This course aims to develop your understanding, critical and aesthetic awareness of the history, cultural and philosophical stances that underpin a variety of Australian design objects and images. It provides an exploration of various pivotal periods of Australian design history from the beginnings of a culture of local unskilled as well as skilled artisans through to the 21st century notion of a professional, sustainable designer practice. Australian design history is contextualised by both local concerns about aesthetics, function, production and consumption and the wider influences of significant International movements and trends. Through an extensive study of Australian design history, various designers’ work will be critically analysed considering both its cultural, aesthetic and practical worth to society and culture over time. A variety of learning activities are designed to assist students to develop research, writing and presentation skills through both individual and group assessment tasks. Students are provided with the opportunity to further critique their own role as participants in 21st century consumer culture as well as to consider the influence that Australian design history could have on their future role as designers.