Swinburne University of Technology - Melbourne Australia
Future Students - Courses
Course Description:
Less than 20 years old, design anthropology represents the synthesis of academic anthropology with the professional practice of design. It seeks to understand how the processes and artefacts of design help define what it means to be human – how design translates human values into tangible experiences. The program is to be offered at Prahran campus, with some specialisation units offered at the Hawthorn campus. (International students are required to study full-time and on campus and cannot undertake the other study modes.)
Aims & Objectives:
The purpose of the Master of Design (Design Anthropology) program is threefold: (1) to provide design and social science undergraduate students direct pathways into the highly professionalised design anthropology field at the master level, which is the minimal degree requirement for placement in the field; (2) to offer current untrained or under-trained ‘design anthropologist’ and ‘anthrodesigner’ professionals (e.g. user experience designers and researchers, branding and consumer insights specialists, social and product innovation consultants) a degree that systematically credentials the design and anthropological theory and skills necessary for recognition and advancement in those professions; (3) to lay the intellectual and practical foundation for research pathways into the Swinburne Faculty of Design’s PhD program as related to the activities of CIKADA, the Faculty of Design’s Indigenous Knowledge and Design Anthropology research group.
Course Structure:
Students are required to complete 150 credit points, normally undertaken full-time*, studying 50 credit points per semester. A full-time weekly workload includes 12 hours of contact time and expects a minimum of another 24 hours study time. The master program consists of two compulsory units (one unit of 12.5 credit points in Research Methods and one of 25 credit points in Design Studio) of core study; followed by five discipline units (five times 12.5 credit points) of design anthropology. Students also select a specialisation of four units (four times 12.5 credit points) to complete their degree. The master program allows both international and domestic students to take advantage of the on-site, full-time learning, complemented with some online offerings. Whilst it is rare for master students to exit before completing the qualification, this program incorporates a Graduate Diploma exit point, usually after 100 credit points have been completed and subject to approval by the program coordinator. Full-time master students will study the two core and the first two discipline units on campus. Part-time* master students study these units online with the option of on-campus study subject to maximum enrolment restrictions per unit and approval from the program coordinator. *International students are required to study full-time and on campus and cannot undertake the other study modes.
Units of Study:
All units are 12.5 credit points unless otherwise noted. The majority of units are offered at the Prahran campus, however some specialisation units are offered at Hawthorn. Year 1 Semester 1 HDG530 Research Methods for Design HDG531 Fundamental Design Studio HDA650 Introduction to Design Anthropology Semester 2 HDA651 History and Theory in Design Anthropology HDA652 Multi-Sensory Design Anthropology Plus two units from a selected specialisation Indigenous Knowledge HDIK670 Indigenous Knowledge in Global Contexts HDIK671 Indigenous Approaches of Designing for Cultural WellnessOR Cross Cultural Communication Design HDCC670 Introduction to Cross Cultural Brand Identity Strategy HDCC671 Design Strategy for a Global ContextOR Sustainable Design HDSD670 Principles and Theories of Sustainable Design HDSD671 Eco-Design Studio Year 2 Semester 3 HDA653 Designing for Cultural Groups: Kin, Tribes and Communities HDA654 Transcultural Aesthetics and Contemporary Design Plus the remaining two units from the selected specialisation Indigenous Knowledge HDIK672 Situated Knowledge and Community Design HDIK673 Indigenous Futures (Capstone Project)OR Cross Cultural Communication Design HDCC672 Brand Identity Design in a Multicultural Environment HDCC673 Capstone Project: Cross Cultural Communication DesignOR Sustainable Design HDSD672 Building Sustainable Design Practices HDSD673 Capstone Project: Sustainable Design
Career Opportunities:
Employment may be found in areas such as marketing, user experience designers and researchers, branding and consumer insight specialists, social and product innovation consultants. Further research in this field may also be undertaken.
Professional recognition:
Graduates of university degree courses would have sufficient points to be eligible for associate membership of the Design Institute of Australia on graduation.
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:
Successful completion of a bachelor degree program with the equivalent of an Australian system 60% grade average (or better) from a university recognised for social science or design education is required. Candidates with other tertiary qualifications and relevant industry experience will also be considered. An entrance essay and design/design strategy portfolio is required for all applicants to the program. A design strategy portfolio consists of a series of 1-2 page project case studies that demonstrate the applicant’s holistic approach to formulating and solving social challenges through anthropological and design thinking. The normal requirement for admission to the Master of Design (Design Anthropology) program and the Graduate Diploma of Design (Design Anthropology) program is a bachelor degree with the equivalent of an Australian system 60% grade average (or better) in a design, social science (especially anthropology), humanities, information science or human-computer interaction discipline.The Master of Design (Design Anthropology) and the Graduate Diploma of Design (Design Anthroplogy) also provide an entry point for applicants who do not hold a degree but have at least eight years relevant industry experience demonstrating potential to undertake work at this level.
Credit Transfer:
There are currently no plans to enter into arrangements with overseas institutions for this proposed program.
Recognition of Prior Learning:
This will be handled on an individual basis with students being granted exemptions were appropriate.
Course Fees:
The total tuition fee is dependent upon the combination of units of study selected by the student. Fees are reviewed each year.For information about Swinburne's fees visit: www.swinburne.edu.au/fees
Application Procedure:
Application forms can be downloaded from the website at: http://www.swinburne.edu.au/postgrad/apply/Next intake is Semester 1, 2012.
Further information:
Web: Enquire online Tel: 1300 ASK SWIN (1300 275 794) Email: postgrad@swinburne.edu.au Website: www.swinburne.edu.au/design
