DIPLOMA OF DESIGN

2025 TUITION FEES: A$25,900

2026 TUITION FEES: A$26,500

Non-Tuition Fees: Refer to Incidental Fees.

More details about fees and payment options

2025 TUITION FEES: A$37,000

2026 TUITION FEES: A$38,950

Non-Tuition Fees: $225 AUD one-off enrolment fee

More details about fees and payment options

CREDIT ELIGIBILITY FOR OTHER PROGRAMS

Progression:
Students will progress to their bachelor degree upon completion of their Griffith College diploma with a GPA equivalent to Griffith University’s admission rank requirement for entry to the bachelor program. Contact Griffith College for GPA to rank equivalencies. Diploma students who do not meet the progression requirements for their pathway to Griffith University can apply for a place in their preferred degree via QTAC, and be considered along with other external applicants subject to QTAC admissions requirements and processes.

*80 credit points is equivalent to one year of full-time study. Completion of degrees where students obtain less than 80 credit points of advanced standing in the degree, may take additional time. Any additional program entry requirements must be met for the College or University program listed.

^Program available to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples only. Folio and interview required.

CREDIT ELIGIBILITY FOR OTHER PROGRAMS

Progression:
Any additional program entry requirements must be met for the College or University program listed.

*80 credit points is equivalent to one year of full-time study. Completion of degrees where students obtain less than 80 credit points of advanced standing in the degree, may take additional time.

†International students must achieve the required minimum GPA to progress to their chosen Griffith College bachelor degree.

‡Lower amount of credit is applied if students are required to undertake language enhancement course (unless they have IELTS 7.0).

§International students must meet all portfolio requirements.

This course offers students a broad introduction to the skills involved in acquiring information and in displaying knowledge to others. It includes the basic knowledge and skills required to successfully participate in an undergraduate degree program and to operate effectively in a professional context.

This course introduces students to the essential skills needed to communicate design intent and conceptual thinking within the Architecture, Planning, and Design professions. The course builds a strong foundation in both two-dimensional and three-dimensional visual communication, enabling students to conceptualise, analyse, and represent spatial ideas with clarity and confidence.

Through guided studio activities, students learn how to observe, interpret, and translate information into drawings and models using a variety of media. Emphasis is placed on developing accuracy, visual literacy, and an understanding of industry drawing conventions. Students explore fundamental techniques for depicting form, depth, structure, and spatial relationships, while also learning to communicate more abstract or complex design ideas through visual representation.

Hands-on exercises help students build critical drawing and modelling skills that are essential across all Built Environment disciplines. As the course progresses, learners refine their ability to construct design ideas from gathered information, applying abstract and analytical thinking to support a rigorous design process.

By the end of the course, students will be able to apply drawing conventions confidently, communicate conceptual relationships through visual methods, develop sophisticated representational techniques, and use drawing and modelling as powerful tools for design exploration and communication.

This hands-on course introduces students to the core skills and mindsets of contemporary design practice through real-world problem exploration and creative inquiry. Using structured design thinking methods, students learn how to research, analyse and respond to complex challenges by engaging in activities such as observation, journey mapping, problem framing, rapid ideation, prototyping and reflective documentation.

Collaboration is central to the learning experience, with students working in teams to address “wicked problems” and develop meaningful, user-centred design solutions. Through continual feedback and iterative testing, students build confidence in creative problem-solving and learn to communicate ideas through sketches, written reflections, low-fidelity prototypes and other industry-relevant methods.

By the end of the course, students will be able to identify and understand design problems in context, analyse challenges and opportunities, generate creative ideas using structured processes, and effectively communicate concepts across a range of visual and written formats.

This course provides students with a strong foundation in visual communication, equipping them with the essential knowledge and practical skills needed to create clear, engaging, and culturally informed design outcomes. Through hands-on, studio-based learning, students explore the fundamental principles of design and examine how visual communication shapes society, influences culture, and impacts the environment.

Students would gain confidence using industry-standard design software while learning how to manage digital files, respond effectively to design briefs, and work professionally within ethical and legal frameworks, including Intellectual Property, copyright, and plagiarism standards. The course emphasises respect for Cultural Protocols, inclusivity, and representation, encouraging students to consider diverse perspectives in their design work.

Throughout the trimester, learners engage with key concepts such as semiotics, design politics and ethics, publication and large-format layout, typography, logo and symbol design, and digital product prototyping. Guided by feedback and iterative improvement, students develop creative solutions that demonstrate both technical skill and conceptual understanding.

By the end of the course, students will be able to interpret and respond to design briefs, select and apply appropriate software tools, evaluate feedback critically, and produce polished visual outcomes that align with contemporary design theory and practice.

This course introduces students to a wide range of contemporary digital creative tools while encouraging critical reflection on authorship, decision-making, and the influence of technology in the creative process. Students explore how software, algorithms, and AI shape creative outcomes, developing the ability to make intentional and informed design choices rather than relying solely on automated features.

Through hands-on, screen-based projects, learners experiment with industry-relevant tools such as Photoshop, Figma, and emerging creative applications. They investigate how different forms of media—including text, images, audio, video, physical inputs, and virtual environments—interact with human experience and influence creative expression. Students also examine the underlying file structures, system capabilities, and digital ecosystems (from desktops to mobile devices and cloud environments) that support modern creative workflows.

The course emphasises both technical skill development and ethical awareness, challenging students to evaluate the opportunities and limitations of digital tools, including AI-driven systems, within contemporary practice. By applying foundational design principles, students plan, produce, and refine original creative outcomes tailored for real-world, digitally connected audiences.

By the end of the course, learners will be capable of using advanced creative tools at an introductory level, presenting work professionally, and creating innovative digital experiences that reflect critical thinking and thoughtful design.

This course introduces students to the key theories, histories, and cultural influences that shape contemporary design practice. Providing a strong intellectual foundation, it explores major ideas from design thinking, creativity studies, the philosophy of technology, and sociology to help students understand how design operates within broader social, cultural, and technological contexts.

Students examine a wide range of design traditions, including Indigenous perspectives and diverse global approaches, gaining insight into how design responds to human needs and connects to other industries. Through lectures, discussions, practical tasks, and written reflection, learners develop the ability to analyse and interpret design concepts, recognise value and meaning in design works, and understand how historical patterns continue to influence modern practice.

The course also strengthens students’ ability to think critically about design activity—why designers make certain decisions, how creative ideas evolve, and how societal factors shape the design process. By engaging with foundational theories and real-world examples, students build the vocabulary, analytical tools, and conceptual knowledge required for more advanced design studies.

By the end of the course, students will confidently identify key concepts in design, critique historical and contemporary practices, understand what gives design its meaning and value, and use appropriate design terminology in both visual and written communication.

This course introduces students to contemporary design practice while building the essential professional and academic skills required for success in university and the design industry. Through interactive simulations, debates, industry guest sessions, and reflective practice, students strengthen their abilities in research, planning, decision-making, and professional communication.

A key focus of the course is personal and professional growth. Students explore their own strengths, weaknesses, and career aspirations, developing valuable life skills in time management, self-management, critical thinking, and university-level learning strategies. They also gain confidence in academic reading, writing, and referencing skills that support success throughout the program and beyond.

The course offers an overview of major design disciplines, including Interior and Spatial Design, Product and User Experience Design, and Visual Communication Design, helping students understand where their interests and talents may lead. Practical learning activities guide students in building a career strategy, developing early portfolio pieces, and engaging meaningfully with professionals in the design community.

By the end of the course, students will be well-prepared for their design studies, equipped with transferable skills, clearer career direction, and a strong foundation in both academic and professional practice within the contemporary design landscape.

MOTION DESIGN (1740QCA)

This course is the alternative of 1904ENG Construction Material and Practice for students who want to study Bachelor of Design. This course introduces students to the core practical, technical, and theoretical skills required to create and present screen-based moving image designs. Through a series of hands-on workshops and guided studio activities, students explore key principles of image structure, composition, sequencing, motion design, animation, sound production, and video editing. Using industry-standard tools such as DSLR cameras, smartphones, audio recorders, and professional file-management workflows, students learn how to capture and curate high-quality visual and audio content.

A major focus of the course is developing competency in Adobe Creative Cloud applications, including Lightroom, After Effects, and Premiere Pro. Students experiment with these platforms to produce animations, create motion graphics, composite visual elements, and design integrated audiovisual experiences.

These foundational skills are essential across many creative industries, including visual communication, photography, animation, digital media, and contemporary art. The course encourages students to analyse established and emerging practices within motion design, while also challenging them to think conceptually and produce original, self-initiated work.

By the end of the course, students will understand the fundamental principles of digital moving image technologies, apply technical skills confidently, evaluate the effectiveness of different creative approaches, and synthesise concepts into engaging and professionally presented moving image designs.

____________________________________________________________________________________

CONSTRUCTION MATERIAL AND PRACTICE (1904ENG)

Students progressing into Bachelor of Architectural Design will complete this course. 

This course is the alternative of 1740QCA Motion Design for students who want to study Bachelor of Architectural Design. This course introduces students to the essential materials, methods, and practices that shape today’s-built environment. Focusing on how design concepts evolve into constructed form, the course provides a foundational understanding of the principal materials used in construction—such as timber, concrete, steel, masonry, and composite systems—and how they perform within real building contexts.

Students explore how materials are formed, assembled, and integrated into construction components and building systems, gaining insight into both their technical properties and their practical applications. Through a mix of lectures, demonstrations, and hands-on activities, learners investigate how construction information is represented and communicated using industry-standard technical drawings and modelling techniques.

The course emphasises critical thinking and informed decision-making, encouraging students to evaluate material performance, compare alternatives, and justify design choices based on structural behaviour, environmental considerations, and design goals.

By the end of the course, students will be able to select suitable construction materials for a range of applications, assess their basic properties and performance, and communicate design intent clearly through technical drawings or models. This subject provides an essential foundation for further study in architecture, construction, and the broader built environment disciplines.