Graduate Diploma in Information Design

What is the Graduate Diploma of Information Design?

Information Design is an academic discipline that conveys the skills to produce effective, fit-for-purpose information. The GDID programme is an established, international qualification that aims to provide a sound base of academic theory from which students can apply highly professional skills in all aspects of information design.

Who is it for?

For those who want to design effective information for policies and procedures, online training, websites, brochures and manuals. It is open to graduates or experienced practitioners from around the world.

How is the Graduate Diploma of Information Design delivered?

All courses are delivered entirely online via Moodle. Students are not required to attend any face-to-face lectures. All lectures and support are available online, anywhere in the world.

How long will it take to complete?

There are six courses including an internship. All courses are compulsory, and they may be completed full time in one year, or part time over no more than five years. The length of each of the following courses is one semester, or approximately 16 weeks.

What courses will I study?

  • GDID701 Professional Writing and Editing
    This course will enable students to produce excellent written communication products that are fit for purpose, clearly structured, reader-centred, and creatively realised. Topics include:
    • Effective and persuasive writing strategies
    • Audience analysis
    • Editing techniques and proof-reading
    • Creating and using style guides

  • GDID702 Research and Theory
    This course will enable students to research, analyse, evaluate and apply creative solutions to a range of information design problems. Topics include:
    • Theories of communication and Information Design
    • Primary and secondary research strategies
    • Professional ethics

  • GDID703 Information Management
    This course will enable students to analyse, plan and manage projects to meet specific design needs. The course was developed in consultation with Dr JoAnn Hackos, Comtech Services Inc, Denver, Colorado. Topics include:
    • Project planning and management
    • Documentation development
    • Publication and distribution

  • GDID704 Information Design
    This course will enable students to analyse, design and produce information products using the most appropriate textual and graphic design elements for a specific purpose and audience. The course was developed in consultation with Patrick Hoffman, visual language consultant of Waterloo, Ontario. Topics include:
    • Analysing the design needs of an audience
    • Applications for online and print documents
    • Elements of information design
    • Readability and usability issues

  • GDID705 Usability Testing
    This course will provide students with the knowledge and skills for the practical application of a usability project. The course was developed in consultation with Professor Carol Barnum, Southern Polytechnic State University, Georgia, USA. Topics include:
    • Web usability
    • Heuristic evaluations
    • Designing and implementing a usability test
    • Analysing and reporting the results.

  • GDID706 GDID Internship
    This course will provide students with an opportunity to apply the theories and skills learned in the other courses by completing an effective information design project in the workplace. The internship is an opportunity to reflect on the development of professional and personal skills in the workplace, and to do some "real" work.

The internship project is a minimum of 200 hours work, plus preparation of a report and log of the project. The aim is to demonstrate students' competency skills acquired in the other courses.

What our students say

"The GDID helped me achieve a qualification in a specialised field. I believe that the existence of such a qualification challenges the attitude 'anyone can write' and I feel proud that I am formally qualified in my field." - Jody Winter, Auckland, New Zealand

"The course covers many aspects of communication... these skills are crucial tools in helping you organise information to produce a quality product." - Jean-Pierre Ranger, Toronto, Canada

More Information?

For further information please contact us or visit the Graduate Diploma of Information Design web section.