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Master of Design (Multimedia Design) 

DMMD30

Campus Availability

Study Mode

Study Level

Duration

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Prahran

Full-time, Part-time (day & evening)

Postgraduate

1.5 years full-time or 3 years part-time

Feb, Aug

Discontinued: This course has no new intake. This information is provided for continuing students

The last intake for this course will be Semester 2 (August) 2011. From 2012 this course will be replaced by Master of Design (Digital Media Design).
 
The new course (DDMD60) includes a more flexible structure and options to study in specialised areas of design. To register your interest in receiving news about the new course please go to: http://www.swinpg.prospectivestudent.info//
 
This nested suite of programs comprising the Graduate Diploma of Design (Multimedia Design), and the Master of Design (Multimedia Design) provides a program of advanced study for designers wishing to achieve higher specialisation in communication design, preparing them to meet the increasing demands of the design industry.
 
It aims to produce graduates with advanced understanding of interactive design, design and production for time and sequence, and design for new convergent media. While responding to the primary role of technology in contemporary design practice, the program focuses on understanding communication strategy and the context for design. The nature of teaching and learning encourages students to become informed designers and to develop the visual and conceptual approaches that produce compelling design. These include the examination of current and best practice in relevant design areas, and understanding design’s broad social, cultural and technological frameworks. Furthermore, while design outcomes usually reflect industry needs, the program challenges students to investigate the ways in which visual imagery and messages can be meaningful to general audiences.
 
Students can elect to complete the master year by coursework or by participating in the Faculty Design Centre, depending on their own experience and circumstances. The outcomes will be the same in terms of quality and rigour and offer similar content.
 
The Design Centre offers a program of experiential learning in advanced practice. It is a working design studio that undertakes innovative design research projects. It is the context within which students develop their knowledge and understanding of client liaison, brief-taking, contract reporting, supervision and coordination of suppliers, preparation of written quotations and creative proposals, project and production management and concept presentation to clients and marketing. The Design Centre affords students the opportunity to apply professionally related skills and advanced communication design techniques to the development of complex projects which may be commissioned or self-determined. Masters students in the Design Centre will take on leadership roles within the studio and engage in applied design research.
 
Please note that while most units are offered as evening classes, some units are available only as afternoon classes.


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This program aims to provide a coherent suite of units for graduate designers in the areas of communication and multimedia design. A number of units are common to both specialisations in recognition that they share related conceptual challenges and questions of visual expression in the quest to develop useful, usable and resonant designs. These include the importance of ‘user experience’, the role of design in humanising information, the aesthetic and conceptual dynamics of effective communication, strategic thinking and aspects of design management, cognitive psychology, social science and design theory and history.
 
Through its range of units the program aims:
  • To offer participants the opportunity to (1) specialise in their discipline and (2) to engage in interdisciplinary design activity, involving direct co-operation between design disciplines to explore new kinds of design outcomes and experiences unachievable through any of the individual design disciplines involved, the promotion of teamwork and group-based activity being fundamental to the design philosophy of the faculty
  • To provide postgraduate design degrees that allow multiple entry and exit points for participants
  • To graduate individuals able to (1) work as leaders in design and related industries through their expertise in corporate product and service development, (2) possess the processes, creative tools and research skills for innovation in design; (3) be willing to investigate and manage change in the nature of design; and (4) demonstrate an advanced understanding of the impact of information and communications technology (ICT) on the practice of design
The program also acknowledges that the principles of human-centred design are fundamental to the future of design practice. The aim of human-centred design is to transcend simple ideas of functionality and styling to emphasise how design works, and how services and systems are used by real people. Human-centred design draws human factors like perception, cognition, behaviour, physiology, and ergonomics into the design process to ensure design outcomes reflect users’ needs and perspectives. The program focuses on promoting usability through scenario building and iterative processes of applied research, involving user participation in the course of design development. The designer’s ability to effectively communicate design thinking to different audiences through image, text and demonstration is given high priority, as is their ability to evaluate design propositions in terms of human factors and user needs.


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The Master of Design (Multimedia Design) program incorporates a graduate diploma (semester 1) and a master year (semesters 2 and 3) and is valued at 150 credit points. The master year is a one-year full-time (or equivalent part-time*) 100 credit point program.  
 
The program operates under a student workload model based on two 12-week semesters of 100 credit points for a full-time academic year. Students studying part-time should double the length of time the program takes to complete. After successful completion of the graduate diploma (50 credit points) students are required to complete a further 100 credit points to be eligible for the master award. Students are normally required to achieve a credit average at graduate diploma level to progress to the masters program. Entry into Design Centre is based upon achieving credit average results at the graduate diploma level and an interview.

The master program is available:
1) As a coursework program with emphasis on structured skills acquisition, design investigation and applied design projects. It offers advanced knowledge and experience in design practice, design management, creative strategies and relevant technical knowledge
2) Through participation in the faculty Design Centre, an alternative mode of study placing emphasis on 'real world learning' with students engaging with industry and delivering design solutions. Design Centre can be undertaken for one or both of the final two semesters of this program and entry is based upon achieving credit average results at the graduate diploma level and an interview - semesters at Design centre are 20 weeks in duration. Design Centre consists of one unit of 37.5 credit points and one unit of 12.5 credit points per semester

Participants may join the program in either Semester 1 (February intake) or Semester 2 (August intake).

With the approval of the program coordinator, participants may substitute units of study in the program described for units of study offered in other Master of Design programs of the Faculty of Design or units of study offered by other faculties of the university. 

There are two 12-week semesters a year with a full-time annual study load of 100 credit points. An optional six-week winter term allows you to complete extra study between the standard semesters. The winter term is not mandatory; however, if you wish to vary your study load you should consider this option. Please contact the faculty office for more information.

*  Please note that international students on a student visa must study full-time as part of their visa requirements.


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Students may join the program in either Semester 1 (February intake) or Semester 2 (August intake). All units of study are 12.5 credit points unless otherwise indicated.
 
Graduate diploma (undertaken prior to the master year) 
The graduate diploma is a 50 credit point program consisting of 25 credit points from core units and 25 credit points from elective units. Students are normally required to achieve a credit average at graduate diploma level to progress to the master program. A credit average at graduate diploma level and an interview are required for entry into the Design Centre.

Core units - offered Semester 1 (February intake) and Semester 2 (August intake)
 
Note: to allow for greater flexibility at graduate diploma level, all units will be run each teaching period dependent upon numbers.
 

Master (second and third semesters of the master program)
The master program is a 150 credit point program in total consisting of 125 credit points from core units and 25 credit points from elective units. 50 of these credit points are gained by completing the graduate diploma then students complete the master year.
 
Semester 1 (February intake)
Core units

or
Design Centre
HDG615 Professional Practice 9 - 37 credit points
And either:
or
HDMM522 Digital Video and Audio Production
 
Semester 2 (August intake)
Core units
 
or
Design Centre
HDG625 Professional Practice 10 - 37.5 credit points
And either:
or


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Swinburne offers International Exchange Programs as well as other Education Abroad Programs to help internationalise your degree. International Exchange is an academic program allowing you to study at a Swinburne Partner Institution for one or two semesters during your degree. Swinburne's Partner Institutions offer many relevant subjects as well as a secure base to explore a different culture. Your studies while on exchange can be credited towards your Swinburne degree, provided they are relevant and approved by Swinburne. For further information visit the Education Abroad website.


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Graduates will possess broad-based knowledge and specialist skills that will enable them to work at many levels in design consultancies, information technology companies, media and entertainment studios, advertising agencies, post-production, animation and web design and design research and management.


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On completion of this qualification students may be eligible to become a member of the Australian Graphic Design Association (AGDA), the Australasian Interactive Media Industry Association (AIMIA), and an Associate Member of the Design Institute of Australia (DIA) and should confirm eligibility with the association.


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Graduates of the program will demonstrate a balance of vocationally orientated attributes, including:
  • Strong industry connections and awareness of the pace of development in the design industry, ensuring their professional capability and preparation
  • Experience of ‘just in time’ strategies and interaction with actual clients, ensuring graduates are adaptable and are tested in their ability to manage the process and timeframes of industry practice
  • The capacity for high levels of innovation in the development of creative projects
  • ‘State of the art’ skills for design development, production, presentation and management, as well the capacity to integrate design into diverse organisational cultures
  • An awareness of the changing nature of design consultancies and services and the capacity to embrace and manage change
  • The scope to become future leaders in design industries and businesses internationally, or in directing design activity in government or other social and cultural organisations


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Academic requirements:
  • A degree in design or a design-related area from a recognised tertiary institution PLUS portfolio submission, or
  • A diploma in design or a design-related area from a recognised tertiary institution PLUS at least two years professional design experience PLUS portfolio submission, or
  • Substantial professional design experience (normally five years or more) PLUS portfolio submission.
Special entry requirements:

All applicants must submit a portfolio of design work which demonstrates their level of ability and/or achievement in their chosen postgraduate discipline specialisation. In addition to other purposes (see portfolio guidelines) it is important that the applicant's portfolio clearly shows their working knowledge of the types of software programs used in the chosen postgraduate discipline. An interview may also be required for entry into Design Centre.

Download portfolio guidelines here 

Applicants for the Masters program may be eligible for exemptions at the Graduate Diploma level on review of their academic qualifications, professional experience, and portfolio submission if they also have:
  • a four-year bachelor of design degree (i.e. Honours) in the same discipline as their chosen postgraduate area and with at least Credit results, and/or
  • substantial and direct professional design experience (normally five years or more).


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Applicants with prior tertiary studies that satisfy part of the academic requirements of this course may be granted ‘credit’ and/or entry into the course with ‘advanced standing’. University policies apply and applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis. For further information refer to ‘Swinburne Pathways: Credit Transfer Guide’ at: http://www.swinburne.edu.au/corporate/marketing/pathways// 


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Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is a process where a student may be granted credit or partial credit towards a qualification in recognition of skills and knowledge gained through work experience, life experience and/or formal training. Further details for students considering Higher Education courses: http://www.swin.edu.au/corporate/registrar/ppd/files/stuinf.htm


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The indicative course tuition fee is $16800 for 2011, based on one year full time load (or 1 EFTSL). The total tuition fee is dependent upon the combination of units of study selected by the student. Fees are reviewed each year and may increase.

The Higher Education Loan Program (HELP) is a suite of income-contingent loans for Australian citizens and holders of Australian permanent humanitarian visas. FEE-HELP is available to eligible fee-paying undergraduate and postgraduate students. It provides students with a loan to cover their tuition fees (lifetime maximum $85,062 from 1 January 2010). The FEE-HELP limit is indexed on 1 January each year.

Note: New Zealand citizens and holders of other Australian permanent resident visas do not have access to HELP loans. These students must pay their student contributions or tuition fees up front without a discount.

For further information on your support and study options visit the 'Going to Uni' website at: http://www.goingtouni.gov.au

For information about Swinburne's fees visit: http://www.swinburne.edu.au/fees


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Please refer to entry requirements before applying.
 
Application forms can be downloaded from the website at: http://www.swinburne.edu.au/postgrad/apply/


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Web: Enquire online
Tel: 1300 ASK SWIN (1300 275 794)
 


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