Strengthen your creative and technical design skills and gain experience in producing designs for advertising, packaging and publishing. Advance your career and become a senior graphic designer, digital designer, visual designer or desktop publisher.
Through a mixture of theory and practical course work, learn to:
Work through the design process from initial design to final product
Work within client briefs to meet expectations
Produce digital and 3D designs using software
Develop hand drawing and illustration skills
Plan and present client presentations
Gain practical experience and develop specialist skills that give you an advantage in the job market.
A nationally accredited qualification at Diploma level
Specialist skills in graphic design
A pathway to further study in the creative arts
This course requires evidence of previous experience or study before you can enrol
Successful completion of the Certificate IV in Design (Graphic) or its equivalent as evidenced by a copy of your transcript or
Relevant skills or work experience as evidenced by a portfolio which includes multiple examples of your graphic design work. The portfolio must meet different design requirements, demonstrate typographical skills and use graphic design industry software. A head teacher may contact you to discuss your portfolio prior to enrolment in the course.
During your study you’ll need to provide your teacher with the following evidence:
To be prepared for this course, we recommend that you have:
A flair for creativity
Good illustration and drawing skills with an enthusiasm to produce graphics for 2D and 3D objects and designs
A strong interest in advertising, visual communication and visual story telling on a corporate platform
A passion for publishing
TAFE NSW is committed to meeting the learning needs of every community. Meeting these needs can mean there are additional entry requirements at different campus locations. Check your preferred location for further requirements. If you need help preparing for study, contact us to find out how we can support you.
Our graduates go onto roles like:
Graphic Designers plan, design, develop and prepare information for publication and reproduction using text, symbols, pictures, colours and layout to achieve commercial and communication needs with particular emphasis on tailoring the message for the intended audience.
73%
20,100 workers
37 years
$1,330
42 hours
Very high
57% female
Strong Growth
Other jobs include: graphic designer, desktop publishing operator, visual designer, digital designer, motion graphic designer and illustrator.
Take your study further with other courses offered at TAFE NSW:
Begin here to gain experience and confidence in this study area.
Advance your skills to take your career to the next level
Strengthen your expertise and gain specialist skills to expand your employability.
At TAFE NSW, we recognise your previous study and work experience. You can apply for recognition of prior learning or a credit transfer with any of our courses. If you're successful you'll get your qualification faster.
Courses are made up of a combination of both core and specialty units. In the Diploma of Graphic Design qualification, you’ll need to successfully complete 19 units of competency, including 9 core and 10 speciality units.
Please note, not all specialty units are offered at every TAFE NSW location. It is highly recommended that you check with your preferred campus for information about the specialty units offered at that location.
Core units are central to the job outcomes of a particular industry or occupation. These are the units industry has agreed are essential to be capable and qualified at a particular study level.
TAFE NSW provides support services across all campus locations and online. Whatever your needs or circumstances, we have the people, resources, counselling and facilities to support you in focusing on your studies.
TAFE NSW Disability Support Service
TAFE NSW Language, Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) support
TAFE NSW Aboriginal Support; Learner support (ABE)
TAFE NSW Careers, Counselling and Pathways Service
TAFE NSW Libraries
Scholarship programs – be supported as you explore your talents and fulfil your potential
Read&Write literacy and study support software is available free for all TAFE NSW students to use while studying on campus and at home
LinkedIn Learning – an online resource which offers innovative courses and tutorials to improve your personal and professional skills
Student associations – get social with our student community
There are a total of 14 information sessions planned for this course. They'll take place at different locations across the state.
You can select a study option below to see the sessions available. Or you can view all sessions related to