Industrial design sits at the intersection of art, research and human-centered innovation.
Develop the skills to reimagine the objects and experiences that shape our daily lives. Blend cutting-edge technology, sustainable thinking and user insights to design solutions that are both functional and inspiring.
In this Master of Design degree, you'll learn to create solutions that are not only functional and aesthetically pleasing, but also meaningful and impactful. Master the latest digital design tools and tackle complex design problems – exploring sustainable materials and collaborating with industry partners.
Whether your passion lies in consumer electronics, furniture or transportation, Adelaide University will equip you with the expertise to become a leader in the field of industrial design.
Enhance your ability to create innovative products for today’s world with our Master of Design specialising in Industrial Design. We will provide you with a thorough understanding of the dynamic and ever-evolving field of industrial design, building upon your existing knowledge and skillset.
Learn in our custom-built workshops, where you’ll work with laser cutters, CNC routers and 3D printers. Through core courses, electives and major projects, you’ll go beyond building your practical design skills, also developing your research capabilities and analytical thinking.
By combining hands-on studio work with theory and industry engagement, our Master of Design will empower you to shape the future of industrial design and make a lasting impact on how people interact with the world around them. You might design smart water bottles, multi-use furniture or even self-cleaning surfaces.
Graduate ready to drive innovation in established companies, launch entrepreneurial ventures or pursue further research in design.
Develop advanced technical skills needed to design physical products, systems, interfaces and environments. Benefit from our global networks and relationships in industrial design. Learn from teachers who are currently practising and have strong links to industry. Work on real-life projects in custom-built on-campus workshops. Exit from your studies early and graduate with a graduate diploma qualification. Use this qualification as a pathway to further studies, including PhD studies.Our Master of Design dives into the complexities of product design, enhancing and expanding on your current expertise. Build a sophisticated skillset of tools and methodologies to investigate human-centred design challenges, while also developing advanced strategies for managing intricate design projects.
Explore the following topics in your first year of study:
Engage in hands-on design research studio classes to develop the advanced technical skills required to create functional and innovative designs. Complete electives and a yearlong research project in your second year, aligning your studies with niche areas of interest.
Our specialisation in Industrial Design puts human-centred research and design thinking at the forefront of your learning. Investigate design problems and develop innovative solutions, honing your skills in reviewing and analysing research. You’ll also discover emerging materials and processing technologies, including 3D design.
Graduate with the design sensibilities to develop and design physical products, systems and interfaces. Focus on areas that are of particular interest to you – whether that’s furniture, consumable goods packaging or even personal electronics.
The Master of Design is also available with specialisations in the following:
This degree is part of a stackable set of qualifications, meaning your study choices are flexible. If your goals shift, you can exit after six months of study with a standalone Graduate Certificate or after one year with a Graduate Diploma qualification.
You can also begin your studies with a shorter qualification like the six-month Graduate Certificate and continue on to complete the Graduate Diploma (one year) or full master’s degree.
Complete 96 units comprising:
Complete 66 units for ALL of the following:
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Course name
Art and Design Masters Foundation Studio
|
Course code
ARCH5006
|
Units
12
|
|
|
Course name
Art and Design Interdisciplinary Studio
|
Course code
ARCH5013
|
Units
12
|
|
|
Course name
Art and Design Business Practices
|
Course code
ARCH5016
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Art and Design Research Methods
|
Course code
ARCH6000
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Art and Design Masters Project 1
|
Course code
ARCH6006
|
Units
12
|
|
|
Course name
Arts and Design Masters Project 2
|
Course code
ARCH6007
|
Units
12
|
|
|
Course name
Art and Design Masters Report
|
Course code
ARCH6008
|
Units
6
|
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
 |
Course name
Art and Design Interdisciplinary Studio
|
Course code
ARCH5013
|
Units
12
|
|
Course name
Nature, Culture and Sustainability
|
Course code
ARCH5012
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Art and Design Advanced Theory
|
Course code
ARCH5018
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Art and Design Masters Foundation Studio
|
Course code
ARCH5006
|
Units
12
|
|
Course name
Art and Design Business Practices
|
Course code
ARCH5016
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Art and Design Research Methods
|
Course code
ARCH6000
|
Units
6
|
| Year 2 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Art and Design Masters Project 1
|
Course code
ARCH6006
|
Units
12
|
|
Course name
Art and Design Masters Report
|
Course code
ARCH6008
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Arts and Design Masters Project 2
|
Course code
ARCH6007
|
Units
12
|
|
Course name
Art and Design Professional Experience
|
Course code
ARCH6901
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
Complete 12 units for ALL of the following:
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Nature, Culture and Sustainability
|
Course code
ARCH5012
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Art and Design Advanced Theory
|
Course code
ARCH5018
|
Units
6
|
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Art and Design Interdisciplinary Studio
|
Course code
ARCH5013
|
Units
12
|
|
Course name
Nature, Culture and Sustainability
|
Course code
ARCH5012
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Art and Design Advanced Theory
|
Course code
ARCH5018
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Art and Design Masters Foundation Studio
|
Course code
ARCH5006
|
Units
12
|
|
Course name
Art and Design Business Practices
|
Course code
ARCH5016
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Art and Design Research Methods
|
Course code
ARCH6000
|
Units
6
|
| Year 2 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Art and Design Masters Project 1
|
Course code
ARCH6006
|
Units
12
|
|
Course name
Art and Design Masters Report
|
Course code
ARCH6008
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Arts and Design Masters Project 2
|
Course code
ARCH6007
|
Units
12
|
|
Course name
Art and Design Professional Experience
|
Course code
ARCH6901
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
Complete 6 units for ALL of the following:
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Art and Design Professional Experience
|
Course code
ARCH6901
|
Units
6
|
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Art and Design Interdisciplinary Studio
|
Course code
ARCH5013
|
Units
12
|
|
Course name
Nature, Culture and Sustainability
|
Course code
ARCH5012
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Art and Design Advanced Theory
|
Course code
ARCH5018
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Art and Design Masters Foundation Studio
|
Course code
ARCH5006
|
Units
12
|
|
Course name
Art and Design Business Practices
|
Course code
ARCH5016
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Art and Design Research Methods
|
Course code
ARCH6000
|
Units
6
|
| Year 2 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Art and Design Masters Project 1
|
Course code
ARCH6006
|
Units
12
|
|
Course name
Art and Design Masters Report
|
Course code
ARCH6008
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Arts and Design Masters Project 2
|
Course code
ARCH6007
|
Units
12
|
|
Course name
Art and Design Professional Experience
|
Course code
ARCH6901
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
Complete 12 units comprising:
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Art and Design Interdisciplinary Studio
|
Course code
ARCH5013
|
Units
12
|
|
Course name
Nature, Culture and Sustainability
|
Course code
ARCH5012
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Art and Design Advanced Theory
|
Course code
ARCH5018
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Art and Design Masters Foundation Studio
|
Course code
ARCH5006
|
Units
12
|
|
Course name
Art and Design Business Practices
|
Course code
ARCH5016
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Art and Design Research Methods
|
Course code
ARCH6000
|
Units
6
|
| Year 2 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Art and Design Masters Project 1
|
Course code
ARCH6006
|
Units
12
|
|
Course name
Art and Design Masters Report
|
Course code
ARCH6008
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Arts and Design Masters Project 2
|
Course code
ARCH6007
|
Units
12
|
|
Course name
Art and Design Professional Experience
|
Course code
ARCH6901
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
Our Master of Design specialising in Industrial Design will provide you with the advanced skills and knowledge necessary to thrive in the professional field of industrial design.
You might design sustainable and unique 3D printed furniture made from discarded fruit and vegetable scraps. Maybe you’ll design wearable devices that filter air around the user, providing clean air in polluted environments while being portable and stylish. Perhaps you’ll create smart kitchen devices that adjust cooking times and temperatures based on the type of food and user preferences.
The skills acquired in our industrial design program are transferable to many industries such as design agencies and government departments, along with scientific, technical, manufacturing and retail companies. This allows graduates to pivot into other design-related roles and increase employability.
Other careers to consider include:
The future of industrial design will be characterised by a commitment to sustainability, the integration of advanced technologies, a focus on human-centered approaches and an embrace of minimalism (Yanko Design, 2024). Designers will play a crucial role in creating innovative solutions that meet the evolving needs of society while addressing environmental challenges.
Designers are increasingly integrating principles of sustainability into their work, focusing on minimising environmental impact throughout the product lifecycle (Spark Innovations, 2024). This shift is not only a response to consumer demand but is also necessary to address climate change and resource scarcity. Adelaide University’s commitment to sustainability means our graduates will understand how the future of industrial design can be both functional and environmentally responsible.
Please note that a non-refundable application fee of AUD$150 applies for every application submitted to Adelaide University.
Adelaide University sets you up for success in your studies – and your social life. You’ll have access to work placement and internship opportunities, overseas study tours and exchanges, networking events with guest speakers and more. Our campuses are equipped with purpose-built facilities including lecture theatres, libraries, workshops, laboratories, and spaces that simulate real work environments. These are all supported by the latest technologies and a 24/7 online learning platform with personalised study information and resources.
You’ll have everything you need to live well and thrive during your studies, with health services on campus, gymnasiums, technology zones and modern student lounges. Get involved in campus sport or join our student clubs that will connect you to your passions – and the people who share them.
Adelaide also has a variety of accommodation options to suit your individual requirements and budget, with options ranging from dedicated student accommodation to private rentals. One of the world’s most liveable cities, Adelaide has lots of leafy parks, gardens and social hubs – and some of the highest living standards globally. No matter where you are in Adelaide, you’re only a short distance from beaches, vineyards, museums, art galleries, restaurants, bars and parklands. Visit the accommodation web page to find out more.
Student services
We’re here to support you on your student journey. Adelaide University offers a range of support services and facilities, including:
You’ll also have unlimited access to our dedicated student support hub. Visit in-person or online, or contact our friendly team by phone. We can assist you with anything study-related including enrolment, identification cards, timetables, fees and more.
You'll be studying at one of our renowned campuses, accessing cutting-edge facilities and contemporary study spaces.
Your courses will require a combination of different learning formats, including lectures, tutorials, workshops, seminars and practicals. Aside from your classes, you’ll also need to allocate additional time for independent study. This may include assignments, readings, projects and contributing to online discussion forums. As a rough guide, full-time studies may require 12-26 hours of class time and 14-18 hours of independent study per week.
During your studies at Adelaide University, you’ll complete a mixture of practical, professional and research-based learning. Your assessment types will vary depending on the degree you’re studying, but may include:
