Hayley: What's next for me?

What is next for me? At the moment I'm researching the possibility of moving my family down to Melbourne to continue my education. I have been doing a lot of reading about many different institutions. The aspects I have been considering concerning the courses available and the actual institutions are:

• The location in relation to the suburbs we are planing on living in.
• The length of the course
• The hours per week
• The recognition received from studying at certain schools
• The facilities available
• The qualification received at completion
• The cost

Here are a few courses I have looked into:

Advanced Diploma of Advertising & Graphic Design - Local Students

Offered to local students

About this course
Students create and execute design concepts and present finished artwork using a combination of traditional studio media and digital technologies. On completion graduates gain the vocational training to enter the industry as an assistant or junior designer in a professional practice, or work as a freelance designer.

Duration
The Advanced Diploma takes two years of intensive full time study to complete. There is an exit point at the successful completion of the first year when students may elect to leave with a Certificate IV in Graphic Design. Classes are held daily and consist of formal lectures, tutorials, workshops, supervised and unsupervised computer work and research. All assignments and projects are mandatory.

Award
40510SA Advanced Diploma of Advertising & Graphic Design which is a Nationally Endorsed course. Graduates will also be awarded the internationally recognised City & Guilds (London) qualification.

Prerequisites
You need to have completed a year 12 or equivalent and have basic computer and English communication skills. Certain exemptions apply if you are over 21, have previous experience or knowledge of the subject matter.

Software
All current top end graphic design programs are covered in this course. They include Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, Acrobat and InDesign as well as Dreamweaver, Fireworks and Flash.

Computer Access
We have an open access policy, all students are free to use our facilities at any time that the college is open (subject to availability).

Class Size
Classes are limited to a maximum of 10 participants.

This design school is situated in the Melbourne CBD. The fees are approx. $11000/year. There is a government study loan option, similar to Hecs, available for this course. Enrolment is by interview and portfolio. The next course begins in Feb 2010. RPL is also available for this course as it is a nationally accredited curriculum. I am currently looking into whether I would only to do the second year considering I will be achieving a Cert 4 this year. I am very excited about this option because of the smaller class sizes and the attention to the particular skills of the individual.

Another option for me is at NMIT (National Melbourne Institute of Tafe). This is the information for the Diploma of Illustration.This would suit me because I am far more interested in the illustrative side of graphic design than the computer-based.

The course develops skills appropriate to the diverse illustration industry though set projects. Students gain experience in editorial, advertising, promotional and book illustration using such media as gouache, acrylic and oil paint, mixed media and technology. Drawing, context and culture, design and new media units support core illustration study. Creativity, innovation and individuality are fostered in the course as well as highly developed visual communication problem solving skills.

Entrance Requirements
Successful completion of VCE or mature age. All prospective students must attend an interview session where they will be required to present a folio. The folio should contain a variety of art work which demonstrates the use of a range of materials and techniques including a selection of illustrations and freehand observational drawings. At interview students will also be asked to discuss their awareness of illustration and the illustration industry.

Success Stories

• Emilia Fernandes

• About the Course
• Entrance Requirements
• Materials

• Local Students
• International Students

• National Code: 21871VIC
• Cricos Code: 066704M

• Local Fees: fees and charges
• International Fees: A$9800 p.a.

Campus: Preston

Duration

Full-time: 2 years

Part-time: Part-time not available to International Students

Course Commencement Dates

February.

Course Units

Code	Subject	Hours*	Type
BSBSBM403A	Promote the business (	50	Core
CUFMEM07A	Apply principles of visual design and communication to the development of a multimedia product	50	Core
CUFSAF01B	Follow health safety and security procedures	15	Core
CULMS07A	Develop small exhibitions	60	Core
CUSADM09A	Address legal and administrative requirements	50	Core
CUVDSP02A	Develop self as a designer	60	Core
CUVVSP11A	Apply techniques to produce digital images	50	Core
CUVVSP35A	Produce paintings	50	Core
CUVVSP45A	Produce prints	50	Core
PSPPM401B	Design simple projects	65	Core
VPAU010	Analyse and implement sustainable work practices	15	Core
VPAU011	Apply research and critical analysis to inform artistic and design practice	100	Core
VPAU012	Use advanced drawing techniques to represent and communicate concepts	100	Core
VPAU013	Apply the elements and principles of design	100	Core
VPAU014	Manage creative and professional self	60	Core
VPAU040	Develop a concept and design in response to a given brief/commission	150	Core
VPAU041	Produce computer based illustration	140	Core
VPAU042	Produce an advanced 2-dimensional illustration from a brief	150	Core
VPAU043	Produce art work for final art production	60	Core
VPAU303	Produce an advanced 3-dimensional illustration from a brief	150	Core

*Course hours are indicative and subject to change.

Skills Recognition - Exemptions/Transfers

Students may be eligible for exemptions/transfers on the basis of previous qualifications, which must be provided as evidence of completion.

Qualification

As part of the Australian Qualifications Framework this program is nationally recognised. On successful completion students will be awarded with the Diploma of Illustration

There is also the Diploma of Graphic design available at NMIT. The campus where this course is held is at Preston, about 20 mins drive from where we plan to live.

If we decide to not move to Melbourne I will be enrolling in the Graphic Design Diploma here at Kingscliff Tafe.