UNDERGRADUATE CERTIFICATE OF DESIGN /
FOUNDATION DESIGN & BUSINESS READY

If you're looking for the best foundational design course in Australia, the Undergraduate Certificate of Design (Nested within the Bachelor of Design) provides an unparalleled introduction to the fundamentals of design, preparing you to become a business-ready professional in the dynamic creative industry. This program is specifically tailored for creative individuals eager to excel through a comprehensive understanding of essential design skills and techniques. No prior experience is required.

You’ll explore core elements such as illustration, greyscale rendering, and tonal variation, while mastering fundamental principles of design. You'll learn a proven design formula that lays the groundwork for sustained success. Additionally, the course emphasises proficiency in digital design using industry-standard software like Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign, ensuring you are fully prepared to meet the demands of contemporary creative industries.

This practical knowledge is enriched by an in-depth exploration of design history and context, covering influential movements, significant historical periods, and key figures who have shaped the discipline of design.

By completing this degree, you won’t just study design—you'll emerge business-ready, equipped with a robust foundation, practical skills, and theoretical insights necessary to thrive and lead in various creative fields, including digital design, fashion business, branding, visual communication, and more.

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The Undergraduate Certificate of Design comprises one trimester, consisting of four foundational subjects. To qualify for the award of the Undergraduate Certificate of Design, students must successfully complete all required subjects, totaling 24 credit points, including satisfactory completion of all subjects.

DESIGN CORE SUBJECTS

DESIGN CONTEXTS

Dive into the vibrant world of design through our exciting exploration of historical, cultural, and social influences. In just one trimester, you'll discover how contemporary design is shaped by key movements, pivotal periods, and iconic influences. Connect your learning directly to current market trends and understand how great design drives business success.

DIGITAL DESIGN

Unlock your creativity and enhance your professional skills by mastering the industry-standard Adobe Creative Cloud suite, including Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign. You’ll create powerful visual communications that meet today’s market demands and set you apart as a skilled digital designer.

ILLUSTRATION FOR DESIGN

Master visual storytelling through dynamic illustration techniques, greyscale rendering, and tonal variations. Learn to effectively communicate your design concepts using foundational elements and principles of design across various media. This engaging and practical approach ensures you're ready to excel creatively and commercially.

ELEMENTS AND PRINCIPLES

Build your creative foundation by understanding and applying the core elements and principles of successful design. Our comprehensive approach ensures you're equipped with the fundamental skills and knowledge needed to excel in any design discipline, preparing you for professional success.

Here are just some examples of career outcomes that our graduates have continued into.

Pathway Option: Successful Graduates will recieve credit for DD1, DC1 and DI1 in the Bachelor of Design program.

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With purpose-built design campuses in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, Whitehouse students work within professional-standard environments designed around the way the industry actually operates. Not lecture halls, but studios, workshops and resources you'll use in your specialisation every week.

Professional photography studios
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Our fully-equipped photography studios put professional lighting, backdrops and shooting setups at your disposal, so the images you conceptualise in class are the images you produce, direct and refine to a portfolio standard.

Design Collection (Sydney Only)
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At the Sydney campus, students have rare access to one of Australia's most significant design archives, including original pieces from Louis Vuitton, Burberry and Sacai. It's a hands-on resource for studying construction, detail and the language of luxury up close.

Adobe Creative Cloud suite
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Every student receives free access to the full Adobe Creative Cloud suite, giving you the same tools used across professional styling, editorial and creative direction. From week one you'll work in Photoshop, Lightroom, InDesign and Illustrator.

Industry partnerships and sourcing network
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Styling and creative direction happen through relationships, and Whitehouse connects students to the network professionals rely on. Across your projects you'll engage with industry suppliers, prop houses and hire companies, fabric and materials specialists, showrooms and brand partners, learning how to source, negotiate and pull together everything a shoot or campaign demands. Access to modelling agencies and industry specialists means the briefs you work on mirror real production conditions, so you graduate already knowing how to build and manage the collaborations behind a professional creative outcome.

Research services
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Creative Direction & Styling students draw on industry-grade trend-forecasting services and a specialist design library, developing the research rigour behind every strong creative decision, from mood and colour direction to sourcing and concept.

Whitehouse continually updates and expands its resources to ensure every student has extensive design research support throughout their degree.

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DOMESTIC FEES

All Design courses are FEE-HELP eligible for domestic students. No upfront payment for tuition fees needed if eligible.

INTERNATIONAL FEES

See International section for information on international fees.

To apply for the Undergraduate Certificate of Design, submit a direct application through the Whitehouse Institute of Design website.

Whitehouse has no application fees.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Domestic

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IMPORTANT DATES

Applications for Whitehouse's Undergraduate Certificate of Design are open year-round, with four main intakes each year - February, June, September and January Summer School. Applications typically open within 6 to 12 months of the intake commencing. We recommend applying early to secure your preferred campus and start date.

Whitehouse Institute offers students the opportunity to experience a wide range of different studio practices, each of which will require specific materials and equipment. It is the student’s responsibility to determine what materials and equipment are required for each class prior to the class being held. - this will be listed in the course outline for each subject and often posted ahead of time on Google Classroom. Students are required to attend each class with the correct equipment.

The cost of materials and supplies will vary depending on the specialisation. Costs will be incurred for specialist art papers, fabrics and accessories. Specialised Studio Workshops require additional materials and supplies and these costs are determined by the student’s choice of items.

The design staff have put a Whitehouse specific art and technical kit together to ensure that students have the essential supplies to assist them in the execution of high-quality work and consistency across specialisations. These supplies are required at the commencement of studies. On enrolment an invoice will be emailed to complete this.

FREE ADOBE CREATIVE CLOUD PRO LICENCE

You'll receive a free Adobe Creative Cloud Pro licence with your Whitehouse student email for the entire time you're studying Design with us.