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University of South Australia (UNISA)

Adelaide , South Australia ,Australia

Graduate Diploma in Design (Industrial Design)

This hands-on postgraduate qualification will equip you with a comprehensive understanding of the innovative, changing world of design. You will study emerging trends and technologies, contemporary design issues and sustainability.

As a postgraduate student, you will delve straight into the intricacies of product design, further building on your existing knowledge and skill set. Emerging materials and processing technologies will be covered, as will manufacturing, technical skills and 3D design. Much of your study will take place in our state-of-the-art workshops that are fitted out with digital fabrication equipment such as laser cutters, CNC routers and 3D printers, as well as industry-standard motion-capture and virtual reality systems. In addition to these fundamental practical skills, a key part of your learning will relate to advanced research skills and you will graduate with the cognitive skills needed to review and analyse research.
Emerging materials, processing technologies and sustainability are key focuses of this graduate diploma. You will also develop an advanced understanding of product design and graduate with the ability to develop and design physical products, systems, interfaces, and environments for cultural and economic exchange. You will also develop:

  • high-level technical skills needed for digital prototyping and the development of 3D design
  • the ability to use knowledge of existing and emerging materials and processing technologies for high and low volume manufacturing
  • the ability to work through complex industrial design problems
  • cognitive skills needed to review and analyse research

Campus Information

Adelaide- City West

On the edge of Adelaide’s central business district, City West houses studies in business, law, art, architecture, design, Indigenous cultures and Australian society.

Intakes

  • Feb
  • July

Application Processing Time in Days: 14

Minimum English Language Requirements

English Level Description IELTS (1.0 -9.0) TOEFL IBT (0-120) TOEFL CBT (0-300) PTE (10-90)
Expert 9 120 297-300 86-90
Very Good 8.5 115-119 280-293 83-86
Very Good 8 110-114 270-280 79-83
Good 7.5 102-109 253-267 73-79
Good 7 94-101 240-253 65-73
Competent 6.5 79-93 213-233 58-65
Competent 6 60-78 170-210 50-58
Modest 5.5 46-59 133-210 43-50
Modest 5 35-45 107-133 36-43
Limited 4 32-34 97-103 30-36
Extremely Limited < 4 < 31 < 93 < 30

Job Opportunity Potential

Job prospects in this field are looking good, with robust growth in employment prospects1. Careers to consider: 

  • industrial designer: develop concepts and designs for manufactured products, such as cars
  • furniture designer: develop design concepts, experiment with different materials, liaise with clients and build sample models for either mass-produced furniture prototypes or one-off exclusive pieces 
  • product designer: use your design skills to make existing products more effective

PSW Opportunity

NA

Admission Requirement / Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must have completed a three-year Bachelor degree from a recognised higher education institution, or equivalent, in a related discipline.

Alternative Entry

  • Applicants who have completed a Bachelor degree from a recognised higher education institution in an unrelated discipline, plus two years of professional experience in a related discipline, or applicants who do not have a completed degree but who have five years of professional experience in a related discipline will also be considered.

All applicants must submit a portfolio comprising a digital portfolio, curriculum vitae, statement of qualifications and a statement of intent. 

In addition to the portfolio, students who are submitting an application for the program via Alternative Entry without a completed Bachelor degree are also required to submit a letter of recommendation, of no more than one page in length, from a professional referee.