Diploma of Graphic Design
Student type:
Quick facts
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Entry score
Not applicable
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Duration
Full-time 1 year
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Location
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Fees
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Next intake
February, July
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Entry score
IELTS 5.5
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Duration
Full-time 1 year
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Location
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Fees
AU$19,250 (2018 annual)
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Next intake
February, July
Program brochure
Create a personalised brochure
Overview
Working to industry briefs you'll develop strong technical expertise in industry standard software and gain in-depth knowledge of the design process to work in areas of visual and graphic design.
You will start your journey in the diploma and, upon successful completion, continue in the Advanced Diploma of Graphic Design from which you will graduate as a highly-trained digital or graphic designer.
The Diploma stage provides you with a strong technical focus that develops your technical expertise in digital design, finished art and typography, along with a thorough understanding of design concept development and the design process.
In the diploma you will explore many forms of visual and graphic communication, including:
- illustration
- digital design
- typography
- calligraphy and lettering
- packaging design
- books
- advertising
- publicity material.
You’ll become competent in industry standard software including InDesign, Illustrator and Photoshop.
The focus of the second year (the Advanced Diploma) is to provide you with 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.
You must successfully complete the Diploma of Graphic Design before progressing to the Advanced Diploma of Graphic Design.
Details
The learning and teaching approach of this program is modelled on how you would work in a commercial design studio.
Through lectures, workshops, presentation and group discussions, you will learn from experienced staff that will treat you as a junior designer. Teachers are globally connected and divide their time between teaching and working in industry.
You’ll interact with key people from Australian and international companies on commercially related projects during the program, as well as undertaking work experience.
Full-time students are expected to attend approximately 20 hours of classes over four days and undertake approximately 15 hours of extra study and research per week. Most classes are held in computer labs to simulate industry processes. There are often concentrated periods of out-of-class work when assessments are due.
It is recommended that you own a computer, preferably an Apple Mac, which is the industry standard. Please note that this is a recommendation but is not a requirement, as students have access to computer labs on campus.
You will be assessed throughout each semester via project briefs, essays, reports, verbal and visual presentations, group projects, research and practical assignments.
You can access online resources through the myRMIT student portal.
All programs are delivered in English.
In the Diploma year, you will connect with leading local and international design companies through excursions, talks and competitions such as the Threadless t-shirt competition.
In the Advanced Diploma you will be engaged in work placement, connecting you with major design companies on industry projects. Past industry-led projects have included:
- Kmart product range development
- Fuji Xerox spot varnish project
- Océ paper sampler.
Graduate exhibition
A graduate exhibition of portfolios is presented to industry at the end of the second year. Representatives review and provide you with individual feedback.
RMIT University is committed to providing you with an education that strongly links formal learning with professional or vocational practice.
This program currently conducts an annual overseas study tour, providing you with the opportunity to meet industry figures and attend workshops and conferences.
RMIT’s Global Mobility supports students to undertake an exchange or short-term mobility activity with over 165 partner universities worldwide.
Diploma: 1 year full-time
Associate Degree: 1 year full-time
Please note: You will start your journey in the Diploma level of study and upon successful completion you can continue in the second year of the Associate Degree in Graphic Design.
International student visa holders can only study full-time.
Diploma: 1 year full-time
Associate Degree: 1 year full-time
Please note: You will start your journey in the Diploma level of study and upon successful completion you can continue in the second year of the Associate Degree in Graphic Design.
You will start your journey in the Diploma level of study and upon successful completion you can continue in the second year of the Advanced Diploma in Graphic Design.
Year 1 (Diploma)
You will be introduced to typography and finished art and explore:
- drawing
- illustration
- digital design
- reprographics and prepress
- design concept and theory
- copyright and ethical practice
- industry knowledge.
Year 2 (Advanced Diploma)
You will:
- consolidate your technical knowledge and skills
- develop your design language in graphics for the built environment, packaging and different communication devices
- produce a professional graphic portfolio to present to industry at the graduate exhibition.
This program focuses on developing highly specialised, technical, creative and conceptual skills and knowledge in visual communication.
You will undertake work placement with leading design companies, agencies, print houses and studios as well as partake in a number of industry projects, and you’ll have the opportunity to participate in an international study tour.
Choose a program structure
| Title | Location | Duration | Plan code | CRICOS | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diploma of Graphic Design | Brunswick Campus |
1 year full-time
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1 year full-time
|
C5359 | 090459G |
Choose a program structure
Program code: C5359
National curriculum code: CUA50715
Career
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 graphic or digital designers may include or link to areas such as:
- advertising and promotion
- art direction
- branding and corporate identity
- instructional design
- packaging
- signage
- web design
Graduates from this program are highly sought after by agencies and design studios. You may also wish to undertake freelance or consultancy work or continue your studies in a Bachelor of Design (Communication 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. This may be through print or digital publications such as newspapers and magazines or outdoor signage.
Many Associate degree graduates find employment as:
- desktop publishers and Mac operators
- graphic designers
- illustrators and finished artists
- graphic artists
- design/creative directors
- art directors
- design/project managers
- web designers
Admissions
You must have successfully completed an Australian Year 12 (or equivalent senior secondary school qualification) with a minimum 50% average (check calculator below).
Equivalent qualifications may also include completion of the RMIT Foundation Studies program or a recognised post-secondary diploma in the relevant discipline with the required grades.
You may also be considered if you have work experience in this field.
Meeting the minimum academic requirements does not guarantee entry. Your application will still need to be assessed and accepted.
Entry requirements
You must:
- submit the Graphic Design selection kit
- VTAC applicants register and submit the selection kit here
- RMIT current or recent students you will receive an email prompt to complete the selection kit when you submit your direct application
- attend a folio presentation (some applicants*)
*If you are required to attend you will be contacted by email with details.
Selection kit
The selection kit requires:
- a statement outlining why you would like study Graphic Design (maximum 250 words)
- a folio comprising of 10 to 12 images of your work
Your folio should demonstrate your interests and creative and conceptual thinking. It should also reflect your design, problem solving and technical skills in:
- 2D and 3D design
- the use of typography
- the use of graphic design industry software
- drawing
- creative use of colour
Include a variety of work, for example:
- digital design work
- illustrations
- technical drawings
- paintings
- photographs
- models
- sculpture
- video
- 2D and 3D animation
Work that shows your potential 2D and 3D skills is preferred. You should include a combination of development and finished work.
Note: When photographing or scanning your work please make sure it is in focus and well presented.
Your folio of 10 to 12 images must be collated into a single PDF (maximum 10MB), or a URL to a single PDF if online. Under each image provide a brief explanation, including the purpose and background of the work (maximum 50 words).
Folio presentation
You may be required to present your folio if further information is needed to make a selection decision.
Folio: You must supply evidence of your creativity in the form of a folio. The folio should contain a variety of art, design or media work relevant to the program you are applying for. It should demonstrate your creative, conceptual and technical ability. You should include evidence of how ideas were developed, and finished works.
Short-listed applicants may be required to present their folio to a selection panel. You may be interviewed, either in person or via phone/Skype.
To study this program you will need to complete one of the following English proficiency tests:
- IELTS (Academic): minimum overall band of 5.5 (with no individual band below 5.0)
- TOEFL (Paper Based Test): minimum score of 530 (TWE 3.5)
- TOEFL (Internet Based Test - IBT): minimum overall score of 71 (with minimum of 17 in all sections)
- Pearson Test of English (Academic) (PTE (A)): minimum score of 42 (with no communication band less than 36)
- Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE): minimum of 162 with no less than 154 in any component.
For detailed information on English language requirements and other proficiency tests recognised by RMIT, visit English language requirements and equivalency information.
Don't meet the English language test scores? Complete an Advanced Plus Certificate at RMIT English Worldwide.
Pathways
Graduates of the Diploma in Graphic Design can continue their studies in the second year of the Advanced Diploma of Graphic Design.
Graduates of the Associate Degree in Graphic Design can continute their studies in the:
When you successfully complete the Diploma of Graphic Design you are guaranteed entry into the following programs:
- Associate Degree of Graphic Design with 2 semesters of advanced standing (equivalent to 96 credit points)
- Advanced Diploma of Graphic Design (visit Overview for program details)
When you successfully complete the Advanced Diploma of Graphic Design with a minimum (GPA) of 3.0, you will receive 2 semesters of advanced standing (equivalent to 96 credit points) in the Bachelor of Design (Communication Design). If you achieve below the minimum GPA, you may still apply and will need to submit a folio. Applicants will be assessed on a case-by-case basis and credit is not guaranteed.
Alternatively, you may be eligible for entry to other RMIT vocational study or undergraduate programs.
Fees
The tuition fees you will pay for this program will depend on whether you are offered a Victorian Government subsidised place or a full-fee place.
To find out if you are eligible for a government subsidised place, follow the steps at ‘How to check if you are eligible’.
- 2018 government subsidised place: AU$6750* per annum
- 2018 full-fee place: AU$14250* per annum
The student tuition fees as displayed by the fee finder are indicative only and subject to change given individual circumstances at enrolment. Fees are adjusted on an annual basis and these fees should only be used as a guide. Learn more about fees for vocational study.
VET Student Loans
The Australian Government provides financial assistance via the VET Student Loans scheme (VSL), which allows eligible students in eligible programs to defer payment of their tuition fees, up to the maximum loan amount for their program.
How does a VET Student Loan work?
If your VSL application is successful, the Australian Government will pay RMIT your tuition fees on your behalf, up to the maximum loan amount for your program.
If your program is eligible for the VSL scheme and has a loan cap that doesn’t cover the total amount of the tuition fees for your program, then you’ll need to pay RMIT the difference once you exceed the cap.
Your VET Student Loan becomes part of your Higher Education Loan Program (HELP) debt. You will start repaying your accumulated HELP debt to the Australian Government once you earn above the minimum income threshold for repayment, which is adjusted each year (this also applies if you are still studying).
The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) will calculate your compulsory repayment for the year and include this on your income tax notice.
For more information see VET Student Loans or Study Assist.
In addition to tuition fees, you will be charged an annual student services and amenities fee (SSAF), which is used to maintain and enhance services and amenities that improve your experience as an RMIT student.
The SSAF is calculated based on your enrolment load and the maximum fee for 2018 is $298.
For more information about calculating your actual SSAF see Paying SSAF.
You may also be required to purchase other items related to your program, including field trips, textbooks and equipment. These additional fees and expenses vary from program to program.
The annual tuition fee for 2018 is AU$19,250.
The total indicative tuition fee for 2018 commencement is AU$19,250.
In addition to tuition fees you also need to pay for:
- Student services and amenities fee (SSAF) in each calendar year.
- Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) - Student visa holders must have cover for the total duration of their visa.
- Some programs incur additional expenses.
You also need to account for your living expenses. Estimate the cost of living in Melbourne.