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Certificate III in Design Fundamentals
Provider Code: 00246M
National Code: CUV30303
CRICOS Code: 056812A
Duration: 18 weeks
Intakes: Refer to Enrolment
Course Description
The Design Fundamentals program recognises that there are some people who would love to study design but who haven't been able to compile a portfolio. Its main aim is to help you do just that.
The course is designed specifically to ensure that when you finish, you will have a portfolio you can be proud of. It will also equip you with the academic skills necessary for successful tertiary study and on completion, provide you with the option of entering Year 1 of our Communication Design or Multimedia Design streams. It’s an ideal way to familiarise yourself with our campus and meet your possible future classmates.
The Design Fundamentals program is an important step towards a creative and rewarding career in design. It provides students with the knowledge, skills, experience, cultural context and portfolio they need to go on to a successful tertiary education in the visual arts.
Aims and Objectives
The aim of this course is to train students in the basic methods and attitudes of graphic design giving them a broad idea of what the industry involves and pathways for further study and career development. At completion, students will have a clear understanding of how to progress in the graphic design industry should they wish.
Course Structure
This course consists of 14 units of competence (9 core and 5 elective units) as follows:
| Subject | Unit Code | Unit Name | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design Thinking | BSBOHS201A | Participate in OHS processes | Core |
| BSBDES304A | Source and apply design industry knowledge | Core | |
| BSBDES305A | Source and apply information on the history and theory of design | Core | |
| BSBDES302A | Explore and apply the creative design process to 2D forms | Core | |
| Hand Skills | BSBDES301A | Explore the use of colour | Core |
| BSBDES303A | Explore and apply the creative design process to 3D forms | Core | |
| CUVCOR08B | Produce drawings to represent and communicate the concept | Core | |
| CUVDES04B | Integrate colour theory and design processes in response to a brief | Core | |
| Computer Skills | CUVVSP11B | Apply techniques to produce digital images | Elective |
| CUVVSP13B | Research and experiment with techniques for digital image enhancement and manipulation | Elective | |
| CUVVSP12B | Produce digital images | Elective | |
| Portfolio Skills | CUVCOR03B | Develop, refine and communicate concept for own work | Core |
| CUVDSP07B | Research and apply techniques for graphic design | Elective | |
| BSBDES403A | Develop and extend design skills and practice | Elective |
Design Thinking:
- Graphic Design, difference to other types of design
- The designer, how to generate ideas and concepts
- Clients, studios and suppliers
- Identity design and briefs
- Naming, research
- Logos, symbols and thumbnails
- Stationary
- How to present work
- Australian landscape and character
- Lifestyle: rural and urban, leisure and sport
- Australian artists and designers
- Products, inventions, discoveries and icons
- Indigenous population (art, music, film)
- Australian art and architecture
- Literature, music and theatre
- Food and film
- Ethnic groups
- Disasters and dangers
- Sydney
Hand Skills:
- Observational drawing and painting, use of colour
- Conceptual drawing, get ideas down quickly and so that others can understand them
Computer Skills:
- Adobe PhotoShop, Illustrator, InDesign and Acrobat
- Using Macintosh computers
- Scan hand skills artwork and make them into digital files
Portfolio Skills:
- Research as major part of what makes a good designer
- Creating the portfolio, using grids and elements that will make the work stand out
- Presentation of the ideas and the portfolio
This qualification is accredited by NSW Vocational Education and Training Accreditation Board (VETAB) and is a Nationally Recognised Training qualification.
