Speculate on the future of design practice as a leader in a rapidly changing environment.

As innovation in urban spatial design practice is positioned at the intersection of several disciplines, this course caters to students from a wide variety of professions, such as architecture, interior design, industrial design, media and communication design, computer science, engineering, and sound design.

This course allows you to push your design practice into new areas by broadening your horizons and embracing new ideas.

It’s all centered on learning through design studios

Design studios make up the majority of this program and are taught in small groups. Studios provide a unique way of exploring ideas by challenging future designers, and are run by academics and practicing design leaders from international architectural and design firms.

Design studios are based around the following themes:

• prototyping digital fabrication and advanced manufacturing techniques
• developing sustainable systems within responsive and adaptive environments
• employing interactive technologies in the design of information environments
• addressing spatial experience through soundscape, lighting and multimedia design

This course has strong industry links that allow you to connect with local and global leaders in industry. You’ll have the opportunity to work on real issues faced by organisations, and receive feedback for your work.

You will have the opportunity to experience learning on a international scale through the global intensive design studios offered in Melbourne, Barcelona, Ho Chi Minh City, and more.

This course provides you with the advanced skills, knowledge, and design thinking capabilities to pursue a variety of professional pathways in the fields of architecture, design, engineering and technology. 

Career Outcomes

Graduates may pursue many professional pathways, including work in the fields of architecture, interior, industrial, and experience design, specialist consultancy to design, engineering practice, or high-end construction and development.

You will be an expert in realising:

• complex design solutions that integrate cutting edge technology with the needs of people;
• be able analyse current trends and future innovations within design;
• be able formulate design solutions that bring together digital, interactive, sustainable and audio-visual technologies in the design of urban spaces.

You will also be prepared for:

• environmental performance as a driver in early design
• realising complex architecture
• integrating technology in spatial design such as sound, sensing and actuation
• the design of virtual and sonic environments.

Possible career titles:

• acoustic designer
• architect
• designer
• digital design consultant
• engineer
• fabrication and assembly designer
• industrial designer
• interior designer
• landscape architect
• responsive design consultant
• spatial system designer
• spatial sound performer
• software engineer
• sound designer
• transformable design consultant
• visualisation designer

Professional recognition and accreditation

Global intensive design studios are offered in Melbourne, Barcelona, Ho Chi Minh City and occasionally other cities.

In addition to overseas workshops, the course has an extensive network of international collaborators in North America, Europe and Asia. 

RMIT’s Global Mobility Office supports students to undertake an exchange or short-term mobility activity with over 165 partner universities worldwide.