Swinburne University of Technology - Melbourne Australia
Future Students - Courses
Discontinued: This course has no new intake. This information is provided for continuing students
Course Description:
The last intake for this course will be Semester 2 (August) 2011. From 2012 this course will be replaced by Graduate Diploma of Design (Communication Design) . The new course (DMCD61) 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 is a nested suite of programs comprising the Graduate Diploma of Design (Communication Design) and Master of Design (Communication Design). These programs provide advanced study for designers wishing to achieve higher specialisation in communication design, preparing them well to meet the increasing demands of the design industry. The program offers advanced understanding of how communication design projects (including branding programs and information design) are developed and executed in contemporary design practice. Students gain insight into business strategic planning from the client’s perspective, allowing them to develop an awareness of client’s needs in relation to design services. The program challenges participants to refine design deliverables to an advanced level, and gives guidance in how to present and document design proposals in a creative, professional, and visually effective way. Please note that while most units are offered as evening classes, some units are available only as afternoon classes.
Aims & Objectives:
This program aims to provide a coherent suite of units for graduate designers in the area of communication design 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 facultyto provide postgraduate design degrees that allow multiple entry and exit points for participantsto 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, 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.
Course Structure:
The Graduate Diploma of Design (Communication Design) is a six month full-time (or equivalent part-time*) 50 credit point program. The graduate diploma is 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. 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. Students are normally required to achieve a credit average at graduate diploma level to progress to the master program. They are required to complete a further 100 credit points to be eligible for the master award. * Please note that international students are required to study full-time.
Units of Study:
Graduate diploma The graduate diploma is a 50 credit point program consisting of 25 credit points from core units and 25 credit points from elective units. All units of study are 12.5 credit points unless otherwise indicated. 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 at master level. Semester 1 (February)Core units HDG507 Research Studio - User Centred Design HDG508 User Centred Design Studio Elective units HDG518 Information Design HDCD511 Identity Design HDCD622 Technology for Print HDCD522 Type and Publication HDG617 Technology for the Web Semester 2 (July/August) Core units HDG507 Research Studio - User Centred Design HDG508 User Centred Design Studio Elective units HDG518 Information Design HDCD511 Identity Design HDCD622 Technology for Print HDCD522 Type and Publication tHDG617 Technology for the Web Note: to allow for greater flexibility, all units will be run each teaching period, dependent upon numbers.
Education Abroad:
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.
Career Opportunities:
Graduates may find work in design consultancies, advertising, publishing, packaging, merchandising, publication, design research and design management.
Professional recognition:
Upon completion of this qualification students may be eligible to become a member of the Design Institute of Australia (DIA), the Australian Graphic Design Association (AGDA) and the International Council of Graphic Design Associations (ICOGRADA) but should confirm eligibility with the association.
Graduate Attributes:
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 preparationexperience 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 practicethe 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 culturesan awareness of the changing nature of design consultancies and services and the capacity to embrace and manage changethe scope to become future leaders in design industries and businesses internationally, or in directing design activity in government or other social and cultural organisations
Entry Requirements:
Academic requirements: A degree in design or a design-related area from a recognised tertiary institution PLUS portfolio submission, orA 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
Credit Transfer:
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//
Recognition of Prior Learning:
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
Course Fees:
The indicative course tuition fee is $8400 for 2011, based on 0.5 year full time load (or 0.5 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.auFor information about Swinburne's fees visit: http://www.swinburne.edu.au/fees
Application Procedure:
Please refer to entry requirements before applying. Application forms can be downloaded from the website at: http://www.swinburne.edu.au/postgrad/apply/
Further information:
Web: Enquire online Tel: 1300 ASK SWIN (1300 275 794) Email: postgrad@swinburne.edu.au Website: www.swinburne.edu.au/design
