Want to study graphic design but don’t want to waste 3 years of your life? As longtime friends of TDK, Shillington delivers the goods again and again — just check out the awesome graduates and teachers we’ve featured on the site over the years! Shillington moves fast and mentors students to work smart like industry designers—following clear design processes and meeting tight deadlines. Before long, you’ll be thinking like a designer and tackling creative briefs—experimenting with idea generation, jumping onto the computer and creating a polished portfolio you can be proud of. Choose between full-time (3 months—hardcore, but get it DONE) and part-time (which we recommend—you can keep your day job, study two nights a week, have a beer afterwards and graduate at the end of the year into a brand new creative career).

Campuses: Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, London, Manchester, New York

If you’re on the younger side of 21, and you’ve got some time up your sleeve, we’d recommend a degree at Billy Blue. BB Sydney has been ticking along for a looooooning time with some mega awesome grads – over 20 years! – and they’ve recently added some sexy new campuses to Brisbane and Melbourne, plus you’ve also got the chance to study online if that suits better!

Campuses: Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Online

Why we recommend JMC; with 35 years of experience in education, the guys at JMC are taking upskilling with design thinking to the next level – everything to do with designing visual stories, creating digital interactions, and innovating spaces and experiences. Get your head around user-centred design and visual communication in an agency style set up to learn in. PLUS cross-disciplinary collabs with students studying film & TV, sound, animation and music (your folio will be next level!) With guest lectures, industry events, and a 3-month internship within your 2 years of study, you’ll be connected to the industry before you even graduate! Did we mention the chance for a two-week study tour to Japan? JAPAN! Too good.

Campuses: Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane

Visual communication plays a crucial role in transmitting the messages in our public sphere – have you ever wondered how this is achieved? At Shenkar, the department of Visual Communication will commit 4 intense years in training you how to navigate our environment and the people within it, affecting various aspects of culture, media, commerce and society. The interdisciplinary nature of the programme encourages students to delve into their interests – combining design with technology, craft and theory. We are at once drivers of the digital, and nostalgic for the traditional hand-drawn work (so there is something for everyone). You will learn to underpin your creative practice and discover your academic direction, be that: typography, web design, illustration, animation and much more. The boundaries are limitless! Through intense exhibition activity of the department, your work will be recognized by industry experts in no time, propelling you into an exciting career in the world of visual communication. Instagram: @visual_shenkar, @shenkar_college

Campuses: Tel Aviv (Ramat Gan)

If you were going to pick your favourite local industry legends, throw them together and dream up some awesome courses, Newcastle’s Pumphouse School might be what you come up with. With courses like ‘Design Your Own Children’s Book’, ‘App Design’, ‘Brush Script Lettering’ or just ‘Adobe Basics’, each course is taught by awesome industry folk who know what it takes to get hired. This school is perfect for graduates wanting to specialise in a specific area – the train to Newcastle is worth every second!

Campuses: Newcastle (Australia)

If you want to take your design education seriously – and get seriously inspired at the same time – then we’d recommend a Foundry, in beautiful Tasmania. Deep-dive into design while taking a creative retreat and earning a set of qualifications that represent you as a creative. Foundry is fast becoming the go-to for industry-relevant creative education in Australia, with its national guest speaker program, The Wild program, annual visits from global industry leaders and a growing international reputation. Studying in Tasmania also means the air is cleaner, the wilderness is closer and the design scene is booming. You can’t go wrong. Partners: Foundry partners with educational institutions to deliver industry-relevant creative education in key fields. You’ll learn content taught by Foundry teachers on Foundry campuses - finishing your study journey with nationally recognised awards and qualifications from institutions including Swinburne University and the University of Tasmania

Campuses: Hobart, Launceston

Are you passionate about creativity and innovative thinking? Can you imagine yourself as a designer with the ability to shape the future? If this is you then you need a design education that will put you at the forefront of global design practice. Our world-renowned design courses will harness your imagination and help you combine creativity with business sense and foresight. Swinburne delivers inspiring industry-focused projects that will help you gain all you need to know, from technical skills to strategic thinking. We offer courses across all levels and teach for the real-world, bringing industry experts into our classrooms to teach and inspire you. So no matter what your starting point is at Swinburne, you will develop excellence in design practice and build the knowledge you need to make a difference.

Campuses: Melbourne

This summer, join a 3-month web design program in NYC and learn web design from the best. You’ll expand your knowledge in UX/UI, sketch software, client and project management, photography, production and more. Last summer’s sessions were taught by award-winning designers like Frankie Ratford, Jessica Walsh, Debbie Millman and Adam J. Kurtz. Sessions will take place four days a week from 9 AM - 5 PM. To apply for the June-August 2019 session, submit your portfolio website. This program is fully covered by Wix.com. Learn more about upcoming classes, check out last year’s program and read the FAQs.

Campuses: New York City, NY