Bachelor of Design

Designing anything is a social process and anthropology is the study of humans, our societies and cultures in all their complexities.

Good design requires us to think about how people will engage with and relate to the envisioned product, service or practice. This major will provide you with the skills and methods necessary to understand the people you're designing for, and to draw on this research to develop design ideas that fit our future needs.

Design anthropologists typically find work wherever a human interface or an understanding of human needs is required. You'll develop skills that transfer across industries and may find work in large engineering or architecture companies or apply your anthropological skills in policymaking or development applications across a broad range of industries.

See the Anthropology major

What makes a space not just functional, but inspiring, inclusive and sustainable?

In this major, you’ll investigate how architectural design shapes the world around us and responds to people, place and the environment. 

You’ll build a strong foundation in creative and analytical skills, gaining spatial awareness, structural knowledge and the ability to communicate spatial design ideas effectively. Through collaborative studio work and hands-on projects, you’ll learn to develop context-based spatial design concepts while addressing real challenges like sustainability, cultural and social impact.

Your studies will cover the principles of architectural design at multiple scales, from residential to urban environments, and introduce you to emerging digital tools and technologies. 

By graduation, you’ll have the skills to shape inclusive, sustainable and inspiring built environments. 

See the Architectural Studies major

Develop a deeper understanding of the interconnections between people and the environment.

You will also explore how human-led processes and design outcomes shape our ability to respond to pressing environmental problems, including climate change, bushfires, food insecurity, waste and biodiversity loss.

Drawing from many disciplines, including sociology, anthropology, planning, philosophy and economics, this major covers global issues including social and environmental injustice, environmental racism and violence, the politics of conflict, and activism and social change.

With broad applications across many career paths, including the diverse field of design, you’ll be prepared to address the environmental challenges of the future. This major will be particularly relevant if you want to address environmental and social challenges through government policymaking, environmental communication and advocacy, and international development.

See the Environment and Society major

Do you want to design the digital tools people rely on every day?

This major blends creativity with technology to create human-centred digital experiences that improve how people connect, communicate and share information. 

You’ll learn to use code and data to design systems that work for people, exploring the technologies behind global communication, interaction and information-sharing in a connected world. Through hands-on projects and collaborative studios, you’ll develop skills in programming, user experience and interface design, and digital prototyping – building apps, interactive environments and immersive experiences that make technology more accessible. 

By the time you graduate, you’ll have experience designing digital tools and environments that shape how society interacts with technology – ready for roles in UX design, digital innovation or interaction design.

See the Information Environments major

Learn how to take a new idea to market by building a new business from the ground up. 

You'll first be introduced to basic principles of innovation and entrepreneurship, including the entrepreneurial mindset and process. Then you'll apply this knowledge in practical courses on digital innovation, social entrepreneurship and growth strategies, as well as technology and innovation management.

Through leadership development, you'll become a resourceful, creative and resilient innovation leader who delivers sustainable commercial and social value. Further extending your skill set, you’ll engage directly in a short placement or consulting project in a startup or commercial partner project.

You’ll also have the option to develop and grow your own business in an incubator or accelerator within the UQ entrepreneurship ecosystem or beyond. These deep immersion experiences will move you closer to commercially viable business solutions while establishing valuable networks with potential partners, investors, entrepreneurs and mentors.

Career paths include starting your own for-profit or social venture as an entrepreneur, driving innovation within established organisations as a business manager or innovation leader, and supporting other businesses to manage and commercialise innovation as a consultant.

See the Innovation and Entrepreneurship major

Examine the cultural aspects of digital technologies and how they influence the design, use and impact of contemporary media in our everyday lives.

You'll engage with course components that examine culture as art, popular culture, social media and the cultural diversity of digital media in Australia and across the world.

This major is all about exploring how digital media, like social media, streaming platforms and online content affect our everyday lives and the world around us. It looks at:

• how media influences culture and power
• how digital technologies are shaping the future
• the role of media in global communities
• what it means to live in a media-rich, digital society.

It combines creative thinking with critical analysis, helping you understand the media you use every day and even preparing you to shape it.

Some of the exciting topics explored include:

• the power of social media and digital identities
• global digital cultures and emerging technologies
• media ethics and representation
• audience behaviours and platform dynamics
• visual storytelling and media design.

See the Media and Digital Cultures major

How can we reimagine cities to be more just, sustainable and resilient?

This major explores how cities function and how urban design, planning, and technology intersect to shape thriving urban environments. 

You’ll develop a deep understanding of the relationships between people, places and the environment, and learn to address contemporary challenges such as climate change, social justice, economic and digital transformation. Through hands-on projects and case studies, you’ll gain practical expertise in urban policy, spatial analysis and community engagement. 

With an interdisciplinary approach, this major empowers you to design solutions that make urban environments more inclusive, sustainable and adaptable – preparing you for further study in planning or a career contributing to shaping the cities of tomorrow. 

See the Urban Systems major

Designing anything is a social process and anthropology is the study of humans, our societies and cultures in all their complexities.

Good design requires us to think about how people will engage with and relate to the envisioned product, service or practice. This major will provide you with the skills and methods necessary to understand the people you're designing for, and to draw on this research to develop design ideas that fit our future needs.

Design anthropologists typically find work wherever a human interface or an understanding of human needs is required. You'll develop skills that transfer across industries and may find work in large engineering or architecture companies or apply your anthropological skills in policymaking or development applications across a broad range of industries.

See the Anthropology major

What makes a space not just functional, but inspiring, inclusive and sustainable?

In this major, you’ll investigate how architectural design shapes the world around us and responds to people, place and the environment. 

You’ll build a strong foundation in creative and analytical skills, gaining spatial awareness, structural knowledge and the ability to communicate spatial design ideas effectively. Through collaborative studio work and hands-on projects, you’ll learn to develop context-based spatial design concepts while addressing real challenges like sustainability, cultural and social impact.

Your studies will cover the principles of architectural design at multiple scales, from residential to urban environments, and introduce you to emerging digital tools and technologies. 

By graduation, you’ll have the skills to shape inclusive, sustainable and inspiring built environments. 

See the Architectural Studies major

Develop a deeper understanding of the interconnections between people and the environment.

You will also explore how human-led processes and design outcomes shape our ability to respond to pressing environmental problems, including climate change, bushfires, food insecurity, waste and biodiversity loss.

Drawing from many disciplines, including sociology, anthropology, planning, philosophy and economics, this major covers global issues including social and environmental injustice, environmental racism and violence, the politics of conflict, and activism and social change.

With broad applications across many career paths, including the diverse field of design, you’ll be prepared to address the environmental challenges of the future. This major will be particularly relevant if you want to address environmental and social challenges through government policymaking, environmental communication and advocacy, and international development.

See the Environment and Society major

Do you want to design the digital tools people rely on every day?

This major blends creativity with technology to create human-centred digital experiences that improve how people connect, communicate and share information. 

You’ll learn to use code and data to design systems that work for people, exploring the technologies behind global communication, interaction and information-sharing in a connected world. Through hands-on projects and collaborative studios, you’ll develop skills in programming, user experience and interface design, and digital prototyping – building apps, interactive environments and immersive experiences that make technology more accessible. 

By the time you graduate, you’ll have experience designing digital tools and environments that shape how society interacts with technology – ready for roles in UX design, digital innovation or interaction design.

See the Information Environments major

Learn how to take a new idea to market by building a new business from the ground up. 

You'll first be introduced to basic principles of innovation and entrepreneurship, including the entrepreneurial mindset and process. Then you'll apply this knowledge in practical courses on digital innovation, social entrepreneurship and growth strategies, as well as technology and innovation management.

Through leadership development, you'll become a resourceful, creative and resilient innovation leader who delivers sustainable commercial and social value. Further extending your skill set, you’ll engage directly in a short placement or consulting project in a startup or commercial partner project.

You’ll also have the option to develop and grow your own business in an incubator or accelerator within the UQ entrepreneurship ecosystem or beyond. These deep immersion experiences will move you closer to commercially viable business solutions while establishing valuable networks with potential partners, investors, entrepreneurs and mentors.

Career paths include starting your own for-profit or social venture as an entrepreneur, driving innovation within established organisations as a business manager or innovation leader, and supporting other businesses to manage and commercialise innovation as a consultant.

See the Innovation and Entrepreneurship major

Examine the cultural aspects of digital technologies and how they influence the design, use and impact of contemporary media in our everyday lives.

You'll engage with course components that examine culture as art, popular culture, social media and the cultural diversity of digital media in Australia and across the world.

This major is all about exploring how digital media, like social media, streaming platforms and online content affect our everyday lives and the world around us. It looks at:

• how media influences culture and power
• how digital technologies are shaping the future
• the role of media in global communities
• what it means to live in a media-rich, digital society.

It combines creative thinking with critical analysis, helping you understand the media you use every day and even preparing you to shape it.

Some of the exciting topics explored include:

• the power of social media and digital identities
• global digital cultures and emerging technologies
• media ethics and representation
• audience behaviours and platform dynamics
• visual storytelling and media design.

See the Media and Digital Cultures major

How can we reimagine cities to be more just, sustainable and resilient?

This major explores how cities function and how urban design, planning, and technology intersect to shape thriving urban environments. 

You’ll develop a deep understanding of the relationships between people, places and the environment, and learn to address contemporary challenges such as climate change, social justice, economic and digital transformation. Through hands-on projects and case studies, you’ll gain practical expertise in urban policy, spatial analysis and community engagement. 

With an interdisciplinary approach, this major empowers you to design solutions that make urban environments more inclusive, sustainable and adaptable – preparing you for further study in planning or a career contributing to shaping the cities of tomorrow. 

See the Urban Systems major