The First Year Design Handbook is a cover design concept developed for students beginning their studies at Griffith University’s Queensland College of Art and Design. The project focused on creating the front cover, inside covers and back cover of the handbook, with the aim of developing a visual direction that felt welcoming, energetic and relevant to a young creative audience. The concept combines bold typography, custom illustration and playful graphic elements to reflect the creativity and experimentation associated with studying design. A bright colour palette was used to create a strong and engaging first impression, while the illustrated characters and hand-drawn elements introduce personality and make the handbook feel more approachable for new students. The front and back covers were designed to work together as a cohesive visual system, with the inside covers extending the concept through additional graphic elements and information. Overall, the final outcome establishes a fun and recognisable visual direction for the handbook, using typography, colour, layout and illustration to create a cover concept that feels engaging, youthful and connected to the experience of beginning a creative design degree.