CATC Entry criteria

One of the key challenges designers face is the eternal search for new ideas, new ways of seeing things and new ways of providing solutions for their clients. Every designer has their own unique approach to their work and their own expectations of what the outcomes might be. It's for this reason that for most designers, the excitement of what they do rests in the work that lies ahead…and it's different with every project.

Studying at CATC recognises that to be creative is to be individual. Creativity, original thinking and the ability to see things differently lies at the heart of the programs we offer and it's what industry is looking for.

To this end, we're looking for students who don't just want to be designers, we're looking for students who want to make a difference…students who are committed to being the best they can be in whatever area of design they choose.

NB. Students studying on campus at CATC will be required to have their own laptop (with specific design software). CATC has negotiated significant student discounts with our IT supplier including laptop and software discounts click here for details.

Diplomas

To enter this qualification, students need to meet the following entry requirements:

• Demonstrate a genuine interest in design or photography* and
• Minimum 16 years of age for domestic students, or minimum 18 years of age for overseas students, prior to course commencement with completion of High School (Year 10 or above, or equivalent); or

• Mature age entry with relevant work experience; and
• Submission of a set of creative works*; and
• Completion of a short questionnaire about the design industry; and
• IELTS 5.5 (Academic) overall or equivalent, with a minimum of 5.0 in each skill

* To demonstrate your genuine design or photography you'll need to submit examples of creative works. Details for the definition of a set of creative works as well as some instruction for the way you might like to prepare your samples will be available on our website very soon - watch this space. You can also consult our friendly Course and Careers Advisors for more information.

Through the creative works samples and short questionnaire, students must be able to demonstrate design skills to support learning at Diploma level. In particular they must be able to provide evidence of their ability to:

For Diploma of Graphic Design >

• Produce multiple examples of graphic design work that respond effectively to different design challenges
• Engage with the design process by developing design solutions through research, reflection and the generation and refinement of ideas
• Produce basic typography that supports the overall design solution
• Show basic examples of computer skills using graphic design industry software, which may include multi-page Layout and digital manipulation
• Apply basic knowledge of graphic design trends and technologies.

For Diploma of Photo Imaging >

• Produce a body of photo imaging work demonstrating the ability to respond effectively to different photo imaging
  challenges and requirements, and the capacity to refine concepts and images in line with current industry
  standards
• Engage with the design process by developing design solutions through research, reflection and the generation and refinement of ideas
• Apply knowledge of the photo imaging industry, its trends and traditions
• Apply technical photo imaging knowledge and skills.

The above mentioned skills and knowledge may have been acquired through personal or work experience, or through formal secondary study.

* If you're applying for direct entry into one of our Diploma courses we'll want to ask you a few simple questions. These are designed to help you and us make sure the course you've chosen is right for you. We recommend our helpful one-to-one Info Sessions as these consultations provide an opportunity for you to be able to tell us a little about yourself… to explore and understand the sort of designer you think you'd like to be and why.

Although you don't need a 'portfolio' as such to enroll into our courses, we will need to sight samples of your creative works which truly demonstrate your talents. If you choose to bring your work to an Info Session, six to eight pieces of creative work is sufficient. The work may include sketches, drawings or paintings you've done, collage or montage works, story boards, photographs you've taken or photographs of things you've made. It doesn't matter whether they're school or college projects, personal projects or projects from another design course - anything that displays your creative flair is acceptable.

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Additional requirements for international students

If you're an international student, you need English language proficiency of IELTS 5.5 (Academic) with no individual band score lower than 5.0 (Academic) or equivalent proof of English language proficiency.

If you're under 18 years old, please also refer to our Overseas Students Under 18 Policy and Procedure which you can find at http://www.think.edu.au/policiesandforms.

Course credit

If you've completed another related course, or have previously worked in a related industry, you may be eligible to receive course credit. This means that you're able to gain credits towards the course you're enrolling in. In applying for course credit you'll need to provide the following documentation along with your application such as:

1. Certificates/Qualifications/Transcripts of previous related study
2. Examples of work completed or a portfolio if you have one
3. Letters from previous or current employers which state the tasks that you undertook or currently undertake in your position.

Course credit is granted at the discretion of CATC. Please refer to our Granting Course Credit Policy and Procedure at http://www.think.edu.au/policiesandforms. We encourage you to apply for course credit at the same time as submitting your application for enrolment.

With successful completion of the Diploma of Graphic Design or the Diploma of Interior Design, CATC Graduates also have the pathway opportunity to upgrade to the 2nd year of a Bachelor of Applied Design Degree (Communication Design or Commercial Interiors/Residential Interiors) with Billy Blue College of Design. This is achieved either by direct articulation or via Recognition for Prior Learning (RPL). Consult our friendly Course Advisors for more information. Also, refer the bottom of this page for further context.

Information sessions

Although we recognise not all students are able to do so, we strongly recommend you attend an information session at the campus. Attending an information session brings many advantages. It allows you to see who we are and what we look like and to learn all about the course you're interested in and where your studies might take you. It also allows you to tell us about why you'd like to study at CATC.

General information

The qualities we look for in students applying to study at CATC

• A desire to be creative
• A passion for design
• Basic drawing skills
• Basic computer skills
• A basic understanding of the course in which you're applying.

Normal hours of study for full-time students

All our full-time courses are 20 Contact hours per week.

You'll either be studying in the mornings (8.30am to 12.30pm) or in the afternoons (1.30pm to 5.30pm).

Additional work outside of class hours

If you're studying with us full-time, you should expect to spend an extra 10-15 hours a week (approx) working on projects.

Part-time students should expect to spend an extra 6-8 hours a week (approx) working on projects.

Distance Learning students should expect to do about 10 hours a week including homework.

Recommended hardware specifications and software

You will need access to a laptop/computer throughout your studies - this applies whether you are studying on campus or by distance.

Minimum recommended specifications for laptop computers are:

• Intel Core™2 Duo Processor 2GHz or higher (15" or 17" highly recommended)
• Mac's | Leopard 10.5 or higher (Snow Leopard 10.6 highly recommended)
• PC's | Windows XP or higher (Windows 7 highly recommended)
• 13"screen or larger or a minimum resolution of 1400 x 900 pixels
• Memory | 4GB or higher
• Video card | 256MB
• Hard Drive | 320GB

CATC/THINK recommends that all students have Adobe Creative Suite CS5 version (minimum) on their computers - students who currently have CS5 may need to upgrade to CS6 at some stage. Creative Suite is essential for all students studying Graphic Design, Communication Design or Photography. Again, this applies whether you are studying on campus or by distance/online.

Interior Design Diploma students will also need ArchiCAD software (free student version available via ArchiCAD).

CATC and BBCD students are eligible for substantial discounts for laptops and design software through THINK's preferred supplier Power Media. To enquire or order, contact Power Media directly at sales@powermedia.com.au.

NB. Students studying on campus at CATC (All campuses) + Billy Blue (Brisbane & Melbourne campuses) from Trimester 3 - 2011 onward will be required to have their own laptop with specific design software. CATC has negotiated significant student discounts with our IT supplier including laptop and software discounts click here for details.

What equipment will you need during your studies at CATC?

You will be required to have particular materials to complete your projects whilst studying the Interior Design and Graphic Design courses. You may also need to purchase additional materials throughout your studies.

Students studying on campus are able to buy a CATC endorsed Art Kit, from a range of preferred suppliers, containing the key equipment you'll need to get started. For CATC Sydney and CATC Melbourne Eckersleys Art & Craft are the preferred supplier, for CATC Brisbane Discount Art Warehouse are the preferred supplier, and for CATC Gold Coast Musgraves Art are the preferred supplier. Each of these suppliers can offer specially arranged student discounts on Art Kit equipment.

Distance Learning students receive a CATC provisioned Art Kit with their initial delivery of course materials upon commencement of their course (excluding the Diploma of Photo Imaging).

Students are able view the contents of the Interiors & Graphics Art Kits here. You'll receive further information on suppliers and sourcing/purchasing equipment at offer/orientation stage and some of this equipment will be required for Day 1 of your course.

If you're studying Photography, you'll need a digital SLR camera with manual settings and general photographic accessories such as card readers, standard lens, memory cards, battery charger etc. You do not require an Art Kit to commence or complete the Diploma of Photo Imaging.

What should you expect to pay for materials during your studies?

Based on the following information, you should allow for additional costs of approximately $300 - $500 per trimester excluding travel costs.

• CATC's Interior Design art kits are $500 (inc GST)
• CATC's Graphic Design art kits are $300 (inc GST)
• Art Kits are not required for Photography programs however there is specific equipment requirements outlined below

The following costs are a guide only and will vary with each student.

• Printing costs $20 - $50 per trimester
• Replenishing art kit/additional items $10 - $30 per trimester
• Photography students require a Digital SLR camera with full manual settings. We suggest that between $1,500 - $2,600 should be budgeted, sufficient for a new camera and a short range zoom lens kit (such as a kit lens for a cropped sensor: 18 - 55mm lens). A tripod will be necessary and can cost anywhere between $200 - $500. Advice about which camera might be the most appropriate can be sourced by talking to the Photography Program Manager during Orientation and/or the first week of study.

Additional photography costs might include:

• Card Reader - $40

• Extra cards (1GB – 4GB) - $40 +
• Stationery items - $60 (workbook and visual journal)
• Printing - $60-$80 per trimester
• Digital dedicated flash $500+
• Camera filters

Public transport expenses can be about $25 per week with a student concession card (full-time domestic students only)

Other expenses may include excursions and attending industry events.

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Going on to study at Billy Blue College of Design

If you want to study at CATC but you're also thinking of going on to study one of the Degree programs at Billy Blue College of Design, you'll need to successfully complete the appropriate CATC Diploma and meet the BBCD entry requirements (www.billyblue.com.au/enrolment/entry-requirements).

Successfully meeting these criteria will provide you with automatic entry into the 2nd Year of Billy Blue's three year Degree programs.