Master of Design
Master of Design
Course Code: 9304
Administrator: School of Design Studies
Typical Duration: 1.5 years fulltime (Masters by Coursework)
Typical Duration: 1 year fulltime (Graduate Diploma)
Typical Duration: 0.5 year fulltime (Graduate Certificate)
Description
The Master of Design is a three semester coursework masters that provides students with knowledge of contemporary design; an understanding of the relationship design has to sustainable society; to environmental and contextual issues, and the multi-disciplinary nature of integrated design.
The program caters to design graduates and professionals who wish to extend their knowledge of contemporary design or who wish to revitalise or redirect their design skills into a different area of specialisation, including discipline areas, digital technologies and processes.
Students can also apply for the Graduate Diploma (two semesters full-time) or Graduate Certificate (one semester full-time).
Program Aims
The Master of Design is an integrated program that melds studio-based practices with rigorous critical analysis. Students will develop their skills and knowledge by promoting collaborative learning experiences between practitioners from different areas of Design.
To reflect this approach, a practice-based Integrated Studio lies at the core of the program. The Integrated Studio courses bring together practitioners whose skills, experiences and knowledge reflect the multi-faceted nature of the discipline.
The Integrated Studio sequence is paralleled by a corresponding sequence of Design Seminars in which the concepts, which inform the studios, are explored and interrogated through discussion, debate and reflection. Underpinning these sequences are courses in Design Communication, Design Research, and elective courses in Design from the Subject Streams below.
Subject Streams
Subject streams are available in the following areas:
Ceramics
The Ceramics Studio encourages students to advance their knowledge and practical expertise in ceramic design and the production of ceramic objects. This Studio highlights interdisciplinary and innovative approaches to ceramic practice.
Design Management
The Design Management stream focuses on aspects of professional design practice including small business management, design project management and associated legal issues.
Environments
The Environments Studio explores the uses of space – internal and external, public and private. Students may research and work in a range of spatial design areas, including interior and exterior spatial design display and exhibition design, such as signage, lighting and placement of objects.
Furniture and Lighting
The Furniture and Lighting Studio explores new territories in the design and production of furniture and lighting systems in response to social and cultural needs.
Graphics Media
The Graphics Studio pushes the limits of what graphic design is and does. Students develop graphic communication projects to inform, entertain and engage local and international communities.
Jewellery
The Jewellery Studio focuses on the materials, techniques, and processes that inform design and production of jewellery. This Studio supports diverse outcomes including ‘one-off’ pieces and small-scale production design.
Programmable and Digital Design
The Programmable and Digital Design steam supports students to create innovative content for the core courses.
Textiles
The Textiles Studio explores new technologies and innovative applications for the use and production of textiles for wearable textiles and interior spaces, in response to current sustainable, cultural and social conditions.
Career Opportunities
Armed with a thorough knowledge of the technical, creative, ethical, legal, environmental and management requirements needed to work as professional designers, graduates can access jobs across the broad spectrum of the design industry, including corporate design, design consultancies and/or private practice in Australia and overseas.
Graduates from the College of Fine Arts can be found working as graphic designers, media designers, on film and television production/post production crews, as illustrators, interior designers, theatre costume and set designers, festival and furnishing managers and designers, ceramicists, textiles artists, jewellers and product designers.
Entry Requirements
Applicants to the Master of Design should have a related, completed, recognised Bachelor degree. Please note that there is an assumed knowledge of a minimum of Design experience – applicants to this Program must show evidence of Design experience, either through transcripts, cv or portfolio.
Applicants who submit evidence of other academic and professional qualifications may be considered for admission to the Graduate Certificate in Design – these applicants must submit a portfolio and CV. Please note that students who enter the Graduate Certificate can request an upgrade to the Graduate Diploma or Masters on completion of the Graduate Certificate program requirements.
Portfolio submission should include approximately twelve images (on a DVD/CD or hardcopy) of recent work, that are examples of technical and creative ideas in the area the applicant wishes to major in.
