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Master of Design (Industrial Design) 

DMID60     


Study Mode Study Level Duration Campus and Intake Show intake calendar
Full-time
Part-time (day & evening) 		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 Master of Design (Industrial Design).
 
This is a nested suite of programs comprising the Graduate Diploma of Design (Industrial Design) and Master of Design (Industrial Design). These programs provide advanced study for designers wishing to achieve higher specialisation in industrial design, preparing them well to meet the increasing demands of the design industry and for design practitioners wishing to expand their knowledge and skills or engage in research, discussion and design practice regarding the future directions of product development.

This new program offers a more flexible structure with increased emphasis on professional industrial design skills and critical design agendas and specific research and studio-based practice units. Students have the opportunity to choose an elective area of design as a specialisation from either Global Product Innovation, Sustainable Design or Design Entrepreneurship.

The program offers advanced study suitable for designers who wish to achieve higher specialisation in this discipline. The program provides graduates with dynamic national and international career opportunities designing innovative products.
 
Students are challenged to explore a variety of presentation and communication techniques, including digital modelling and model making, utilising a wide range of industry software and workshop-based prototyping facilities. New materials and manufacturing techniques are explored with a view to creating product concepts for the future. The creative and technological thrust of the program is supported by consideration of commercial factors, professional practice, consumer knowledge and ethics.

The new course focuses on industry and discipline specific knowledge and skills, to prepare students for changing methods of practice and emerging roles and responsibilities. It addresses critical design and societal issues (such as Socially Responsible Design, Sustainability and changing demographics) and new operational procedures (such as global distributed design and Product Service Systems).

It will develop graduates who are catalysts for change; imagining, creating and facilitating innovative solutions within a much larger social and economic context; designing the future.
 
(International students are required to study full-time and on campus and cannot take the part-time or online study modes.)

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Swinburne's Industrial Design programs produce graduates who are able to work as leaders in industrial design and related industries through their expertise in sustainable and socially responsible product development within a global context.
 
Graduates are equipped with the conceptual processes, creative tools, management strategies and research skills for innovation in design, including a solid understanding of the impact of digital technology and evolving global work practices on contemporary design.
 
Issues of demographic, societal and technological change, new and emerging materials and manufacturing techniques, social and environmental sustainability, commercial factors, consumer knowledge, design ethics, systems and services design, user-centred design and entrepreneurial activity are explored with a view to creating design products, systems and services for the future. Students explore a variety of design visualisation, communication and realisation techniques (including 3D CAD digital modelling) using a wide range of industry-standard software and rapid prototyping facilities.

These programs have an emphasis on structured skills acquisition, design investigation, product innovation, ethical and respectful design and the changing roles of designers in a social and global business context.

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The Master of Design (Industrial 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).
 
Places in units with face-to-face delivery may be limited. Enrolment into face-to-face units will be subject to maximum enrolment restrictions, with preference given to students undertaking the full Masters program.  
 
*International students are required to study full-time and on campus and cannot take the part-time or online study modes.

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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 Industrial 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
 
 
 
 
Elective Specialisation Units
Two units from your chosen specialisation in:

Sustainable Design
HDSD670 Principles and Theories of Sustainable Design
 
OR
Global Product Innovation
HDGP670 Global Product Design Studio
 
OR
Design Entrepreneurship (by special application)
HDCC671 Design Strategy for a Global Context
 
Semester 3
 
Industrial Design Units
 
Elective Specialisation Units
The remaining two units from your chosen specialisation in:
 
Sustainable Design
 
OR
Global Product Innovation
 
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 may find work in areas such as product design for and within manufacturing industries or design consultancies; exhibition, environmental and furniture design; design research or management; or as self-employed designers or manufacturers.

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Upon completion of this qualification students may be eligible to become a member of the Design Institute of Australia (DIA) but should confirm eligibility with the association.

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Graduates of the Graduate Diploma of Design (Industrial Design) 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.
Graduates 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.

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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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