The Australian Academy of Design was established in 1999 following discussions among a group of concerned design professionals and design educators who believed the Australian Government’s funding cuts to tertiary education were preventing universities from offering the best possible education for prospective designers. The Academy initially established Industry Advisory Panels comprised of leading practicing professionals in each of the major study areas chosen to offer to students and sought their views on the future career options and skill requirements in the evolving design professions.
The most notable requirement was for a return to an emphasis on visual thinking, including concept generation and development (common in design courses prior to the amalgamation of colleges of advanced education with universities), and a reduced emphasis on computing skills.
The Academy introduced its unique Bachelor of Design Arts in 2006. A key element in this new course development was the introduction of maximum class sizes of 16 students and the integration of students across disciplines to better reflect the changing nature of the profession life.
The new degree programs have achieved best expectations with 90%+ of students completing their studies and 90% graduates of the Bachelor of Design Arts being employed in design related positions within six months of graduation. Many graduates are obtaining highly sought-after positions and winning awards; several have established their own studios.
The Academy has now implemented another innovation with the graduating Students Exhibition Preview Night. This provides graduating students an opportunity to commence developing their professional network by inviting design professionals to view their portfolios. It also provides busy professionals an opportunity to see the work of a wide range of prospective employees or future design sub-contractors across the five disciplines offered in the Bachelor of Design Arts: Advertising, Fashion Design, Graphic Design, Photo Media and Visual Arts.
My thanks to all those visiting design professionals and design employers who attend this exhibition; your support is a great encouragement to students beginning their careers. I also encourage you to participate in the Academy’s programs such as the Guest Lecture Series and we would welcome collaborating with you more closely in future.
