Diploma of Design

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With design becoming increasingly transdisciplinary, and with diverse organisations embracing its value, design studies offer a multitude of career pathways. Designers have the opportunity to use their unique problem-solving capabilities to address complex challenges and have a positive impact on the world.

Charlotte Kessler, Program Advisor, Diploma of Design

Duration

2 trimesters (8 months)
3 trimesters (12 months)

Intakes

Trimester 1, 2, 3
Key dates

Location

Mount Gravatt (Brisbane)
Southport (Gold Coast)

Apply Now Entry Requirements

Design overview

If you love visual creativity, the Diploma of Design is the perfect way to develop the skills you need to kickstart your career.

Practical projects will help you fine-tune your artistic abilities and harness new technology. Theoretical studies in design thinking and problem solving will enable you to approach challenges with structure and confidence.

After learning the fundamentals of design across multiple disciplines, including graphic design, visualisation, studio art, 3D design and interior design, you will be able to progress to a more specific creative degree at Griffith’s Queensland College of Art.

Design

Fees

	Domestic students	International students
2022	A$23,250	A$31,500
	FEE-HELP available >	CRICOS 056514M
	More details about fees and payment options >

I chose Griffith College because it offers a diploma program from which I can go straight into the second year of University.

Chelsea U.,
Diploma of Design

STUDY OPTIONS

Pathways to a Griffith University Design Degree

Domestic students (QTAC codes included)


QTAC code	Degree code	Program	Campus	Credit granted*
083411/ 083311	1189	Bachelor of Design Majors: Graphic and Communication Design / Interior Design and Environments / Product and 3D Design / Visualisation and Immersive Design	Gold Coast / South Bank	80 CP
Credit eligibility for other programs
083331	1492	Bachelor of Architectural Design	Gold Coast	20 CP
083611/ 083511	1568	Bachelor of Design/Bachelor of Business	Gold Coast / South Bank	60 CP
083531	1651	Bachelor of Visual Arts	South Bank	30 CP
NA	1619	Bachelor of Laws (Honours)	Gold Coast / Nathan	40 CP
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.

International students


Degree code	Program	Campus	Credit granted*	Min. GPA requirements†
1189	Bachelor of Design Majors: Graphic and Communication Design / Interior Design and Environments / Product and 3D Design / Visualisation and Immersive Design	Gold Coast / South Bank	80 CP	4
Credit eligibility for other programs
1492	Bachelor of Architectural Design	Gold Coast	10/20 CP‡	4
1568	Bachelor of Design/Bachelor of Business	Gold Coast / South Bank	50 / 60 CP‡	4
1651	Bachelor of Visual Arts	South Bank	30 CP§	4
1619	Bachelor of Laws (Honours)	Gold Coast / Nathan	40 CP	5
*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 applied if students are required to undertake language enhancement course (unless they have IELTS 7.0). §Portfolio required.

Where could this diploma take me?

With a Diploma in design from Griffith College you could start your journey towards one of the careers below:

Advertising	Graphic design	Interior design
Product design	Design management	Digital design and media

Sample program structure

Students who enter with an IELTS (or equivalent) < 6.0 will be required to undertake the free Language Development Modules as part of their program.

First trimester

1201QBT Academic & Professional Skills Development


The 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.

The 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.

1506QCA Modernity & Post-modernity


This course introduces students to the concepts of modernity and postmodernity. It examines ways in which these concepts have shaped the modern world and the role design has played in this process. The course helps students grasp the importance of understanding the complexity of the making of the modern world. It also introduces students to key ideas, academic researching techniques and writing skills essential for future study. The modules for this course situate design within an enlightenment history of ideas and the crisis of reason that underpinned the arrival of postmodernity. It also critically examines the non-Western cultural constitution and engagement with the idea of the modern. Students will acquire an understanding of the clear distinction between the concepts and historical developments of the modern, modernity, and modernism in relation to design.

This course introduces students to the concepts of modernity and postmodernity. It examines ways in which these concepts have shaped the modern world and the role design has played in this process. The course helps students grasp the importance of understanding the complexity of the making of the modern world. It also introduces students to key ideas, academic researching techniques and writing skills essential for future study.

The modules for this course situate design within an enlightenment history of ideas and the crisis of reason that underpinned the arrival of postmodernity. It also critically examines the non-Western cultural constitution and engagement with the idea of the modern. Students will acquire an understanding of the clear distinction between the concepts and historical developments of the modern, modernity, and modernism in relation to design.

1513QCA Computer Visualisation & Image Creation


This course introduces students to software for image creation, manipulation and layout composition, in both a practical and strategic sense. Students will develop and manipulate physical and digital images in both vector and pixel-based formats and explore the responsibilities and challenges of design practice through practical and reflective exercises. On completion, students will have developed elementary skills and knowledge relating to type, composition, layout, file management, and preparing files for printing and online publishing. Software used in this course is Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop and InDesign. All design and multimedia students will gain fundamental image creation, manipulation, decoding and usage skills to support on-going studies

This course introduces students to software for image creation, manipulation and layout composition, in both a practical and strategic sense. Students will develop and manipulate physical and digital images in both vector and pixel-based formats and explore the responsibilities and challenges of design practice through practical and reflective exercises. On completion, students will have developed elementary skills and knowledge relating to type, composition, layout, file management, and preparing files for printing and online publishing. Software used in this course is Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop and InDesign. All design and multimedia students will gain fundamental image creation, manipulation, decoding and usage skills to support on-going studies

1523QCA Drawing for Design


Drawing is a fundamental means of visual research, visual communication and explanation that has the ability to transcend barriers of language, time and culture. It has the immediate capacity to depict unseen thoughts and condense the power of a subject or idea into a tangible form that is easily communicated to others. This course aims to develop critical thinking, observation and visual communication skills through the acquisition of creative visual strategies, drawing techniques and a culture of drawing as visual research practice. The course content recognises drawing the human form, designing from nature and three dimensional drawing as equivalent to visual research, critical and conceptual thinking. All of this content is underpinned by the concepts, emergent challenges and opportunities to develop sustainable design perspectives and initiatives.

Drawing is a fundamental means of visual research, visual communication and explanation that has the ability to transcend barriers of language, time and culture. It has the immediate capacity to depict unseen thoughts and condense the power of a subject or idea into a tangible form that is easily communicated to others. This course aims to develop critical thinking, observation and visual communication skills through the acquisition of creative visual strategies, drawing techniques and a culture of drawing as visual research practice. The course content recognises drawing the human form, designing from nature and three dimensional drawing as equivalent to visual research, critical and conceptual thinking. All of this content is underpinned by the concepts, emergent challenges and opportunities to develop sustainable design perspectives and initiatives.

Second trimester

1510QCA Digital Technologies


This course gives students a practical and theoretical understanding of the use of the computer as a tool for professional designers for problem solving and creating artwork. Students will be exposed to current industry standard software and technology. The software used during this course will be from the Adobe Creative Suite. The central purpose of this course is to provide students with a solid foundation in both theoretical knowledge and technical skills that are designed to reinforce studio practice and equip them for employment within the design industry.

This course gives students a practical and theoretical understanding of the use of the computer as a tool for professional designers for problem solving and creating artwork. Students will be exposed to current industry standard software and technology. The software used during this course will be from the Adobe Creative Suite. The central purpose of this course is to provide students with a solid foundation in both theoretical knowledge and technical skills that are designed to reinforce studio practice and equip them for employment within the design industry.

1512QCA Introduction to Design History


This course critically examines design history and theory. Design history, in its traditional form, focuses on design movements, designers and the materiality of the designed object and the ways in which it connects to production and consumption, integrated into circulated systems of meaning. The course distinguishes between the concepts and historical figures of the past to frame and inform the key themes influencing art and design theory, practice and culture today and in the future. The relation between design and its place in history, why the designer needs such knowledge, and how they need to employ it in future practice will be examined.

This course critically examines design history and theory. Design history, in its traditional form, focuses on design movements, designers and the materiality of the designed object and the ways in which it connects to production and consumption, integrated into circulated systems of meaning. The course distinguishes between the concepts and historical figures of the past to frame and inform the key themes influencing art and design theory, practice and culture today and in the future. The relation between design and its place in history, why the designer needs such knowledge, and how they need to employ it in future practice will be examined.

1502QCA Design Lab Experience


The course is an introduction to students understanding contemporary design as an interdisciplinary and studio practice in a design lab environment. Students are encouraged to be entrepreneurial, practise self-direction and take personal responsibility when working individually and in collaborative teams. Students explore design making practices, design thinking, commentary and writing. There is a strong creative practical focus on conceptualisation and design construction: fabricating design prototypes in the workshop and studio, making artefacts, experiences, images, environments and ways of communicating and presenting design ideas. Students will also learn design evaluation, documentation and project sharing techniques.

The course is an introduction to students understanding contemporary design as an interdisciplinary and studio practice in a design lab environment. Students are encouraged to be entrepreneurial, practise self-direction and take personal responsibility when working individually and in collaborative teams. Students explore design making practices, design thinking, commentary and writing. There is a strong creative practical focus on conceptualisation and design construction: fabricating design prototypes in the workshop and studio, making artefacts, experiences, images, environments and ways of communicating and presenting design ideas. Students will also learn design evaluation, documentation and project sharing techniques.

1530QCA Design Lab Process


This course explores some of the methods, principles, processes and theories that make design a unique form of human inquiry. From analysis to synthesis, students will apply their understanding of 2 and 3 dimensional space, shape and form through a series of linked, design research exercises, active visual experimentation and resolved production.

Current program structure