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Master of Design (Digital Media Design)

This course has been discontinued - the information is provided for continuing students.

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Overview

This program is not accepting any new students in 2013.
This course replaces the earlier Master of Design (Multimedia Design).
This is a nested suite of programs comprising the Graduate Diploma of Design (Digital Media Design) and Master of Design (Digital Media Design). These programs provide advanced study for designers wishing to achieve higher specialisation in digital media design, preparing them well to meet the increasing demands of the design industry.
This new program offers a more flexible structure with more discipline focus and specific research and studio-based practice units. Students have the opportunity to choose an elective area of design as a specialisation.
The program aims to produce graduates with an advanced understanding of interactive design, design and production for time and sequence, and design for new convergent media. While responding to the primary role of technology in contemporary design practice, the program focuses on understanding communication strategy and the context for design. The nature of teaching and learning encourages students to become informed designers and to develop the visual and conceptual approaches that produce compelling design. These include the examination of current and best practice in relevant design areas and understanding design's broad social, cultural and technological frameworks.
The majority of units will be delivered at the Prahran campus. Some units may be delivered at the Hawthorn campus. There is no mid-year intake from 2013.
(International students are required to study full-time and on campus and cannot take the part-time study mode.)
Information sessions
For further information on this course, please visit the faculty web page at: http://www.swinburne.edu.au/design/postgrad/
Duration3 semesters full-time or equivalent part-time
Study modeFull-time
Part-time (day & evening)
Course codeDDMD60
Fees
The total tuition fee is dependent upon the combination of units of study selected by the student. Fees are reviewed each year.
For information about Swinburne's fees visit the Fees website.

Career opportunities

Graduates will possess broad-based knowledge and specialist skills that will enable them to work at many levels in design consultancies, information technology companies, media and entertainment studios, advertising agencies, postproduction, animation and web design and design research and management.
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Course in detail

On this page: course description, course structure and units of study.

Course description

This program is not accepting any new students in 2013.
This course replaces the earlier Master of Design (Multimedia Design).
This is a nested suite of programs comprising the Graduate Diploma of Design (Digital Media Design) and Master of Design (Digital Media Design). These programs provide advanced study for designers wishing to achieve higher specialisation in digital media design, preparing them well to meet the increasing demands of the design industry.
This new program offers a more flexible structure with more discipline focus and specific research and studio-based practice units. Students have the opportunity to choose an elective area of design as a specialisation.
The program aims to produce graduates with an advanced understanding of interactive design, design and production for time and sequence, and design for new convergent media. While responding to the primary role of technology in contemporary design practice, the program focuses on understanding communication strategy and the context for design. The nature of teaching and learning encourages students to become informed designers and to develop the visual and conceptual approaches that produce compelling design. These include the examination of current and best practice in relevant design areas and understanding design's broad social, cultural and technological frameworks.
The majority of units will be delivered at the Prahran campus. Some units may be delivered at the Hawthorn campus. There is no mid-year intake from 2013.
(International students are required to study full-time and on campus and cannot take the part-time study mode.)

Course structure

The Master of Design (Digital Media Design) is a three semester full-time (or equivalent part-time*) 150 credit point program. A full-time weekly workload includes 12 hours of contact time and expects a minimum of another 24 hours study time. There is no mid-year intake from 2013.
The Masters is a coursework program with emphasis on structured skills acquisition, design investigation and applied design projects. It offers advanced knowledge and experience in design practice, design management, creative strategies and relevant technical knowledge.  
In 2012 this course will be offered onsite at the Prahran campus.
*International students are required to study full-time and on campus and cannot take the part-time study mode.

Units of study

The Master of Design is a 150 credit point program consisting of 37.5 credit points from two core units, 62.5 credit points from five Digital Media Design units and 50 credit points from four elective specialisation units. All units of study are 12.5 credit points unless otherwise indicated.  
The majority of units will be delivered at the Prahran campus. Some units may be delivered at the Hawthorn campus.

Semester 1
Core Units
HDG530 Research Methods for Design
HDG531 Fundamental Design Studio (25 credit points)
Discipline Unit
HDDM680 Digital Media History and Theory
Semester 2
Digital Media Design Units
HDDM681 Ideation and Design Method for Digital Media Design
HDDM682 Digital Media Design Studio I
Elective Specialisation Units
Note: Units within these Specialisations are offered subject to student enrolment numbers.
Two units from your chosen specialisation in:
Cross-Cultural Brand Identity Design
HDCC670 Introduction to Cross Cultural Brand Identity Strategy
HDCC671 Design Strategy for a Global Context
OR
Digital Visual Culture and Imaging - Note: this Specialisation will not be offered in 2013
HDDV670 Theory and History of Digital Visual Culture
HDDV671 Digital Media Design and Place
Semester 3
Digital Media Design Units
HDDM683 Digital Media Design in Professional Context
HDDM684 Digital Media Studio II
Elective Specialisation Units
The two remaining units from your chosen specialisation in:
Cross-Cultural Brand Identity Design
HDCC672 Brand Identity Design in a Multicultural Environment
HDCC673 Capstone Project: Cross Cultural Communication Design
OR
Digital Visual Culture and Imaging - Note: this Specialisation will not be offered in 2013
HDDV672 Digital Media Design Experimental Lab
HDDV673 Capstone project: Digital Visual Culture
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Graduate outcomes

On this page: aims and objectives, career opportunities, professional recognition and graduate attributes.

Aims and objectives

The Master of Design (Digital Media Design) aims to provide a coherent suite of units for graduate designers in the area of digital media design.
Through its range of units the program aims to:
  • offer participants the opportunity to (1) specialise in their discipline and (2) engage in interdisciplinary design activity, involving direct cooperation between design disciplines to explore new kinds of design outcomes and experiences unachievable through any of the individual design disciplines involved, the promotion of teamwork and group-based activity being fundamental to the design philosophy of the faculty;
  • provide postgraduate design degrees that allow multiple entry and exit points for participants;
  • graduate individuals able to (1) work as leaders in design and related industries through their expertise in corporate product and service development; (2) possess the processes, creative tools and research skills for innovation in design; (3) be willing to investigate and manage change in the nature of design; and (4) demonstrate an advanced understanding of the impact of information and communications technology (ICT) on the practice of design.
The program also acknowledges that the principles of human-centred design are fundamental to the future of design practice. The aim of human-centred design is to transcend simple ideas of functionality and styling to emphasise how design works, and how services and systems are used by real people. Human-centred design draws human factors like perception, cognition, behaviour, physiology, and ergonomics into the design process to ensure design outcomes reflect users' needs and perspectives.
The program focuses on promoting usability through scenario building and iterative processes of applied research, involving user participation in the course of design development. The designer's ability to effectively communicate design thinking to different audiences through image, text and demonstration is given high priority, as is their ability to evaluate design propositions in terms of human factors and user needs.

Career opportunities

Graduates will possess broad-based knowledge and specialist skills that will enable them to work at many levels in design consultancies, information technology companies, media and entertainment studios, advertising agencies, postproduction, animation and web design and design research and management.

Professional recognition

Graduates of the Master of Design (Digital Media Design) may be eligible to become a member of the Design Institute of Australia (DIA), the Australian Graphic Design Association (AGDA) and the Australian Interactive Media Industry Association (AIMIA) but should confirm eligibility with the association.

Graduate attributes

Graduates of the Master of Design (Digital Media Design) will be able to:
  • conceptually demonstrate mastery of theoretical knowledge and critical reflection on theory and professional practice in design;
  • conceptually and technically investigate, analyse, and synthesise complex information, problems, concepts and theory and apply established theories to different bodies of design knowledge or practice;
  • conceptually and technically generate and evaluate complex ideas and concepts at an abstract level;
  • use communication and technical research skills to justify and interpret theoretical propositions, methodologies, conclusions and professional decisions to specialist and non-specialist audiences;
  • design, evaluate, implement, analyse and theorise about developments that contribute to professional design practice and scholarship.
Swinburne intends that its teaching programs assist all its graduates to be:
  • capable in their chosen professional, vocational or study areas;
  • entrepreneurial in contributing to innovation and development within their business, workplace or community;
  • effective and ethical in work and community situations;
  • adaptable and able to manage change;
  • aware of local and international environments in which they will be contributing (e.g. socio-cultural, economic, natural).
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Course experience

On this page: Swinburne Abroad.

Swinburne Abroad

Swinburne offers International Exchange Programs as well as other Education Abroad Programs to help internationalise your degree. International Exchange is an academic program allowing you to study at a Swinburne Partner Institution for one or two semesters during your degree. Swinburne's Partner Institutions offer many relevant subjects as well as a secure base to explore a different culture. Your studies while on exchange can be credited towards your Swinburne degree, provided they are relevant and approved by Swinburne. For further information visit the Education Abroad website.
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On this page: entry requirements, credit transfer and recognition of prior learning

Entry requirements

Entry requirements

Admission to the program is normally through a degree in a design-related discipline from a recognised tertiary institution. However, applicants with a diploma in a design-related discipline and at least five years experience may be eligible for entry. All applicants are required to submit a design portfolio that clearly illustrates their skills, knowledge and capabilities in their chosen field. Applicants are chosen on the combination of their previous academic performance and the contents illustrated through their design portfolio.

Exemptions:
A maximum of 50 credit point exemptions will apply and will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Recognition of prior learning will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Credit transfer

Applicants with prior tertiary studies that satisfy part of the academic requirements of this course may be granted ‘credit’ and/or entry into the course with ‘advanced standing’. University policies apply and applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis. For further information refer to ‘Swinburne Pathways: Credit Transfer Guide’ at: http://pandoraplus.swin.edu.au/credit/StudentCredit/index.cfm 

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is a process where a student may be granted credit or partial credit towards a qualification in recognition of skills and knowledge gained through work experience, life experience and/or formal training. Further details for students considering Higher Education courses: www.swin.edu.au/corporate/registrar/ppd/files/stuinf.htm  
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Apply

On this page: how to apply, course fees and find out more.

How to apply

Please refer to entry requirements before applying.
 
Application forms can be downloaded from the website at: http://www.swinburne.edu.au/postgrad/apply/

Course fees

The total tuition fee is dependent upon the combination of units of study selected by the student. Fees are reviewed each year.
For information about Swinburne's fees visit the Fees website.

Find out more

Web: Enquire online
Tel: 1300 ASK SWIN (1300 275 794)
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