The core of this course consists of four units of design studio extending over four semesters. These units include a series of defined and self-directed design projects that can engage with design systems, services, processes, environments and artefacts. Students are required to demonstrate high-level planning, resourcing, implementation and evaluation, informing the development of an expert understanding of professional design processes. The course engages students in design research processes and permits them the opportunity to personally contribute to the development of their discipline.
Students may select a particular design studio specialisation within the course, or they may enrol in the advanced studies in design specialisation and select units from across a number of areas:
- Advanced studies in design
- Collaborative design
- Interaction design
- Multimedia design.
In addition to the core design studios, a unit in design thinking initiates the development of individual design research strategies. Three further units build capability in design research, management, entrepreneurialism, culminating in an exegesis. Two selective units complement the core studies by extending relevant discipline skills and knowledge. Teaching methodologies consists of studio sessions, creative and technical laboratories, lectures, tutorials and research seminars.
Specialisations
Advanced studies in design
If you prefer a broadly applicable advanced design qualification you may choose, with the approval of your course coordinator, a selection of units from each level across the specialisation streams. This means you will refine your own studies by selecting from collaborative design, interaction design or multimedia design.
This enables you to tailor your unit choices while addressing the fundamental principles of advanced design practice and thinking. It will challenge you to connect research and practice across the design disciplines to become a highly thoughtful and engaged design practitioner. Throughout your studies you will build your learning by broadening your knowledge of key design constructs, deepening your professional learning in design areas of interest, and advancing your capacity as a design professional. The final semester of study provides the opportunity for you to pursue a major self-initiated project, or extend your skills by participating in a leading industry project.
Collaborative design
The collaborative design specialisation brings together expertise from disciplines that develop and create graphic, product and spatial designs. This specialisation responds directly to the contemporary shift towards collaborative design engagement. It will operate both conceptually and practically at the intersection of interior, graphic and industrial design practice. The program will expose you to design challenges that involve image, text, products, narratives, systems, services, public and private space, materiality and virtuality. These creative outputs are not approached as single entities, but in scenarios that require a comprehensive and holistic design approach. You will be required to demonstrate independent conceptual and practical skills and your ability to engage in collaborative design processes. The program will develop your professional awareness across the creative disciplines, prompt multidisciplinary design competencies, and promote broader skills in leadership, professional adaptability, and complex project planning. The final year of study provides the opportunity for you to pursue a major project, or extend your skills by participating in a leading industry project.
Interaction design
The interaction design specialisation develops your skills and competencies in the design of contemporary artefacts, products and services that engage with interactive, user-focused technologies and processes. These can include, but are not limited to, health and medical equipment, 'smart' furniture, educational toys, wearable technologies, public information kiosks and transport systems. You can engage with a diverse range of interactive processes, including the application of advanced technologies, electronics and programming, physical and virtual interface manipulation, engineering and material fabrication and rapid prototyping. The specialisation equips you with an understanding of the unique relationship that exists between interactive activities, products and human behaviour. You will develop a critical awareness of current social and commercial issues pertaining to interaction and user experience design. The final year of study provides the opportunity for you to pursue a major project, or extend your skills by participating in a leading industry-supported project.
Multimedia design
In the multimedia design specialisation you will engage with contemporary digital communication environments. This includes designing for the web, motion and animation, and interactive touch screen devices and surfaces. The specialisation emphasises an advanced knowledge of existing and emerging digital design processes and systems and embraces projects of varied scale, from hand-held smart devices to large public interactive screens. The studio units bring together practical design skills with the conceptual thinking required of contemporary digital communication environments. This includes an astute ability to construct a communication narrative, strategically and meaningfully engage multimedia processes with broader community and business needs, and understand the end-user's intuitive and iterative engagement with a project (web site, app and other screen-based media). The final year of study provides the opportunity for you to pursue a major project, or extend your skills by participating in a leading industry project.