Design Methods
PostgraduateTUA-DSG4022026
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Enrol by
- 6 Sept 2026
- Entry requirements
- Part of a degree
- Duration
- 12 weeks
- Start dates
- 14 Sept 2026
- Price from
- $4,150
- Upfront cost
- $0
- Loan available
- FEE-HELP available
Design Methods
About this subject
By the end of this 12-week subject, you'll be able to:
- Research, analyse and contextualise cultural information and emerging area of design practice using a systematic approach to be the foundation of a project.
- Evaluate emerging research concepts, processes and technologies and practices in terms of their usefulness for creative and commercial potential.
- Critically reflect on research process and project outcomes.
- Present research finding to a design community of practice.
- A guide to the topics you will explore in this subject will be provided in your study materials.
This subject introduces designers to research methodologies as a basis for identifying problems which can be the catalyst to bring about change. Students gain skills in the analysis of research data using grounded theory and phenomenography, in addition to visual research methods used as a foundation for creative and design solutions inherent in cross-disciplinary creative practice. By means of reflection, analysis and contextualising an identified culture—their own or others and by drawing on its philosophies, typical behaviours and patterns, designers explore, elicit and assess problems to instigate creative group projects. As a starting point to the creative process designers identify problems with a beneficial outcomes which is critiqued and refined during the group collaboration. Through deductive reasoning the group defines the boundaries of the problems and present these to the group in a “quick fire pitch” for critique and feedback, after which students refine and draw closer to their final inventions or solutions. The technologies used for the final design presentations enable the exploration of contexts by means of audio, visual and textual dimensions. The design practices foster understanding of, and connection with, the contexts that designed things participate in, enrich and often transform. The additional emphasis is on problem identification that informs and leads to enhanced futures based on successful creative outcomes.
- Research and solution proposal (30%)
- Cross cultural research project (30%)
- Part A Title: Design Solution (30%)
- Part B Title: Group presentation (10%)
For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).
At Torrens University Australia you can tailor your study to suit your lifestyle.
Thanks to their innovative digital learning system you’ll gain the ultimate in flexibility, and still receive personalised guidance from academics and access to work placement, mentorship and internship opportunities. Online you can attend live classes or view recorded sessions, connect with lecturers and fellow students, and access content on-demand 24/7.
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Entry requirements
Part of a degree
To enrol in this subject you must be accepted into one of the following degrees:
Core
- TUA-DSN-GCE-2026 - Graduate Certificate of Design
Elective
- TUA-UXD-GCE-2026 - Graduate Certificate of UX Design
Additional requirements
No additional requirements
Study load
- 0.125 EFTSL
- This is in the range of 10 to 12 hours of study each week.
Equivalent full time study load (EFTSL) is one way to calculate your study load. One (1.0) EFTSL is equivalent to a full-time study load for one year.
Find out more information on Commonwealth Loans to understand what this means to your eligibility for financial support.
Related degrees
Once you’ve completed this subject it can be credited towards one of the following courses
Graduate Certificate of Design
PostgraduateTUA-DSN-GCE
Graduate Certificate of UX Design
PostgraduateTUA-UXD-GCE