Program Details

The Master of Design by coursework requires one and a half years of full-time study (or three years part-time). It caters to design related graduates, academics, managers, practitioners and educators who wish to extend their professional education and vocational opportunities. The degree offers a combination of design theory and technical exploration to sharpen or deepen individual expertise.

Students can also apply for the Graduate Diploma (two sessions full-time) or  Graduate Certificate (one session full-time).

Degree candidates concentrate in one of three subject streams:
- Design Studio in one of the following areas:
(Graphics or Environments or Ceramics or Textiles or Jewellery or Integrated Design)
- Design History/Theory
- Design Management

Design Studio
Within this subject stream, students select and focus on a preferred design studio area.

The Integrated Studio allows students to combine elements of graphic, environments and object design practice.

The Graphics Studio pushes the limits of what graphic design is and does. Students develop graphic communication projects to inform, entertain and promote particular agendas locally and internationally.

The Environments Studio deals with the uses of space – internal and external, public and private. Students may research and work in a range of spatial design areas including interior and exterior spatial design display and exhibition design (such as signage, lighting and placement of objects).

The Ceramics Studio encourages students to advance their knowledge and practical expertise in ceramic design and the production of ceramic objects. This studio highlights interdisciplinary and innovative approches to ceramic practice.

The Jewellery Studio focuses on the materials, techniques, and processes that inform the design and production of jewellery. This Studio supports diverse outcomes including “one-off” pieces and small-scale production design.

The Textiles Studio promotes exploration of new and innovative uses of textiles for a wide range of design purposes. Students produce “one-off” pieces and explore the process of small and medium-scale production design.

Design History/Theory
This subject stream promotes in-depth analysis of contemporary design issues, the history and politics of design  practice, and the rationale and application of sustainable design techniques.

Design Management
This subject stream focuses on aspects of professional design practice including small business management, design project management and associated legal issues.

Armed with a thorough knowledge of the technical, creative, ethical, legal, environmental and management requirements needed to work as professional designers, graduates can access jobs across the broad spectrum of the design industry, including corporate design, design consultancies and/or private practice in Australia and overseas. Graduates from the College of Fine Arts can be found working as graphic designers, media designers, on film and television production/post production crews, as illustrators, interior designers, theatre costume and set designers, festival and furnishing managers and designers, ceramicists, textiles artists, jewellers and product designers.