CourseMaster's Degree (Coursework)MDes

F6002 Master of Design

Faculty of Art, Design and Architecture

Master of Design (F6002) is a 2 years full-time, 96-credit-point, master's degree (coursework) course from the Faculty of Art, Design and Architecture, taught at Caulfield. Map your units semester by semester with the MonMap planner.

Credit points
96
Duration
2 years full time
4 years part time
Campus
Caulfield
On campus

This is the 2023 handbook entry. See the 2027 entry.

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Requisite map

Overview

The core of this course consists of four units of design studio extending over four semesters. These units include a series of defined and self-directed design projects that can engage with design systems, services, processes, environments and artefacts. You are required to demonstrate high-level planning, resourcing, implementation and evaluation, informing the development of an expert understanding of professional design processes. The course engages you in design research processes and provides you the opportunity to personally contribute to the development of your discipline.

You may select a particular design studio specialisation within the course, or you may enrol in the advanced studies in design specialisation and select units from across a number of areas:

  • Advanced studies in design
  • Collaborative design
  • Interaction design
  • Multimedia design.

In addition to the core design studios, a unit in design thinking initiates the development of individual design research strategies. Three further units build capability in design research, management, entrepreneurialism, culminating in an exegesis. Two selective units complement the core studies by extending relevant discipline skills and knowledge. 

Course structure

Part A. Preparatory studies for advanced design24 credit points
Part B. Advanced design studies24 credit points
You must complete the following unit

Elective unit

6 credit points
You must complete one unit (6 credit points) at level 2 or above, chosen from within the faculty and selected in consultation with the course coordinator - the faculty recommend you choose one of the following units to complement your course.

Specialisation studio unit

12 credit points
You must complete one of the following units. If you are planning on completing a Collaborative Design specialisation, you must complete one of these units before progressing to Collaborative design studio 2 and Collaborative design studio 3.
Part C. Advanced design applications48 credit points

Core units

18 credit points
You must complete the following units and an elective unit

Elective unit

6 credit points
You must complete one unit (6 credit points) at level 5, chosen from within the faculty and selected in consultation with the course coordinator - the faculty recommend you choose one of the following units to complement your course.

Specialisation research studio unit

18 credit points
The handbook's description of this structure

The course is structured in three parts: Part A, Preparatory studies for advanced design; Part B, Advanced design studies, and Part C, Advanced design applications.

Part A. Preparatory studies for advanced design

These studies provide you with the conceptual thinking and technical skill set required for advanced postgraduate study in this area. The studio unit brings together conceptual and technical abilities developed in the other two units.

Part B. Advanced design studies

In these studies you will focus on the application of conceptual thinking and technical skills to advanced design problem solving. You will analyse and create a project outcome based on research, critique, and the application of design processes appropriate to your specialisation. You will also choose a selective unit that will further build capacity in your chosen specialisation.

Part C. Advanced design applications

In these studies you will focus on the application of advanced design problem solving skills at a professional level. You will consolidate skills and practice of design research methodologies and may extend your research trajectory to further study. Part C is also supported by a selective unit to allow you to build capabilities in your chosen specialisation.
In the final semester you will pursue a major design project or participate in a leading industry project. The exegesis unit formalises the research component of Part C. The final semester brings together advanced technical ability, conceptual thinking, entrepreneurial studies and design management in practice.

Master's entry points

Depending on prior qualifications you may receive entry level credit (a form of block credit) which determines your point of entry to the course:

  • If you are admitted at entry level 1 you complete 96 credit points, comprising Part A, B and C
  • If you are admitted at entry level 2 you complete 72 credit points, comprising Part B and C
  • If you are admitted at entry level 3 you complete 48 credit points, comprising Part C.

Note: If you are eligible for credit for prior studies you may elect not to receive the credit and complete one of the higher credit-point options.

A zero-credit-point unit in art, design and architecture occupational health and safety (OHS1000) will also be undertaken. This unit is required of all students in the Master of Design and must be completed even if credit is obtained for Parts A or B.

Course progression map

The course progression map provides guidance on unit enrolment for each semester of study.

The course comprises 96 points structured into three parts: Part A. Preparatory studies for advanced design (24 points), Part B. Advanced design studies (24 points), and Part C. Advanced design applications (48 points).

Units are 6 points unless otherwise stated.

Part A. Preparatory studies for advanced design (24 points)

You must complete:

  • DGN4500 Design thinking approaches
  • MDC4500 Design fundamental studio
  • MDC4550 Design technologies and processes (12 points)
  • OHS1000 Introduction to art and design health and safety (0 points)

Part B. Advanced design studies (24 points)

You must complete:

  • TAD4523 Design research methods

and one specialisation studio 1 unit (12 points):

  • MDC4110 Interaction design studio 1 (12 points) or
  • MDC4120 Multimedia design studio 1 (12 points)

    (If you are planning on completing a Collaborative Design specialisation, you must complete one of these units before progressing to Collaborative design studio 2 and Collaborative design studio 3).

and one unit (6 points) at level 2 or above, chosen from within the faculty and selected in consultation with the course coordinator - the faculty recommend you choose one of the following units to complement your course:

  • DGN4029 Designing multimedia systems
  • DGN4030 Information design for multimedia
  • DGN4201 3D modelling and virtual space
  • DGN4604 Digital audio/video 1

Part C. Advanced design applications (48 points)

You must complete:

  • PPR5500 Design management and entrepreneurship
  • TAD5500 Exegesis

and one specialisation studio 2 unit (12 points):

  • MDC5210 Interaction design studio 2 (12 points) or
  • MDC5220 Multimedia design studio 2 (12 points) or
  • MDC5230 Collaborative design studio 2 (12 points)

and one specialisation research studio unit (18 points):

  • MDC5310 Interaction design studio 3 (18 points) or
  • MDC5320 Multimedia design studio 3 (18 points) or
  • MDC5330 Collaborative design studio 3 (18 points) or
  • MDC5340 Advanced studies in design (18 points)

and one unit (6 points) at level 5, chosen from within the faculty and selected in consultation with the course coordinator - the faculty recommend you choose one of the following units to complement your course:

  • ADA5406 Art, Design and Architecture internship
  • DGN5201 3D animation
  • DGN5203 Design for culture and heritage
  • DGN5204 Design for social impact
  • DGN5604 Digital audio/video 2

Learning outcomes

These course outcomes are aligned with the Australian Qualifications Framework and Monash Graduate Attributes.

Upon successful completion of this course it is expected that you will be able to:

  1. 1

    engage critically with specialist design theory, concepts and methods

  2. 2

    Critically analyse the relationship of design to cultural, environmental, ethical, technological and professional contexts and practices.

  3. 3

    apply specialised design principles and skills to produce innovative ideas, concepts and solutions

  4. 4

    expertly integrate design research approaches in order to analyse, synthesise and evaluate diverse solutions for contemporary environments

  5. 5

    use specialist technical and design methodologies to assess the needs, deliverables and constraints of complex projects

  6. 6

    draw on studio experience to design, evaluate, implement, analyse and communicate strategies and methodologies and apply them to multiple fields of design practice.

  7. 7

    Identify and apply occupational health and safety measures appropriate to the area of study.

Entry requirements

English language

Monash Level A, that is: IELTS (Academic): 6.5 overall (no band lower than 6.0); or Pearson Test of English (Academic): score of 58 overall with no band lower than 50; or TOEFL Internet-based test: score of 79 overall with minimum scores: Writing: 21, Listening: 12, Reading: 13 and Speaking: 18; or Equivalent approved English test

More information

Progression to further studies

Successful completion of the Master of Design (F6002) may provide a pathway to further postgraduate study.

Other information

The core of this course consists of four units of design studio extending over four semesters. These units include a series of defined and self-directed design projects that can engage with design systems, services, processes, environments and artefacts. You are required to demonstrate high-level planning, resourcing, implementation and evaluation, informing the development of an expert understanding of professional design processes. The course engages you in design research processes and provides you the opportunity to personally contribute to the development of your discipline.

You may select a particular design studio specialisation within the course, or you may enrol in the advanced studies in design specialisation and select units from across a number of areas:

  • Advanced studies in design
  • Collaborative design
  • Interaction design
  • Multimedia design.

In addition to the core design studios, a unit in design thinking initiates the development of individual design research strategies. Three further units build capability in design research, management, entrepreneurialism, culminating in an exegesis. Two selective units complement the core studies by extending relevant discipline skills and knowledge. 

Contacts

Academic Coordinator
Mr Jeffrey Janet

Common questions

How long is Master of Design?

2 years full time, 96 credit points. At 24 credit points a semester, that is 4 semesters of full-time study.

Where can I study Master of Design?

At Caulfield.

How do I plan my Master of Design units?

Open the course in the MonMap planner. It lays out your semesters, checks prerequisites as you drag units in, and tracks the credit points each requirement still needs.

Course details

Qualification
Master's Degree (Coursework)
AQF level
Level 9
Credit points
96
Full time
2 Years
Part time
4 Years
Maximum time
6 years
Faculty
Faculty of Art, Design and Architecture
CRICOS code
089737A
Abbreviation
MDes
Award title
Master of Design