Merging work-integrated learning and research-based teaching in a masters Design studio

In 2012, the University of Canberra faculty of arts and design was approached by the APC to facilitate the start-up of long-term multidisciplinary design research collaboration between the two institutions. Through an in-depth discussion between the educational director of the APC and the heads of Industrial Design and Graphic Design, two initial design projects: design solutions for table centerpieces for the APC’s Paralympian of the Year (POTY) awards ceremony and the research & visualization of the Australian Paralympic history through a series of poster designs, were facilitated and funded through a linkage grant. The initial outcome of the project was the generation of effective marketing collateral and original product and industrial design in support of athletes and the community involved in the Paralympic Games. However, the project also generated significant insight into the application of research-based teaching and design thinking in Graphic Design and Industrial Design. This paper outlines the process of work integrated learning facilitated through this project in an attempt to uncover the implied benefit of introducing projects of this nature at the undergraduate and postgraduate level.