Graphic Design Pathway

Mandatory Local Entry Requirements 

Students need to be able to demonstrate and/or provide evidence of their graphic design skills and ability. Students need to be able to: 

• Produce multiple examples of graphic design work that respond effectively to different design challenges 
• Produce typography that supports the overall design solution 
• Use graphic design software 

Successful completion of D0121 Graphic Design Essentials will provide you with the knowledge and skills to meet this entry requirement. 

If you already have knowledge and skills (from working or prior education) then you may be eligible to enrol directly in CUA50720 Diploma of Graphic Design and you should speak with an Enrolment Consultant about the direct entry requirements.  

Recommended Local Entry Requirements 

• Are 18 years old (students under 18 will need permission from a parent or guardian to enrol) 
• Have language, literacy and numeracy skills that ensure the ability to read and comprehend technical terms design terms, learn complex design task in an online self-paced environment, and communicate effectively through email. These skills are equivalent to those that would be required to successfully complete a qualification at Certificate IV level or higher 
• Access to a modern computer with high-speed internet 
• Access to Microsoft Office or equivalent 

To successfully complete this course, students will require the following basic computing skills on enrolment. This includes: 

• Basic skills in Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign 
• Creating, saving and editing Microsoft Office documents 
• Accessing and searching the internet 
• Downloading and saving documents from websites 
• Uploading documents through websites/Cloud computing 
• Understanding of participating in online discussions 
• Attach and use peripheral devices such as scanners, digital cameras, media storage (e.g., flash drive for design storage). 
• Saving a compressed file (.zip) 
• Saving a PDF File and multipage PDF’s 
• Connecting digital cameras and downloading and storing images 
• Connecting digital video devices and downloading and storing videos 
• Compressing image audio and video files 

It is also highly desirable that entrants have: 

• Familiarity with Internet searches 
• Experience with social media platforms 
• Basic experience with Adobe Creative Cloud software 

It is recommended that a student achieves the following ACSF levels to successfully complete this course and be able to learn effectively in a self-paced online environment:  

• Learning,– Level 4 
• Reading, writing, oral communication & numeracy – Level 3 

If the student is still concerned about whether they have the skills to complete the course, they will be referred to Admissions as part of the enrolment process to complete a formal LLN assessment through BKSB. If the student does not achieve the recommended ACSF levels, their application will be sent to the Education Manager to determine if Open Colleges has the required level of support services available to support the needs of the student. In some cases, the student may be referred to an external provider such as their local TAFE to complete additional foundation skills training before being enrolled into the course. 

Minimum age

You will need to be at least 18 years old.

Equipment and tools

This course requires you to have access to a specific tools, equipment, and resources.   

Software Requirement (This is Mandatory Material) 

This course requires the use of design industry software.  

You will need access to the Adobe Creative Suite, which can be purchased on subscription through the Adobe Creative Cloud (ACC).  

The ACC subscription is not included in the course fee. Student subscriptions are available at a reduced price.  

Refer to the Adobe website for current pricing.  

There are also computer and networking requirements. Enquire now to find out more. 

PLEASE NOTE – Open Colleges is a privately-run Registered Training Organisation (RTO), not government-run like a TAFE. Therefore, Open Colleges cannot offer government funding. Please check eligibility requirements before beginning an enrolment with Open Colleges.

Fees for this course depend on the payment method and any existing promotions available with Open Colleges.

Always remember to enquire about any:

• Discounts
• Payment Plans

which may be available.