Graphic design is an ever expanding industry. In the Certificate IV in Design, you will acquire the skills to create logos, magazine layout, brand identity, digital illustration, manipulate graphics and concept design. The skills gained in this qualification will prepare you for further study into a Diploma of Graphic Design, expanding your skills and capabilities as a qualified Graphic Designer.
Monthly
40 Weeks
Study: 31 weeks // Supervised Study: 3 weeks // Holidays: 6 weeks
Face-to-Face
15 hrs / week
Distance
5 hrs / week
Campus
Gold Coast
Academic Entry Requirement:
Students must provide evidence of successful completion of:
Please note: home country evidence is accepted and must be translated
English Entry Requirement:
Students must pass a minimum of one of the following English Requirements:
Please Note: To ensure that the English test score is current, the English test must have been taken either within two years before the application is made or within two years before the grant of the visa.
Course Resource Requirements:
The following resources are required to complete this course:
Visit https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/system-requirements.html
Please note: students are required to purchase these items at their own expense
You may be eligible for Credit Transfers if you hold the same unit(s) from another provider. To be eligible; you must present your certified qualification at enrolment stage, together with the completed ‘Course Credit Form’. Once assessed, you will be notified of the outcome. Should your achieved units be equivalent, your CoE/course duration will be reduced according to the amount of time needed to complete the outstanding units.
CUADES301 Explore the use of colour
CUAACD411 Integrate colour theory and design processes
During the ‘Designing with Colour’ unit, students will demonstrate the ability to investigate and combine colour theory into a realistic practical project. Colour theory will be demonstrated in both theoretical and practical components of this assessment across a 3-week period.
In this ‘Typography’ unit, students will learn about the history of typography, type styles and categories. This knowledge will be applied to a client project where students will demonstrate typesetting and layout skills. Students will also learn of finished art and print media and applying typography to a commercial project.
This unit focuses on Graphic Design principles and the application of this knowledge to a commercial advertisement, a Billboard. Students will learn about the evolution of design, current graphic design trends, extend design industry vocabulary and gain knowledge of design principles founded by Gutenberg. The theory of design assists in conceptual underpinning for design work and rationales when pitching to clients.
Throughout the course of the next 3 weeks, students will learn the art of image editing in Adobe Photoshop. The assessment task is to work with existing images for a client and create 3 manipulated images ready for advertisements and online materials. Students will use industry software to learn techniques like removing blemishes, changing colour (hue and saturation), etching out people and placing them on a new background in a professional manner.
CUAWHS312 Apply work health and safety practices
Every industry have their own set of safety practices. This unit you will learn how to apply work health and safety (WHS) requirements, including implementing safe work practices, participating in risk assessment and control, and following emergency procedures in the creative industries.
ICPPRP224 Produce pages using a page layout application
During this unit, students will demonstrate the ability to design complex layouts for a specified client. Use of the Adobe Programs such as Illustrator Indesign and Photoshop will be used in a collaborative way to design a 4 page and 8-page brochure that will be imposition printed as saddle stitch document. In this unit students will also learn print and pre-press terminology to work better with printers and work with finished art methodology.
CUAPPR411 Realise a creative project
You will learn the skills and knowledge required to experiment with ideas and techniques to find an individual style or voice throughout a creative project that results in a completed work. This unit will prepare you for the industry considerations, preparation and research techniques required to complete the major project successfully.
This unit covers a range of digital drawing technologies, tools, programs and techniques that a designer can apply to commercial projects. Over the course of 4 weeks you will learn how to digital draw and colour in Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop. The main project will be focused on designing textile designs and patterns using these newly formed digital drawing skills.
BSBCRT411 Apply critical thinking to work practices
Everyone thinks. It is our nature to do so. But much of our thinking, left to itself, is biased, distorted, partial, uninformed, or downright prejudiced. Learn how to use advanced-level critical thinking skills in a workplace context. This includes using methods of analysis, synthesis and evaluation.
During this unit, students will demonstrate the ability to investigate and combine colour theory into a realistic practical project. Colour theory will be demonstrated in both theoretical and practical components of this assessment across a 3-week period.
Please note; timetables are subject to change.
Workshop (Design Foundations)
During this time your mentor will deliver planned training sessions which are aimed to give you introductory graphic design skills. Activities may include presentations and planned activities to learn how to use graphic design tools and software.
Workshop (Creative Project Foundations)
Upon completion of the introductory workshops, you will be equipped to commence management real and simulated projects. This scheduled time will focus on individual components of your assigned projects.
Collaborate (team meeting)
In collaboration with students studying Project Management, you will complete a series of projects. You will be designing real life artwork and will have access to a project manager to help meet your targets. In this allocated time slot, you will have weekly project meetings with your team to evaluate your project.
Collaborate (facilitated learning & project work)
During this facilitated time, you will work collaboratively with your project team, or complete independent research tasks that have been delivered in the workshop sessions. You will practice skills that you have been taught by your mentor.
Canvas (Learner Management System)
Canvas is your online learning portal. Within this platform, you will be able to access your course learning materials, assessment requirements, and marked submissions. You will also be able to communicate with your Mentor within this platform, outside of timetabled hours. The system is user friendly and will help keep you on track throughout your studies.