Bachelor of Industrial Design (Honours)

Verbal expression and comprehension (understanding)

This refers to the extent to which a person can use and understand verbal communication.

What do I need to be able to do?

Use, understand and respond to verbal communication during on-campus learning activities and during professional experience placement. Specifically:

• verbally communicate with team members to understand and convey design project concepts and technical requirements by providing clear instructions and explanations.
• use, understand and respond to verbal instructions in workshop environments where safety is a primary concern.

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

Additional time allowances for comprehension and expression may be provided within the academic setting. However, the circumstances of industry placement tasks often require timely communication, and this should be considered prior to commencement.

Social communication

Social communication refers to the capacity to understand and respectfully respond to verbal and non-verbal communication such as gestures, facial expression, speaking volume, tone of voice, proximity and verbal turn taking. 

What do I need to be able to do?

Recognise, interpret, use and respond to non-verbal communication appropriately during on-campus and industry placement activities to build relationships, display understanding, and acknowledge others.

• In industry placement environments, tasks which require the use of social communication abilities include identifying and using gestures, verbal turn-taking, and physical proximity when sharing workload and equipment with others.
• In classes or workshops, you will be required to respond to peers and supervisors to demonstrate understanding.
• In noisy workshop environments, with potentially dangerous equipment, using and understanding non-verbal cues is essential for safe execution of design tasks.

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

Ensure all teaching staff are aware of your condition and communication is appropriate.

Additional time allowances for comprehension and expression may be provided within the academic setting.

However, the circumstances of industry placement tasks often require timely communication, and this should be considered prior to commencement.

Reading

This refers to the extent to which a person demonstrates effective reading and comprehension that is appropriate to both on-campus learning and professional experience placement settings.

What do I need to be able to do?

Read and understand a range of written material in differing forms from a variety of sources such as on-screen material, reference material and/or handwritten notes e.g. reading and comprehending written documents, such as induction processes, supervisors' instructions, policies and occupational health and safety guidelines.

In on-campus learning activities and professional experience placement environments, essential information is communicated in written form. You will require the ability to read, understand and interpret complex written information fundamental for the safe execution of design tasks. 

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

You may use specialised software to support your literacy for on-campus learning activities. The appropriateness and practicality of using such software during your industry placement may vary between placements and should be discussed with your placement coordinator before commencement.

Writing (Written language)

This refers to the extent to which a person produces coherent written communication that is appropriate to both on-campus learning and professional experience placement settings. N.B. This refers not to the physical act of writing but rather to the written content.

What do I need to be able to do?

Produce coherent written communication content appropriate to both on-campus and industry placement settings.

In industry placement environments, tasks which require clear, concise, accurate and time-efficient writing may include:

• writing reports to meet technical standards
• project record keeping

The ability to accurately communicate in writing is fundamental for the safe delivery of design tasks.

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

You may use specialised software to support your literacy for on-campus learning activities. The appropriateness and practicality of using such software during industry placement may vary between placements and should be discussed with your placement coordinator before commencement.

Number skills (Numeracy)

This refers to the ability to understand and work with numbers. Basic numeracy skills consist of comprehending fundamental mathematics like addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.

What do I need to be able to do?

Interpret and correctly apply numerical data, measurements and formulae in a time-efficient manner in on-campus learning and industry placement settings e.g. making and recording accurate measurements during prototyping and fabrication and in software environments.

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

You may use specialised software to support your numeracy for on-campus learning activities. The appropriateness and practicality of using such software during industry placement may vary between placements and should be discussed with your placement coordinator before commencement.

The ability to undertake tasks that encompass cognitive capacities for a period of time in the following areas: concentration, memory, planning and organisation, information processing (speed) and reasoning or problem-solving skills.

What do I need to be able to do?

Correctly use and apply knowledge of theory, research, and practice gained from on-campus learning and during industry placement.

Tasks which require the use of concentration, memory and problem solving include:

• tracking progress and completion of complex design projects
• completing accurate measurements and assessment of systems and processes
• solving design and fabrication problems that require extended periods of concentration.

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

You may use assistive technology and strategies such as rest breaks to support your memory, planning and organisation in the on-campus learning environment. The use of these strategies during industry placement should be discussed with your placement coordinator prior to commencement.

Mental wellness is a state of well-being in which an individual can realise their own abilities or potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life and can work productively and fruitfully.

Behavioural stability refers to an individual's ability to moderate their own behaviour. Many people who live with mental health conditions complete their studies successfully.

The following services are available to support students living with mental health conditions at RMIT:

• Equitable Learning Services
• Counselling and Psychological Services

What do I need to be able to do?

The on-campus learning environment can be challenging and will require you to engage with peers and teaching staff, reflect on your work and respond appropriately to constructive feedback e.g. managing personal emotions and behaviour effectively when dealing with peers, staff and clients in on-campus and industry placement settings.

Managing your composure and focus is essential in maintaining a safe learning environment for you and others.

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

Flexible arrangements for your professional experience placement will be considered. These arrangements may vary between placements and agencies and should be discussed with your placement coordinator before commencement. You also may be supported to take time off from your studies if you become unwell or have difficulties with behavioural stability.

Vision

Visual acuity refers to the extent to which a person can see or interpret visual information. This may also include colour vision.

What do I need to be able to do?

Sufficient visual acuity to safely undertake on-campus learning and industry placement tasks. These may include:

• reading safety and equipment instructions
• reading from measurement devices such as scales or gauges
• observing changes in materials.

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

Adjustments can be organised through the Equitable Learning Services (ELS) team. Contact ELS to discuss what adjustments may be helpful to you.

The use of assistive technology to enhance vision will be considered. It is recommended that you discuss this with ELS and your placement coordinator prior to commencing industry placement.

Glasses and other visual aids can be used in industry placement settings. If you have been deemed legally blind or have a medical condition that may impact your vision, it is recommended that you discuss your condition with ELS.

Hearing

This refers to the sense of hearing, and the extent that a person can be responsive to aural cues, and differentiate vocal and other sounds and tone.

What do I need to be able to do?

Sufficient hearing to undertake on-campus learning and industry placement tasks. These may include:

• noticing changes in workshop or machinery sounds
• hearing alarms or alerts on workshop equipment.

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

The use of augmentation such as lip reading and/or assistive technology to enhance hearing will be considered. Auslan interpretation could also be provided.

You should discuss this with ELS and your placement coordinator before starting a placement.

Tactile ability refers to the sense of touch, and the extent to which a person can distinguish tactile differences and detect tactile changes.

What do I need to be able to do?

In the design prototyping and workshop environment, tasks which require the sense of touch include:

• determining the temperature of materials (by touch)
• interpreting texture and viscosity of materials through touch
• interpreting and distinguishing between different vibrations for the safe handling of materials, tools and machines.

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

Adjustments will be considered in relation to your individual circumstances and physical capacities. Any adjustments considered should not compromise your safety and the safety of others.

The sense of smell refers to olfactory acuity, and the extent to which a person can distinguish the differences and changes in smell.

What do I need to be able to do?

In design prototyping and workshop environments, being able to smell chemicals, or materials burning is a key capability for your safety and the safety of others.

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

The use of other senses to compensate for a deficient sense of smell may be considered. However, applicability to the industry placement setting will need to be examined and discussed with your placement coordinator prior to implementation.

This refers to the use of large muscle groups that coordinate body movements for tasks involving lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, standing, twisting and bending.

What do I need to be able to do?

Gross motor skills are required for:

• safe handling and manipulation of materials and tools in prototyping and workshop environments
• picking up, carrying and placing various components in design and build activities.

Safe manual handling minimises the risk of injury to yourself and others.

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

Adjustments will be considered in relation to your individual circumstances and physical capacities. Any adjustments considered should not compromise your safety and the safety of others.

This refers to the ability to undertake precise coordinated movements of the hands.

What do I need to be able to do?

Coordination of movements of the hands, such as pushing, pressing, turning, pinching, grasping, shaking and manipulating for:

• drawing
• prototyping
• using tools and equipment
• manipulating materials
• working with small components.

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

Adjustments will be considered in relation to your individual circumstances and physical capacities. Any adjustments considered should not compromise your safety and the safety of others.

This refers to the ability to undertake a task/s over a predetermined period of time. This could include physical performance such as standing for a period of time or cognitive (mental) performance such as concentrating for a particular length of time.

What do I need to be able to do?

Physical and mental endurance may include being upright and alert to risks in a prototyping and workshop environment for prolonged periods while using tools and machines.

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

Adjustments will be considered in relation to your individual circumstances and physical capacities. You may use strategies such as rest breaks to support your performance for on-campus learning activities. The use of these strategies during industry placement should be discussed with your placement coordinator prior to commencement.