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Member institutions
Faculty of Design
Swinburne University of Technology
Founded in 1963
HEAD OF THE INSTITUTION
Professor Ken Friedman
ADDRESS
144 High Street, AU-3181 Prahran, Victoria, Australia
Phone +61 3 9214 6755, Fax +61 3 9521 2665
Website http://www.hed.swinburne.edu.au/design/
CAMPUSES
Melbourne Australia
Prahran Campus
CONTACT PERSON
Professor Ken Friedman
144 High Street, AU-3181 Prahran Victoria
Phone +61 3 9214 6885, Fax +61 3 9521 2665
E-mail kfriedman[at]swin.edu.au
OTHER CONTACT PERSONS
Associate Professor John Bassani
Director Development and External Engagement
jbassani[at]swin.edu.au
Tel. +61 3 9214 6910

GENERAL INFORMATION ON THE MEMBER UNIT
A. ORGANIZATIONAL INFORMATION
FACULTIES AND DEPARTMENTS OF THE MEMBER UNIT
Faculty of Design
National Institute of Design
National Institute for Design Research
Swinburne School of Film and Television
AVAILABLE BACHELOR LEVEL OR EQUIVALENT PROGRAMS AND THE ESTIMATED DURATION OF STUDYING
Bachelor of Design (Communication Design) 6 semesters
Bachelor of Design (Multimedia Design) 6 semesters
Bachelor of Design (Interior Design) 6 semesters
Bachelor of Design (Industrial Design) 6 semesters
Bachelor of Design (Film and Television) 6 semesters
Bachelor of Engineering (Product Design Engineering)
Bachelor of Design (Honours) (Communication Design) 8 semesters
Bachelor of Design (Honours) (Multimedia Design) 8 semesters
Bachelor of Design (Honours) (Interior Design) 8 semesters
Bachelor of Design (Honours) (Industrial Design) 8 semesters
Bachelor of Design (Honours) (Film and Television) 8 semesters
AVAILABLE MASTER LEVEL OR EQUIVALENT PROGRAMS AND THE ESTIMATED DURATION OF STUDYING
Master of Design

Communication Design, Furniture Design
Industrial Design, Interior Design, Multimedia Design

Each degree is available in three modes. The first is a coursework program with emphasis on structured skills acquisition in creative strategies, design management and design technologies. The second offers a program of experiential learning in NID's Design Research Centre. The Centre undertakes innovative design projects, especially where design outcomes are supported by the systematic collection and interpretation of research data. The third offers designers with their own professional context the opportunity to explore an individual project under the guidance of a design adviser.

Each program includes a Graduate Certificate and a Graduate Diploma. Participants can enter and exit the program at different points with a qualification or shift between modes as appropriate.

Program/Subject details

Specific information about program structure, subject details and assessment is available on the web at: www.swin.edu.au/coursefinder
AVAILABLE DOCTORATE LEVEL OR EQUIVALENT PROGRAMS AND THE ESTIMATED DURATION OF STUDYING
All Research Training is undertaken in a research priority area. The Research Higher Degrees Programs offered by the National Institute for Design Research are:
Masters by Research
Professional Doctorate (Doctor of Design)
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
For more information on our Research Programs, please click here.

Professional Doctorate in Design

The Professional Doctorate in Design is offered in the areas of Communication Design, Industrial Design, Interior Design and Multimedia Design, and allows research to be undertaken in the context of applied design projects. There is no written thesis. Applicants need demonstrated design skills and experience but only a limited background in formal design research. 25% of the program is coursework in design research. 75% is devoted to an individual research project. While many candidates apply with an established research proposal, we are pleased to help you identify an appropriate project.
B. AIMS, PHILOSOPHY AND COLLABORATION
SUMMARY OF MISSION STATEMENT
Melbourne
Melbourne is a place where design matters, with sophisticated industries in communication design, advertising, multimedia design, film, architecture, interior design and fashion. As the undisputed cultural capital of Australia, Melbourne has thriving artistic communities, an energetic youth scene and is home to countless galleries, theatres and music venues. The city's vibrant Asian and European cultural mix is reflected in its rich history, and vibrant food, retailing and café cultures.


100 years of Swinburne

Since opening its doors in 1908 as a technical college, Swinburne has matured into an internationally acclaimed provider of higher education to over 40,000 students. The Parliament of Victoria conferred university status on Swinburne University of Technology (SUT) in 1992. Today SUT has campuses across Melbourne and the world. It enjoys robust collaborative links with business and industry. Since becoming a university SUT's research performance has been strong. In recent years we have topped the table in the amount and progression rate of research funding.

Swinburne's research is concentrated in specialist centres, renowned for their industry (links, community service and multidisciplinary approach. Swinburne was a pioneer of Industry-Based Learning (IBL), where students spend part of their degree gaining skills and knowledge in an industry context. The first IBL programs were offered to undergraduate students in 1963. Many postgraduate programs involve close industry interaction or supervised project work on real industrial problems under authentic conditions.

The National Institute of Design

The National Institute of Design (NID) has a proud history as a national leader in design education. NID spearheaded industry-based learning in design, placing high achieving students for part of their degree in the best design consultancies in Melbourne. Recently, this has extended to design studios around Australia and internationally. The Institute's Advisory Committee is made up of leading designers who monitor NID programs to ensure they reflect current industry needs and developments.

National Institute of Design Research

The National Institute of Design Research (NIDR) was officially established in 2003 , after several years of development, as a focal point for design research and postgraduate education at Swinburne University of Technology. The Institute is unique in the Southern Hemisphere and builds on National Institute of Design's existing achievements in conducting industry-relevant, technologically innovative design research, using design practice as the primary research method.

NIDR is the first Australian design education institute to be associated with a Cooperative Research Centre (CRC). This government-funded research project in Innovative Wood Manufacturing places NIDR at the cutting-edge of technology supported design. The Institute's strong technology base and vital industry links support a range of specialist research projects in information design, brand development, communication strategies and the technology/design interface, especially in new media. NID will become a partner in two further CRC's in 2004

NIDR Postgraduate Programs

Postgraduate studies at NIDR include both coursework programs in design practice and design research degrees. Coursework programs concentrate on the creative, technical and management skills needed in Communication Design, Industrial Design, Furniture Design, Interior Design or Multimedia Design.

Research activity centres on transferring knowledge between industry and the university. Epitomising this industry focus is our project-based Professional Doctorate in Design. Its emphasis on 'real world' design activity allows working designers to extend their practical and theoretical knowledge, preparing them for industry leadership.

NID is the first Australian design school to be associated with a Cooperative Research Centre (CRC). This government-funded research project in Wood Innovations places NID at the cutting-edge of technology supported design. The Institute's strong technology base and vital industry links complement a range of specialist research projects in information design, brand development, communication strategies and the technology/design interface, especially in new media.


INFORMATION ON STUDENT EXCHANGES
SUBJECT AREAS FOR EXCHANGE STUDENTS
Exchange at the Faculty of Design is only available through institutions that have signed, current agreements with Swinburne.
(Study abroad opportunities will be considered on a case by case basis).
Students on exchange agreements may apply to any subject (units) of study.
DEADLINES TO APPLY FOR AN EXCHANGE PERIOD
Application (final deadline) for semester one 31 October
Application (final deadline) for semester two 31 March
TEACHING LANGUAGES
English

6.0 overall with no band score below 6.0
computer based TOEFL 213 with essay writing score of 5
Internet based TOEFL 80 with no band score below 20
Applicants from Scandinavia, Finland and Germany. English High School Certificates.
BEGINNING AND ENDING DATES OF THE SEMESTER
March to June semester 1 (summer to winter)
July to November semester 2 (spring to summer)
COSTS PER MONTH (studying and living)
$AU 1000 approx.
FIGURES
NUMBER OF DEGREE STUDENTS
Bachelor: 1524
Master: 124
Doctorate: 47
NUMBER OF INCOMING EXCHANGE STUDENTS
21
NUMBER OF OUTGOING EXCHANGE STUDENTS
22
NUMBER OF OTHER STUDENTS (continuing education, post-experience courses, other)
125
NUMBER OF TEACHING STAFF
Professors: 7
Lecturers: 36
Other permanent teachers: 0
Part-time teachers: 54