Master of Design (Industrial Design)

Entry Requirements

Successful completion of a Bachelor degree or Graduate Diploma from a recognised higher education institution, or equivalent, in a related discipline. Applicants must also submit a portfolio of work, curriculum vitae and a written statement of intent.

Applicants who have completed the Graduate Diploma in Design from the University of South Australia are eligible to enter the program with 1.0 EFTSL Advanced Standing and complete the program in 1 year of full time study or equivalent part time study, and are not required to submit a portfolio of work and statement of intent.

Applicants who have completed a Bachelor (Honours) degree in a related discipline are eligible to enter the program with 1.0 EFTSL Advanced Standing and complete the program in 1 year of full time study or equivalent part time study. Applicants must also submit a portfolio of work, curriculum vitae and a written statement of intent.

Related design disciplines include: industrial design; product innovation; product design; furniture design.

English Language Requirements:

IELTS score of 6.5 (with 6.0 in Reading and Writing); TOEFL iBT score of 79 with Reading and Writing not less than 18; TOEFL paper-based test (PBT) score of 577 with TWE of 4.5; Cambridge CAE/CPE score of 177; Pearson's test of English (Academic) (PTE) score of 58 with Reading and Writing communicative scores not less than 50; CELUSA score of AE5.

Course Details

This hands-on postgraduate qualification will equip you with a comprehensive understanding of the innovative, changing world of design. You will study emerging trends and technologies, contemporary design issues, design thinking methodologies, qualitative research practices and sustainability.

This degree explores the intricacies of product design, further building on your existing knowledge and skill set. You will develop the tools and techniques to investigate and analyse human centred design problems and develop techniques to manage complex design projects. You will also develop knowledge and skills in design thinking principles and practices as they are applied to industrial design projects. Emerging materials and processing technologies will be covered, as will manufacturing, technical skills and 3D design.

Much of your study will take place in our custom-built workshops that are fitted out with digital fabrication equipment such as laser cutters, CNC routers and 3D printers, as well as industry-standard motion-capture and virtual reality systems.

In addition to these fundamental practical skills, a key part of your learning will relate to advanced research skills and you will graduate with the cognitive skills needed to review and analyse research.

You may also complete an industry placement as part of your studies.

What you'll learn

Human centred research and design thinking processes as applied to industrial design problems is at the core of your experience. It involves using various techniques to investigate design problems, come to a deep understanding of the context, and then develop and implement innovative and appropriate solutions for the problem. Emerging materials, processing technologies and sustainability are also key focuses, and you will develop an advanced understanding of product design and graduate with the ability to develop and design:

physical products
systems
interfaces

You will also acquire:

high level design thinking skills using a variety of methods and processes
high level technical skills needed for digital prototyping and the development of 3D design
the ability to use knowledge of existing and emerging materials and processing technologies for high and low volume manufacturing
the ability to work through complex industrial design problems
cognitive skills needed to review and analyse research

This degree comprises design research studio classes, research methods and a selection of electives.

Your career

Job prospects in this field are looking good, with strong growth prospects in the sector1.

Careers to consider:

industrial designer: develop concepts and designs for manufactured products, such as cars
furniture designer: develop design concepts, experiment with different materials, liaise with clients and build sample models for either mass produced furniture prototypes or one-off exclusive pieces
product designer: use your design skills to make existing products more effective

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