Why Study / Key Benefits

The Bachelor of Design, majoring in Emerging Technology for Design Innovation, is designed for students who want to combine design thinking with artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies.

Key benefits include:

• A strategic, design-led approach to applying AI and emerging technologies.
• Development of skills in service design, AI for design practice, emerging technologies and design futures.
• Practical, project-based learning with authentic briefs and industry-assessed projects.
• Access to hands-on facilities such as Swinburne’s ProtoLAB.
• A guaranteed Work Integrated Learning opportunity as part of the bachelor-degree experience, which may involve industry projects, internships or placements.
• A major project and design capstone that can provide opportunities to work on real-world industry or community projects.
• Development of a professional portfolio throughout the degree.
• The course can be combined with selected double degrees in Business, Media and Communication or Applied Innovation.

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The current indicative Semester 1, 2026 study sequence is:

Year 1 – 100 credit points

Semester 1:

• Concepts and Narratives – DCO10001
• Introduction to Design Principles and Processes – DDD10007
• Typography – DCO10005
• Twentieth Century Design – DDD10001

Semester 2:

• Visual Communication Studio – DCO10007
• Design Practices and Employability – DDD10014
• Digital Design – DCO10002
• Contemporary Design Issues – DDD20004.

Year 2 – 100 credit points

Semester 1:

• Exploring Creativity and Innovation – INV10001
• Innovation for the Future – INV20002
• Elective
• Elective

Semester 2:

• Artificial Intelligence for Design Practice – DDD20048
• Emerging Technology Design Studio – DDD20046
• Elective
• Elective.

Year 3 – 100 credit points

Semester 1:

• Service Design – DDD30059
• Emerging Technology for Design Innovation Major Project – DDD30058
• Elective
• Elective

Semester 2:

• Design Capstone Project – DDD30057
• Professional Practice and Portfolio – DDD30056
• Elective
• Elective.

Disciplines / Specialisations

The selected major is:

Emerging Technology for Design Innovation.

The major focuses on:

• Artificial intelligence for design practice
• Emerging technologies
• Service design
• Innovation
• Design futures
• Design-led application of technology
• Commercially relevant design innovation
• Professional portfolio development.

Programme Highlights

• 3-year Bachelor of Design qualification.
• Emerging Technology for Design Innovation major.
• AI and emerging-technology applications within a design context.
• 300-credit-point degree.
• Eight core units, eight major units and eight units of additional study.
• Industry-connected projects and authentic design briefs.
• Guaranteed Work Integrated Learning as part of Swinburne's bachelor-degree experience.
• Hands-on learning using facilities including ProtoLAB.
• Major project and capstone project.
• Professional Practice and Portfolio unit.
• Opportunities to combine the degree with Business, Media and Communication or Applied Innovation through double-degree options.
• Potential pathway options through Swinburne's Diploma of Design (UniLink) and other recognised pathways.

Career Outcomes

Swinburne specifically lists the following career opportunities for the Emerging Technology for Design Innovation major:

• Design innovation strategist
• AI experience designer
• Creative technologist
• Digital innovation consultant.

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

The current 2027 course information confirms Semester 1 and Semester 2 commencement at Hawthorn.

Important points for international applicants:

• The course is CRICOS registered under 088395D.
• International students in Australia on Student visas must study full-time and on campus.
• Online-only study is not available to international students in Australia holding a Student visa.
• The currently published detailed study sequence is an indicative Semester 1, 2026 sequence and may change.
• Credit transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning are assessed case-by-case.
• Some applicants seeking advanced standing or applying through work experience/STAT may need to provide a Digital Portfolio and answer four design-related questions.
• The course includes practical, visual and collaborative activities. Swinburne's Informed Choices information identifies requirements relating to areas such as visual information, dexterity, digital literacy, critical thinking, written communication and teamwork; reasonable adjustments may be possible for adaptable components.

International Student Visa Requirements

International students intending to study this course in Australia normally require an Australian Student visa, subclass 500.

The Australian Department of Home Affairs states that Student visa applicants must be enrolled in a full-time CRICOS-registered course and provide a valid Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE).

Key requirements and conditions include:

• Valid Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) for the intended course.
• Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the required period, unless an exemption applies.
• Evidence of sufficient financial capacity where required by the visa application/document checklist.
• Satisfaction of the Genuine Student requirement.
• Compliance with the conditions attached to the Student visa.
• Maintaining enrolment in the course.
• Studying full-time, consistent with Swinburne's course-specific Student visa requirement.