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.

What you'll learn

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

This graduate diploma comprises design research studio classes, research methods, design theory and a selection of electives.

Job prospects in this field are looking good, with growth in employment nationally expected in the coming years through to November 20201. 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

It is recommended that to increase employability in this competitive industry students complete the additional year of study required at attain a Master of Design.