Graphic Design

Graphic designers visually communicate across a range of media to persuade, inform and educate audiences online, in print and within a wider environment.

In this major you’ll develop a deeper understanding of graphic design and its distinct specialist applications, including user experience design, design thinking, branding, data visualisation, editorial, information design, interaction design, way-finding, packaging design, service and experiential design.

You’ll learn how to solve complex communication problems through the exploration and application of design theory and practice, whilst developing skills across a range of industry applications.

The Graphic Design major responds to rapid changes in the design and commercial industries, as well as cultural and sociotechnical shifts in retail and media consumption behaviours.

Graphic Design is offered as part of the Bachelor of Design. You will be able to enhance your degree by selecting to study either two additional minors or one minor and four elective units to support your career goals.

High achieving students may complete an additional honours year enabling them to undertake their own significant research project.

Please refer to the handbook for additional course overview information.

How to apply

This major sits within the Bachelor of Design degree. To apply for this major, you will apply for the Bachelor of Design. In step 3 of the application process, you will be asked to confirm the major you wish to study.

Applying as an undergraduate student is easy. For information tailored to your situation, visit our easy to follow instructions to get your application started.

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Why study

• Curtin is the highest ranked University in WA in the field of Art and Design and is in the top 200 in the world.*
• Innovation: There is a strong focus on contemporary design practices and principles.
• Strong practical focus: Our facilities provide students with the necessary resources to produce finished design executions across a range of media.

*QS World Rankings 2018

How this course will make you industry ready

This course offers a distinctive student experience that focuses on leadership, industry linkages and global citizenship. You will be taught by industry practitioners who are focused on employability, design entrepreneurship and design leadership.

Our attention to social innovation and the role of design in society provides opportunities for study abroad and work-integrated learning.

Our focus on design action (sustainability, community, human-centred) and design ethics ensures our graduates are industry-ready with global perspectives.

Throughout the three-year program, you’ll learn through project-based activities, and be given the opportunity to work together with students from other disciplines, mirroring a real industry environment.

Student profile

View our student profile table to get an indication of the likely peer cohort for new students at Curtin University. This table provides data on students that commenced undergraduate study and passed the census date in the most relevant recent intake period for which data are available. It includes those admitted through all offer rounds and international students studying in Australia.

Professional recognition

Professional memberships available:

• Australian Graphic Design Association
• D&AD
• Design Institute of Australia
• International Society of Typographic Designers (ISTD)
• Perth Advertising and Design Club

Career information

Careers

• Art director
• Graphic designer
• Advertising executive
• Creative director
• Creative consultant
• Production manager

Industries

• Advertising
• Marketing
• Media and communications
• Publishing

What you'll learn

• apply discipline knowledge to critically review, analyse, consolidate and contribute to evidence-based practice in graphic design
• demonstrate cognitive and technical skills in both a broad understanding and depth in graphic design
• use and discern between a range of graphic design technologies and media platforms in the production of graphic design-based solutions
• demonstrate effective visual, spoken, written and technical communication appropriate to the graphic design discipline and apply effective self-directed learning skills
• demonstrate personal awareness of a graphic design specific practice and sustain an engagement with contemporary practices, technologies and the creative industries
• develop a predictive overview of future trends that will influence graphic design and graphic design practices
• recognise the importance of social, ethical and cultural diversity and consider local and international perspectives in graphic design activities, studio practice and production
• demonstrate how intercultural awareness and understanding impacts on personal and professional skills and on the ability to lead
• work independently and collaboratively on graphic design projects and respond to project demands

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