The Graphic Design School

About The School

The Graphic Design School is an Australian Registered Training Organisation [reference on training.gov.au — RTO #91706].

We offer training specialising in Graphic & Web Design to Australia and the world through our incredible online learning environment that we call the ‘Schoolyard’. We are passionate about our students, education and above all graphic design! We pride ourselves on having the best online courses available at an affordable price.

Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful.

About The Authors & Tutors

Our course authors and tutors are revered amongst their industry for their consistent efforts in maintaining a high standard in Graphic Design, through both Teaching and Professional Practice. Awards include: Nicki Awards Business Woman of the Year, AcademicKeys Who's Who in Fine Arts Education 2005, LogoLounge 4; Awards/Honours/Affiliations: Metropolitan Who's Who 2007, Solo My Business Award: Solo Entrepreneur award. Our tutors boast prestigious clients such as Vogue Australia, Vogue USA, Mirabella USA, Elle USA, American Express, Virgin, Toyota, Dove, Maybelline, Siemens, Sky UK, Hilton, HP, Marriot, LG, Paramount studio, Visa, Creative Method, RWK Design, Scarlet Design Group, DeMo Design, and The Collective, Jack in the Box, Shell, Avis, Honda, and many many more.

Meet Our Tutors

Lee-Anne O'Brien

studied Art & Graphic Design at the AAA School of Advertising in Cape Town, South Africa. She worked for some of the top advertising agencies, including TBWA, before being head hunted by Virgin to work in London as an in-house designer. She spent 7 years in London working for Virgin and as a successful freelance designer. Her portfolio includes campaign work for Dove, Maybelline, Siemens, Sky UK and GlaxoSmithKline, covering print, web and packaging design, as well as experiential marketing. Now located in Sydney, Australia, she continues working as a freelance graphic designer for her international clients, as well as in-house designer for The Graphic Design School. With her industry experience and keen eye for design, she strives to use her knowledge to inspire students to reach their full potential. When not in front of her mac, you’ll find her on the yoga mat, seeking divine inspiration!

Toni Coles

studied Typography in London and Graphic Design in Victoria, graduating in 1982. Toni has worked as a lecturer and course co-ordinator in Digital Design and Graphic Design at Universities in Australia. She ran her own business for over a decade and has designed for international powerhouses, such as Shell, Avis and Honda. Toni currently works in design and marketing, and lectures on branding and portfolio design. Toni's love of education along with her industry experience in design make her an inspiration for students and staff alike.

Tracey Honig

studied Graphic Design Production and Web Production in Sydney, before embarking on a sterling career at HMV, where she worked as inhouse graphic designer and media planner. Tracey went on to work for Estee Lauder, producing work for several luxury cosmetic brands across the group. Tracey is currently producing design solutions across various industries as a freelance graphic designer. Clients include Bobbi Brown, Mac Cosmetics and Hasbro. Tracey hopes that with her love of design and inspirational teaching, students will find their own passion for all things creative.

Harvey Hapi

studied at UTS in Sydney gaining a Master of Design and Grad. Dip of Design. He has recently been working as a Graphic Design Teacher at AICA Education delivering theory lectures, tutorials and competency based assessment for the Diploma of Graphic Design and Cert III in Printing & Graphic Arts with International and local students. He has worked with companies such as NADs and OCC Australia and The NSW Dept of Education, developing in house Graphic Design work, art direction, website designs, signage, and promotional materials. As a Senior Graphic Designer for Ideaworks Advertising he designed for clients such as Westfield, Ryobi, BigW, Thrifty, Daewoo and others. Harvey has great communication skills and is an asset to have working with our students, always encouraging them to strive for excellence in Graphic Design.

Karen Curran

is passionate about design and illustration and knows design and print inside out. Karen studied in East Sydney, Australia graduating in 1976. She also gained an Adult Teaching Certificate 1994, and taught as a casual teacher at TAFE for over 15 years. Karen has run her own business since 1987. She is known for her attention to detail and embraces technology with a constant desire to learn, regularly updating her skills. Karen was awarded the My Business Award for Solopreneur in 2002 and her enhanced knowledge and services are valuable to all her clients and students.

Ram Castillo

had a love affair with art and design from a very young age and completed his Diploma of Graphic Design at Martin College, Sydney, Australia under scholarship. Afterwards, Ram spent some time at UNSW College of Fine Arts where he developed his foundations further. He has had six years commercial experience working for some of Australia's top agencies including Singleton Ogilvy & Mather, Smart and Rhodes Wingrove. Ram delivers design work in a variety of platforms including identity, packaging, exhibition graphics, collateral, advertising and web. His work includes clients such as Dior, eBay, Hyundai, Qantas, Australian War Memorial, Institute of Chartered Accountants and Green Building Council Australia. Highly passionate and skilled from concept to finished art, Ram offers a broad approach to design thinking utilising this as he tutors for the school with his Certificate IV in Training & Assessment. Finding joy in the simple things, Ram is a regular at the gym, beach and a huge sushi fan!