Design Bureau
We transform complex problems into effective visual communication solutions.
The Design Bureau is a student-led design studio. We create strategic visual communication solutions that please the eyes, engage the mind and inspire action.
We undertake a rigorous and collaborative design process that involves listening, research, strategy, conceptual development and design development.
About the Design Bureau
We're not just your creatives, we're your creative partners.
We’re a bunch of dedicated, inspired designers who care about solving design and communication challenges. We deliver projects that spark conversations and elicit change.
Whether you’re a client seeking design solutions, or a student seeking a place where you can work on real-world projects, we can help.
We craft strategic and effective communication design solutions across a variety of media formats including print, digital and motion design.
We’re your collaborative partners.
Our approach
We’re methodical in our design practice and fluid in our thinking. Pragmatic yet inspired.
Curiosity underpins everything we do. We start by listening. Then we dive into research and strategy. Next, comes conceptual and design development. It all adds up to a rigorous and collaborative design process. And that equals communication design outcomes that effect the change you want to see.
Our approach centres around one main thing: collaboration. So if you’re ready to explore the possibilities, come on the journey with us. The end destination will be one you were planning on, and are excited to arrive at.
Our projects
From startups to research institutes, we work with clients who care about social good.
Put simply, we do great work for people doing good things (really good things).
- Baker Institute
- BioMelbourne
- Cabrini Health
- Peninsula Larder
- Smart Cities Research Institute
- Swinburne University of Technology
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BioMelbourne Network: Designing a bright new future
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Health Kite: Finding the cure for a complex interface
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Rooftop living laboratory: environmental design
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'Peninsula Larder: creating a world-class brand' - rebranding a luxury food market product. Work- strategy, identity design,packaging, print and wed media.
How to get involved
Prepare for your future in contemporary design practice
Are you an undergraduate Swinburne design student undertaking a professional or industry placement? Want to get some real-world studio experience under your belt before you graduate? You’ve come to the right place.
In the Bureau Studio, you’ll be guided by Dr Shivani Tyagi, lecturer in Communication Design and Design Research at Swinburne's School of Design.
Get set to work on a range of diverse, real-world design projects. Apply your design skills in real-work contexts, build your confidence and communication skills, learn how to solve complex problems and work collaboratively. Take your folio to the next level and multiply those industry connections.
Build the confidence to take your career wherever in the world you want to go.
Get in touch to find out more designbureau@swinburne.edu.au.
Dive headfirst into a dynamic work environment.
Are you a Swinburne design student who’s hungry for real-world experience before you graduate? The SoDA Accelerator can help.
Get contemporary design practice experience and expert guidance from Dr Emma Fisher and Professor Simone Taffe, lecturers in Communication Design at Swinburne's School of Design and Architecture.
Within our 25 credit point coursework unit, you’ll work in tight-knit creative teams with real external clients, to take design projects from go to whoah! Define the scope and objectives of your projects in return briefs, build your relationship and project management skills, and develop design proposals.
Take the wheel as you develop creative approaches and technical solutions. Emerge with a showstopping folio, boosted confidence, and the technical and on-the-job skills to help you land that dream job.
You can apply to be part of the Bureau Accelerator as:
- An elective unit of study within your Bachelor (must have credit points), or
- A core unit of study within the Bachelor of Design (Communication Design) (Honours) as an alternative to Industry Placement.
To find out more, contact Manager of the SoDA Accelerator, Dr Emma Fisher efisher@swinburne.edu.au.
News
- Science
- University
- Sustainability
Swinburne announces Professor Joy Sumner as FACET Co-Director
Swinburne has announced Professor Joy Sumner as the new Co-Director of the Franco-Australian Centre for Energy Transition (FACET)
- Aviation
- Sustainability
- Engineering
Australian-made sustainable powders to drive the future of advanced manufacturing
A high-tech spinout from Swinburne University of Technology will deliver Australian-made High Entropy Material (HEM) powders, developed from recycled industrial feedstocks, to advanced manufacturing and 3D printing facilities.
- Science
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Swinburne joins global Green Steel Alliance to advance carbon-neutral ironmaking and steelmaking
Swinburne has become a founding member of the global Green Steel Alliance. The Green Steel Alliance brings together leading research and industry stakeholders from around the world to advance the transition to a green economy.
- Science
- Sustainability
- Engineering
International project to support Australia’s transition to clean energy with next-gen electrolysers
Swinburne researchers are part of an international team is developing new electrolysers to support Australia’s transition to clean energy.
- University
- Design
Swinburne Design Factory Melbourne appoints new Innovation Fellow and Acting Director
Maureen Thurston, a global leader in innovating, by design, has been appointed as the new Acting Director of Swinburne’s Design Factory Melbourne and an Innovation Fellow.
-
- Science
- University
- Sustainability
Swinburne announces Professor Joy Sumner as FACET Co-Director
Swinburne has announced Professor Joy Sumner as the new Co-Director of the Franco-Australian Centre for Energy Transition (FACET)
Monday 28 April 2025 -
- Aviation
- Sustainability
- Engineering
Australian-made sustainable powders to drive the future of advanced manufacturing
A high-tech spinout from Swinburne University of Technology will deliver Australian-made High Entropy Material (HEM) powders, developed from recycled industrial feedstocks, to advanced manufacturing and 3D printing facilities.
Thursday 27 March 2025 -
- Science
- Sustainability
Swinburne joins global Green Steel Alliance to advance carbon-neutral ironmaking and steelmaking
Swinburne has become a founding member of the global Green Steel Alliance. The Green Steel Alliance brings together leading research and industry stakeholders from around the world to advance the transition to a green economy.
Wednesday 12 March 2025 -
- Science
- Sustainability
- Engineering
International project to support Australia’s transition to clean energy with next-gen electrolysers
Swinburne researchers are part of an international team is developing new electrolysers to support Australia’s transition to clean energy.
Wednesday 05 February 2025 -
- University
- Design
Swinburne Design Factory Melbourne appoints new Innovation Fellow and Acting Director
Maureen Thurston, a global leader in innovating, by design, has been appointed as the new Acting Director of Swinburne’s Design Factory Melbourne and an Innovation Fellow.
Monday 03 February 2025
Contact the Design Bureau
If you have any questions, want to work with us or simply want to have a chat, get in touch with us by emailing designbureau@swinburne.edu.au or call 9214 3608.