the pitfalls of bad design
    • Principles of good design
    • Communicating with words and images
    • Back to the future: a short history of design
  • Getting started in Adobe® InDesign®
    • Features of InDesign®
    • The design process
    • Design tools
    • Importance of layout grids
    • The visual impact of space
    • Elements of design
    • Creating a business card
  • Desktop publishing essentials: typography
    • Getting the feel of fonts
    • Designing with type
    • Typesetting with InDesign®
    • Editing text for print
    • Creating a single-colour letterhead
  • Promotional design and corporate logos
    • Brochures
    • Working with colours
    • Getting creative with type
    • Creating a corporate logo
    • Promotional design and document layout
  • Stop Press!
    • Newsletter production
    • Layout grids
    • The newsletter content
    • Design tools for emphasis
  • Getting noticed: creative layouts
    • Designing a full-colour brochure
    • Psychology of colour
    • Creative tools
    • Exporting to PDF proof
  • Multi-page documents
    • Creating master pages
    • Creating styles
    • Visualising and designing multi-page documents: maintaining style and consistency
  • Pictures, prepress and print
    • Sources of images
    • Commissioning photography
    • How can you use these images?
    • Using pictures creatively
    • Preparing images for print
  • Professional design practice
    • Preparing and receiving quotes
    • Dealing with printers
    • Meeting clients and negotiating deadlines
    • Designers' responsibilities
  • The business of graphic design and desktop publishing
    • InDesign® integration with other programs
    • Your portfolio
    • Graphic design as a business
    • Career options

• Requirements

  Entry requirements

  Minimum education

  Open entry. Previous schooling and academic achievements are not required for entry into this course.

  Minimum age

  Minimum age of 16 years. If you are under 18 your application must be signed by a parent or guardian.

  Computer requirements

  Students will need access to a computer and the internet. For students who do not have access to either a computer or the internet please contact a student support officer to discuss alternative methods of communication.

  Minimum specifications for the computer are:

  • Microsoft Office 2003 or equivalent, and
  • Microsoft Windows 98, or
  • Mac OS X, and
  • CD-ROM drive.

  Students will also need access to a printer and the following applications:

  • Adobe Acrobat Reader and
  • Macromedia Flash player.

  English language requirements

  If English is not your first language and you did not complete the last two years of secondary education in English, you are required to provide evidence of English language competency before enrolling into the course. Examples of appropriate evidence are listed below:

  Evidence	Example
  IELTS	Overall score of 5.5
  TOEFL	530 (paper), 197 (computer) or 71 (internet)
  12 months in English-speaking employment	Testimonial, statutory declaration

  Additional requirements

  There are no additional requirements for this course.

• Pathways

  Upon completion of this course, you will have developed a better understanding of the subject area and be able to put your new skills into practice.

• Extra Benefits

  Included materials

  • 3 CD-ROM tutorial kit
  • CD installation booklet
  • InDesign & CS software

  Valued at more than $1,500!

Payment Options

Pay by installment	Pay in full
Enrol Online via EduPay - the Trusted and Secure enrolment gateway preferred by thousands of students. Course: Certificate in Graphic Design & Desktop Publishing ENROL NOW Fortnightly and monthly payment plans are also available when you pay online. Click Enrol Now and choose a payment plan or call a Course and Careers Advisor on 1300 853 033 for more details. Prices shown are for the online study option only. A surcharge applies for the print study option (if applicable to this course).
Pay Just $57.22 per week with a $100.00 deposit	Pay in full $1836.00 and Save $324.00