Interior Design at RMIT is positioned as an idea-driven discipline which concentrates on the relations between people and the surrounding environment. Approached as such, the design of interiors is not confined to that which just occurs inside buildings, but covers a range of scales from the intimacy of a finely crafted object to that of a city. Working in the interstices between people and spaces, interior designers require the sensitivity and sensibility to imagine the experiential qualities of the interiors they design. This ‘doubleness’ requires imagination and creativity, particularly in a period of rapid social, ecological, political and technological change. Interior designers respond to these forces of change using a range of skills which enable them to push the boundaries of what currently exists while responding to the present. These skills include high-level visual communication and presentation techniques, hands-on model making, prototyping and technical design documentation and the manipulation of light, sound, video and computer-based programs used in spatial installations and events.

The program’s educational agenda is to challenge the accepted assumptions about interior design and test new ideas through design project work. This involves the contribution of many local and international practitioners and academics from a spectrum of disciplines, who engage the students in specific design projects, give seminars and tutorials, and engage in critical debate regarding the foundations and directions of interior design practice. The program participates in a local and global conversation and network through membership of IDEA (Interior Design/Interior Architecture Educators Association) and IFI (International Federation of Interior Architects), as well as exchanges between other universities through visiting academics, students and alumni, which ensure a lively and challenging environment within which both staff and students continue to learn, research and question.

Duration

Four years full-time. Classes are held during the day and in some evenings. Design work is usually assessed through panel critique.

Pathways

Graduates of the RMIT Diploma of Building Design and Technology or Diploma of Arts (Interior Decoration and Design) programs who have been successful in gaining a place in the Bachelor of Design (Interior Design) will be eligible to apply for exemptions of one year leaving an additional three years to complete the degree program.

Gaining credit for previous study or experience
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and credit transfer are ways that RMIT recognises applicants’ skills and knowledge gained through formal and informal education and training, work experience, and/or life experience (including volunteer work; committee responsibilities; family duties, hobbies).

Further information about gaining credit for previous study or experience

Further information about pathways

Career Prospects

Graduates are employed in architectural and interior design practices where commissions may range from domestic interior, retail, entertainment, hospitality, corporate office and public building design.

Design practices are increasingly becoming multi-disciplinary, with architects, interior designers, landscape designers, industrial designers and graphic designers collaborating on large-scale projects.

Interior designers may seek work in design for film and television, set design for theatre, furniture design, exhibition design and curating, event planning and design journalism.

Professional Recognition

Graduates of this program are eligible for membership of the Design Institute of Australia.

Entrance Requirements

Current Year 12 prerequisite units 3 & 4—English (any).

Non-Year 12 applicants are encouraged to apply and may be required to have relevant employment or evidence of experience and/or ability to meet the demands of the program.

Equity admissions schemes
RMIT understands that people’s backgrounds and circumstances can affect their access to education and training. RMIT’s equity admissions schemes allow applicants to explain the circumstances that have adversely affected their education, and demonstrate their capacity for future academic success.

Further information is available at equity admissions schemes

Click here for further information.

Application Procedures

Semester one

Full-time applicants—VTAC application
Note: All applicants must comply with any extra requirements listed.

VTAC application
Applicants must apply through Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC) and are advised to check detailed information on entrance requirements, application procedures and closing dates. Applicants must meet all extra requirements and selection procedures listed through VTAC.

Application closing date: Late September
Further information:
Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC)
40 Park Street, South Melbourne
Tel. 1300 364 133
www.vtac.edu.au
Note: RMIT program codes listed on this page should not be used when applying through VTAC.

Extra requirements

Selection mode current Year 12: Design exercise. Short-listed applicants: interview and folio, ENTER.

Selection mode non-Year 12: Design exercise. Short-listed applicants: Interview and folio.

Selection procedures (Semester 1 2009 VTACapplicants)

Design exercise: Details will be sent to applicants by mail by 3 November (applicants who have not been notified by 5 November must telephone 03 9925 2819 between 10 am – 12 noon or 2 – 4 pm, 5–7 November). Applicants must attend on a nominated date between 22–28 November. Applicants may be exempt from this requirement if they have completed tertiary study in architecture, interior design, industrial design or landscape architecture. These applicants must telephone to confirm their eligibility for an exemption between 10 am – 12 noon or 2 – 4pm, 5–7 November.

Interview and folio presentation (short-listed applicants only): Details will be provided by telephone by 3 December to the applicants required to attend. These applicants must attend between 8–12 December.

Advisory letters will be sent by mid-December.

Semester two (midyear intake)

RMIT University has places available for the midyear intake in many TAFE and degree (bachelor and postgraduate) programs. From 1 May check to see if this program offers a midyear intake
Note: Applicants must confirm availability of program offered at midyear prior to applying. All applicants must comply with any extra requirements listed.

RMIT direct application
Applicants must apply directly to RMIT University using an RMIT direct application form.

Application closing date: 31 May
Further Information:
Info Corner
330 Swanston Street, Melbourne
Tel. 03 9925 2260
Email: study@rmit.edu.au
www.rmit.edu.au/programs/enquiries

Click here for further information.

Fees

Degree

Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)
A CSP is jointly funded by the Commonwealth Government and the student. In 2009, the fees ranged between $4,162 and $8,677 per year for a standard full-time program. The exact cost varies according to each course.

Changes to fee paying undergraduate places in 2009
The Australian Government has announced that it will phase out fee paying domestic undergraduate places from 1 January 2009 in public universities. However, the Government has announced that it will replace fee paying places with up to 11,000 new Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP) by 2011. Therefore, expectations are that there will be more HECS (Higher Education Contribution Scheme) places on offer at RMIT University in 2009.

There will be no full-fee places at RMIT University offered through VTAC (Victorian Tertiary Admission Centre) for new domestic students in undergraduate programs in 2009. There are some exceptions to the Government’s prohibition on new full-fee undergraduate places which will affect a very small number of students.

Further information is available at: www.rmit.edu.au/programs/fees/highered

Or you can go to the Federal Government’s Going To Uni web site www.goingtouni.gov.au or phone the hotline: 1800 020 108.

Scholarships

Record spend on RMIT scholarships
RMIT University will spend more than $60 million on student scholarships over the next five years. RMIT has many scholarships and funding opportunities to offer students.

Further information is available at RMIT Scholarships

Click here for further information.

Additional Expenses

Students are expected to purchase equipment and materials for drawing and design development and presentation.

Program Structure

The program is project-based with a major focus on the Design Studio.

During first year, you will undertake courses in Design and Communications, History and Theory, and Technical Studies that explore the fundamental concepts of interior design.

During second and third year, studies are integrated in the Design Studios and electives in the areas of Technology, Communications, Specialisations and History/Theory. Each semester, a group of practising professionals and lecturers offers a selection of studios and electives whose topics are timely and relevant. You are encouraged to undertake some design studies in related areas such as Architecture, Fashion, Industrial Design and Landscape Architecture. Many studios are multidisciplinary.

Second and third year also gives you the opportunity to develop your design skills and awareness through overseas travel studios. You may also choose to study for a semester at a design institution overseas.

In fourth year, you will pursue an individual thesis project under staff supervision which reflects your accumulated skills and interests in design, theory, technology and communications. Final year work is celebrated through a public exhibition, INDEX.

Electives include Furniture Design, Retail Design, Design for Film and TV, Design for Theatre, Exhibition and Event Design, Modelmaking, Design Publishing, Lighting, Materials, Computer Aided Design, Projection, Digital Video and Website Design.

The following program structure(s) are linked to this program.

Contact Details

Yukari Yamaguchi, Administrative Officer
School of Architecture and Design
Building 8, Level 11
360 Swanston Street
Melbourne VIC 3000
Tel. +61 3 9925 2819
Fax: +61 3 9925 1820
Email: interior.design@rmit.edu.au

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Owning School

Architecture & Design

Disclaimer

Although RMIT endeavours to ensure the accuracy of this information, there is no guarantee it will remain accurate all year. Applicants are advised to confirm program details with the appropriate school before making an application.