Diploma of Graphic Design
This nationally recognised CUA50720 Diploma of Graphic Design offers you an entry point into the design industry. Gain graphic design skills together with the skills and knowledge to prepare you for business and freelance work. Flexible online study options.
Course code: CUA50720
Delivery mode: Online
Course duration: 12- 36 months (self-paced)
Qualification: Diploma
Eligibility: This course is not available to international students
Nationally recognised: Yes
Awarded by: Swinburne University of Technology
Assessments
Direct observation
Portfolio of work
Written reports
Written or oral questioning
Role plays and presentations
Kick start your career in graphic design with a nationally recognised Diploma.
Earn a Diploma of Graphic Design (CUA50720) online with Swinburne Open Education. This nationally recognised diploma offers you an entry point into the design industry.
You will learn the skills and knowledge required to plan, design, develop and prepare information for publication and reproduction using text, symbols, pictures, colours and layout to achieve commercial and communication needs with particular emphasis on tailoring the message for the intended audience.
This graphic design course has been designed with a focus not only on graphic design skills but also includes learning outcomes that prepare students for business and freelance work. Business skills have been incorporated throughout the courses, such as how to establish a new business and manage the associated risks, how to build and maintain professional business relationships, as well as project management and leadership skills.
Bite-sized, online learning that fits around your life. This online graphic design course is split into three easy-to-manage study blocks, so you can fit a study block into your down time and gain a statement of attainment. On successful completion of all three study blocks, you’ll receive your diploma. You can choose to spread your studies out, or get to the good bit fast.
Don’t take time out to study - choose the study that works around you. Enrol to study graphic design online. Work towards your Diploma with Swinburne Open Education.
This course is not available to International students.
Skills you'll learn
Creating and manipulating complex layouts and graphics
Producing typographic solutions
Producing graphic designs for 2D and 3D applications
Refining drawing and other visual representation tools.
Career outcomes
Graphic designer
Studio manager
Freelance graphic designer.
Start your career in graphic design
Source: Career outcome information from Your Career (2025).
Why study Diploma of Graphic Design online
Earn a nationally recognised graphic design diploma.
Gain an entry point into the design industry.
Learn to create professional designs using text, images, colours, and layouts.
Develop skills for both graphic design and freelance/business work.
Study graphic design online with the flexibility to fit around your life and work.
Study online with our world-class learning platform
Designed and delivered online so you can learn anywhere, anytime
Study on any device - desktop, tablet or mobile
Learn through regular trainer-lead online sessions and native content
Engage with your learning community through online forums and messages
Download your free online course guide
Enter your details and the Swinburne Open team will send you a free course guide with the info to get started. An Enrolment Consultant will be in touch to discuss your options and answer any questions you may have.
All fields are required. By downloading the Course Guide, you agree to our Privacy Policy and receiving email and other forms of communication from us. You can opt-out at any time.
Meet Your Instructor
Faridul Islam
Faridul Islam is an experienced graphic designer with over 10 years in the industry. Holding a master’s degree in digital media and design, along with a diploma in Multimedia, Game Design, IT, and Graphic Design, he brings both expertise and passion to teaching.
Faridul is dedicated to inspiring students to unlock their creativity and develop practical design skills. From logo creation to web design and illustrations, he guides learners to transform their passion into stunning visual work.
He’s committed to helping students build confidence and take their first steps toward a successful career in graphic design.
Online course modules
Once you have enrolled in this course, you can access our online platform and start with the first module. You will need to complete a module and then the next module becomes available to you.
This online course contains 20 online modules, which have been designed to cover 19 units of competency, including 9 core units and 10 elective units. This graphic design course contains an introductory module.
Expand units below, to get an understanding of topics, objectives and time requirements.
CUAACD531 Refine drawing and other visual representation tools
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to use drawing and other visual representation tools to develop, refine and communicate ideas for creative work. It involves evaluating the role of drawing in communicating ideas, experimenting with drawing and visual representations and developing an individual approach to the use of drawing.
CUADES413 Develop and extend design skills and practice
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to develop and extend skills as a practising designer. It involves obtaining and developing conceptual and technical skills, developing an individual style in these skills and evaluating the use of these skills in own work tasks.
CUAGRD501 Research visual communication history and theory
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to research visual communication history and theory and to apply that research to own professional practice.
CUAGRD502 Produce graphic designs for 2-D and 3-D applications
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to plan and produce a body of two-dimensional (2-D) and three-dimensional (3-D) graphic design work in response to a variety of visual communication challenges. Design work will show a well-developed command of relevant software programs and the creative ability to generate ideas to meet the different needs of design briefs.
CUAGRD503 Produce typographic design solutions
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to produce professional typography for a wide range of communication needs. Typographic design solutions may include advertisements, headlines, logotypes, signage systems, posters, charts or mass text applications.
CUAGRD514 Create and manipulate graphics
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to create and manipulate graphics using a combination of creative design skills and technical software proficiency. It involves the analysis, application and refinement of graphic design techniques to meet assigned design objectives.
CUAGRD515 Design and manipulate complex layouts
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to design complex publication layouts by combining creative design skills with technical software proficiency. It involves the design and manipulation of layouts using graphic design software to meet design objectives.
CUAGRD516 Develop graphic design practice to meet industry needs
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to develop an industry focus for graphic design practice and to adapt that practice to meet current and emerging industry opportunities. It involves engaging with professional networks and researching policies and requirements in the graphic design industry.
CUAPPR513 Present a body of own creative work
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to use creative, technical and project management skills to produce a professional and innovative presentation of own creative work.
BSBCMM411 Make presentations
This unit covers the skills and knowledge required to prepare, deliver and review presentations for target audiences.
BSBCRT411 Apply critical thinking to work practices
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to use advanced-level critical thinking skills in a workplace context. This includes using methods of analysis, synthesis and evaluation.
BSBCRT412 Articulate, present and debate ideas
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to articulate, present and debate ideas in a work or broader life context using creative techniques in order to provoke response, reaction and critical discussion.
BSBESB402 Establish legal and risk management requirements of new business ventures
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to identify and comply with legal and risk management requirements of the business or new business venture, including negotiating, creating and planning for legal contracts used within the business, where required.
BSBLDR411 Demonstrate leadership in the workplace
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to lead teams and individuals by modelling high standards of conduct to reflect the organisation’s standards and values.
BSBMKG439 Develop and apply knowledge of communications industry
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to research, analyse and apply knowledge of the communications industry. This includes the marketing communications industries.
BSBPEF501 Manage personal and professional development
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to implement systems and process that support the personal and professional development of self and others.
BSBPMG430 Undertake project work
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to undertake a minor project or a section of a larger project. It covers developing a project plan, administering and monitoring the project, finalising the project and reviewing the project to identify lessons learned for application to future projects.
BSBTWK401 Build and maintain business relationships
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to establish, develop and maintain effective work relationships and networks through relationship building and negotiation skills required by workers. These workers may be within an organisation as well as freelance or contract workers.
BSBXCM401 Apply communication strategies in the workplace
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to facilitate and apply communication strategies in the workplace within any industry.
Students are required to complete all units of competency in a study block so they can meet the eligibility criteria to move onto the next study block. Students are required to enrol into each study block individually.
On successful completion of each study block, you will gain a statement of attainment towards your diploma. On successful completion of all three study blocks, you will receive your Diploma of Graphic Design. The study blocks will be advised on enrolment. You will also receive a prescribed study plan to help manage your time and ensure all study blocks are completed in an acceptable time frame.
Course Duration
Our diploma programs are structured into three study periods, each scheduled for 12 months, with a total course duration of up to 36 months. However, as this is a self-paced program, you have the flexibility to complete each study period more quickly, depending on your availability and study commitment.
Once you complete a study period, you can choose to begin the next study period immediately in the next available monthly intake or wait for a later intake that suits your schedule. This rolling intake model allows you to progress at a pace that works best for you.
To help you plan, here’s an estimate of the study time required per study period:
Estimated total hours for full study period: 450 hours
Estimated completion time based on weekly study hours:
8 hours/week → approximately 12 months
16 hours/week → approximately 7 months
24 hours/week → approximately 5 months
These are guidelines to help you structure your study around your personal and professional commitments. The self-paced nature of the program allows flexibility, so you can adjust your study intensity as needed.
If you have any questions about structuring your study plan or need assistance in managing your time effectively, our support team is here to help.
Course requirements
Intake dates
Please note, this diploma course is split into 12 month study blocks. Below are the key dates for the next three intakes we have available.
Online study FAQs
We understand you need to fit study around your busy life. Our online learning platform is designed with this in mind, so you can study on any device, anywhere, anytime. Here are answers to some graphic design frequently asked questions.
Read more FAQs
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