Key information

  • Delivery

    Online, Self-Study

  • Estimated study time

    15-20 hours

  • Length of access

    6 months

Build a design foundation

This course is designed for VET students interested in, or already enrolled in the Graphic Design diploma, as well as those interested in the foundations of graphic design. It is designed to provide an introduction to important elements and principles that should be considered on a daily basis in any graphic design role.

What you'll learn

Get familiar with the ins and outs of design and build your base knowledge. Learn how to make all the elements of your products seamless and gain confidence in your design abilities.

  • Design Elements & Principles (including Alignment, Balance and Hierarchy)

  • Typesetting and Typography (including Choosing Typefaces, Typesetting in the Design Process)

  • Colour Theory (including Colour Gamuts, Colour Palettes)

  • Images (including Photo Editing, Stock Photos)

  • Logos (including Generating and Refining Concepts)

  • Designing across Media (including Pring, Packaging)

  • Working in the Real World (including Attitudes and Work Habits; Where to find work)

How you'll learn

This course is fully online and self-paced, allowing you to study when it’s convenient for you. We expect this course to take a minimum of 15-20 hours to complete. Learning content includes comprehensive explanations, activities and short videos. There are no formal assignments required for this course, however, all participants will receive a Certificate of Achievement.

Course curriculum

  • 1

    Design Elements & Principles

    • Welcome Video

    • Welcome

    • Course Contents
  • 2

    Module 1: Design Elements & Principles

    • Module 1 Introduction

    • Alignment

    • Balance

    • Repetition

    • Hierarchy

    • Contrast

    • Module 1 Quiz
  • 3

    Module 2: Typesetting and Typography

    • Module 2 Introduction

    • Anatomy of a Typeface

    • Historically Significant Typefaces

    • Choosing Typefaces

    • Typesetting in the Design Process

    • Module 2 Quiz
  • 4

    Module 3: Colour Theory

    • Module 3 Introduction

    • Colour Theory

    • Colour Gamuts

    • Pantone and Spot Colour Printing

    • Colour Palettes

    • Module 3 Quiz
  • 5

    Module 4: Images

    • Module 4 Introduction

    • Treatment

    • Resolution, File Types, Image Optimisation

    • Photo Editing

    • Stock Photos

    • Module 4 Quiz
  • 6

    Module 5: Logos

    • Module 5 Introduction

    • Generating and Refining Concepts

    • Principles of Good Logos

    • Elements of Logos

    • Module 5 Quiz
  • 7

    Module 6: Designing across Media

    • Module 6 Introduction

    • Print

    • Packaging

    • Digital

    • Designing across Media

    • Module 6 Quiz
  • 8

    Module 7: Working in the Real World

    • Module 7 Introduction

    • Attitudes and Work Habits

    • Working with Clients

    • Where to Find Work

    • Intellectual Property

    • Future of Design

  • 9

    Glossary

    • Glossary: Graphic Design

    • Glossary: Typography & Software Terms
  • 10

    Survey

    • Survey: Please Complete