Swinburne University of Technology - Melbourne Australia
Future Students - Courses
Course Description:
This nested suite of programs comprising the Graduate Diploma of Design (Communication Design) and Master of Design (Communication 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. 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 clients' 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. Students can select 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 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.
Aims & Objectives:
This program aims to provides 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 faculty; provide a postgraduate design degree that allows multiple entry and exit points for participants; graduate individuals who are 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 Master of Design (Communication Design) program incorporates a graduate diploma (semester 1) and master year (semesters 2 and 3) and is valued at 150 credit points. It is a one year full-time (or equivalent part-time*) 100 credit point program. 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. 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 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. 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 master program. 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 may include units for postgraduate student. Please check with the faculty office if you wish to vary your study load in this way. * Please note that international students on a student visa must study full-time as part of their visa requirements.
Units of Study:
Students may join the program in either Semester 1 (February intake) or Semester 2 (July intake). All units of study are 12.5 credit points unless otherwise indicated. Graduate diploma (first semester of the master program) 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) HDG507 User Centred Design Research 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 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. Semester 1 (February intake) Core units HDG607 Sustainable Design Research HDG608 Sustainable Design Studio HDCD612 Applied Information Design HDCD613 Design Research - Strategic Brand Management or Design Centre HDG615 Professional Practice 9 - 37.5 credit points And one of: HDCD612 Applied Information Design or HDCD613 Design Research - Strategic Brand Management Semester 2 (August intake) Core units HDG609 Design as Service Research HDG610 Design as Service Studio HDG632 Information and Interface Design HDG627 Design in Context or Design Centre HDG625 Professional Practice 10 - 37.5 credit points And one of: HDG632 Information and Interface Design or HDG627 Design in Context
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 Australian Graphic Design Association (AGDA), an Associate Member of the Design Institute of Australia (DIA) 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 oriented 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
Entry Requirements:
Admission to the program is through a degree, or diploma in design or a design-related area from a recognised tertiary institution or substantial experience in the design industry (normally five years). Applicants who have completed an honours degree in a design or related area, or with high-level design industry experience may be granted advanced standing on a case-by-case basis. University policy will apply. An interview is required for entry into Design Centre. Applicants may be required to submit a portfolio of design work. See our How to Apply section for details.
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:
In 2010, tuition fees for this program are based on $2000 per 12.5 credit point unit of study. In the event that a unit of study is derived from another program, the applicable fee will be that of the other program. All fees are reviewed each year and may increase without notice. 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 (previously PELS) is available to eligible fee-paying undergraduate and postgraduate students. It provides students with a loan to cover their tuition fees (lifetime maximum $83,313 from 1 January 2009). 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
Application Procedure:
Application forms can be downloaded from the website at: www.swinburne.edu.au/hed/postgrad/apply 2010 Closing Dates: 5 February for start 1 March 16 July for start 9 August
Further information:
Web: Enquire online Tel: 1300 ASK SWIN (1300 275 794) Email: postgrad@swinburne.edu.au Website: www.swinburne.edu.au/design
