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National code: CUA60320

Advanced Diploma of Graphic Design

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Overview About this course

Strengthen your design and creative expertise. Develop your sense of self as a graphic designer as you expand your visual communication skills in print media, digital design, branding and campaigning, packaging and publishing.

Outcomes What you'll gain

Learning outcomes

Through a mixture of theory and practical course work, learn to:

  • Collaborate and work with industry mentors

  • Use advanced creative thinking and strategy techniques

  • Use digital design techniques

  • Develop an in-depth understanding of typography

  • Work with industry software including user experience (UX)/user interface (UI) and motion graphics

  • Develop sustainable design and business practices

Course outcomes

Gain practical experience and develop specialist skills that give you an advantage in the job market.

  • Opportunities to collaborate with creative peers and establish a network of professional contacts

  • A portfolio of work to show potential employers

  • Opportunities to showcase designs in a graduate exhibition

  • Skills and knowledge to start your own business

  • Experience managing design projects to complete client briefs, using industry-specific programs, equipment and materials to meet creative and commercial design needs

  • A strong pathway to continue your study and enhance your career opportunities

Suitability Is this course right for you?

Entry requirements

This course requires evidence of previous experience or study before you can enrol

  • Successful completion of the Diploma of Graphic Design or its equivalent as evidenced by a copy of your transcript or

  • You are required to supply a portfolio of work that demonstrates significant skill and/or experience at a diploma of graphic design level or equivalent. A head teacher may contact you to discuss your portfolio prior to enrolment in the course

Entry recommendations

To be prepared for this course, we recommend that you have:

  • A strong interest in design

  • The ability to think and solve problems creatively

  • Enthusiasm for working collaboratively on creative design

  • Interest in developing project management skills

  • Digital literacy and access to a computer with sufficient specs for graphics

  • Language, Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) at a Year 12 high school level

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.

Pathways Future career and study options

Career pathways

Our graduates go onto roles like:

Graphic Designer

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.

  • Full-time share Full-time workers usually work 35 hours or more a week (in all their jobs combined).

    73%

  • Employment size Employment size is the number of workers who do this as their main job.

    20,100 workers

  • Average age This is the average age of all workers in this job.

    37 years

  • Weekly pay Median earnings are shown for full-time, non-managerial employees paid at the adult rate, before tax or any amounts that are salary sacrificed. These figures are a guide to earnings only and should not be used to determine a wage rate.

    $1,330

  • Average full-time The average full-time hours that people in this role work each week.

    42 hours

  • Skill level rating Skill level ratings are based on the range and complexity of job roles. In general, the higher the skill level, the more formal education and training, previous experience or on-the-job training needed to be good at the job.

    Very high

  • Gender share

    57% female

  • Future growth The Department of Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business estimates the likely change in number of workers in this role, or industry, over the next 5 years. Future growth is the likely percentage change compared to all other job roles.

    Strong Growth

Other jobs include: graphic designer, digital designer, studio manager and junior art director.

Study pathways

Take your study further with other courses offered at TAFE NSW:

Previous study 2 Courses

Begin here to gain experience and confidence in this study area.

Further study 0 Courses

Advance your skills to take your career to the next level

The Advanced Diploma of Graphic Design does not have any post-graduate courses.

Related study 2 Courses

Strengthen your expertise and gain specialist skills to expand your employability.

Your experience counts

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.

Units Units taught in this course

Courses are made up of a combination of both core and specialty units. In the Advanced Diploma of Graphic Design qualification, you’ll need to successfully complete 15 units of competency, including 6 core and 9 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.

  • Establish, negotiate and refine a design brief CUADES512

  • Manage design realisation CUADES611

  • Extend typographic design expertise CUAGRD603

  • Engage in the business of graphic design CUAGRD611

TAFE NSW services Facilities and support

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

Study options Find a location to enrol

Choose from the below study options and locations to discover what works with your lifestyle. Heart your favourites and compare courses.