This practical degree will equip you with the skill set needed to design and create products that people use every day, such as electronic devices, domestic appliances and homewares, sports equipment, toys, furniture and more.

Industrial designers need to consider ergonomics, usefulness, appearance, manufacturing technologies, materials and environmental sustainability in their designs, and this comprehensive, practical degree will have you doing just that. During your studies you will develop fundamental practical skills through design studio classes, model making and prototyping.

You will learn 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. You will then practice skills learned in real-world workplaces when you complete professional placements as part of your study. There is also the opportunity for you to complete some of your studies overseas.

What you'll learn

There is a lot of ground to cover in this degree, starting with a fundamental understanding of the elements and principles of design. Much of this study takes place in the purpose-built design studios located on-campus. You will study basic skills and concepts relating to areas such as design history, theory and thinking; human centred design; and creativity. During your second year you will broaden your knowledge, covering topics such as:

• ergonomics
• computer aided design and manufacturing
• sustainable design concepts and methods
• materials and processes
• manufacturing and engineering principles

In your third year there will be a focus on design for usability, high volume manufacturing and sustainability, and you will be able to select a range of electives to tailor your study to your individual interests.

Job prospects in this field are looking good, with strong growth in employment expected nationally through to November 20201. You can increase you employment prospects when you continue your studies with a Master of Design. Careers to consider:

• computer drafter: convert designs into technical drawings using specialised software
• 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
• technical illustrator: design and create visual representations for use in technical publications and manuals 

1Australian Government Department of Employment, Occupational Employment Projections 2015

Professional accreditation and recognition

Graduates of this program are eligible for Graduate Membership of the Design Institute of Australia. Graduates are eligible for Associate Membership of the Design Institute of Australia after two years of professional practice.