Bachelor of Design
at Griffith University, Queensland.
A studio-led design degree spanning visual communication, product, interaction and spatial design. Most programmes culminate in a major design project and portfolio show.
ATAR cutoff history
Published cutoff data for the Griffith University Bachelor of Design. We never invent figures; entries marked "not published" mean the university or admissions centre has not released a verified cutoff for that intake.
| Intake year | ATAR cutoff | Admissions centre |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | ATAR cutoff not published | QTAC |
| 2023 | ATAR cutoff not published | QTAC |
| 2022 | ATAR cutoff not published | QTAC |
No verified cutoffs are available. Confirm the latest figure on the official QTAC cutoff release.
Prerequisite Year 12 subjects
Brush up on each prerequisite with our state-syllabus explainers and dot points.
What you will study
First year is a broad design foundation taught through the Queensland College of Art and Design: design thinking and process, visual communication and typography, drawing and visualisation, digital tools (Adobe and prototyping software) and design history and theory. You sample several streams before committing. Most studio teaching is at South Bank in Brisbane and the Gold Coast. Second year specialises into a major such as visual communication design, user experience and interaction design, or product and spatial design. Studios become project-driven, with regular critiques (crits), iterative prototyping and an introduction to working with real briefs. Third year is the professional and portfolio stage: a major capstone design project, a work-integrated learning placement or live client brief, and preparation of a graduate portfolio shown at the annual end-of-year exhibition. The focus shifts to a polished body of work that gets you hired.
Example first-year subjects
- Design Thinking and Process
- Visual Communication and Typography
- Drawing and Visualisation
- Digital Design Tools
- Design History and Theory
- Introduction to Studio Practice
How you will be assessed
- Studio projects assessed by portfolio and critique (crits)
- Iterative design process journals and sketchbooks
- Final major design project and exhibition
- Written design-theory essays and reports
- Group and live-brief client projects
- Oral presentations and design pitches
Career outcomes
- Graduates work as visual designers, UX designers and industrial designers in agencies and in-house teams.
- Common destinations include digital product agencies, advertising studios and the in-house design teams of major retailers and banks.
- Many alumni progress into design leadership, design strategy and freelance practice within five years.
Professional accreditation
- DIA membership eligible
Typical first jobs
- Junior graphic or visual communication designer
- Junior UX or UI designer
- Product or industrial designer
- In-house designer at a retailer, agency or studio
- Digital or multimedia designer
- Design or production assistant
- Freelance designer building a client base
Graduate starting salary
$52,000 - $64,000 per year
Source: https://www.qilt.edu.au/surveys/graduate-outcomes-survey-(gos). Last reviewed 2026-05-24.
After graduation
Most graduates move straight into junior design roles and build a portfolio and client base. Postgraduate options include the Master of Design, Master of Interaction Design or User Experience, Master of Design Futures and graduate study in animation or digital media. Some graduates cross into design strategy, research or teaching, or set up independent studio and freelance practice.
Is this the right degree for you?
You probably thrive here if
- Visually creative people who like making and iterating
- Students who can take critique and revise their work
- Those who enjoy combining concepts with digital craft
- Self-motivated workers who manage long studio projects
- People building toward a strong professional portfolio
It is probably not for you if
- Students wanting a theory-heavy or exam-based degree
- Those uncomfortable presenting and defending their work
- People who dislike open-ended, ambiguous briefs
- Students seeking a guaranteed single job title at graduation
Sources
Course details are summarised by ExamExplained, not copied from the university. Confirm course content and ATAR cutoffs on the Griffith University handbook and on QTAC before applying. Page generated at https://examexplained.com.au/uni/griffith/bachelor-of-design.