Bachelor of Design (Honours) - 2019

Honours - Course

Commencement year

This course entry applies to students commencing this course in 2019 and should be read in conjunction with information provided in the 'Faculty information' section of this Handbook by the Faculty of Art, Design and Architecture.

Unit codes that are not linked to their entry in the Handbook are not available for study in the current year.

Course code

F3703

Credit points

48

Abbreviated title

BDes(Hons)

CRICOS code

096444M

Managing faculty

Art, Design and Architecture

Admission and fees

Australia

Course type

One-year honours

Standard duration

1 year FT

You have a maximum of 3 years to complete this course.

Mode and location

On-campus (Caulfield)

Award

Bachelor of Design (Honours)

Description

This is a prestigious one-year program in design practice, theory and research for high achieving students who have completed a relevant undergraduate degree. You will undertake coursework, research and practical training and carry out an independent studio project in your selected specialist area of study, working closely with a supervisor who will provide you with individual guidance and academic counselling. The course will extend your professional expertise but also offers a pathway to higher level training in design research.

The collaborative design specialist area of study brings together design thinking, methods and experiences from a range of design discipline specialist areas of study. This Honours specialist area of study responds to the emerging need for designers with multidisciplinary skill sets that can apply design processes that engage spatial, communication, experiential and object-based solutions. You will be able to traverse a range of employment options, including; mediated experiences and spatial design practices; products and packaging; and the increasing range of intersected real and virtual service processes (such as designing for banking, airlines and other service delivery industries). You will develop advanced strategic and critical design thinking skills that respond to current user needs and industry challenges as well as the requisite research and academic acuity to pursue higher qualifications.

The communication design specialist area of study will prepare you for a design future in the areas of graphic design, visual communication and digital media. It will equip you with the ability to work collaboratively with interdisciplinary teams: marketers, service providers, clients and other designers; and apply advanced visual and experiential processes across a range of communication challenges. These include such areas as corporate identity, interactive environments, interaction designs, information designs, analogue and digital publishing, advertising, promotion, packaging, illustration, typography, way-finding systems, animation, and motion design. You will develop advanced strategic and critical design thinking skills that respond to current user needs and industry challenges as well as the requisite research and academic acuity to pursue higher qualifications.

The industrial design specialist area of study will prepare you for a design future in the fields of industrial and product design and other related areas of industry and commerce. Industrial design is concerned with the research and development of design in consumer and industrial products used by people. These range from industrial equipment to motor vehicles and from medical equipment to domestic appliances. You will acquire the skills to work as a part of a creative team involving engineering, production and marketing. You will develop advanced strategic and critical design thinking skills that respond to current user needs and industry challenges as well as the requisite research and academic acuity to pursue higher qualifications.

The spatial design specialist area of study will equip you with the industry-ready skills to create the spaces, lighting and objects that encourage people to engage and interact. You will acquire advanced design knowledge relevant to commercial and domestic interiors, entertainment venues, festivals, exhibitions or theatre sets. Spatial designers create experiences that communicate ideas, values and stories. You will develop the collaborative and design management skills that enable you to work with developers, builders and architects, across a wide range of projects that may include commercial, cultural, institutional, hospitality and domestic spaces. You will develop advanced strategic and critical design thinking skills that respond to current user needs and industry challenges as well as the requisite research and academic acuity to pursue higher qualifications.

Outcomes

These course outcomes are aligned with the Australian Qualifications Framework level 8 and Monash Graduate AttributesAustralian Qualifications Framework level 8 and Monash Graduate Attributes (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/handbooks/alignmentofoutcomes.html).

Upon successful completion of this course it is expected that you will be able to:

  1. Analyse and critically engage with diverse modes of human experience, need and expression;
  2. Apply relevant design conventions to record, interpret and respond to the socio-economic, technological and cultural contexts of design;
  3. Independently develop design strategies and concepts, and refine and communicate design proposals;
  4. Understand the impact, importance and ethics of design practices and approaches, and apply these responsibly;
  5. Recognise and contribute to project and business management practices, and collaborate effectively with other professionals;
  6. Critically assess local and international contemporary discourse in relation to design history and theory, and identify and apply relevant design research concepts.

Structure

This course consists of a combination of coursework and research. In the coursework component you will develop advanced theoretical and/or technical knowledge of design and appropriate research methodologies. In the research component you will plan and execute a major project under the individual guidance of an academic supervisor.

Requirements

This course comprises 48 points: Part A. Coursework preparation (18 points) and Part B. Independent design research (30 points).

Units are 6 points unless otherwise indicated.

Part A. Coursework preparation (18 points)

  • TDN4101 Design Research Methods (6 points)
  • TDN4102 Design Research Documentation (6 points)
  • Elective - chosen in consultation with the honours coordinator (6 points)
  • OHS1000 Introduction to art and design health and safety (0 points) - if not previously passed or exempted

Part B. Independent Design Research (30 points)

You must complete one of the specialist areas of study below:

Collaborative Design Students complete:

  • COL4001 Major project (collaborative design) part 1 (12 points)
  • COL4002 Major project (collaborative design) part 2 (18 points)

Communication Design Students complete:

  • CDS4001 Major project (communication design) part 1 (12 points)
  • CDS4002 Major project (communication design) part 2 (18 points)

Industrial Design students complete:

  • IDN4001 Major project (Industrial design) part 1 (12 points)
  • IDN4002 Major project (Industrial design) part 2 (18 points)

Spatial design students complete:

  • SDN4001 Major project (Spatial design) part 1 (12 points)
  • SDN4002 Major project (Spatial design) part 2 (18 points)

Progression to further studies

Successful completion of this course may provide a pathway to a Monash master's by coursework degree, and if admitted you may be eligible for credit.

Successful completion of this course may also provide a pathway to higher degree by research.