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Master of Design (Digital Media Design) 

DDMD60     


Study Mode Study Level Duration Campus and Intake Show intake calendar
Full-time
Part-time (day) 		Postgraduate 3 semesters full-time or equivalent part-time Prahran (Semester 1, Semester 2)

This course is available for Mid-Year Intake

This is a new course commencing in February 2012 and replaces the earlier Master of Design (Multimedia Design).
 
This is a nested suite of programs comprising the Graduate Diploma of Design (Digital Media Design) and Master of Design (Digital Media Design). These programs provide advanced study for designers wishing to achieve higher specialisation in digital media design, preparing them well to meet the increasing demands of the design industry.

This new program offers a more flexible structure with more discipline focus and specific research and studio-based practice units. Students have the opportunity to choose an elective area of design as a specialisation.

The program aims to produce graduates with an 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.
 
(International students are required to study full-time and on campus and cannot take the part-time study mode.)

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The Master of Design (Digital Media Design) aims to provide a coherent suite of units for graduate designers in the area of digital media design.
 
Through its range of units the program aims to:
  • offer participants the opportunity to (1) specialise in their discipline and (2) engage in interdisciplinary design activity, involving direct cooperation 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 postgraduate design degrees that allow multiple entry and exit points for participants;
  • 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 (Digital Media Design) is a three semester full-time (or equivalent part-time*) 150 credit point program.
 
The Masters 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).
 
In 2012 this course will be offered onsite at the Prahran campus.

*International students are required to study full-time and on campus and cannot take the part-time study mode.

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The Master of Design is a 150 credit point program consisting of 37.5 credit points from two core units, 62.5 credit points from five Digital Media Design units and 50 credit points from four elective specialisation units.

All units of study are 12.5 credit points unless otherwise indicated.  

Semester 1
 
 
Discipline Unit
 

Elective Specialisation Units
Two units from your chosen specialisation in:

Cross-Cultural Brand Identity Design
HDCC670 Introduction to Cross Cultural Brand Identity Strategy
 
OR
Digital Visual Culture and Imaging
HDDV670 Theory and History of Digital Visual Culture
 
OR
Design Entrepreneurship (by special application)
HDCC671 Design Strategy for a Global Context
 
Semester 3
 
Digital Media Design Units
 
Elective Specialisation Units
The two remaining units from your chosen specialisation in:
 
Cross-Cultural Brand Identity Design
 
OR
Digital Visual Culture and Imaging
 
OR
Design Entrepreneurship

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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, postproduction, animation and web design and design research and management.

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Graduates of the Master of Design (Digital Media Design) may be eligible to become a member of the Design Institute of Australia (DIA), the Australian Graphic Design Association (AGDA) and the Australian Interactive Media Industry Association (AIMIA) but should confirm eligibility with the association.

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Graduates of the Master of Design (Digital Media Design) will be able to:
  • conceptually demonstrate mastery of theoretical knowledge and critical reflection on theory and professional practice in design;
  • conceptually and technically investigate, analyse, and synthesise complex information, problems, concepts and theory and apply established theories to different bodies of design knowledge or practice;
  • conceptually and technically generate and evaluate complex ideas and concepts at an abstract level;
  • use communication and technical research skills to justify and interpret theoretical propositions, methodologies, conclusions and professional decisions to specialist and non-specialist audiences;
  • design, evaluate, implement, analyse and theorise about developments that contribute to professional design practice and scholarship.
Swinburne intends that its teaching programs assist all its graduates to be:
  • capable in their chosen professional, vocational or study areas;
  • entrepreneurial in contributing to innovation and development within their business, workplace or community;
  • effective and ethical in work and community situations;
  • adaptable and able to manage change;
  • aware of local and international environments in which they will be contributing (e.g. socio-cultural, economic, natural).

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Admission to the program is normally through a degree in a design-related discipline from a recognised tertiary institution. However, applicants with a diploma in a design-related discipline and at least five years experience may be eligible for entry. All applicants are required to submit a design portfolio that clearly illustrates their skills, knowledge and capabilities in their chosen field. Applicants are chosen on the combination of their previous academic performance and the contents illustrated through their design portfolio.

Exemptions:
A maximum of 50 credit point exemptions will apply and will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Recognition of prior learning will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

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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://pandoraplus.swin.edu.au/credit/StudentCredit/index.cfm 

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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: www.swin.edu.au/corporate/registrar/ppd/files/stuinf.htm  

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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

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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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