Graduate Certificate in Strategic Design

Why choose this course?

QUT is globally ranked in the top 100 universities for art and design (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023), and number one in Queensland. This course was developed to not only further your existing skills, but to enhance your capabilities so you can tackle complex challenges, drive innovation, and create positive, lasting impacts in a diverse range of career settings. You’ll be an adaptable graduate with competitive skills in the global and fast evolving industry landscape.  

As part of the Graduate Certificate in Strategic Design, you’ll elevate your leadership skills and learn about co-designing strategies, stakeholder management, and adapting leadership practices for business, government, and society, exploring the critical relationship between design and leadership in today’s dynamic and professional landscape. 

You’ll also have the opportunity to study the following topics:  

• Participatory design and engagement – learn to tackle complex issues, engage diverse voices and perspectives, and create collaborative solutions.  

• Design tools and tactics – equip yourself with the tactical acumen needed to navigate the dynamic landscape of design-led innovation through a blend of theory and hands-on exercises with a real-world context.  

• Design ethics and impacts – understand the impact of design on society across economic, environmental, social, and cultural dimensions. Bridge foundational knowledge with ethical inquiry to become a socially-conscious strategy designer.  

• Designers as intermediaries – bridge the gap between creative expertise and diverse project requirements. Learn about effective communication, stakeholder management, and problem-solving using strategic design.  

• Digital design and technology – explore critical themes in our increasingly digital world including digital design tools, generative AI platforms, and big data analysis. Learn from authentic and practical examples including design robotics, future mobility and transport, and the circular economy.  

• Design discovery and review – learn the methods and techniques to identify complex problems, developing your understanding of the needs of contemporary socio-economic contexts using the Double Diamond model and Triple Diamond Framework.  

Many of our teaching staff are also award-winning professors, accomplished researchers and industry leaders. They bring the latest insights from their field of study and practice to the classroom, creating an authentic learning environment.   

Real-world learning

This course will prepare you for challenges in authentic settings by covering topics including: 

• innovative problem solving 

• strategic design leadership 

• ethical and prudential decision making 

• sustainable design 

• intermediation skills.

Take advantage of the many strong partnerships the QUT School of Design maintains with local and international players including Adobe, ARM Hub, BMW Group, Brisbane City Council, Brisbane Fashion Festival, HEAL Lab, Orange Sky Australia, and the Queensland Government Department of Transport and Main Roads.