Abstract:

Our University has implemented several ongoing and successful Work Integrated Learning (WIL) programs. Our primary focus is to develop University/Industry Partnerships that benefit the students, the University and the Industry partners in ways that traditional student/employer relationships would not.

The five majors (Graphic Design, Digital Design, Fine Art, ePhotojournalism and 3D Design) are collectively known as the Bachelor of Digital Media and one of the degree’s University/Industry programs is an Industry Project subject. Students are mentored through a semester of work experience in local and international environments, with approximately 25% students gaining full- or part-time employment at the end of that period.

Another opportunity for University/Industry Partnerships is fostered through our Community Design program. Major public art and “real world” projects are developed in partnership with community leaders and industry bodies and students are then able to work in large, project-managed groups to develop exciting proposals, many of which get industry funding and are taken to market.

A third program undertaken recently was the development of a creative incubator within the University. “Liveworm Gold Coast” was established in 2007 as a professional WIL studio and creative incubator. The studio houses between 6–10 students at any one time and a variety of “real world” projects are undertaken with a support staff and creative director on-hand to facilitate the process.

Liveworm Gold Coast also serves as a creative incubator for the honors level students who develop a proposal over the course of their honors year, and are mentored to completion. Often these projects are developed to the point where they can be taken to market as design innovations, such as the “Flux Mug” by recent graduate Richard Neville, which is now for sale in the Gallery of Modern Art in Brisbane. The honors year itself also supports University/Industry Partnerships between individual students and the wider design community. Honors student Jenna Read established a partnership with Czech designer Filip Blazek during a recent research trip to the Czech Republic, and she is now being mentored through a process of bringing Filip’s world-class collection of Velvet Revolution posters to Australia in the New Year.

One of Liveworm Gold Coast’s most recent projects is the “Kombumerri” project. Last year, our University signed a treaty with the local indigenous community—the Kombumerri people. This treaty is the first of its kind in Australia and Liveworm Gold Coast was commissioned to make a sculptural piece to recognize and celebrate this treaty. The project, due for completion in early 2010, has developed creative partnerships between Kombumerri elders, the students and the University over the last year, as well as industry partners, such as glass studios, lighting experts, shop fitters and sign writers. The resulting installation is a stunning outcome that merges history, sculpture, public art and information graphics.

Through a diverse range of programs, our campus is continually providing over 100 Bachelor of Digital Media students every year with a rich and varied set of industry experiences. The University/Industry Partnerships are always rewarding for the students, the University and the community at large, and the industry experience; along with folio outcomes far outweigh anything the students could take away from a traditional degree.

Keywords:

WIL, partnerships, Industry, placement, work experience, Gold Coast, Australia.