Industrial designers are concerned with the design of products that are to be produced by manufacturers. Design covers the visual and tactile qualities of products, as well as their function, ergonomics and manufacture. Design must also take into account the effect of products on the environment and society into which they are placed. This course provides students with an understanding of the place of design in the context of the sociocultural, manufacturing, economic and environmental systems, providing the foundation for the design of products which are functional, manufacturable and sustainable over the long term.
This program has close links to industry, professional designers and community organisations. The course is designed to reflect how developing technologies are changing the way designers work and relate to their clients and the users of products, through an emphasis on collaborative work, information handling and use of electronic technologies.
This course aims to develop knowledge and skills in the design of products for mass production, producing graduates who can adapt successfully to industrial and social change and be capable of taking leadership roles in industry.
Career options include product designer, product manager or exhibition designer. Examples of products include cars, electrical goods, furniture, packaging, storage systems and computers.
International students (excluding those studying in an Australian high school) must submit an application to the UTS International Office (in person, by mail or online) or through an accredited UTS representative. The application must include a portfolio of the student's work (preferrably provided on CD or DVD).
In addition to the standard application requirements, all non-current school leaver applicants to this course are required to submit online a compulsory Personal Statement directly to UTS by the end of September. For further information, see UTS Personal Statements.
Any two units of English.
Design and technology, and visual arts are recommended. For non-current school leavers, previous related study or work experience would be of assistance.
This course is offered on a four-year, full-time basis. The hours of attendance are generally four full days per week.
Students must complete 192 credit points comprising the following:
Students can undertake part-time work experience in their third year of study.
| CBK90132 Design Discipline subjects | 18cp | |
| STM90370 Core subjects | 150cp | |
| CBK90242 Sub-major / Electives DAB | 24cp | |
| Total | 192cp |
The example program below is for a student commencing in Autumn semester and undertaking the course full time.
| Year 1 | ||
| Autumn semester | ||
| 84110 Aesthetics in Industrial Design | 6cp | |
| 84111 Understanding Three-dimensional Form | 6cp | |
| 84112 Industrial Design Communications | 6cp | |
| 85502 Researching Design History | 6cp | |
| Spring semester | ||
| 84113 Problem Solving in Industrial Design | 6cp | |
| 84114 Industrial Design Digital Communication | 6cp | |
| 84115 Informing Industrial Design | 6cp | |
| 85503 Researching Design Processes | 6cp | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Autumn or Spring semester | ||
| 84121 Computer-aided Industrial Design | 6cp | |
| Select one subject from the following: | 6cp | |
| 85500 Design Futures: Creative Technologies | 6cp | |
| 85504 Design Futures: Sustainable Lifestyles | 6cp | |
| 85505 Design Arguments: Making Theories | 6cp | |
| 85506 Design Differences: Intercultural Asia | 6cp | |
| 85507 Theories of Change | 6cp | |
| 85508 Design Arguments: Critical Judgements | 6cp | |
| 85509 Design Differences: Other Identities | 6cp | |
| 85700 Interdisciplinary Project | 6cp | |
| Autumn semester | ||
| 84120 Structure, Form and Material in Industrial Design | 6cp | |
| 84122 Ergonomics and Industrial Design | 6cp | |
| Select 6 credit points of electives | 6cp | |
| Spring semester | ||
| 84123 Material Manipulation | 6cp | |
| 84124 Sustainability and Design | 6cp | |
| Select 6 credit points of electives | 6cp | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Autumn or Spring semester | ||
| 84131 Industrial Design Directions | 6cp | |
| Select one subject from the following: | 6cp | |
| 85500 Design Futures: Creative Technologies | 6cp | |
| 85504 Design Futures: Sustainable Lifestyles | 6cp | |
| 85505 Design Arguments: Making Theories | 6cp | |
| 85506 Design Differences: Intercultural Asia | 6cp | |
| 85507 Theories of Change | 6cp | |
| 85508 Design Arguments: Critical Judgements | 6cp | |
| 85509 Design Differences: Other Identities | 6cp | |
| 85700 Interdisciplinary Project | 6cp | |
| Autumn semester | ||
| 84130 Product Technology | 6cp | |
| 84135 Ecodesign Practice | 6cp | |
| Select 6 credit points of electives | 6cp | |
| Spring semester | ||
| 84133 Industrial Design Theory | 6cp | |
| 84134 Industrial Design Professional Communication | 6cp | |
| Select 6 credit points of electives | 6cp | |
| Year 4 | ||
| Autumn semester | ||
| 84771 Industrial Design Project 700A | 6cp | |
| 84772 Industrial Design Professional Practice | 6cp | |
| 84780 Research Dissertation ID | 6cp | |
| Select one subject from the following: | 6cp | |
| 85500 Design Futures: Creative Technologies | 6cp | |
| 85504 Design Futures: Sustainable Lifestyles | 6cp | |
| 85505 Design Arguments: Making Theories | 6cp | |
| 85506 Design Differences: Intercultural Asia | 6cp | |
| 85507 Theories of Change | 6cp | |
| 85508 Design Arguments: Critical Judgements | 6cp | |
| 85509 Design Differences: Other Identities | 6cp | |
| 85700 Interdisciplinary Project | 6cp | |
| Spring semester | ||
| 84880 Major Project ID | 24cp | |
Further information is available from the Faculty Student Administration Unit on: