General Information

Overview

The Master of Design is designed for students who have a deep interest in pursuing meaningful and useable design that compels, informs and delights. The course focuses on interdisciplinary collaboration and uses a dynamic, project-based, studio learning environment to expand professional capability. Students will be empowered to enhance existing expertise or extend their knowledge into new areas of interest across the broad field of design. The nexus between research and practice underpins the program as students develop research-led design solutions or explore design-led research. The Master of Design will equip students with knowledge to become strategic design leaders in their field.

In the Master of Design students undertake a Core stream which is research and practice-based, and one of two interdisciplinary industry-connected streams. The Applied Design stream focuses on design practice and entrepreneurship, and the Design Factory Melbourne stream focusses on design innovation and strategy. In the final year all students undertake a supervised research-informed and design practice-based Major Project which consolidates and integrates their learning from across the course into a substantial professional-quality design outcome. 

^ Students are unable to enrol directly into the Graduate Diploma of Design but it is available as an exit award.

Study structure

To qualify for the award of Master of Design students must complete 8 (or equivalent) units (200 credit points) comprising:

  • 4 core units (100 credit points)

  • 4 Applied Design Stream or Design Factory Melbourne Stream (100 credit points)

.

  • Full-time study: 100 credit points/eight standard units of study per year
  • Part-time study: 50 credit points/four standard units of study per year

  • One credit point is equivalent to one hour of study per week per semester (including contact hours and private study)

  • See the course planner for an example degree structure 

  • Full-time study: 100 credit points/eight standard units of study per year

  • One credit point is equivalent to one hour of study per week per semester (including contact hours and private study)

  • See the course planner for an example degree structure.

Units of study Unit code
Core units
Studio 1: Methods for Design Research
Core unit, 25.0 credit points
DDD40001
Studio 2: Design Principles
Applied Design stream unit, 25.0 credit points
DDD60011
DFM: Applied Innovation Studio 1
Design Factory Melbourne stream unit, 25.0 credit points
DDD60030
Specialisation Units
Applied Design or Design Factory Melbourne
Units of study Unit code
Core units
Studio 1: Methods for Design Research
Core unit, 25.0 credit points
DDD40001
Studio 3: Inclusive and Participatory Design
Core unit, 25.0 credit points
DDD70019
Studio 5: Major Project
Core unit, 25.0 credit points
DDD80024
Studio 7: Major Project
Core unit, 25.0 credit points
DDD80025
Units of study Unit code
Applied Design Stream
Studio 2: Design Principles
Applied Design stream unit, 25.0 credit points
DDD60011
Studio 4: Open Studio
Applied Design stream unit, 25.0 credit points
DDD70020
Studio 6: Design-led Research
Applied Design stream unit, 25.0 credit points
DDD80026
Studio 8: Applied Design
Applied Design stream unit, 25.0 credit points
DDD80027
Design Factory Melbourne Steam (by application)
DFM: Applied Innovation Studio 1
Design Factory Melbourne stream unit, 25.0 credit points
DDD60030
DFM: Applied Innovation Studio 2
Design Factory Melbourne stream unit, 25.0 credit points
DDD70031
DFM: Applied Innovation Studio 3
Design Factory Melbourne stream unit, 25.0 credit points
DDD80032
DFM: Applied Innovation Studio 4
Design Factory Melbourne stream unit, 25.0 credit points
DDD80033

Aims and objectives

The Master of Design enables mastery in design and enhances the skills, knowledge and capabilities for professional practice and management in a broad range of design fields.

Upon successful completion of the Master of Design, graduates will be able to:

  • generate high-level concepts and highly refined, detailed design outcomes and/or prototypes to professional standards 

  • critically evaluate and interpret current and future design practices in relation to social, cultural, economic and environmental contexts

  • analyse and synthesise complex conceptual and technical information to inform independent research and apply to design projects

  • critique and interpret theoretical propositions and methodologies, using design research principles and communication skills

  • implement agile, strategic thinking and evaluative judgement in the design process, including collaboration, experimentation, creative problem-solving and decision-making. 

Career opportunities

Graduates will have industry level skills and basic research abilities enabling them to find employment in senior or strategic roles in design companies and other organisations as designers or in research roles. Entrepreneurial graduates may be able to start their own business ventures. Graduates will also have the ability to move into further study at PhD level.

Graduate skills

The Swinburne Graduate Attributes signify that Swinburne intends that its teaching courses assist all its graduates to be:

  • capable in their chosen professional, vocational or study areas

  • entrepreneurial in contributing to innovation and development within their business, workplace or community

  • effective and ethical in work and community situations 

  • adaptable and able to manage change

  • aware of local and international environments in which they will be contributing.

Professional recognition

Upon completion of this qualification students may be eligible to become a member of the Design Institute of Australia, Australian Graphic Design Association or Design Management Institute but should confirm eligibility with the association.

Admission criteria

Information about Swinburne's general admission criteria can be found at Admissions at Swinburne - Higher Education webpage.

Interested in the Master of Design

From state-of-the-art facilities to opportunities to engage with industry – this course is designed with your future in mind. Let's get started.

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