Graduate Diploma in Design (Industrial Design)

Entry Requirements

Applicants must have completed a three-year Bachelor degree from a recognised higher education institution, or equivalent, in a related discipline.

Alternative Entry

Applicants who have completed a Bachelor degree from a recognised higher education institution in an unrelated discipline, plus two years of professional experience in a related discipline, or applicants who do not have a completed degree but who have seven years of professional experience in a related discipline will also be considered.

Related design disciplines include:

Communication Design: visual communication design; graphic design; graphic communication; communication design.
Contemporary Art : visual art; contemporary art; illustration and animation.
Design and Construct: architecture; planning and urban design.
Industrial Design: industrial design; product innovation; product design; furniture design.
Interior Architecture: interior architecture; interior design; furniture design; architecture.
Sustainable Design: architecture; interior architecture; industrial design; furniture design; planning and urban design; contemporary art.

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 and sustainability.

As a postgraduate student, you will delve straight into the intricacies of product design, further building on your existing knowledge and skill set. 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.

What you'll learn

Emerging materials, processing technologies and sustainability are key focuses of this graduate diploma. You will also develop an advanced understanding of industrial design and graduate with the ability to develop and design physical products, systems, interfaces, and environments for cultural and economic exchange. You will also develop:

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 graduate diploma comprises classes in design research studio, research methods, an introduction to sustainable design, business practice, and your choice of elective.

Your career

Job prospects in this field are looking good, with very strong growth in employment prospects1. 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

It is recommended that to increase employability in this competitive industry students complete the additional year of study required at attain a Master of Design.