Design - 5306
Program Summary
Faculty: Faculty of Art & Design
Contact: www.artdesign.unsw.edu.au
Campus: Paddington
Career: Postgraduate
Typical Duration: 1 Years 
Typical UOC Per Semester: 24
Min UOC Per Semester: 6
Max UOC Per Semester: 24
Min UOC For Award: 48
View program information for previous years
Program Description
The Graduate Diploma in Design is industry-engaged, intellectually rigorous and professionally relevant for those who wish to extend their professional qualifications with a shorter period of study and those wishing to broaden or change directions in their design and media practice.
The Graduate Diploma in Design has two main components: a core of design courses and practice-based classes from a number of design studios.
In the design core you will learn to integrate of technology, design thinking, experimentation, strategy and communication.
The studio-based courses enable you to either focus on a specific area of design and digital practice, or to put together your own suite of courses from across design, craft, digital media and creative leadership.
Studio-based design courses can be taken in the following areas:
The Graduate Diploma in Design has two main components: a core of design courses and practice-based classes from a number of design studios.
In the design core you will learn to integrate of technology, design thinking, experimentation, strategy and communication.
The studio-based courses enable you to either focus on a specific area of design and digital practice, or to put together your own suite of courses from across design, craft, digital media and creative leadership.
Studio-based design courses can be taken in the following areas:
- Experience Design engages with the design of products, processes, services, events and environments, with a focus on the quality of the user experience.
- Interaction Design addresses visual communication and user-experience across graphics, media and emergent inter-actives.
- Visualisation and Video Effects focuses on the practices of designing for animation, 3D, sound, film, video, illustration and computing
- Graphic Communication which addresses graphic design for paper and print, the screen and broadcast, encompassing contemporary typography, graphic design and cross-cultural communication strategies in designing for different audiences.
- Future Making focuses on the making of objects, with new materials and digital technologies and craftsmanship. It addresses the integration of technical knowledge and skills with material and contextual understanding. Future Making works with ceramics, jewellery, metal, textiles, furniture and lighting.
As well, students may take studio courses from:
- Planar Practices which engages with creative practice using colour, line, and surface. It works across the disciplines of painting, drawing, printmaking and the screen.
- Temporal and Spatial Practices addresses creative practice using lens, time, space and objects. It works arcoss the disciplines of photography, video, animation, sculpture, installation and performance.
Program Objectives and Graduate Attributes
The Graduate Diploma in Design provides for pathways for both those with backgrounds in design and those who wish to enter design from other professional backgrounds. Graduates of the Graduate Diploma in Design have enhanced skills and understanding and can either complete a Master of Design or work as design and media professionals.
Program Structure
Students who are approved to enter the GradDipDes requiring the completion of 48 UOC over 1 year full time or 2 years part time, must complete:
- Four courses (24 UOC) from those approved in the following Design Studios: Experience Design, Interaction Design, Visualisation and Video Effects, Graphic Communication or Future Making.
For the list of Design Studio courses, please see
9313 Master of Design.
9313 Master of Design.
Academic Rules
The Graduate Diploma in Design requires completion of 48 UOC (normally 1 year full-time or 2 years part-time) including:
- 24 UOC in Core courses
- 24 UOC in approved studio courses
Fees
For information regarding fees for UNSW programs, please refer to the following website: UNSW Fee Website.
Entry Requirements
Admission to the Graduate Diploma in Design requires a Bachelors degree in any field, which has been conferred within the last 10 year, or through articulation from the Graduate Certificate in Design.
Applicants who apply with a bachelors degree completed more than 10 years ago can be admitted to the Graduate Certificate in Design where they have 5 or more years professional experience in a design or media-related field since graduation. They can articulate up to the Graduate Diploma if they hold a credit average in their courses taken under the Graduate Certificate.
Applicants without a Bachelors degree may be admitted to the Graduate Certificate on a case-by-case basis by the Program Director, on the basis of a Portfolio of work and professional experience. The student may articulate up to the Graduate Diploma if they hold a credit average in their courses taken under the Graduate Certificate.
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
Consideration of RPL, including industry experience, will be relevant for:
a) entry into the program without a Bachelors degree; and
b) entry with a Bachelors degree awarded more than 10 years prior to proposed year of commencement.
Verified industry experience will include a written statement of service from an employer, client or commissioning agent verifying the position, role, responsibilities, duration and/or project outcomes of employment, service contract or other professional design engagement.
Applicants who apply with a bachelors degree completed more than 10 years ago can be admitted to the Graduate Certificate in Design where they have 5 or more years professional experience in a design or media-related field since graduation. They can articulate up to the Graduate Diploma if they hold a credit average in their courses taken under the Graduate Certificate.
Applicants without a Bachelors degree may be admitted to the Graduate Certificate on a case-by-case basis by the Program Director, on the basis of a Portfolio of work and professional experience. The student may articulate up to the Graduate Diploma if they hold a credit average in their courses taken under the Graduate Certificate.
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
Consideration of RPL, including industry experience, will be relevant for:
a) entry into the program without a Bachelors degree; and
b) entry with a Bachelors degree awarded more than 10 years prior to proposed year of commencement.
Verified industry experience will include a written statement of service from an employer, client or commissioning agent verifying the position, role, responsibilities, duration and/or project outcomes of employment, service contract or other professional design engagement.
Schema
Articulation
Students who have completed the requirements for the Graduate Certificate with a credit average are eligible for admission to the Graduate Diploma in Design with full credit for courses already completed, provided they have passed all courses, and achieved a credit average overall.
Students who wish to exit the Graduate Diploma program early may nominate to transfer to and graduate from the Graduate Certificate provided the requirements for the Graduate Certificate have been met.
Students who wish to exit the Graduate Diploma program early may nominate to transfer to and graduate from the Graduate Certificate provided the requirements for the Graduate Certificate have been met.
Related Program(s)
9313 Design
Area(s) of Specialisation
Contents
Study Levels
UNSW Quick Links
