Graphic Design & Desktop Publishing

Do you have a keen eye for detail and are you looking for a career that lets you channel your creativity? Take the next step in your professional development with our graphic design and desktop publishing courses.

Offering you a flexible way to enhance your skills, our online graphic design courses will give you the skill set you need to thrive in this dynamic and expanding profession.

Explore our course breakdown below or enroll now to get started.

• Course Outline

  When you enroll in our graphic design and desktop publishing courses, you will complete the following units of study:

  1	Foundation & Theory

  Colour Theory History of computer graphics Resolution

  Introduction to Postscript Bit Depth and File Size

  2	Tools and Workplace

  Computer Hardware Graphics Software File Formats

  Setting Up a Studio Choosing the Right Tools

  3	Raw Materials

  Graphics Tablet Choosing a Scanner Scan Basics

  Descreen & Black/white Point Digital Camera Basics Royalty-Free Photography

  4	Printing and Prepress

  Printer Troubleshooting Remote Printing Prepress

  Linking and Embedding Digital Print Portable Document Format

  5	Digital Illustration

  Bezier Curves Objects and Grouping Vector Basics Bitmap Basics

  Selections and Masks Filters Pixel Painting Rasterising and Clipping Paths

  6	Advanced Digital Illustration

  Photographic Manipulation Montage Combining Pixel with Paths Perspective and Shadows

  Getting Creative Text as a Graphics Realism

  7	Design and Typography

  What is Design? Legibility Appropriateness Professional Habits

  Branding Typefaces and Fonts Serif and Sanserif Typographic Rules

  8	Desktop Publishing

  Page Layout The Brief Grads and Margins Master Pages

  Paragraphs and Text Styles Graphics with Text Order of Layout Pages Copy fitting

  9	Web Design

  Web Graphics Internet File Formats Webpage Layout HTML Functionality

  Web Design Software Cascading Style Sheets Navigation Hyperlinks

  10	Marketing and Design

  Marketing and Advertising Salesmanship The Designers Responsibility Internet Marketing

  Brand Advertising Search Engines Target Marketing

• How Will You Benefit?

  

  There are many benefits associated with studying our graphic design courses online. For example, you will:

  • Expedite your career in graphic design and desktop publishing
  • Study a course that has been designed in collaboration with senior professionals in the graphics industry
  • Set your own timetable for completing the learning programme
  • Have access to a qualified personal tutor who will provide advice and support
  • Save money by not having to attend a graphic design course in person
  • Secure a 10% reduction in your course fee by paying upfront, or opt for our interest-free weekly payment plan.

  Experience the benefits for yourself by enrolling in our graphic design course today!

• Career Prospects

  
  This industry offers many diverse and rewarding career opportunities. For example, you can work as a desktop publisher or graphic designer, and you can choose whether to seek employment in an organization such as a print or digital design house or become self-employed and work as a freelancer designer. The choice is yours.

  There is strong demand for skills in this profession, so you can look forward to a favourable jobs market. And with graphic design skills being needed by businesses and other organizations around the world, training in this profession can also give you the opportunity to travel if you wish.

• Course Levels Explained

  Diploma

  Our graphic design and desktop publishing course leads to the awarding of an Executive Diploma. This qualification recognizes the graduate’s capacity for initiative and judgement across a broad range of technical and management functions. Diploma holders typically have personal responsibility and autonomy in performing technical operations or organizing others in the workplace.

• Prerequisites

  There are NO previous work or education requirements for entry into our graphic design and desktop publishing course.

  As long as you are imaginative, have an understanding of colour and form and enjoy working with computers, this training programme could be ideal for you.

• Course Length

  Students typically complete their studies within:

  Diploma Level

  31 weeks

  You choose the pace you work at. There are no set assignment deadlines, so you can fit your design training around your commitments, including work and family.

  If you want to graduate quickly, you can fast track your studies and finish within a matter of months. Or perhaps you would prefer to take your time. We allow up to three years to complete our graphic design and desktop publishing course.

• Study Mode: Online Learning

  This course takes place entirely online via distance learning (also called correspondence learning). This means there’s no need for you to spend time and money travelling to attend in-person classes. Simply work through the material at a time and place that suits you, wherever you are based in the world. You’ll always have access to your own personal tutor, who will answer your questions and offer advice.

  Our graphic design course is highly practical and engaging, so you won’t struggle to maintain focus throughout the development programme.

• Recognition & Accreditation

  
  Our online graphic design and desktop publishing course is recognised and accredited by the International Association of Private Career Colleges (IAPCC).

  As with all of our courses, it goes far beyond theory. Written and delivered by professionals in the design industry, it provides you with crucial practical insights and skills that you can put to direct use in your career.

• Already in the Profession or Industry?

  Already working in the design industry? This course is the right choice for you. It will help you to build on and update your existing knowledge and skills, making it easier to secure promotions and higher levels of pay. It is one of the practical ways to advance your career and it can give you renewed confidence in your work too.

  You can claim the fees for this design course as long as the training is sufficiently connected to your work activities.

• What Do I Get?

  All the materials you need to complete our graphic design and desktop publishing course are included in the course fee. Once you enroll, you will receive:

  • All required study materials and course notes
  • Assignment projects with constructive tutor feedback
  • A tutor who will answer all of your course and career questions and provide guidance.

  Upon successful completion of the course, you will receive:

  • A graduation certificate officially recognising your completion of studies and qualifications as a graphic design professional
  • Transcripts indicating the units completed
  • A letter of recommendation and validation for current and future employers
  • Post-nominal letters placed after your name which indicate that you hold the relevant qualification (for example: John Smith, DipGDP)

  Job search assistance: discover more about our Graduate Career Services Programme.

• Cut Off Date

  Friday, 2nd May 2025 is the next enrollment cut off date. Places are limited, in demand and entry into the course is on a first come first served basis.

  Your enrollment is processed and acknowledged within 24 hours of the Institute receiving your application. You can expect to receive your course within days of enrolling. When you start your ICI course it’s at your own pace and you determine when you finish.

  Don’t miss out. Enroll today!

Course Investment & Payment Plans

How do I get started?