Leading RMIT academics and students are set to feature in Victoria’s annual celebration of design, Melbourne Design Week (MDW), running from 23 May until 2 June this year.
MDW celebrates design in an annual 11-day program of talks, tours, exhibitions, launches, installations, and workshops. A partner since the program’s inception in 2017, RMIT will present a series of events in 2024 alongside RMIT Culture and RMIT Design Archives.
In 2024, the MDW theme is ecology, ethics and energy, which encompasses exploring the relationship between humans and things, addressing societal issues to make a positive community contribution and harnessing new technologies to power and empower through design.
Ranked number one in Australia for Art and Design in the QS World University Rankings by Subject, RMIT is globally recognised as a leading University for design education and research, with its innovative, best-practice teaching and programs offering deep industry connections.
Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Design and Social Context and Vice-President Professor Tim Marshall said RMIT is proud to once again be an active partner of MDW.
“Melbourne Design Week is a hugely significant week for design practitioners, educators, businesses and the public, and it’s a privilege to showcase the University’s globally recognised design credentials as a partner of MDW,” he said.
“Personally, I can’t wait to immerse myself in the ideas and works presented across the whole program, particularly from our own academics and students.”
Marshall said that the impact created by partnering with cultural organisations like the National Gallery of Victoria was one of the many reasons RMIT has a historical influence on Melbourne life.
” Throughout its 137 year history, RMIT which is located in the heart of Melbourne city, has played a key role in shaping Melbourne life and cultural heritage, and our partnerships, like that with the NGV and Melbourne Design Week, showcase the impact we can have on the future of the city and on society,” he said.
A treasure trove of data paving the way to a resilient community
Among the many events RMIT will create and contribute to is a Refuge: An Urban Resilience Hackathon, which will be hosted across multiple RMIT venues over three days, as well as in the ARUP office in the City of Melbourne.
“From parks to waterways, plazas to sporting fields, our civic infrastructures act as places of refuge and respite for both human and non-human residents alike,” said Professor Chris Speed, a Professor of Design for Regenerative Futures at RMIT and one of the organisers of the Hackathon.
“Refuge will explore the roles these infrastructures might play in creating more resilient cities and communities into the future.”
“A coalition of exciting partners have convened a treasure trove of datasets and skills sets to support innovative applications and analysis. “
The hackathon will with an inspirational program of speakers hosted at the ARUP offices, and the final pitch will occur in the afternoon on Saturday 26 May on the rooftop of the RMIT Design Building.”
