Professional & Industry Experience 1
Overview
This unit extends students' academic knowledge through active learning experiences within a commercial environment, in order to provide experiential, discipline-specific learning. Direct experience in a real world context supports students to develop their understanding of the professional workplace and design discipline. Real world learning enhances a students’ personal and professional maturity by offering insights into workplace culture, issues and protocols. Through this unit students are given an opportunity to apply and strengthen their academic knowledge, to contextualise their design skills and to develop career and interpersonal skills.
Requisites
Rule
Competitive entry will apply on the basis of a minimum of credit average
AND
Students must complete a minimum of 200 cp in BA-DESINA1 Bachelor of Design (Interior Architecture)
OR
Students must complete a minimum of 200 cp in BH-DESIND1 Bachelor of Design (Industrial Design) (Honours)
Assumed Knowledge
Competence in design sketching and 3D CAD
01-June-2025
02-November-2025
Learning outcomes
Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:
- Apply and reflect on design principles and practices within a work placement context
- Describe the management tools implemented and strategic direction of the organisation, such as managing time, tasks and resources within the industry-specific design practices
- Critically analyse the impact of client, customer and team dynamics, and differing expectations on design projects
- Explain and apply business processes, professional language and communication practices and company protocols
- Discuss and illustrate the outcomes of the design projects to which they have contributed
- Demonstrate competencies in task and time management, interpersonal communications, initiative and problem solving, professional behaviour, independent learning and Leadership skills
Teaching methods
Hawthorn
| Type | Hours per week | Number of weeks | Total (number of hours) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Placement Placement | 29.54 | 26 weeks | 768 |
| TOTAL | 768 |
Assessment
| Type | Task | Weighting | ULO's |
|---|---|---|---|
| Employer and Acedemic Review | Individual | 30% | 1,4,6 |
| Portfolio | Individual | 30% | 1,4,5 |
| Reflection | Individual | 40% | 2,3,4,5,6 |
| Employer and Acedemic Review | Individual | 30% | 1,4,6 |
| Portfolio | Individual | 30% | 1,4,5 |
| Reflection | Individual | 40% | 2,3,4,5,6 |
Content
Through observation, enquiry and practice under the supervision and guidance of professional practitioners and an academic mentor, students will address the following themes:
- Practising design within a professional context
- Managing time, tasks, and resources within industry-specific design processes
- Reflect on the management tools implemented and strategic direction of organisations
- Understanding and managing team dynamics
- Implement a range of professional communication skills
- Interpreting client and customer expectations
- Business processes, language and protocols
Study resources
Reading materials
A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.