Mastering the design of Antarctic solutions
The Monash Master of Design aims to develop creative and socially responsible designers skilled in creating design solutions that can help address global challenges, such as the climate crisis.
Throughout the first semester of 2024, SAEF’s Director Professor Steven Chown, and Senior Communications Adviser Anna Quinn worked jointly with Master of Design Coordinator Jeffrey Janet and Teaching Associate Dr Dave Trickey. The SAEF team performed the role of client, enabling the master students to have a realistic and meaningful experience of designing to a brief. For most of the students, it was the first time they’d worked for a client where they had to respond to a brief and client feedback, helping them to understand how the design industry works.
Steven presented a lecture on Antarctic science to all the students, while Anna attended briefings and was available to review work and provide feedback. The team also gave the students a list of reasons to care about Antarctica to use as a content prompt to inspire their designs.
The team worked particularly closely with the third-year collaborative design studio students, Hedyeh Asoodeh, Ky Ha, and Andrew Wijaya, who designed an exhibition for the SAEF office foyer, promotional materials, and activities to engage kids. At the end of the semester, SAEF staff, researchers, and PhD students attended the third-year students’ final presentations and provided feedback.
Masters student Hedyeh Asoodeh said she developed a range of skills throughout the experience that have helped make her workplace-ready.
“I learned the importance of collaboration and effective communication to convey complex research through engaging and impactful installations. This project enhanced my creative problem-solving skills and adaptability, especially in designing a mobile exhibition to reach diverse audiences.”
Meanwhile, first and second-year students created animations and public information campaigns about why Antarctica and the Southern Ocean are important and what people can do to protect them. A selection of the videos has been chosen to share across SAEF’s social media channels.
By the end of the semester, Steven, Anna, and the team had encountered a broad range of highly creative and thought-provoking ideas. They will further develop a handful of these ideas in consultation with the participating students.
You can view a selection of the exhibition and pop-up exhibit designs, animations and communication campaigns here:
Final Design Proposals
Exhibition concepts, communication campaigns and animations
View a selection of featured student work.