Resources
Introduction
This section includes a range of external links that cover a variety of areas related to design. VCAA resources and a list of books are also included. All links open in a new window.
Design and creative thinking | Design awards | Design companies and designers | Organisations for design professionals | Design exhibitions | Landscape design | Textiles design | Industry, invention and innovation | Sustainable/green design | Books | Show all
Design and creative thinking
An Online Design Journey
www.silvia-austerlic.com
Written by Silvia Austerlic, this site contains information on design theory, learning, online application and methodology design.
Creativity links
members.tripod.com/~ozpk/000create
Provides links to numerous creativity websites.
Design Council
www.designcouncil.org.uk/en/About-Design
Contains teaching and learning resources that use the design process to solve problems.
I DESIGN 7 ways of Design Thinking: A Teaching Resource
www.idesignthinking.com
Provides advice on teaching creative and critical thinking skills to children and young adults.
Infinite Innovations Ltd
www.infinn.com/creative.html
Tutorial on Creativity, Brainstorming and Innovation. Includes ideas and activities.
Introduction to Creative Thinking
www.virtualsalt.com/crebook1.htm
Compares critical and creative thinking and discusses the myths of creative thinking.
The Sorrell Foundation
www.thesorrellfoundation.com
The aim of the Sorrell Foundation is to inspire creativity in young people and to improve the quality of life through design. Includes details of the joinedupdesignforschools initiative.
Young Foresight
www.youngforesight.org/yf/www/default.asp
Young Foresight is an educational initiative for design & technology within the English and Welsh National Curriculum. It is for pupils in Year 9 (age 13/14) but has been used successfully with both older and younger pupils.
Design awards
Australian Design Awards
www.designawards.com.au
The Australian Design Award – Dyson Student Award puts exceptional student talent under the spotlight. The Awards are open to all full-time students of design and engineering-based courses in Australia.
Design companies and designers
Cobalt Niche Design
www.cobaltniche.com
This company has designed a range of commercial products including PAD (portable Automatic Defibrillator) and has created a booming market for easy-to-use advanced medical equipment.
Core 77 Industrial Design Supersite
www.core77.com/design.edu/
Scope out the competition and see which design schools are producing the best talent. Includes articles and resources.
Design Addict
www.designaddict.com
Links to the worldwide design community.
D-I-G Multimedia
www.d-i-g.com.au
Melbourne based print, branding, web and multimedia design company.
Dyson Education resources
www.dyson.co.uk
Information on the development of Dyson products.
IDEO
www.ideo.com/ideo.asp
IDEO designs products, services, environments and digital experiences.
Show & Tell Creative
www.showandtell.com.au
Web, graphic design and display.
Powerhouse Museum: Australian Designers
www.powerhousemuseum.com/designersatwork/
Meet Australian designers and learn about how they work. Includes learning activities and video and sound clips.
Organisations for design professionals
Australian Graphic Design Association
www.agda.asn.au/
Design Institute of Australia
www.dia.org.au/
Design exhibitions
Australia Post
www.auspost.com.au/gallery
Great section about how stamps are designed and you can design your own real stamps.
DesignEX Exhibition
www.designex.info/
Interior design, furnishing and architecture exhibition.
Design Museum
www.designmuseum.org/
Includes education resources from the London Design Museum.
Melbourne Museum: Designed to Inspire
www.museum.vic.gov.au/design/index.asp
Museum Victoria’s design section – with Education section.
National Design Centre, Federation Square, Melbourne
www.nationaldesigncentre.com/
Program of events and exhibitions and other design related information.
Landscape design
Vocational Information Centre
www.khake.com
This site includes landscape design resources.
Australian Institute of Landscape Architects
ww.aila.org.au
Textiles design
Powerhouse Museum: Electronic swatchbook
www.powerhousemuseum.com/electronicswatchbook/
Electronic swatchbook of fabric sample from 1830’s – 1920’s with descriptions and more.
Industry, invention and innovation
Ausindustry
www.ausindustry.gov.au/
A commonwealth Government department of Industry, Science and Resources business unit to help Australian businesses become more innovative and internationally competitive.
Australia Innovates
www.powerhousemuseum.com/australia_innovates/
Guide to innovation in Australian industries by the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering and the Powerhouse Museum.
Intellectual Property Australia
www.ipaustralia.gov.au/
Governement agency dealing with trade marks, patents, etc.
Innovations
www.abc.net.au/ra/innovations/
ABC Radio Australia program Innovations
The New Inventors
www.abc.net.au/newinventors/
The website from the ABC TV show The New Inventors
Sustainable/green design
Banksia Environmental Foundation
www.banksiafdn.com/
Awards for Environmental Excellence.
Centre for Design at RMIT
www.cfd.rmit.edu.au
The mission of the Centre for Design is to conduct an integrated program of interdisciplinary reach, consulting and professional development to promote and demonstrate the role of design and innovation in achieving an environmentally sustainable future for Australia.
