Graphic Design Media – Specialist Program

In the Graphic Design Media (GDM) Specialist Program, students are guided by experienced digital media teachers utilising high-class facilities and industry-standard hardware and software such as iMacs, interactive tablets, the Adobe CC Suite and 3D printers. Teaching staff have excellent networks through their own industry experience, along with a wide range of institutional partnerships including Murdoch University, Curtin University, Edith Cowan University, and the Black Swan Theatre.

Design and Media are huge growth industries as the world seeks for creative people to solve creative problems. The Graphic Design Media program leads directly to a variety of ATAR pathway courses in Year 11 and 12, including Design, Visual arts, and Media Production and Analysis. Melville Senior High School students consistently rank amongst the top in the State in these courses and find the program enables a rare connection between creative expression and learning. Unlike other secondary schools, Melville Senior High School offers Graphic Design Media from Year 7, ensuring that creative students are fostered and mentored from the very beginning of their high school journey.

Throughout Years 7 to 10, Graphic Design Media students are given Master Class opportunities where professionals from the industry are invited to work with the students to extend and enhance their learning experience. These professional designers and media makers lecture and hold workshops during the program, coming from fields such as fashion, printmaking, animation, architecture, interior design, illustration, photography, film making and industrial design.

Over the course of the year, students undertake one major project from each of the four major contexts: spatial design, 2-dimensional design, film and time-based media; and interactive/photographic media.

Graphic Design Media Testing, Folio and Interview Process

Graphic Design Media Testing has been completed

The test requires no prior study and consists of writing, general aptitude and maths assessing creative problem-solving skills and academic aptitude.

Important: A Folio of Work is required to be submitted to the school Administration Office. The folio needs to be on a USB with the students full name clearly marked on the exterior and is received prior to testing day or on the day of testing.

Folio Requirements

Folios should showcase the applicant’s personal creativity in applied art and design tasks. These can include photography, drawings, cartooning, animation, website design, fashion design, film, and 3D design. These are suggestions rather than constraints, as the folio can include anything the student has created. Only digital portfolios will be accepted. Refer to information on the GDM portfolio requirements.

Interview and Folio Presentation

Shortlisted applicants are invited to an interview to present their portfolio and discuss their creative interests. The interview is a key part of the selection process.

Interviews for 2026 entry into Graphic Design Media will be held during Monday 5 May and Friday 9 May 2025.

Note: Students in other year groups are welcome to apply to join the program as vacancies arise.

Graphic Design Media students are required to provide their own laptop and bring it to every class. This will be one of their main tools over the duration of the program and replaces the iPad that all students are expected to have from Year 7. There is no need to purchase both.