Master of Design
The Master of Design is designed for students from a range of design or related fields. The course emphasises a mix of interdisciplinary collaboration and provides a project-based, studio environment. Students enhance their expertise within a chosen design field, including visual communication design, industrial design, interior architecture and digital media design. They also broaden their skills and knowledge in design practice, 3D printing, interaction design, design management, computer-aided design and visualisation tools.
Students develop the professional capabilities and knowledge to become leaders in their field, as well as skills and strategies that enable them to be accomplished practitioners. They may also undertake study in related areas, including business innovation, marketing and media. Students have the option to participate in study tours and projects with Design Factory Melbourne.
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Duration
2 years full-time or equivalent part-time
Intakes
Hawthorn (Semester 1, Semester 2) - View application and start dates
Study modes
- Full-time,
- Part-time
2020 Start Dates
Winter -
06 July 2020
Semester 2 -
03 August 2020
HE Block 8 -
02 November 2020
2021 Start Dates
Semester 1 -
01 March 2021
Semester 2 -
02 August 2021
Student work
Co-designing the future of cinema
By tapping into the current cinema experience, Swinburne’s Master of Design students are investigating the future of cinema entertainment using co-designing techniques with movie-lovers.
Working with Village Cinemas, students are redesigning cinema entry points, collaborating with dating sites and even creating collectable movie tickets for attendees.
Course information in detail
- Course detail, course structure and units of study.
Course description
The Master of Design offers students a unique opportunity to develop, enhance and expand upon their disciplinary design practice. The course is designed to cater to a wide variety of students who have previous qualifications and/or experiences in design or related fields. It caters for students who want to develop expertise within a chosen design field such as visual communication design, industrial design, interior architecture or digital media design, as well as provide opportunities to broaden their skills and knowledge in design practice.
The course emphasises a mix of interdisciplinary collaboration and has a project-based, studio learning environment to develop professional capability in their chosen field, and expand their knowledge in areas such as inclusive design, new technologies and design management. The course will equip students with the professional capabilities and knowledge to become leaders in their field and have the industry-ready skills and strategies that enable them to be accomplished practitioners.
Students would normally sequence their study with the Graduate Certificate of Design first, followed by the Graduate Diploma of Design and then the Masters award. Students are eligible for an exit award should they complete the designated units for each stage.
Course structure
To qualify for the award of Master of Design, students must complete 200 credit points:
- 7 Design Core units (100 credit points)
- Students must complete 50 credit points of study from either the Capstone stream or Design Factory Melbourne stream
- At least two, and up to four, Design Elective units (25 - 50 credit points)
- Up to two Elective units (0 - 25 credit points)
Units of study
Design Core units
Students must complete 100 credit points of study from the following list of units:
DDD60002 Integrative Design Studio
DDD70002 Cross- Cultural Social Design Strategy
DDD40001 Methods for Design Research (25 credit points)
DDD70002 Cross- Cultural Social Design Strategy
DDD40001 Methods for Design Research (25 credit points)
Students must complete 50 credit points of study from either the Capstone stream or the Design Factory Melbourne steam:
Capstone Stream
Capstone Stream
Design Factory Melbourne Stream (by application)
DDD80020 DFM: Global Innovation & Interdisciplinary Collaboration 1* (25 credit points)
DDD80021 DFM: Global Innovation & Interdisciplinary Collaboration 2* (25 credit points)
Design Elective units
Students must complete at least two, and at most four, of the following units (25 - 50 credit points):
Elective units
Students may complete up to two, from the following list or any general postgraduate electives from elsewhere in the university:
* Outcome units - matched exemptions are generally not granted for higher education outcome units.
Careers and graduate outcomes
- Career opportunities, course aims and objectives, graduate skills and professional recognition.
Career opportunities
Graduates may find work in design consultancies, advertising, publishing, packaging, merchandising, design research and design management.
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:
- demonstrate conceptual mastery and highly refined and detailed design outcomes and/or prototypes to professional standards
- investigate and critically evaluate current practices and trends in design as they relate to social, cultural, economic and environmental contexts
- conceptually and technically investigate, analyse, and synthesise complex information, problems, concepts and theory and apply them through independent research and project work
- use research principles and methods and communication skills to justify and interpret theoretical propositions, methodologies, conclusions and outcomes to a professional standard
- demonstrate critical thinking and evaluative judgement in planning, problem-solving and decision-making during design projects.
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.
Pathways and scholarships
- Pathways, credit transfer, recognition of prior learning and scholarships.
Course fees and requirements
- Fees, entry requirements and non-year 12 entry.
Course fees
Fees are estimates for students commencing in 2020 only: Tuition fees as published are subject to change given individual circumstances at enrolment. These fees apply for units studied in 2020 only and may change for units studied in future years. If part-time study is permitted, annual fees will be proportionally lower based on the number of units taken per semester.
How do I pay my fees?
FEE-HELP is a loan given to eligible full-fee paying higher education students to help pay part or all of their tuition fees. The Commonwealth Government pays the amount of the loan directly to Swinburne.
The total tuition fee is dependent upon the combination of units of study selected by the student. Fees are reviewed each year. Find out more about fees.
Entry requirements
The minimum entry requirement for the Masters of Design is a recognised three-year Bachelor of Design or equivalent, or the completion of the Graduate Certificate of Design or the Graduate Diploma of Design. Applicants who do not have a Bachelor of Design qualification but have a related qualification and work experience* in a design-related field, will be required to submit a portfolio demonstrating their cognate skills and capabilities in design.
Related fields may include architecture, landscape architecture, urban planning, digital arts, creative arts, multimedia or digital media, product design engineering, design technology, games and interactivity, and creative industries.
* Work experience
Documents substantiating work experience need to be provided on company letterhead and clearly detail roles as well as duties and duration of posts held.