Graduate Diploma of Visual Communication Design
2025 Deakin University Handbook
| Year | 2026 course information |
|---|---|
| Award granted | Graduate Diploma of Visual Communication Design |
| Deakin course code | A638 |
| Course Credit Points | 8 |
| Course version | 2 |
| Faculty | |
| Course Information | For students who commenced from 2018 onwards |
| Campus | Offered at Burwood (Melbourne), Online |
| Final Intake | The final intake to this course was in 2025. Students should contact a Student Adviser in Student Central for course and enrolment information. Further course structure information can be found in the handbook archive. |
| Duration | 1 year full-time or part-time equivalent duration |
| Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition | The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 8 |
Course sub-headings
Course Learning Outcomes
| Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes | Course Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|
| Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities | Apply specialised knowledge in order to research, plan, and produce design-based solutions to complex visual communication challenges, drawing on advanced knowledge and skills to analyse communication design as applied in a local, national, and international context. |
| Communication | Utilise communication skills to transmit visual communication design ideas, analyses, findings, and strategies through advanced written and oral presentation. |
| Digital literacy | Employ a range of specialist skills using industry standard design programs and other digital literacies to source, analyse, generate and disseminate design solutions to an advanced level. |
| Critical thinking | Critically evaluate contemporary design practices, design conversations, and design issues, and apply them in professional design practice taking into account ethical and legal issues surrounding visual communication. |
| Problem solving | Employ specialised knowledge, skills and creativity supported by research-based theoretical underpinnings to generate advanced design solutions to complex visual communication design briefs. |
| Self-management | Exercise initiative and autonomy in planning, decision-making and problem solving in the field of visual communication design. |
| Teamwork | Work and learn collaboratively, collegially, and responsibly with a range of disciplines, clients and industry representatives in the field of visual communication design. |
| Global citizenship | Work responsibly in the context of global, economic and ethical influences on the practice of visual communication design taking into consideration cultural and socio-economic diversity, social and environmental responsibility and the application of the highest ethical standards. |
Approved at Faculty Board November 2022
Course structure
Core units
Compulsory 0-credit point module
To be completed in the first trimester of study:
| DAI001 | Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin |
Units
At least six credit points from the list below:
| ACG702 | Design for the Physical World |
| ACG703 | Design Systems |
| ACG706 | Design for the Digital World |
| ACI700 | Digital Art and Photography |
| ACG708 | Design Strategies |
| ALR733 | Advertising Theory and Practice |
| ACC700 | Communication and Creative Arts Internship |
ACA715 Creating Your Arts Business [No longer available for enrolment]
ACG709 Strategic Branding and Design [No longer available for enrolment]
Electives
Electives may be chosen from the remaining units above or from any other postgraduate course in the School of Communication and Creative Arts. Students who intend to move from the Graduate Diploma to the Master of Communication are strongly advised to take ACX701 Communication Concepts for their two elective credit points.
Fees and charges
Tuition fees will vary depending on the type of fee place you hold, your course, your commencement year, the units you choose to study, your study load and/or unit discipline.
Your tuition fees will increase annually at the start of each calendar year. All fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD) and do not include additional costs such as textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment, mandatory checks, travel, consumables and other costs.
For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current students website.