11 courses to kickstart your creative career
Illustration by Twylamae
Your calling awaits.
It’s never a bad time to upskill or change direction.
But the right career move requires the right helping hand, so we’ve rounded up a few creative courses to get you inspired.
Whether your interest is fashion, music or design, get ready to hit the books.
Orana Fashion Business College
Location Sydney
Known for Fashion Business
Next enrolment date February 2019
Nationally recognised qualifications, flexible learning environments and small classes are all part of the package at Orana. Study business, marketing and communications or entrepreneurship on campus, or online in the college’s real-time virtual classroom. Accredited diplomas and certificates are designed to fast track your path into the industry, with access to unlimited internships along the way. Students also have the opportunity to style for Westfield, via sister company Orana Creative.
Fashion Equipped
Location Online
Known for Fashion Business
Next enrolment date Now open
Fashion Equipped’s specialty is collaborative online learning, targeted at emerging designers, brands and startups. The Start Your Fashion Business Programme, led by founder Elizabeth Formosa, guides clients through the process of planning, launching and growing a business. Topics include branding, product development, funding, sales and marketing, and more. A new evergreen course structure means you can access the Programme anywhere and complete your studies in 12 weeks, 12 months, or any time in between.
Collarts
Location Melbourne, online
Area of study Fashion, Arts, Entertainment
Next enrolment date February 4, 2019
Collarts prides itself on giving students the best possible start to their careers. A wide range of bachelor degrees and diplomas are offered both online and across four Melbourne campuses, including a new state-of-the-art facility in Collingwood. Staff are all active in their respective fields, and can hook graduates up with hands-on experience and invaluable industry connections. Students also have access to placements at Australia’s biggest events like Falls Festival, Melbourne Fashion Week and Unify Gathering.
Australian Academy of Modelling
Location Melbourne, online
Area of study Modelling
Next enrolment date February 2, 2019
The Australian Academy of Modelling is a platform for aspiring models, helping to kickstart their careers and learn the ropes of the industry. A holistic approach to education means students are not only taught the physical tools to excel, but also the mental tools of boosted self-confidence and leadership. The practical, photoshoot-based nature of the courses provide graduates with a diverse and impressive portfolio, ready to present to the country’s top modelling agencies.
australianacademyofmodelling.com.au
Shillington Education
Location Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane
Known for Graphic Design
Next enrolment date February 18, 2019
Shillington is all about providing the design skills you need fast. Offering a three month full-time and nine month part-time program, you can land your dream job or launch a business within one year. The best part is, you don’t need a folio or interview to secure a place. Start with no prior experience, and finish with a diverse portfolio and a solid grasp of essential skills. As an added bonus, Shillington offers study abroad options in New York, London and Manchester.
The Gordon TAFE
Location Geelong
Known for Fashion Design
Next enrolment date Now open
The Gordon has been delivering fashion education in Geelong for over 50 years, equipping graduates with skills the industry is looking for. Opportunities include local and international study tours, six-week internships with major fashion labels and extensive focus on construction and pattern making. The Gordon’s large network of industry connections helps students find careers in fashion design, product development, buying and more.
The Social Co Academy
Location Online
Known for Social Media
Next enrolment date Now open
The Social Co Academy upskills business owners and marketing professionals in online strategy and content creation. Brought to you by the digital marketing experts at Melbourne Social Co, the online courses provide students with step-by-step guides to social media for business. The self-paced nature of the lessons mean you can learn from the comfort of your own home, or attend workshops and consultations in Melbourne if you prefer to train face-to-face.
Box Hill Institute
Location Melbourne
Known for Fashion Design, Fashion Merchandising, Visual Merchandising
Next enrolment date February 2019
Box Hill Institute offers a range of industry-recognised creative courses, from degrees to diplomas and more. The institute produces award-winning students and is about to open an emerging designer studio at its Box Hill campus. Guaranteed internship programs and collaborative industry projects are part of the curriculum, while small class sizes are a bonus. Prospective students can head along to an information night on December 17.
Southern Institute of Technology
Location Invercargill, New Zealand
Known for Fashion Design
Next enrolment date February 11, 2019
If you’re interested in a change of scenery, New Zealand’s Southern Institute of Technology boasts a number of leading fashion qualifications. Choose from certificates and diplomas right up to degrees, taught in a collaborative environment at SIT’s Invercargill campus. To help get you there, the institute offers Australian citizens the Zero Fees scheme, meaning you don’t pay any tuition. Enrol for select courses and you could also be eligible for free or supplemented accommodation during your first year.
Australian Style Institute
Location Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Online
Known for Fashion Styling
Next enrolment date October 15
Australian Style Institute is an industry leader in fashion styling education. Unlike other schools, the institute specialises in behaviour-based training, focusing on the role that psychology plays in how people dress. Learn the skills behind personal, editorial, commercial and corporate styling, which are all taught in a flexible learning environment. Plus, the ASI Agency places students in paid jobs across the industry, and even guarantees your first paying client as a graduate.
australianstyleinstitute.com.au
LCI Melbourne
Location Melbourne
Known for Fashion and Costume Design
Next enrolment date Now open
Courses at LCI Melbourne are both government-accredited and nationally recognised. Through a Bachelor of Design Arts, you can choose to major in a number of fields including fashion and costume design, filmmaking and photography, graphic design, and visual arts. No matter which path you head down, you’ll get instruction in the whole design process, from concept and trend forecasting to prototype creation. There’s also the opportunity to study at any of the LCI network’s 22 campuses around the world.
This article was originally published in Fashion Journal 184. You can read it here.
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