Foundation design & business ready
UNDERGRADUATE CERTIFICATE OF DESIGN
Build strong foundational design skills through illustration, greyscale rendering, tonal variation and the essential elements and principles of design, with industry-standard digital tools and a grounding in design history and context.
COURSE INFORMATION
- Course Level:
- Undergraduate Certificate
- Delivery:
- On Campus
- Next Intake:
- Jan 2027 Summer School, Feb 2027
- Format:
- Full-Time (1.5 days per week)
- Intakes:
- Jan, Feb, June, Sept
- Location:
- Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane
- Duration:
- 1 Trimester (12 Weeks)
- Tuition:
- FEE-HELP Approved
UNDERGRADUATE CERTIFICATE OVERVIEW
The Undergraduate Certificate of Design (nested within the Bachelor of Design) is an introduction to the fundamentals of design, preparing you to become a business-ready professional in the creative industry. It's built for creative people who want a comprehensive understanding of essential design skills and techniques, and no prior experience is required. You'll finish with a robust foundation, practical skills and the theory to back them, ready for creative fields including digital design, fashion business, branding and visual communication.
Why study the Undergraduate Certificate at Whitehouse
Start from the ground up. No prior experience and no portfolio required - you'll learn illustration, rendering and the elements and principles of design from the first week.
A credited next step. Successful graduates receive credit for DD1, DC1 and ID1 towards the Diploma of Design, Associate Degree of Design or Bachelor of Design.
Industry-standard tools from day one. Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign, alongside a proven design formula you can apply in any creative field.
WHY WHITEHOUSE?
#1
FOR SKILLS DEVELOPMENT*
We achieved 92.1% in the QILT Student Experience Survey 2025, the strongest result of any creative arts and design institution in the country.
INDUSTRY EXPERIENCE
Across your projects you'll work with industry suppliers, showrooms and brand partners.
*QILT Student Experience Survey 2025 when compared to institutions offering creative arts and design courses.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
What you'll learn
Over one 12-week trimester, you'll build the foundations every design discipline relies on:
- Illustration techniques for communicating design ideas
- Greyscale rendering and tonal variation
- The essential elements and principles of design
- Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign
- A proven design formula that lays the groundwork for creative success
- Design history: influential movements, significant periods and the key figures who shaped design
- How contemporary design connects to current market trends and business success
What you'll graduate with
By the end of the course you'll have:
- A foundation in illustration, rendering and the elements and principles of design
- Working skills across Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign
- An understanding of design history and context
- A business-ready grounding for creative fields from digital design to branding
- Credit for DD1, DC1 and ID1 towards the Diploma, Associate Degree or Bachelor of Design
Career outcomes
Here are just some examples of career outcomes that our graduates have continued into.
- Junior Graphic Designer
- Junior Textile Designer
- Assistant Fashion Buyer
- Digital Content Creator
- Illustrator
- Design Assistant
- Marketing Intern
- Visual Merchandising Assistant
- Creative Production Assistant
- Brand and Marketing Assistant
- Junior Magazine Editor
- Trend Analyst
COURSE STRUCTURE
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.
The course is delivered full-time across 1.5 days per week, over one 12-week trimester.
Design core subjects
Design ContextsDC1. 6 credit points
Explore the historical, cultural and social influences on design. Discover how contemporary design is shaped by key movements, pivotal periods and iconic influences, and connect your learning to current market trends and how great design drives business success.
Digital DesignDD1. 6 credit points
Master the industry-standard Adobe Creative Cloud suite, including Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign, and create visual communications that meet today's market demands.
Illustration for DesignID1. 6 credit points
Visual storytelling through illustration techniques, greyscale rendering and tonal variation. Learn to communicate your design concepts using the foundational elements and principles of design across various media.
Foundation subject
Elements and PrinciplesE&P1. 6 credit points
Build your creative foundation by understanding and applying the core elements and principles of successful design, the fundamental skills needed to excel in any design discipline.
“...the best thing for me is getting to come to a creative environment each day and be inspired to create and design things that I am passionate about.”
YOUR PATHWAY
Successful graduates receive credit for DD1, DC1 and ID1, core subjects shared by the Diploma of Design, Associate Degree of Design and Bachelor of Design. Choose the qualification that suits your goals and continue without repeating what you've already completed.
FACILITIES
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 design studiosDesign Collection (Sydney Only)Adobe Creative Cloud suiteIndustry partnerships and sourcing networkResearch servicesView detailsHide details
Professional design studios
Fully-equipped studios give you the space to move between manual and digital design methods - from illustration and rendering to digital design in the Adobe Creative Cloud suite.
Professional photography studios
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)
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 - a hands-on resource for studying construction, detail and the language of luxury up close.
Adobe Creative Cloud suite
Every student receives a free Adobe Creative Cloud Pro licence with their Whitehouse student email for the entire time they're studying with us.
Industry partnerships and sourcing network
Whitehouse connects students to the network the creative industries rely on - suppliers, showrooms, industry competitions and brand partners - so the briefs you work on reflect real industry conditions.
Research services
Students draw on industry-grade trend-forecasting services and a specialist design library, developing the research rigour behind every strong creative decision.
Whitehouse continually updates and expands its resources to ensure every student has extensive design research support throughout their degree.
FEES
Domestic fees
All Design courses are FEE-HELP eligible for domestic students. No upfront payment for tuition fees needed if eligible.
| 2026 | |
|---|---|
| Trimester Tuition Fee (full-time study) | $7,305 |
| Indicative Average Unit Fee (4 units) | $1,826.25 |
Fees exclude course materials and technical kits.
International fees
See the International section for information on international fees.
HOW TO APPLY
To apply for the Undergraduate Certificate of Design, submit a direct application through the Whitehouse Institute of Design website.
Whitehouse has no application fees.
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.
Entry requirements
- Academic
- Completion of year 10 or equivalent
- ATAR
- No ATAR required
- Portfolio
- No portfolio requirement
- Design Meeting
- All applicants attend a Design Meeting
- Motivational Statement
- Not required
Here are the main requirements to get you started. The full entry requirements are in the links below, and our team is happy to talk them through.
In addition to standard entry requirements, international students must have a minimum level of English language skills as well as a valid and appropriate visa for studying in Australia.
FAQS
What is the Undergraduate Certificate of Design at Whitehouse?
The Undergraduate Certificate of Design is Whitehouse Institute of Design's introduction to the fundamentals of design, nested within the Bachelor of Design. Over one 12-week trimester you build foundational skills in illustration, greyscale rendering, tonal variation, the elements and principles of design, Adobe software and design history, preparing you to be a business-ready professional in the creative industry.
Who is the Undergraduate Certificate of Design for?
It's built for creative people who want a comprehensive understanding of essential design skills and techniques, and no prior experience is required. It suits anyone heading towards creative fields such as digital design, fashion business, branding and visual communication.
What will I learn in the Undergraduate Certificate of Design?
You'll learn illustration techniques for communicating design ideas, greyscale rendering and tonal variation, and the essential elements and principles of design. You'll also learn Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign, a proven design formula, design history and how contemporary design connects to market trends and business success.
What subjects are in the Undergraduate Certificate of Design?
The course has four foundational subjects, each worth 6 credit points: Design Contexts Level 1 (DC1), Digital Design Level 1 (DD1), Illustration for Design Level 1 (ID1) and Elements and Principles Level 1 (E&P1). You must successfully complete all four, totalling 24 credit points, to receive the award.
How long is the Undergraduate Certificate of Design and how many days a week is it?
The Undergraduate Certificate of Design runs for one 12-week trimester. It is delivered full-time across 1.5 days per week, on campus.
When are the intakes for the Undergraduate Certificate of Design?
Whitehouse runs four main intakes each year for the Undergraduate Certificate of Design: January Summer School, February, June and September. Applications are open year-round and typically open 6 to 12 months before an intake starts, so applying early helps secure your preferred campus and start date.
Where can I study the Undergraduate Certificate of Design?
You can study the Undergraduate Certificate of Design on campus at Whitehouse Institute of Design in Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane.
Do I need an ATAR for the Undergraduate Certificate of Design?
No. No ATAR required. For domestic applicants, the academic requirement is completion of Year 10 or equivalent, and all applicants attend a Design Meeting.
Do I need a creative portfolio for the Undergraduate Certificate of Design?
No. The Undergraduate Certificate of Design at Whitehouse is designed to be accessible and has no portfolio requirement, and no motivational statement is required either.
What high school subjects are recommended for the Undergraduate Certificate of Design?
Whitehouse recommends a combination of Modern or Ancient History, Design & Technology, Visual Arts, Visual Communication and Textiles & Design in Years 11 and 12. There are no compulsory pre-requisite subjects.
Can the Undergraduate Certificate of Design lead into a Diploma, Associate Degree or Bachelor?
Yes. Successful graduates receive credit for DD1, DC1 and ID1, which count towards the Whitehouse Diploma of Design, Associate Degree of Design and Bachelor of Design. You can continue into any of the three without repeating what you've already completed.
Is the Undergraduate Certificate of Design the same as a Bachelor of Design?
No. The Undergraduate Certificate of Design is a one-trimester course of four foundational subjects nested within the Bachelor of Design. Graduates can continue into the Whitehouse Diploma of Design, Associate Degree of Design or Bachelor of Design with credit for DD1, DC1 and ID1.
How much does the Undergraduate Certificate of Design cost, and is FEE-HELP available?
The 2026 domestic tuition fee for the Undergraduate Certificate of Design is $7,305 for the trimester of full-time study, an indicative average of $1,826.25 per unit across four units. The course is FEE-HELP approved, so eligible domestic students don't need to pay tuition upfront. Fees exclude course materials and technical kits.
FEE-HELP limits apply. Check the latest limits and eligibility on the Australian Government's StudyAssist website.
How do I apply for the Undergraduate Certificate of Design?
You apply directly through the Whitehouse Institute of Design website, and there is no application fee. If you'd like to talk it through first, call 1300 551 433, email study@whitehouse-design.edu.au or book a campus tour.
Can I defer my enrolment in the Undergraduate Certificate of Design?
Yes. If you've received an offer but aren't ready to start, you can defer to the next intake without reapplying. Whitehouse Admissions can talk you through your application, enrolment or deferral options.
Can I get academic credit for previous study?
Yes, it may be possible. Whitehouse may award credit for single subjects based on accredited subjects completed at another education provider or relevant industry experience, and Advanced Standing may be awarded if you've completed a course in a similar field. Contact Whitehouse Admissions or raise it during your interview.
Still have questions? Call 1300 551 433.
NEXT STEPS
Speak with admissions
Our admissions team can guide you with personalised advice and next steps.
Enquire Now