Certificate IV in Design (2021)

About this course

Some course providers are also offering a new version of this course - CUA40725 Certificate IV in Design. Talk to your preferred provider for details.

Build foundational skills and knowledge in design and find your path to further design studies.

This course will develop and enhance your skills in:

graphic art
graphic design
visual communication
design thinking
human-centred design
product design and
related design studies.

Major studies include:

2D and 3D design
colour theory
creative thinking
digital and photo image editing
design history and theory
design thinking
drawing
illustration
manual and digital techniques
typography
visual communication.

This qualification can add value to your existing career or provide you with a pathway into further study such as a Diploma of Graphic Design.

Career opportunities may include:

graphic design assistant
design artist
freelance service provider
illustrator
animator
printmaker.

This qualification is recognised nationally under the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF).

This course can be done as a traineeship. You’ll get technical knowledge through coursework and hands-on experience through paid work. On completion you will receive a nationally recognised qualification.
To enrol as a trainee, you’ll need:
1. a job in a relevant workplace in the same field as your course, and
2. an employer willing to sign a Commonwealth Government ‘Training Contract’ and support your learning at work.
To get started:
- contact an Apprentice Connect Australia Provider for information on finding an employer and for ongoing support
- find a course provider that delivers the course as a traineeship.
To get help:
- contact the TAFE and Training Line
- visit our apprenticeships and traineeships page
- visit Apprenticeships Victoria.

Units of study

Core units

Unit title	Unit code
Apply critical thinking to work practices	BSBCRT411
Integrate colour theory and design processes	CUAACD411
Source and apply information on the history and theory of design	CUADES305
Generate design solutions	CUADES411
Interpret and respond to a design brief	CUADES412
Realise a creative project	CUAPPR411
Apply work health and safety practices	CUAWHS312

Elective units

Unit title	Unit code
Explore the history and social impact of creativity	BSBCRT403
Articulate, present and debate ideas	BSBCRT412
Collaborate in creative processes	BSBCRT413
Implement customer service strategies	BSBOPS404
Design and produce complex text documents	BSBTEC401
Review and maintain organisation's digital presence	BSBTEC405
Write complex documents	BSBWRT411
Produce drawings to communicate ideas	CUAACD311
Produce computer-aided drawings	CUAACD312
Produce technical drawings	CUAACD313
Make scale models	CUAACD314
Create 3D digital models	CUAANM313
Implement copyright arrangements	CUACMP311
Manage copyright arrangements	CUACMP511
Explore the use of colour	CUADES301
Explore and apply the creative design process to 2D forms	CUADES302
Explore and apply the creative design process to 3D forms	CUADES303
Source and apply design industry knowledge	CUADES304
Develop and extend design skills and practice	CUADES413
Research and apply techniques for the design of wearable objects	CUADES421
Research and apply techniques in product design	CUADES422
Research and apply techniques in spatial design	CUADES423
Produce and prepare photo images	CUADIG303
Create visual design components	CUADIG304
Prepare video assets	CUADIG311
Author interactive sequences	CUADIG312
Author interactive media	CUADIG401
Design user interfaces	CUADIG412
Create user interfaces	CUADIG413
Write and apply scripting language in authoring	CUADIG414
Produce innovative digital images	CUADIG415
Experiment with techniques to produce drawings	CUADRA401
Prepare files for print	CUAGRD311
Use typography techniques	CUAGRD312
Research and apply graphic design techniques	CUAGRD411
Develop and refine illustrative work	CUAILL401
Extend expertise in specialist creative fields	CUAIND411
Provide freelance services	CUAIND412
Develop and implement own self-care plan in the creative industries	CUAMWB401
Manage feedback on creative practice	CUAMWB402
Prepare to work with confronting material and processes in the creative industries	CUAMWB403
Process photo images	CUAPHI313
Capture images using drone technology	CUAPHI316
Enhance, manipulate and output photo images	CUAPHI403
Capture images in response to a brief	CUAPHI411
Apply photo imaging lighting techniques	CUAPHI412
Integrate disability access and inclusion	CUAPPR408
Write content for a range of media	CUAWRT301
Select and apply type	ICPPRP2210
Produce pages using a page layout application	ICPPRP224
Create pages using page layout applications	ICPPRP3240
Create graphics using graphics applications	ICPPRP3250
Compose and evaluate typography	ICPPRP4210
Digitise complex images for reproduction	ICPPRP422
Manage colour	ICPPRP4300
Use advanced features of applications	ICTICT312
Use social media tools for collaboration and engagement	ICTWEB201
Build simple web pages	ICTWEB304
Transfer content to websites	ICTWEB434
Build and launch a small business website	SITXEBS003

Course providers

This course is offered by the following providers. Click on the links to the provider websites for the latest information on course details, fees and how to apply.

Government funding for eligible students:
Locations: Nelson (Box Hill), City (Melbourne), Elgar (Box Hill), Whitehorse (Box Hill), Lilydale Lakeside (Lilydale)
Delivery modes: Full time on-campus
- Visit Box Hill Institute for course details, fees and how to apply
- Check our FAQs on choosing a course and provider
Government funding for eligible students:
Locations: Frankston Road (Frankston)
Delivery modes: Full time on-campus
- Visit Chisholm Institute for course details, fees and how to apply
- Check our FAQs on choosing a course and provider
Government funding for eligible students:
Locations: Hawthorn, Wantirna
Delivery modes: Full time on-campus
- Visit Swinburne University of Technology for course details, fees and how to apply
- Check our FAQs on choosing a course and provider