Design is a discipline of study which prepares students for entry to a range of different areas of the design profession, including: graphic design, experience and interaction design, media design, film, television production and post-production, illustration, publications, interiors, theatre, exhibitions, display, festivals and furnishings, ceramics, textiles, jewellery and object design.

At UNSW Art & Design, there are five major areas of study within the discipline of Design: experience design, interaction design, visualisation and visual effects, graphic communication and future making.

Experience Design engages with the design of products, processes, services, events and environments, with a focus on the quality of the user experience..

Interaction Design addresses visual communication and user-experience across graphics, media and emergent inter-actives.

Graphic Communication which addresses graphic design for paper and print, the screen and broadcast, encompassing contemporary typography, graphic design and cross-cultural communication strategies in designing for different audiences.

Visualisation and Visual Effects focuses on the practices of designing for animation, 3D, sound, film, video, illustration and computing.

Future Making focuses on the making of objects, with new materials and digital technologies and craftsmanship. It addresses the integration of technical knowledge and skills with material and contextual understanding. Future Making works with ceramics, jewellery, metal, textiles, furniture and lighting