Certificate IV in Design

COURSE CODE

CUA40725

Jump into the creative realm! Be equipped to kickstart a dynamic and exciting design career. Build foundational skills in areas like illustration, colour theory, video production and typography. By the end of this course, you’ll have the skills you need to land a role such as being a Design Coordinator, Design Assistant or Junior Digital Designer.

If you’re interested in being a successful graphic designer, this qualification can also be an excellent stepping-stone to a Diploma of Graphic Design.

Key learning outcomes

Learn how to interpret design briefs and develop creative solutions to them
Discover how to use colours effectively in your designs
Learn how to document your design work and share it with clients
Build your skills in generating creative ideas and experimenting with your designs
Gain skills in using Adobe Creative Cloud to produce a range of different designs, including illustrations, images, printed materials and videos
Develop your skills in designing user interfaces and producing videos
Discover how to generate and record your ideas using approaches like brainstorming, sketching and storyboarding

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Key benefits of studying this course

Kickstart your design career – Develop the skills you need to land an entry-level design job or become a freelance designer
Build a portfolio of sample work – As you progress through this course, you’ll build up examples of designs that you can share with potential clients and employers
Gain a nationally recognised qualification – Gain a qualification that’s recognised by employers across Australia
Learn from design experts – When you study with ACBI, you’ll learn from dedicated trainers who hold a wealth of teaching and design experience
Open the door to further design studies – Gain the foundational design skills you need to go onto further studies, such as a Diploma of Graphic Design
Be supported to succeed – Enjoy access to high-quality student and academic support. From guiding you through assessment questions to helping you use design software, ACBI is here to support your learning journey

Tools you’ll learn

Adobe Illustrator,Adobe Photoshop,Adobe Premiere,Final Cut Pro,Adobe Lightroom,Adobe Express

Domestic students

Domestic students
International Students

1 year (52 weeks)

Sydney Campus

Blended delivery

Next on-campus intakes

6 April 2026
4 May 2026
6 July 2026

Next online intakes

Course Guide

Apply now

CRICOS code:

119039H

1 year (52 weeks)

Sydney Campus

Blended delivery

Next On-campus intakes

6 April 2026
4 May 2026
6 July 2026

Course Guide

Apply now

hs-cta-trigger-button hs-cta-trigger-button-179384868468

Course content

Units

Unit code	Unit name	What you’ll learn
CUADES301	Explore the use of colour	When it comes to creating designs, the colours you use can have a big impact. In this unit, you’ll discover what colour theory is and how you can use it in the real world. You’ll learn how to use different colours in your designs to create different effects.
CUAACD311	Produce drawings to communicate ideas	As a designer, it’s valuable to build your drawing skills. From quick sketches that summarise your ideas, to detailed photorealistic illustrations, there are lots of ways drawing can be used. In this unit, you’ll discover different drawing techniques that can be used for both online and offline illustration. You’ll also create a series of creative drawings.
CUADIG413	Create user interfaces	Step into the world of user interface design, including the design of interactive digital mediums like apps and websites. Discover techniques you can use to make interfaces visually engaging and user-friendly. Explore how to select colours, fonts, sizes, placements, interactivity and more for design elements like buttons and text.
CUADES412	Interpret and respond to a design brief	A design brief is a crucial document for designers to understand. It lays out the details of what creative work is needed. In this unit, you’ll build your skills in reading design briefs, taking note of important details and responding with engaging design solutions.
CUAPPR411	Realise a creative project	Develop your ability to produce creative designs. You’ll explore how to experiment with different ideas, develop draft designs and seek helpful feedback from others. You’ll also learn how to develop and refine your technical skills while working on a design project.
CUADIG311	Prepare video assets	Discover what goes into creating videos that are professional, engaging and well designed. Build your skills in navigating technical video requirements such as audio codecs, video encoding software, metadata tags, file compression and more. By the end of this unit, you’ll have valuable video production skills.
CUADES305	Source and apply information on the history and theory of design	Build your understanding of how designs have changed over time. In this unit, you’ll explore key design movements and develop your ability to recognise design trends. You’ll also learn how to take inspiration from these designs and use them in your own creative work.
CUADES411	Generate design solutions	Discover how to tackle a design challenge creatively. A design challenge is a problem or situation that requires a creative solution, such as a new logo or an engaging video. Learn how to research information, develop ideas and finalise a design solution.
BSBCRT412	Articulate, present and debate ideas	To succeed as a designer, you not only need to produce creative work; you also need to be able to explain your designs to others. In this unit, you’ll develop skills to clearly and persuasively communicate your designs and your design opinions.
CUAACD411	Integrate colour theory and design processes	Jump into the world of colour theory, including how colours can be matched and contrasted to create different moods and visual effects. In this unit, you’ll build your understanding of colour theory and your ability to experiment with different colour schemes.
BSBCRT411	Apply critical thinking to work practices	In this unit, you’ll develop your critical thinking abilities — your ability to analyse, question and evaluate information and ideas. As a designer, strong critical thinking skills can help you better interpret design briefs and evaluate your own work. You’ll learn how to develop a critical thinking mindset and apply it regularly in your design practice.
CUAWHS312	Apply work health and safety practices	Think designers don’t need to worry about Work Health and Safety (WHS)? Think again! In this unit, you’ll explore WHS issues that designers can experience, including eye strain, trips and falls at photo and video shoots, workplace bullying, musculoskeletal injuries, work-related stress and more. You’ll develop your skills in recognising these concerns and taking steps to prevent and respond to them.
CUAWRT301	Write content for a range of media	As a designer, you not only need to produce visual designs; you also need to be able to write about them. Discover techniques and tools to help you write effectively about your designs, communicate clearly with clients and continually improve your writing skills.
CUADIG304	Create visual design components	Discover how to create design components for interactive media. Explore how to generate visual design ideas, use traditional and digital methods, and review your design solutions with different people.

Hear from our students

“I have only good things to say about my time with ACBI. The curriculum for my courses was very complete and very hands on. All the trainers I've had were highly qualified and the staff always provided me and other students with amazing support.” <br>-Manoela Prusch

“Studying graphic design at ACBI has been an incredibly enriching experience. The faculty members are not only highly qualified professionals but also very supportive and encouraging. The classes are well-structured, covering both theoretical concepts and practical skills essential for a career in graphic design. Overall, I am thoroughly impressed with the quality of education and support offered by the ACBI and would highly recommend this college to anyone passionate about pursuing a career in graphic design.” <br>-Maria Isabella Martinez

“I was at ACBI for over a year, and I have to say that it was fantastic! I had the opportunity to learn in a friendly environment, where teachers are open-minded and focused on your needs. If you want to improve your skills rapidly and efficiently, this is the best place where to enrol!” <br>-Priscillia Hapette

Potential Salaries

Digital Designer

$80K

Digital Designers are responsible for creating visually appealing content for social media, ebooks, websites, emails and a range of online marketing materials. They develop graphics, illustrations, icons, videos, animations and more.

Web Designer

$83K

Web Designers are responsible for creating the visual look and feel of websites. They develop a website’s visual layout, and select colours, fonts, images and navigation elements to be used in a website.

Fashion Designer

$95K

Fashion Designers are responsible for designing clothes, footwear and fashion accessories, like hats and belts. They research fashion trends, create sketches and develop pleasing, creative designs.

Source: Seek 2026

Demand for web designers is booming – Job growth for web designers is predicted to grow by 21.7% over the next 5 years (Seek 2026). Completing a Certificate IV in Design can be a great way to build foundational skills and kickstart your web design career.
Design assistants enjoy good job satisfaction – Design Assistants in Australia score their job satisfaction as being 4 out of 5 (Seek 2026). This shows that choosing design for a career can be rewarding.
There’s growing demand for interior designers – Job growth for interior designers is predicted to grow by 19.1% over the next 5 years (Seek 2026). Completing a Certificate IV in Design can be a great way to build foundational skills and kickstart your interior design career.

After completing your Certificate IV in Design, you may wish to further expand your skills and career opportunities by studying a:

- Diploma of Graphic Design – With this course, you can further your design skills and specialise in graphic design. You’ll open the door to job opportunities like becoming a Graphic Designer, Illustrator, Junior Art Director, Marketing Designer, Web Designer, Brand Designer and more.
- Diploma of Digital Marketing – Designers and marketers often work closely together, with designers often creating marketing materials. Gaining a qualification in digital marketing can help you become a marketing designer. Or, if you wish to freelance or have your own a design agency, gaining digital marketing skills can help you to promote yourself and your business.
- Diploma of Artificial Intelligence (AI) – Build your skills in using AI tools that can help you in your career.

Entry requirements

Domestic Students
Have completed Australian Year 10 (or equivalent), or a Certificate III qualification

Be at least 18 years of age

Have technological literacy (ability to use and access a computer with word processing applications)

Note: You will need access to a computer with a reliable internet connection in order to complete this qualification.

You may also have an initial interview to assess your individual learning needs and your language, literacy and numeracy skills.
International Students
Have completed Australian Year 12 or equivalent

IELTS 6.0 English language equivalence if a non-native English speaker

Be at least 18 years of age

Have technological literacy (ability to use and access a computer with word processing applications)

Please note: ACBI assesses the suitability of international student applicants using a range of methods. These can include reviewing prior educational qualifications, English level, LLN and students’ resumes.

How to apply

Domestic Students
Enrol this course in 3 simple steps:

Complete ACBI’s online application form

Once your form is submitted, our Admissions team will check your application to make sure we have everything we need. If not, we’ll send you a quick email or give you a quick phone call.

Accept your letter of offer

If your application is successful, we will issue you an offer including an official Letter of Offer and Acceptance of Offer documents.

Receive confirmation of your enrolment

A welcome letter will be sent to you confirming your course. You’ll also receive all the necessary details you need to start your course.

Need help with applying? Our friendly team is here to help. Connect with your Course Advisor or simply fill out this form to get in touch.
International Students
Enrol in this course in 4 simple steps:

Complete ACBI’s online application form.
Get started by completing our online application form, or getting your education agent to submit the form on your behalf.

Once your form is submitted, our Admissions team will process your application.

Need help finding an education agent? Check out our list of agents.

Accept your letter of offer
If your application is successful, we will issue you an offer including an official Letter of Offer and Enrolment Acceptance Agreement document.

Receive confirmation of your enrolment
We will provide you or your education agent with a copy of your electronic Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE). This document is essential for the student visa application process. You will separately receive a welcome email and an invitation for an ACBI Orientation Day.

Apply for a student visa
You will now need to apply for your visa to travel to Australia. Please refer to the Department of Home Affairs website for further details: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/

Need help with applying? Our friendly team is here to help. Connect with your Course Advisor or simply fill out this form to get in touch.

Apply now

FAQs

Who is this course for?

This course can be a great choice for people who are looking to kickstart their journey towards a design career. By the end of this Certificate IV, you’ll have the skills and knowledge you need to land a job as a Design Assistant in a field such as digital design, interior design, furniture design, fashion design or marketing design. You’ll also have the option of going on to complete a Diploma of Graphic Design to further your skills and allow you to specialise in graphic design.

What design tools will I learn?

In the Certificate IV in Design, you’ll build your skills in using a range of industry-respected design tools including:

Adobe Illustrator
Adobe Photoshop
Adobe Premiere
Final Cut Pro
Adobe Lightroom
Adobe Express

Why should I study this course at ACBI?

When you choose to study your Certificate IV in Design at ACBI you’ll enjoy:

Excellent student support – Be supported throughout your student journey. From study plans to interactive online sessions, you’ll be supported to succeed at your studies.
Being taught by experienced trainers – Our trainers have a wealth of both industry and teaching experience.
Pathways to a Diploma qualification – Choose to study one of a range of Diploma courses after you complete your Certificate IV. For example, you may go on to study a Diploma of Graphic Design.
A convenient Sydney CBD location – ACBI’s Sydney campus is a short walk from Central Station and is close to a range of public transport options.

Should I study the Certificate IV in Design, or the Diploma of Graphic Design?

Great question! Many of our students choose to study the Certificate IV in Design followed by the Diploma of Graphic Design. You can think of Certificate IV in Design as being a good introduction to the world of design. It can be completed within 1 year. This qualification builds foundational skills in areas such as using colours, typography, illustration, videos, Adobe Creative Cloud and more. The Certificate IV in Design can be a great choice for people who are new to design. On the other hand, the Diploma of Graphic Design builds more specialised skills in graphic design. For example, it builds skills in designing complex print layouts, creating a body of creative work, developing 3D designs and more. This course takes 18 months to complete. Studying a Diploma of Graphic Design can be a good choice if you already have some design knowledge or experience. It can also be a good choice if you’re interested in becoming graphic designer, or if you’re looking to package a Diploma with an Advanced Diploma, such as an Advanced Diploma of Graphic Design. For advice on which course(s) might best suit your individual needs, connect with a Course Advisor.

Do you have flexible payment plans?

We do. When you study at ACBI, you can choose to pay upfront or with a flexible payment plan. For advice on what options might best suit your individual situation, connect with a Course Advisor.

Can I enrol in a ‘double certificate’ or ‘packaged courses’?

Yes, combining the Certificate IV in Design with another qualification is an excellent way to boost your skills and make yourself more attractive to employers. You can apply to enrol in two or more qualifications at ACBI, studying one after the other. Simply select your desired courses when completing the conline application form

Diploma of Graphic Design

Certificate IV in Social Media and Digital Marketing

Diploma of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

I want to know something about this course but can’t find an answer. Who can I ask?

Our friendly Course Advisors are here to help. Simply fill out this form and an advisor will get in touch with you.