Diploma of Graphic Design
CUA - Creative Arts and Culture
Production-focused graphic design qualification. Strong fit for studios and in-house design teams.
Entry requirements
- Portfolio interview (most providers)
What you will learn
The CUA50720 covers production-focused graphic design across print and digital outputs. Core units include developing design briefs, producing visual design concepts, designing complex layouts, producing typography, creating brand identity systems, designing for digital media, producing illustrations, and preparing files for production print and web. You work extensively in Adobe Creative Cloud (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, After Effects) and learn the technical specifications for offset and digital print, pre-press production, and web image optimisation. You also build a portfolio of polished work suitable for studio interviews.
Skills you build
- Brand identity design and visual systems
- Print layout and typography (InDesign)
- Digital illustration (Illustrator, Procreate)
- Photo editing and retouching (Photoshop)
- Pre-press production for offset and digital print
- Web and social media design (Figma)
- Building and presenting a design portfolio
How the course runs
Most students study full-time over 12 to 18 months. Around 800 to 1,200 hours of formal training, with theory and applied design studio work split roughly 30/70. Most providers run portfolio reviews each semester and brief students with industry-style briefs (real or simulated). Online and blended delivery is common with weekly critique sessions. No mandatory work placement at this level, though most students do internships and freelance work during the course.
How you will be assessed
- Design project assignments with critique panels
- Portfolio reviews each semester
- Written knowledge tests per unit of competency
- Pre-press production and file preparation tasks
- Client brief response presentations
Workplace and placement
No mandatory work placement, but most students complete unpaid internships or paid junior roles during the course. Many start freelance work on small client projects through Upwork, Fiverr or local network referrals. Designer salaries follow the Graphic Arts, Printing and Publishing Award or above-award rates in agency and in-house studio roles.
Typical employers
- Graphic design and branding agencies
- In-house creative teams (retail, FMCG, finance)
- Advertising agencies (creative production)
- Publishing houses and magazine design teams
- Marketing agencies and PR firms
- Freelance and contract designer roles
Pay after this qualification
$55,000 - $80,000 per year
Source: https://www.jobsandskills.gov.au/explore-careers/occupation/graphic-and-web-designers. Last reviewed 2026-05-21.
Is this the right course for you?
You probably thrive here if
- You can give and receive critical design feedback
- You can self-manage deadline and brief workload
- You can keep building skills in new design software
- You have a strong visual eye and attention to detail
- You can present and defend your design choices
It is probably not for you if
- You cannot take criticism on creative work
- You struggle with software learning curves
- You expect perfect briefs (clients change minds)
- You cannot self-direct portfolio building
After you finish
After the Diploma you can pursue the Advanced Diploma of Graphic Design (CUA60320) or progress directly to a Bachelor of Design, Bachelor of Communication Design or Bachelor of Visual Communication at RMIT, Swinburne, UTS, QUT, Monash or Curtin with significant credit. Many designers move into specialist streams like UX/UI design, motion graphics, illustration or art direction after building portfolio experience in junior studio roles.
Careers this leads to
Credit into a uni degree
Common articulation pathways. Confirm credit transfer with the receiving university directly.