Diploma of Design (Visual Communication)

The Diploma of Design (Visual Communication) at JMC Academy is a one-year qualification for people who want to work in graphic design, branding, digital media or publication design. You study the core of visual communication: typography, layout, colour theory, image-making and the software that design studios actually use. Expect to spend a lot of time on briefs rather than exams. You'll learn to take a client problem, sketch ideas, refine them and present a finished piece.

How the course is structured

Australian diplomas sit at Level 5 on the Australian Qualifications Framework. This one runs for one year full time, usually across two semesters or three trimesters, and is made up of units of study, each with a set number of credit points. You complete core units in design fundamentals and then choose electives that let you push further into areas like branding, motion graphics or digital publishing. Assessment is mostly project-based: portfolios, studio submissions and presentations, with some written work on design theory and context. The diploma is also a pathway, on completion you can often apply for credit towards a bachelor degree, which means starting the degree in second year rather than first. Confirm the exact credit arrangements with JMC Academy before you enrol.

Skills you finish with

By the end you should be able to build a visual identity from scratch, set type that reads well at any size, prepare files for print and screen, and explain your design decisions to a client. You'll have a portfolio of finished work, that's the thing employers actually look at. You'll also get practice giving and receiving critique, which is how design studios operate day to day.

Who it suits

This diploma suits school leavers who want a practical, studio-based start rather than a long academic degree, career changers with an eye for visual work, and international students who want an Australian qualification that can lead into further study. It's a good fit if you'd rather be making things than writing essays. If you're an international student, you can work up to 48 hours per fortnight while your course is in session, and after graduating you may be eligible for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream. Check the current rules on the Department of Home Affairs website, and confirm fees, intake dates and English requirements on the official JMC Academy page or the CRICOS register.

• Junior graphic designer, design studios, advertising agencies and in-house marketing teams
• Branding or identity assistant, brand consultancies and packaging firms
• Digital designer, web, social media and app design roles
• Publication designer, magazines, books and editorial teams
• Production artist or artworker, print and pre-press houses
• Freelance designer, working directly with small businesses and startups

Australia's design industry is concentrated in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, with smaller markets in Perth, Adelaide and the Gold Coast. Many graduates use the diploma as a stepping stone into a bachelor degree before moving into mid-weight or senior design roles.