Graphic design courses

A graphic design degree covers both the creative and practical sides of the design process.

You’ll learn:

• Industry design tools, including Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, InDesign and Illustrator)

• Print and digital production processes

• Design fundamentals, including brand and identity, typography, and design research

The software you’ll need depends on the course you choose, but in most cases, you’ll be using the Adobe Creative Suite, which includes Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign. These are the go-to tools in the design world and used for digital imaging, layout and branding projects.

The good news? You won’t have to buy them yourself—your university will give you access.

Most courses place a strong emphasis on building a graphic design portfolio, so you have something tangible to share with employers. Depending on the course you choose, there may also be opportunities to partake in industry projects or complete work experience.

Check the list of subjects offered in your preferred course to find out if these things are offered, or you can ask our student advisors.

It depends on the course and whether you choose something short or long-term. Here’s a general guide: 

If you study your graphic design degree online through Open Universities Australia, you have the flexibility to choose how many subjects you take per term. This means you can complete your qualification at a faster or slower pace than you would on campus.

Not necessarily. Graphic design is as much a technical skill as an artistic one. While an eye for composition may be helpful, it’s certainly not a prerequisite for studying graphic design.

The flexibility you’ll have when you complete an online graphic design course makes it ideal if you’re working full or part-time. Online students aren’t required to attend classes at set times, so they have more freedom to study at a time that suits them. You could consider finding a job as a junior graphic designer while you’re studying to gain real-world experience. Once you graduate, you’ll be able to step straight into the industry.

Most graphic designers in Australia work for marketing and advertising agencies, publishers and corporate brands. There’s no shortage of demand for graphic design skills.

Your qualification could also lead to a related career as a:

• Web designer 

• User experience designer 

• Multimedia designer 

• Illustrator 

• Brand manager 

• Art director

Many graphic designers opt to be their own bosses as freelancers.

Enrolling online is simple. Here’s how it works:

1. Find your course

• Browse the options on this page.

• Use our comparison tool to explore the different choices.

• Need help? Book a free phone consultation with a student advisor for personalised guidance.

2. Start your enrolment

• When you’re ready, click ‘Start studying now’ on the course page.

• Follow the prompts to begin your enrolment.

• You’ll need to provide supporting documents, such as:

  • Proof of identity

  • Your tax file number

  • A Unique Student Identifier (USI)

3. Wait for confirmation

Your chosen university will email you to confirm if your enrolment has been successful.

Note: Some courses have enquiries and applications handled directly by the university. If this applies, it will be clearly stated on the course listing page.

For more details, check our online self-service enrolment guide. And if you need help at any stage, contact us and we’ll talk you through it.

There are plenty of related fields to explore. Use this table to discover what courses to check out next: