Design, what is it good for?

Swinburne University of Technology, RMIT University, Western Sydney University, LCI College, Newcastle University and London College of Communication

An international cross-Institutional design brief, competition and annual exhibition that explores the role of emergent designers as change agents and the difference design makes.

This international design competition invites submissions from undergraduate students enrolled in design, arts and media courses. Their brief as future creative professionals was to create an informed opinion of where they stand within the creative industry. Students are also invited to consider and integrate their own values, aspirations and ambitions (and assumptions) to devise a professional manifesto, and reflect on how their learning journey is changing and challenging them, and leading to new and often unforeseen career paths.

The travelling exhibition and catalogue represents the coming together of student creative responses and views. The poster designs and accompanying manifestos stimulate debate by exploring issues of social responsibility and personal accountability in the discipline. It also provides students an opportunity to collaborate nationally, on an international stage, and serves as a conduit between industry, education and the general public to nurture and sustain future communities of practice.