CUA30720 / ON CAMPUS / BLOCK / VIRTUAL
Certificate III in Design Fundamentals
Are you creative and heading into Year 11 or 12 in NSW and looking to do an EVET course as part of your HSC? We won’t box you in – we’ll open you up to the possibilities of a creative future and help you take your first step towards a career in design.
Get started on your
This practical foundation course gives you a taste of interior design, styling, creative direction, fashion, textile and graphic design. Explore your strengths, refine your direction, and build a clear pathway into further study.
Along the way, you’ll complete a range of design projects, building a diverse and compelling portfolio.
How is the
course structured?
Your study will count towards your HSC plus you will get a nationally recognised qualification.
- Statement of Attainment: One Year Program – 2 units towards the HSC
- Certificate III in Design Fundamentals: Two-Year Program – 4 units towards the HSC
Learn on campus in our virtual studio in real time from anywhere in NSW during term time or in week blocks in the school holidays.
We’re not just another design school – we’re a community of passionate designers
Learning options
On Campus Term
Term dates
Year 1
Term 1: 17 February – 7 April 2027
Term 2: 28 April – 30 June 2027
Term 3: 21 July – 22 September 2027
Year 2
Term 1: 9 February – 5 April 2028
Term 2: 26 April – 28 June 2028
On Campus Block
Term dates
Year 1
Block 1: 12-16 April 2027
Block 2: 5-9 July 2027
Block 3: 5-8 October 2027
Year 2
Block 1: 10-13 April 2028
Block 2: 10-14 July 2028
Virtual Studio
Term dates
Year 1
Term 1: 17 February – 7 April 2027
Term 2: 28 April – 30 June 2027
Term 3: 21 July – 22 September 2027
Year 2
Term 1: 9 Feb – 5 April 2028
Term 2: 26 April – 28 June 2028
Units of Study
Year 1
DES01 The Design Industry
Explore what the design industry is really like, the different career paths within it, and the exciting opportunities out there. Discover leading designers who inspire the industry today and learn how to spot local and global design trends before they go mainstream.
DES02 Colour and Design Fundamentals
Get hands-on with colour theory and colour schemes and learn how to build your own colour palettes. You'll also dive into the fundamentals of 2D design, picking up drawing techniques to bring your ideas to life on paper.
DES03 Styling and Creative Direction
Discover the fundamentals of styling and creative direction and learn how to bring an idea or product to life through strong visual storytelling.
Year 2
DES04 Interior Project
Work through the full design process, from planning a space to designing an interior for a real client brief. Bring your ideas to life with 3D models and renders you can be proud of.
DES05 Textile and Surface Design
Put your colour and design skills to work on a real textile and surface design brief. Use digital software to create exciting patterns and repeats for fabrics, wall coverings and rugs.
DES06 Visual Exploration
Bring everything together and put your new design skills into action, creating your own personal brand and building a digital portfolio to showcase your work.
Equipment requirements
you will need the following equipment to complete the course.
/ A basic desktop computer or laptop
/ Internet and a browser
/ Microsoft Word
Student showcase
We’re extremely proud of our students’ work and what they achieve while they are with us. Our Year 11 and 12 students explore a broad range of design skills through the Cert III in Design Fundamentals, building a strong portfolio to take them into further study.
How do I apply?
If you’re interested in joining us, you will need to discuss this course with your School Careers Adviser or EVET Coordinator.
We are an approved EVET provider, and your Advisor can find this course on the EVET portal and apply with an Expression of Interest on your behalf.
We make offers of enrolment in November and the courses start in February.
Frequently asked questions
Where could this course take me
During the course you’ll produce a range of design projects that will help you build a diverse, compelling portfolio for applying to a design course.
The Certificate III in Design Fundamentals (CUA30720) provides direct entry into our Diploma or Advanced Diploma of Interior Design with no portfolio and no ATAR required.
Sydney Design School and UNSW Sydney have partnered to offer graduates of the Diploma or Advanced Diploma of Interior Design the opportunity to apply for direct entry into the Bachelor of Interior Architecture (Hons) saving them 12 months and 18 months of study respectively.
Can I just do one year?
Yes. This course runs as a one-year or two-year program. In year one you’ll complete a Statement of Attainment covering 2 units of competency. If you continue into year two, you’ll graduate with the nationally recognised Certificate III in Design Fundamentals, covering all 4 units.
What is the cost of the course?
This course is delivered through the EVET (school-based vocational education) pathway. Enrolment and any costs are arranged through your school, so check with your School Careers Advisor or EVET Coordinator for what applies to you.
Do I enrol directly with Sydney Design School?
You will need to discuss this course with your School Careers Adviser or EVET Coordinator, and they will submit an expression of interest on your behalf. Subject to places being available an offer is made back to your school and then you would complete an enrolment form.
Note: This program is for New South Wales high schools only.
What if I live outside of Sydney?
Yes, you can study from anywhere in NSW! For students outside Sydney, we have a virtual studio option which means that your class is offered via Zoom. It’s exactly the same course that you would study if you were on campus.
Are there any exams?
There are no exams for this course. You will be introduced to the assessments and complete most of the work in class.
If you complete one year you will receive a statement of attainment that lists the competencies you have achieved. If you complete two years you will receive a nationally recognised Certificate III in Design Fundamentals.