COURSE GUIDE

Graphic Design Pathway Program CUA50720

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Introduction
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Introduction

Our nationally accredited Graphic Design Pathway Program allows you to step straight into the professional design industry. Learn how to combine technical, creative and conceptual skills to create designs that meet client requirements and solve a range of visual communication challenges. Launch a career as a Graphic Designer today.

Course Breakdown

E1414

CUA50720 Graphic Design Pathway Program

Course duration: Self-paced - maximum of 27 months

Recommended hours per week: 15h

Delivery method: Online

Qualification level: Diploma

Awarded by: Open Colleges Pty Ltd (Provider number: 90796)

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Industry Overview

Design is a rapidly changing market and Designers must learn quickly to adapt to new trends in technology. There is expected to be very strong growth in the 5 years to November 2026, with around 14,000 (or 22% growth) new roles expected to be required. 

Source: Australian Government Job Outlook

Is this course for you?

This Graphic Design Pathway program is perfect for people who are passionate about design but  have no experience in the industry or have not studied in a while.  

Combining the Graphic Design Essentials with the CUA50720 Diploma of Graphic Design means that you have a single progressive path to a graphic design career. 

If you are an existing worker or have experience in the related industry, please inform our enrolment consultants during your enrolment conversation. You may be eligible to enrol as an existing worker and complete your studies faster. Please note - limitations do apply.

Common Career Outcomes

  • Assistant Web/Digital Designer
  • Graphic Designer
  • Junior Graphic Designer
  • Graphic Operator
  • Junior Mac Operator
  • Package Designer

What you will learn

During your studies, you will learn: 

  • Design fundamentals, such as, typography, colour, visual communication and manipulation of graphics and layouts 
  • How to master drawing and illustration, as well as print and packaging 
  • How to understand and interpret branding and identity 
  • How to understand and work with a client design brief 
  • How to work in digital design 
  • Creation of multiplatform assessments 
  • Key skills around developing your own professional design practice, setting you up to work effectively as a freelancer, or in an agency environment 

Practitioners may work in many different commercial and community contexts across both print and digital media. The job roles that relate to this qualification may include Graphic Designer, and related roles such as Studio Manager. It may also provide pathways to other related roles in graphic design and associated industries.  

Learning Material

Your learning materials are access through our online platform OpenSpace. These learning materials include 

  • Learning content 
  • Media 
  • Additional resources 
  • Learning activities 
  • Self-checks 

Your trainer

MD Faridul Islam
MD Faridul Islam is the trainer and assessor of Digital Design and Graphic Design. He has been teaching at Open Colleges since April 2018. MD has more than 10 years’ experience in the design industry, including seven years of teaching design in VET.
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Academic Information

Open Colleges may make changes to the course from time to time to reflect changes introduced to the relevant Training Package or other regulatory requirements.

Graphic Design Pathway Program

Graphic Design Essentials
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You will complete the Graphic Design Essentials short course first, and then progress to the Diploma of Graphic Design.  You will not get access to the CUA50720 Diploma of Graphic Design until you have completed Graphic Design Essentials. See below:

  • Elements and principles of design 
  • Colour theory 
  • Typography 
  • The design process 
  • The design brief 
  • Digital Design - Adobe Creative Cloud: Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign 

NB: The Graphic Design Essentials section of the Graphic Design Pathway Program is non-accredited training.

CUAGRD503
Produce typographic design solutions
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  • Research type as visual communication
  • Analyse design needs
  • Develop ideas for typographic solutions
  • Manipulate and integrate type
  • Integrate type within the overall design
  • Evaluate typographic design solutions
CUAGRD514
Create and manipulate graphics
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  • Analyse design needs 
  • Develop and refine ideas for graphics 
  • Create graphic objects 
  • Finalise technical aspects of graphics work 
  • Evaluate graphics work 
CUAACD411
Integrate colour theory and design processes
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  • Research information on colour theory and design processes
  • Communicate ideas through the application of colour and design theory
  • Evaluate design work
CUAGRD501
Research visual communication history and theory
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  • Select focus for research
  • Conduct critical analysis
  • Present ideas about visual communication history and theory
  • Develop own practice from research
5/ modules
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Assessment Details

  • Multiple choice Quiz
  • Projects
  • Role plays
  • Video
  • Work Placement
  • Written assignments

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

We understand that you may already have many skills and areas of expertise that you have obtained in different ways and these are recognised through our Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) process.

Our Credit Transfer & Recognition of Prior Learning Policy, available in the Key Student Information section of our website, provides more information about our RPL process. Alternatively, you can contact an Enrolment Consultant to discuss your RPL options.

Course Duration

The duration for the course is self paced - maximum of 27 months. As a self-paced online course, the time it will take you to complete is flexible and dependent on ability and time available.

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Recommendation

Open Colleges recommends that you consider the work placement options in your local area prior to enrolling in this course.

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Study and pay, your way

Payment Options

Pay Upfront
Save 30%
$9,681.00 Save $4,149.00
was $13,830.00
Week to week
Pay as you go
Save 12%
Pay in 110 instalments over the length of your course.
$108.00 Weekly
Total course cost: $12,080.00
was $13,830.00
Full course breakdown
TBD

Studying online with Open Colleges

Flexibility - study at your own pace

When you study online with Open Colleges you’re in control.

You can choose to complete your course quickly, or keep to a steady pace. Learning is fully flexible so you can fit your everyday commitments around your studies.

Everything you need to study is online so you can study wherever you like – but that doesn’t mean you’re on your own.

OpenSpace is our online learning platform. It’s where you’ll go to access your learning materials, contact your expert trainers and assessors and upload your assessments.

What is OpenSpace?

It’s important to us that we deliver a superior, online learning platform that meets our students’ needs. That’s why we have upgraded to our brand new, custom-designed learning platform, OpenSpace.

OpenSpace provides you with a user-friendly interface, that is mobile responsive. This means that you can complete your coursework using your laptop, iPad, or mobile device. All coursework is automatically saved, providing you with the flexibility you need to complete your studies anywhere, anytime.

How to get support?

Learning Support

The learning support team will be with you every step of the way, from enrolment to graduation. They’re here to help you get the most out of your online course. They can assist by providing non-academic support - like helping you craft an achievable study plan so that you can graduate in a realistic timeframe. If you’re finding it tough to stay motivated throughout your course, they’ll be there to help keep you on track.

Student support

The Student Support team is your one-stop service centre for all student administrative issues – including enrolment, change of contact details, OpenSpace support, assessment results and certification.

You can access the Student Support team by email or phone