Design (2024)

Discover the world of Design, where creativity meets practicality, while form and function are explored equally. Our Design programmes nurture your understanding of human needs and desires, unleashing your creative prowess in prototyping, developing, crafting, and evaluating impactful solutions. Blend analytical, and technological skills, with creative and imaginative abilities through well-rounded and engaging tertiary study to lead you to a rewarding career path.

There are four Design majors offered in the Bachelor of Design and three Design subjects offered in the Bachelor of Design with Honours. These majors are Communication Design, Industrial Design, Interface Design, and Media Design. Building on these Undergraduate qualifications we offer Graduate and Postgraduate study through the Master of Design as well as the PhD in Design.


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  • Prescriptions for the Postgraduate Diploma in Design (PGDipDes) and Master of Design (MDes)

    To complete a PGDipDes, students must complete 120 points at 500 level. Typically, the programme corresponds to 120 points of taught papers as would be taken by MDes students.

    To complete a MDes, students must complete 180 points at 500 level, including DSIGN581 (30 points). Students not wishing to complete a research-led MDes degree could take DSIGN591 (30 points) if DSIGN581 is in their programme of study, or could take DSIGN592 (60 points). The remaining papers should be chosen from appropriate 500 level taught papers. A research-led MDes degree would include either a 90 point or 120 point Design Thesis.

    Students should select their papers for these qualifications in consultation with the Graduate Advisor for Design in the School of Computing and Mathematical Sciences.

  • Prescriptions for the MPhil

    The Master of Philosophy is a one year research-based degree in which students undertake a programme of approved and supervised research that leads to a thesis which critically investigates an approved topic of substance and significance, demonstrates expertise in the methods of research and scholarship, displays intellectual independence and makes a substantial original contribution to the subject area concerned, and is of publishable quality.

  • Prescriptions for the PhD

    The Doctor of Philosophy is a three year research-based degree in which students undertake a programme of approved and supervised research that leads to a thesis which critically investigates an approved topic of substance and significance, demonstrates expertise in the methods of research and scholarship, displays intellectual independence and makes a substantial original contribution to the subject area concerned, and is of publishable quality.

    A PhD can also be presented as a PhD with Publication or a PhD with a Creative Practice Component.

  • 500 Level

    Code Paper Title Points Occurrence / Location
    DSIGN532Information Visualisation15.024A (Hamilton)
    This paper aims to provide an awareness of the potential offered by information visualisation techniques, a familiarity with the underlying concepts, and an understanding and ability to effectively design and apply information visualisations in a given context.
    DSIGN551Studio Management15.024A (Hamilton)
    This paper covers the management of design projects in the studio. It is intended for those aiming for a future senior position in a design studio, or those managing freelance teams.
    DSIGN581Design Research Methods30.024A (Hamilton)
    This paper aims to introduce students to the assumptions underlying the different methodologies and methods for performing research in design. The paper attempts to give students the conceptual and methodological resources needed to think and converse as researchers and to develop a certain level of competence in at least one resea...
    DSIGN589Directed Study15.024A (Hamilton) & 24B (Hamilton)
    Students have the opportunity to pursue a topic of their own interest under the guidance of academic staff.
    DSIGN590Directed Study30.024A (Hamilton) & 24B (Hamilton)
    Students have the opportunity to pursue a topic of their own interest under the guidance of academic staff.
    DSIGN591Design Dissertation30.024X (Hamilton)
    Write a dissertation to present the findings of a theoretical or empirical investigation, based on a research topic negotiated with a supervisor. Presentation of the findings may include a publicly exhibited design project.
    DSIGN592Design Dissertation60.024X (Hamilton)
    Write a dissertation to present the findings of a theoretical or empirical investigation, based on a research topic negotiated with a supervisor. Presentation of the findings may include a publicly exhibited design project.
    DSIGN593Design Thesis90.024X (Hamilton)
    Write a dissertation to present the findings of a theoretical or empirical investigation, based on a research topic negotiated with a supervisor. Presentation of the findings may include a publicly exhibited design project.
    DSIGN594Design Thesis120.024X (Hamilton)
    Write a dissertation to present the findings of a theoretical or empirical investigation, based on a research topic negotiated with a supervisor. Presentation of the findings may include a publicly exhibited design project.
    MEDIA501Critical and Creative Approaches to Research30.024A (Hamilton) & 24B (Hamilton)
    This paper identifies the constraints and freedoms of research methods, and places a strong emphasis on research as an intellectual, theoretical, and processual activity as well as the roles of interdisciplinary projects in creating unique methodological and conceptual media research.
    MEDIA504Articulating Theory, Design and New Aesthetics30.024B (Hamilton)
    In both Creative Practice and written graduate research choices between theoretical paradigms, research methods and the presentation of research outputs are closely aligned. This team-taught paper, which is complementary to MEDIA501, draws on the skills of staff practitioners in all of written, embodied, design-based, visual arts, ...
  • 800 Level

    Code Paper Title Points Occurrence / Location
    DSIGN800Design MPhil Thesis120.024X (Hamilton)
    No description available.
  • 900 Level

    Code Paper Title Points Occurrence / Location
    DSIGN900Design PhD Thesis120.024I (Hamilton), 24J (Hamilton), 24K (Hamilton) & 24X (Hamilton)
    No description available.

2024 Catalogue of Papers information current as of : 12 March 2024 7:59pm

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