Industrial Design

At the University of Newcastle, Industrial Design is available as a joint offering of an integrated industrial design program with TAFE NSW. The first three years are offered at Hunter Institute (Newcastle Campus,) and the final year is offered at the University of Newcastle.

What is Industrial Design?

Bringing together the four main aspects of design - style, function, manufacture and marketing - industrial design is involved in just about every aspect of life. Consumer products and their packaging, furniture, transport, interiors, set design, exhibitions and displays - these are all shaped by industrial design. Virtually every manufactured object in the world is the result of the work of an industrial designer!

If you would like further information on industrial design is, please visit the Design Institute of Australia.

Career Opportunities

Industrial designers generally work as product designers in commercial manufacturing. They provide a vital link between the consumer and manufacturers of a wide range of products. Employment opportunities range from working for large corporations in development and refinement of products before manufacture, to freelance consultancy for specialist projects.

Employment opportunities are significant and Australia has the highest growth rate of industrial production in the world. Industrial designers generally work as product designers in commercial manufacturing. They provide a vital link between the consumer and manufacturers of a wide range of products. Opportunities range from working for large corporations in development and refinement of products before manufacture, to freelance consultancy for specialist projects.

What will I study?

The program offers you courses in design history, model making, visual communication techniques, research and writing, production drawing, materials and processes. There are also specialist courses in furniture, styling, human factors and three elective courses where students are encouraged to explore areas of personal interest. Students study design process, model making, design history, materials and processes and a range of drawing techniques. They employ these skills in the pursuit of answers to design problems in the project work which is the foundation of this program.

In addition to lectures, you have the opportunity of working on a professional level project of your own choice in the final year of study. The project can be undertaken in conjunction with an external manufacturer or a mentor and is designed to allow you to accumulate a body of work in the area in which you would like to specialise after graduating. This is intended to give you a distinct advantage when applying for jobs.

Accreditation

Our program is accredited by the Institution of Engineers, Australia and affiliated international organisations. This ensures recognition of the qualification throughout Australia and many overseas countries.

Academic Staff in Industrial Design

To view more information about a staff member, including research interests, please select the "web" option to visit that staff member's profile.