Graduate Diploma of Design Strategy and Innovation

The Graduate Diploma of Design Strategy and Innovation enhances students’ knowledge in strategic design practice, globalisation and the future of design.

Students may also undertake study in related areas such as marketing, entrepreneurship and innovation, media and management.

Students have the option to participate in study tours and projects with Design Factory Melbourne.

The Graduate Diploma of Design Strategy and Innovation provides a unique opportunity to integrate design thinking, design management, strategic design, systems and complexity thinking, innovation processes, and futures forecasting within the same course.

The course is suited to practitioners from all disciplines who wish to complement and extend their existing capability with design-led tools, techniques, frameworks and strategies for solving complex organisational, social and technological problems and to facilitate change in business, government agencies, social enterprise and communities.

The course will prepare graduates to create, lead, implement, manage and sustain innovation in products, systems and services that have a sustainable impact on the economy, society and the environment.

To qualify for the award of Graduate Diploma of Design Strategy and Innovation, students must complete 100 credit points comprising:

• 6 Design core units (87.5 credit points)
• 1 Elective unit (12.5 credit points)

Units of study

DDD70015 Design Management DDD40001 Studio 1: Methods for Design Research FST80008 Designing for Change DDD70002 Cross- Cultural Social Design Strategy * DDD80018 Strategic Design Practice DDD80017 Design Futures

Students must complete one elective unit (12.5 credit points) from list below or from elsewhere in the university:

DDD70014 Eco-Design Studio DDD70016 Creative Entrepreneurship ENT80018 Social Entrepreneurship PHI60001 Critical Thinking

* Outcome units - matched exemptions are generally not granted for higher education outcome units.

The course aims to provide graduates with an understanding of how design, design methods and design strategies integrate with management and innovation. It enables graduates to understand the management of design as a value-add resource in business. It is particularly suitable for ‘mid-career’ designers moving into management or strategy-related positions, or those responsible for managing design resources.

Upon successful completion of the Graduate Diploma of Design Strategy and Innovation, graduates will be able to:

• evaluate current practices and trends in design practice, strategy and management as they relate to social, cultural, economic and environmental contexts.
• conceptually and technically investigate and analyse complex information, problems, concepts and theory and apply them through independent research and projects on design strategy and innovation.
• use research principles and methods and communication skills to interpret theoretical propositions, methodologies, conclusions and outcomes to an industry standard.
• apply critical thinking in planning, problem-solving and decision-making during design projects.
• analyse and demonstrate the integration of design thinking, design management, strategy, systems and complexity thinking, innovation processes, futures forecasting, leadership and sustainability.

The Swinburne Graduate Attributes signify that Swinburne intends that its teaching courses assist all its graduates to be:

• capable in their chosen professional, vocational or study areas
• entrepreneurial in contributing to innovation and development within their business, workplace or community
• effective and ethical in work and community situations
• adaptable and able to manage change
• aware of local and international environments in which they will be contributing.