Program Overview

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Graduate Diploma in Design (Communication Design)

The Graduate Diploma in Design (Communication Design) qualifies individuals who apply a body of knowledge in professional design, communication, and project management to undertake highly skilled work in demanding and complex design practice, and as a pathway for further learning.

Aim

The aim of the Graduate Diploma in Design (Communication Design) is to provide students with an advanced systematic and coherent body of knowledge in communication design to identify, examine, and develop progressive approaches to designing communications that extend beyond the visual for changing socio-cultural, economic, and environmental contexts.

Content and Structure

Students of the Graduate Diploma in Design (Communication Design) will develop cognitive skills to review, analyse, consolidate, and synthesise knowledge to identify and propose solutions to a range of complex communication design challenges. Graduates will have developed communication skills to transfer complex knowledge and ideas about design problems and responses to a variety of audiences.

The program consists of 36 units of study, comprising:

• 18 units of research studio
• 4.5 units of research methods
• 4.5 units of business practices
• 4.5 units of sustainability
• 4.5 units of electives

Courses

The following courses are part of the program:

• Research Studio 1 (GRAP 5005) - 9 units
• Research Methods (CREA 4004) - 4.5 units
• Nature, Culture and Sustainability (ARCH 6005) - 4.5 units
• Research Studio 2 (GRAP 5006) - 9 units
• Business Practice for Artists and Designers (VSAR 5006) - 4.5 units
• Elective - 4.5 units

Electives

Electives are selected from the following list:

• Advertising: Theory and Practice (MARK 5024) - 4.5 units
• Marketing Management (MARK 5025) - 4.5 units
• Arts Environment (BUSS 5218) - 4.5 units
• Brand Management (MARK 5031) - 4.5 units
• Design, Production, Presentation (VSAR 5005) - 4.5 units
• Entrepreneurial Foundations (BUSS 5298) - 4.5 units
• Entrepreneurial Commercialisation (BUSS 5299) - 4.5 units
• Consumer Culture, Technology and Sustainable Design (ARCH 6001) - 4.5 units
• Principles of Sustainable Design (ARCH 6006) - 4.5 units
• Advertising: Planning and Buying Media (MARK 5079) - 4.5 units
• eMarketing (MARK 5080) - 4.5 units
• Professional Placement or Project (GRAP 5004) - 4.5 units

Rules and Notes

1. Electives are intended to extend and expand students' intellectual and professional abilities in core and cognate areas of the curriculum and to provide scope for individual development in particular areas of professional and academic interest.
2. Students who have a Grade Point Average of 4.5 or more and wish to independently pursue a topic of interest not available in the electives offered in any one study period may choose a research or project-based individual elective with the approval of the Program Director.
3. This program forms part of a nested suite of programs consisting of 72 units as follows: Graduate Diploma in Design comprising 36 units; Master of Design comprising a further 36 units.

Program Director

Mr Peter Walker

Related Degrees

• Graduate Diploma in Design (Industrial Design)
• Graduate Diploma in Design (Interior Architecture)
• Graduate Diploma in Design (Sustainable Design)
• Graduate Diploma in Design (Design and Construct)
• Graduate Diploma in Design (Contemporary Art)

Admission Criteria

Applicants must have completed a three-year Bachelor degree from a recognised higher education institution, or equivalent, in a related discipline.

Alternative Entry

Applicants who have completed a Bachelor degree from a recognised higher education institution in an unrelated discipline, plus two years of professional experience in a related discipline, or applicants who do not have a completed degree but who have five years of professional experience in a related discipline will also be considered.

English Language Requirements

International students who speak English as an additional language must have obtained one of the following standards within the last two years prior to admission:

• IELTS total: 6.5
• IELTS reading: 6.0
• IELTS writing: 6.0

Tuition Fees

The tuition fee for this program is AUD$ 38,300 per annum (per 1.0 EFTSL) for students enrolled in 2025.

CRICOS Code

The CRICOS code for this program is F.

Duration

The duration of this program is approximately 1 year full-time.

Mode

This program is available on-campus.

Start Date

The start date for this program is February or July.

Campus

This program is available at the City West campus.