Overview

The Master of Design is a professionally-oriented degree targeted at designers who already have an undergraduate degree in design or the equivalent educational and professional experience. There is a clear demand in the design community for a Masters program that is targeted towards the professional and commercial needs of the design professions and industry internationally.

The following specialisations are available:

• Digital Media
• Fashion Design
• Interior Design
• Graphic Design

Objectives

We see the key objectives of the Master of Design to:

• Enhance the applied design skills of students to the level of master practitioner
• Develop a critically reflective practitioner who can work as a designer either independently or in teams, and with the management skills to supervise others or to manage design projects.
• Allow students to deepen their understanding of the theoretical underpinnings of design solutions
• Allow students to explore the interdisciplinary qualities of design
• Develop the research skills of students to enable them to pursue further research-based study

Course Structure

There are 4 generic types of subjects:

• Design Studio
• Design Theory
• Design Practice Seminar
• Elective

The course allows you to enhance your practical skills to the level of master practitioner through Design Studio modules, while furthering your theoretical understandings through Design Theory modules, developing a capacity for critical reflection on the profession of design through the Design Practice Seminar modules.

There are three main streams through the course:

• practice stream
• project stream
• dissertation stream

The first semester is common to all participants. In the second semester you’ll need to decide on your study stream.

If you choose the practice stream you undertake an elective in second semester and then Design Practical 3 in third semester supported by 3 elective subjects.

If you choose the project stream, you undertake an elective in second semester and then Design Project in third semester.

If you choose the dissertation stream you are required to undertake the elective Dissertation Proposal in second semester and then Design Dissertation in third semester. Don’t be put off by the name – a dissertation is basically a document you’ll create which is designed to help you develop your research skills. The dissertation stream develops the research skills of participants to enable you to pursue further research-based study.

Course Outline

The Master of Design is a 3-semester program that can be completed in accelatered or part-time modes

Duration and Delivery mode

The program may be delivered in full time and/or part time modes allowing students complete flexibility in the management of their study. Class times are after hours, specifically to suit both industry professionals and recent graduates who are working in the industry.

All subjects are one semester in length. The normal program duration is one and a half years full time or 3 years part time.

Studio and project subjects are conducted as common studio classes across all discipline strands (Digital Media, Fashion Design, Graphic Design, Interior Design) with one Studio/Project lecturer, with students having access to specialist advice on a one-to-one basis with their specialist Discipline Head. If you choose the dissertation stream, you will be appointed two supervisors for your dissertation: a Principal Supervisor and a Co-supervisor.

Assessment Methods

Program components are assessed on a continuous basis with a combination of methods including:

• Case studies
• Essays
• Reflective journals
• Reports
• Development and implementation of design briefs
• Seminar papers and presentation
• Research projects
• Peer presentations
• Simulated projects

Graduate Profile

After completing the Master of Design, we believe you will:

• Have more advanced analytical, presentation and communication skills
• Be more adept at researching the artificial/constructed/manufactured world
• Be able to analyse various methods of communication design in depth
• Be able to apply current design techniques to professionally present your design concepts to prospective clients
• Be more skillful in your choice of appropriate graphic media to articulate your design
• Be more skillful in using information technology as a tool in developing design solutions

As a Masters graduate you’ll have opportunities to contribute to the field of design research, have a foundation for writing on design culture and will realise opportunities to contribute to the field of design studies. You will also understand new markets and new production methods which can lead to new work avenues.