All Bachelor of Design students study the same first semester where you will develop the design foundation and drawing skills to prepare you for success in the degree, regardless of specialisation or previous design experience. It also enables you to spend time gaining more information about the different specialisations and professions to support you to make an informed decision in second semester.
The degree has four components:
- Design studios which account for nearly half of your degree and are specific to each of the specialisations
- Design theory sequence which connects you to the important ideas of the professions
- Professional practice subject to prepare you for your career
- Electives which enable you to develop your design capabilities and skills or select from the vast array offered across the University.
- There are also opportunities for overseas study, including Monash Prato and with our overseas partner institutions.
- Design Theory is a sequence of study that spans across all years and semesters (except Year 2 Semester 2 and final semester) and starts with Introduction to Visual Culture in Year 1.
Design theory
- Design theory is vital to enriching your design practice to ensure you are the thoughtful and responsible designer the world needs.
- This study sequence connects you to the broader historical and critical contexts of design and how these are applied to practical studio work. Through the sequence you will explore how social and political frameworks relate to design practices, historically and as we move into the future and contemporary practice.
- Discover how Indigeneity, gender identity, socio-economic privilege and environmental concerns impact on design and how it is operationalised in the world.
Drawing foundation
- All students study Drawing in first semester and this subject has been developed to accommodate all levels of ability. So even if you have not drawn since primary school, this subject will help you develop the capability to draw manufactured and natural form, investigating proportion and structure through line, tone, shape and texture. Those with highly developed drawing skills will develop the capabilities to apply that to design and making.
Design studios
- Whilst the Design studios are the backbone to the degree and provide the basis for integrating your learning, there are concurrent sequences of study that provide core theoretical and practical knowledge. These are grouped around the themes of Design History and Theory, Design Strategy, Drawing and Communication skills.
Electives
- Electives are where you can build your design skills and professional capabilities. You can select from a vast range that includes photography, exhibition design, brand strategy, 3D modelling, animation, furniture and transport design.
- You can even choose electives like a language, IT or accounting that are offered by other Monash faculties.
- Double degree students use their electives for their partner degree studies to complete two degrees in four years.
