Design Anthropology
Overview
Design anthropology represents the synthesis of academic anthropology with the professional practice of design. It seeks to understand how design helps define what it means to be human, that diversity of human values, and then how design translates these values into tangible experiences.
Design Anthropology specialisations:
What is Design Anthropology?
Download 'What is Design Anthropology?'Courses
| Postgraduate | Study Mode | Local Students | International Students |
|---|---|---|---|
| Graduate Diploma of Design (Design Anthropology) - DMDA31 | Online | Local | International |
| Master of Design (Design Anthropology) - DMDA30 | Block Release, some online options | Local | International |
Course Aims
Our postgraduate Design Anthropology courses aim to:
- Provide design and social science undergraduate students with a direct pathway into the highly professionalised design anthropology field and the skills needed for roles of leadership in a global, culturally-interconnected world.
- To offer current untrained or under-trained 'design anthropologist' and 'anthrodesigner' professionals (e.g. user experience (UX) designers and researchers, branding and consumer insights specialists, social and product innovation consultants) a degree that systematically credentials the design and anthropological theory and skills necessary for recognition and advancement in those professions
- To lay the intellectual and practical foundation for research pathways into the Swinburne Faculty of Design's Ph.D. program as related to the activities of the Faculty of Design's Cultures-Based Innovation group.
Career Opportunities
As a Design Anthropologist, Anthrodesigner or Ethnographer you may choose to explore a career as a:
- User Experience (UX) Designer and/or Researcher
- Interaction Designer and/or Researcher
- Branding Insights Specialist
- Consumer Insights Specialist
- Social and Product Innovation Consultant
Professionals with qualifications in Design Anthropology are becoming increasingly sought after in a wide variety of industries involved in the creation of products services or environments.
Admission Requirements
As an overview you will be expected to have successfully completed a Bachelor degree program with at least a 60% grade average (or equivalent) in a design, social science (especially anthropology), humanities, information science or human-computer interaction discipline from a university. Candidates with other tertiary qualifications and relevant industry experience will be considered.
An entrance essay and design/design strategy portfolio is also required to demonstrate your holistic approach to formulating and solving social challenges through anthropological and design thinking.
Design Anthropology Specialisations
The specialisation choices, available as part of your Design Anthropology studies, add to your ability to increase flexibility to suit your own career aspirations and area of interest.
- Indigenous Knowledge (e.g. global contexts, designing for cultural wellness, situated knowledge and co design, and indigenous futures)
- Cross-Cultural Communication Design (e.g. brand identity strategy, global contexts, brand identity in a multicultural environment, and cross-cultural communication)
- Sustainable Design (e.g. principles and theories, building sustainable design practices, eco-design studio, capstone project: sustainable design)
Brochures
Download the Postgraduate Design brochure to learn about the different programs available at Swinburne. This brochure includes information about the program structure, admission requirements, career opportunities, and key academic staff.
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