We believe design has the power to bring to life creative solutions to solve
the worlds biggest problems.
Industrial Design at RMIT is a place where you can learn how to use design and make the world a better place.
Impact with Design
The 2023 Industrial Design Graduates made waves this year winning all the James Dyson awards in Australia.
The JIWA Drop light is a captivating representation of my journey to overcome the fear of darkness. This design encapsulates fear with its sharp, intricate edges, symbolising the intimidating aspects of darkness. These edges, while visually striking, remain out of reach, illustrating the gradual process of facing and transcending fear. Despite its formidable appearance, JIWA emits a soft, beautiful light that transforms any space into a serene and inviting environment. The gentle illumination contrasts with the sharp design, creating a harmonious blend of strength and tranquillity. Crafted from a single sheet of brass, the JIWA Drop is laser cut and bent to achieve its unique form. The process of exploring and refining the brass and its cuts took over six weeks, culminating in the final design. The brass’s natural ability to develop a patina adds to the light’s evolving character and long-lasting appeal. The name “JIWA,” meaning “soul” in Malay, adds profound significance, reflecting the inner strength and resilience of the human spirit. It symbolises the journey of overcoming internal fears and illuminating one’s true potential. The JIWA Drop is not just a lighting fixture; it is a symbolic piece embodying personal growth, courage, and the beauty within the soul.
Makushla Harper is the 2024 Dean's Award Winner within the Industrial Design (Honours) program. Her outstanding design outcomes, peer to peer learning contributions, and consistent effort throughout her 4 year journey with us has been acknowledged by the witnessing staff and students. Makushla's heart is aligned to the outdoors and her design outcomes gravitate towards enhancing people's ventures into nature.
Her final Honours capstone project titled 'Ridgeline', is a mono-sourced, material backpack that integrates interactivity into the design, enabling greater dependence on sensory feedback in unlit environments and scenarios. These tactile sensory cues can alert users to vital information at night, such as water bladder remaining levels or the direction to access stored items through distinct surfaces and textures. A unique non-digital, materiality outcome, centred on hiker's needs to enhance safety and the overall experience in unpredictable natural environments.
Chelline has been recognised as the winner in the "Desk Lamps, Floor Lamps" category for her design Hearth and has been invited to attend the prestigious award ceremony at Banking Hall in London, scheduled to take place in June 2024.
2023 James Dyson National Award Winners - RMIT I.D Student’s Win the National and Runner Up Awards! Congratulations Alexander Burton on receiving the James Dyson 2023 National Design Award for his project, REVR.
Congratulations to Trystan Paderno, 2022 ID Dean’s Award Winner, for his honours work, Project Shift.
Congratulations to Sid Pearn, 2022 ID Outstanding Design Award Winner, for his honours work, Spinifex as a Biopolymer
Congratulations to Natalie Borgese, 2022 ID Outstanding Design Award Winner, for her honours work, NICA | Noiseless Intensive Care Alarm
Congratulations to Olivia Dalla-Zuanna, 2022 ID Outstanding Design Award Winner, for her honours work, Crush Cubes
Real World Projects.
Our program challenges staff and students to tackle real life problems.
We work with not for profits, corporates, public entities and across the university to develop solutions
that address these challenges. Here is a snap shot on what we worked on in 2020.
-
Maynard Design
Maynard Design, a global Industrial Design consultancy, joined us in the studio to explore post-pandemic public transport solutions.
-
Health Transformation Lab
Health Transformation Lab, a think tank within RMIT which explores and supports innovative health interventions, joined us in the studio to develop digital wellbeing solutions for young people.
-
Fight Food Waste CRC
Our leadership with the Fight Food Waste CRC continued in both a research and teaching capacity. With their support, Food Bank Australia joined us in the studio to explore decentralised food distribution systems with their partner, Y Waste.
-
Sensing and Wearable Network
Our leadership with the Sensing and Wearable Network continued in both a research and teaching capacity exploring body movement and material innovations.
Discover Industrial Design.
Have you considered a career in industrial design?
Hear about our Industrial Design Program at RMIT, and learn about the core structure of this degree, our relationships with industry, and career outcomes available to graduates in this practical and creative field.
Our Latest Blog Posts
The JIWA Drop light is a captivating representation of my journey to overcome the fear of darkness. This design encapsulates fear with its sharp, intricate edges, symbolising the intimidating aspects of darkness. These edges, while visually striking, remain out of reach, illustrating the gradual process of facing and transcending fear. Despite its formidable appearance, JIWA emits a soft, beautiful light that transforms any space into a serene and inviting environment. The gentle illumination contrasts with the sharp design, creating a harmonious blend of strength and tranquillity. Crafted from a single sheet of brass, the JIWA Drop is laser cut and bent to achieve its unique form. The process of exploring and refining the brass and its cuts took over six weeks, culminating in the final design. The brass’s natural ability to develop a patina adds to the light’s evolving character and long-lasting appeal. The name “JIWA,” meaning “soul” in Malay, adds profound significance, reflecting the inner strength and resilience of the human spirit. It symbolises the journey of overcoming internal fears and illuminating one’s true potential. The JIWA Drop is not just a lighting fixture; it is a symbolic piece embodying personal growth, courage, and the beauty within the soul.
Makushla Harper is the 2024 Dean's Award Winner within the Industrial Design (Honours) program. Her outstanding design outcomes, peer to peer learning contributions, and consistent effort throughout her 4 year journey with us has been acknowledged by the witnessing staff and students. Makushla's heart is aligned to the outdoors and her design outcomes gravitate towards enhancing people's ventures into nature.
Her final Honours capstone project titled 'Ridgeline', is a mono-sourced, material backpack that integrates interactivity into the design, enabling greater dependence on sensory feedback in unlit environments and scenarios. These tactile sensory cues can alert users to vital information at night, such as water bladder remaining levels or the direction to access stored items through distinct surfaces and textures. A unique non-digital, materiality outcome, centred on hiker's needs to enhance safety and the overall experience in unpredictable natural environments.
Chelline has been recognised as the winner in the "Desk Lamps, Floor Lamps" category for her design Hearth and has been invited to attend the prestigious award ceremony at Banking Hall in London, scheduled to take place in June 2024.
2023 James Dyson National Award Winners - RMIT I.D Student’s Win the National and Runner Up Awards! Congratulations Alexander Burton on receiving the James Dyson 2023 National Design Award for his project, REVR.
Congratulations to Trystan Paderno, 2022 ID Dean’s Award Winner, for his honours work, Project Shift.
Congratulations to Sid Pearn, 2022 ID Outstanding Design Award Winner, for his honours work, Spinifex as a Biopolymer