Graphic design involves the informed design and production of visuals to communicate concepts and information to a particular audience. It combines art and technology to communicate the message effectively. Graphic design is always a collaborative process. A designer must be able to identify a range of solutions for specific client objectives and to produce the collateral required for fulfilling the brief. Throughout the three-year degree, students are tasked with performing activities and assessments, which mirror this process and address relevant problems in contemporary society through design. In this course students learn the production tools necessary to create high-level design as well as critical thinking, problem solving and research techniques. The course provides students with an exciting range of industry specific projects that equip them with an understanding of the industry from a local and global perceptive.  Students learn a broad range of graphic design skills but also have the opportunity to pursue a specialisation such as motion graphics, photography, advertising, marketing, and filmmaking. Through a rigorous process of continual evaluation, industry input and critique, the Bachelor of Graphic Design at the University of Canberra provides one of the most current and progressive graphic design courses in the country.

Based in the federal capital, the course is firmly rooted in an understanding of the Australian context and focuses on the accessibility of visual communication in a multicultural and ever-growing nation. Our projects are designed around creating value in the evolving social landscape of Australia; equipping students with the knowledge and foresight to solve current and emerging design problems. The teaching team brings a wealth of global and national experience to the course with lecturers that have lived and worked in New York, Hong Kong, Shanghai, London, Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra. Our teaching team possesses a diverse range of skills in the areas of user interface design, print, illustration, photography, research and design thinking. Through this mix of experiences, expertise and global perspectives, students are provided with a holistic and global approach to design that puts our course at the forefront of tertiary design education in Australia. 

Careers

The career possibilities for graduates are diverse, however, commonly students attain a career in the thriving Australian graphic design industry. In the final year of study, representatives from the federal government, local studios and inter-state industry representatives provide students with insight into different career pathways. Possible roles for graphic design graduates can range from advertising account executive, commercial artist, corporate identity manager, information design and printing, interior designer, website designer, multimedia designer, media and packing developer. However, the thinking and research skills gained in the Bachelor of Graphic Design at the University of Canberra may be applied in many varied career opportunities and are portable across a range of industries and employers around the world.

Exchange Programs

The University of Canberra Student Exchange Program allows students to study overseas for a semester and receive full credit towards their degree. We also welcome international students to Canberra on exchange.

Bachelor of Graphic Design (164JA) 

Bachelor of Graphic Design/Bachelor of Advertising and Marketing Communication (181JA)