If you have a portfolio and are looking for a graphic design course to kickstart your career, this nationally recognised course by Open Colleges is the course for you. Learn everything from the fundamentals to more advanced methods.
If you are looking to start from scratch - and don't have an existing portfolio, this pathway program is the course for you. This nationally recognised qualification is perfect for someone who is completely new to the field.
A graphic designer is a creative professional who creates visual materials for advertising, marketing, and publishing. The goal of their designs is to be visually appealing, represent a brand identity, evoke emotion, and communicate a specific idea that inspires or captivates a particular target audience.
A graphic designer’s work might include designing:
They might use industry standard software, like InDesign, Photoshop, or Illustrator, or create their designs by hand.
Graphic design is a relatively widespread role and designers can find work in various settings, including:
The best graphic design course in Australia is the Diploma of Graphic Design. Those who wish to study a more entry-level beginners course can choose the Graphic Design Pathway, which provides you with valuable graphic design skills needed before enrolling in the Diploma.
This nationally recognised qualification teaches you everything you need to know to develop your design skills and start your career as a graphic designer. Course topics include:
To pursue the Diploma of Graphic Design, students must already have some knowledge of graphic design skills and ability. Entry requirements include:
The course is self-paced and can be completed in a maximum of 24 months. After completing the Diploma of Graphic Design, you can apply for jobs as Graphic Designer, Digital Designer, or Package Designer.
The Graphic Design Pathway combines the Diploma of Graphic Design with all the essential knowledge required as a prerequisite. The course is perfect for those who do not yet have a portfolio and have little to no experience with graphic design.
As well as all the course contents covered in the Diploma of Graphic Design, you will learn graphic design essentials, such as:
The course is self-paced and can be completed in a maximum of 27 months. Upon successful completion, you can apply for graphic design roles, such as Graphic Designer, Digital Designer, or Package Designer.
According to current resources, the average annual salary for graphic designers in Australia is $84,997, or $43.59 per hour. Entry-level graphic designers can earn $73,837 while more experienced positions can offer up to $107,398 per year.
A typical pathway for becoming a graphic designer in Australia involves:
Graphic design requires a combination of technical and soft skills in order to create striking designs and work well within a team. These include:
This is an important technical skill that’s required when creating visually pleasing images. Colour theory can be used when creating colour palettes for brands or projects and aligning your work with a business’s mission and values.
As collaboration is an essential part of a graphic designer’s role, communication skills are valuable. They can be used to help you properly interpret a client’s needs, convey your ideas to others, and understand feedback so you can adapt your designs accordingly.
Graphic designers usually use computer software to create their designs, including Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign. You must understand how to use these tools and make the most of their features in your designs.
Graphic design is first and foremost a creative field, and you must have a creative vision that allows you to create unique and compelling designs for each client or project.
If you have not undertaken the appropriate education, graphic design can be a difficult skill to master. It may sound easy to create beautiful designs, but a solid understanding of colour theory, layout, brand identity, and typeface is necessary in order to make designs aesthetically pleasing. If you lack the technical skills, then it can be difficult to pull off a successful design!
Graphic design courses equip you with all the necessary knowledge required to excel as a graphic designer, including theoretical knowledge, technical know-how, and knowledge of computer software.
You’ll not only understand the elements of visual design and how to create a design that’s compelling and attractive, but also how to interpret design briefs, work with clients, and start your own freelance business. In the end, you will have an impressive portfolio of work you can submit when applying for jobs.
Absolutely! Online graphic design courses are the best way to study. These are just some of the reasons:
Graphic design can be a fun and lucrative career for artistic people who enjoy collaborating with teams and expressing their creativity in different ways. You’ll get to work on lots of different projects that keep things new and exciting.
On top of that, graphic design offers the opportunity to work on a freelance basis, so you can run your own business at a schedule that suits you. Many graphic designers work remotely, so if digital nomad is something you’re interested in pursuing, graphic design might be the perfect career for you!
Ready to start your creative and fulfilling career in graphic design? Browse our online courses on this page and enrol as soon as you’re ready!
Learn more about Graphic Design Courses in your area.