Graduate Diploma of Visual Communication Design
2025 Deakin University Handbook
| Year | 2025 course information |
|---|---|
| Award granted | Graduate Diploma of Visual Communication Design |
| Deakin course code | A638 |
| Faculty | Faculty of Arts and Education |
| Campus | Offered at Burwood (Melbourne) |
| Online | Yes |
| Duration | 1 year full-time or part-time equivalent duration |
| Course Map - enrolment planning tool | This course map is for new students commencing from Trimester 1 2025. Course maps for commencement in previous years are available on the Course Maps webpage or please contact a Student Adviser in Student Central. |
| Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition | The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 8 |
Course sub-headings
- Course overview
- Career opportunities
- Participation requirements
- Mandatory student checks
- Pathways
- Alternative exits
- Course Learning Outcomes
- Course rules
- Course structure
- Work experience
- Fees and charges
Course overview
The Graduate Diploma in Visual Communication Design provides practical and theoretical skills in Visual Communication Design. This is achieved through a combination of study incorporating the contemporary thinking and techniques required for professional design practice. The course explores design's role as an agent of change and as a key link between creativity and innovation. It also addresses the social, cultural and ethical implications of design practice as well as in-depth studies of new technology in design with an emphasis on typography, form and application. Historical and contemporary graphic design processes are explored within both local and international contexts.
The Graduate Diploma in Visual Communication Design encourages you to shape your ideas into practical and attractive propositions for users, customers and society as a whole. It offers a solid foundation for employment in the communication design industry or continued study in the field.
Career opportunities
As a graduate of Deakin's Graduate Diploma of Visual Communication Design you will be able to communicate and produce industry and audience-relevant solutions to communication problems and opportunities which require visual design in the strategy mix. In addition, the course will develop graduates with sound theoretical grounding in cultural, business and professional skills to enable them to be effective practitioners.
Graduates are likely to find work in areas such as advertising and marketing communication, communication strategy, corporate branding, design consultancies or creative boutiques. Graduates may be employed, work on a freelance basis or be self-employed. With a focus on both communication design knowledge and technical skills, graduates are better prepared for the rapidly evolving, ever-changing communication industries.
For more information go to DeakinTALENT.
Participation requirements
Reasonable adjustments to participation and other course requirements will be made for students with a disability. More information available at Disability support services.
Mandatory student checks
Any unit which contains work integrated learning, a community placement or interaction with the community may require a police check, Working with Children Check or other check.
Pathways
This course can be a pathway to:
Master of Communication (A743)
Alternative exits
| Graduate Certificate of Communication (A539) |
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 rules
To complete the Graduate Diploma of Visual Communication Design students must pass 8 credit points and meet the following course rules to be eligible to graduate:
- DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory unit) in their first study period
- 6 credit points of core units
- 2 credit points of course electives
Students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements. See the enrolment codes and terminology to help make sense of the University’s vocabulary.
Course structure
Core Units
At least six credit points from the list below:
| ACG702 | Digital Publishing |
| ACG703 | Design and Digital Skills |
| ACG706 | Web and Interactive Design |
| ACI700 | Introduction to Digital Photography |
| ACA715 | Creating Your Arts Business |
| ACG708 | Design Thinking and Problem Solving |
| ACG709 | Strategic Branding and Design |
| ALR733 | Advertising Theory and Practice |
| ACC700 | Communication and Creative Arts Internship |
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.
Work experience
Elective units may provide the opportunity for Work Integrated Learning experiences.
Course duration
Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as failing of units or accessing or completing placements.
Further information
Student Central can help you with course planning, choosing the right units and explaining course rules and requirements.
- Contact Student Central
Fees and charges
Fees and charges vary depending on the type of fee place you hold, your course, your commencement year, the units you choose to study, and their study discipline or your study load.
Tuition fees increase at the beginning of each calendar year and all fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD). Tuition fees do not include textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment or costs such as mandatory checks, travel and stationery.
For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current students website.