RMIT Design Archives

RMIT Design Archives

Founded in 2007 the RMIT Design Archives (RDA) holds a unique place among Australia’s collecting institutions for its exclusive focus on design practice across all disciplines.

Both digital and material, the collections represent historical and contemporary practices which tell the story of Melbourne as a design city, and provide the resources and support for research into Melbourne’s designed environment, design professions and practices. Located within the Design Hub, RMIT Design Archives publishes RDA Journal, develops exhibitions and publishes catalogues, papers and books related to its collections.

a variety of art design objects

With its research focus and multi-disciplinary collection, the RMIT Design Archives is a unique resource for research in and about design.

It attracts scholars from all over Australia, and overseas and has a growing cohort of associated doctoral students. It encourages debate and discussion around design and proactively engages with the broader culture of Melbourne and Victoria through exhibition, publication and events.

The RMIT Design Archives’ home is RMIT University’s Building 100, known as the Design Hub, which received the Victorian Architecture Medal and the William Wardell Award at the 2013 Victorian Architecture Awards. 

Highlights from the Design Archives

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boyd architecture drawing

Conferences and symposia

The RMIT Design Archives has hosted a number of research symposia and events connected with its activities over the last few years.

praying mantis bishop holding book artwork

Projects and grants

The RMIT Design Archives is involved in a range of grant applications related to its collections.

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Postgraduate research

Professor Harriet Edquist coordinates its expanding research program and supervises a number of doctoral candidates in practice-based research and thesis mode.

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Publications and research

The RMIT Design Archives is an integral part of a vibrant research centre located at the RMIT Design Hub in the heart of the city.

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Journal

The RMIT Design Archives Journal is published twice a year

cover of RMIT Design Archives journal

Join mailing list

Keep up to date with the latest news and events from RMIT Design Archives by joining the mailing list.

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RMIT Design Archives is part of RMIT Culture

RMIT Culture brings together the university’s cultural spaces, creative programs and art, film, design and research collections, providing valuable support for the university’s learning and teaching activities and opportunities to inspire creativity and collaboration. By showcasing and expanding RMIT’s cultural assets through new initiatives RMIT Culture helps facilitate an enterprise-wide approach to cultural engagement.

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Contact

Physical Address: 154 Victoria Street, Carlton, Victoria 3053

Location: Melbourne City campus, Building 100

Email: rmitdesignarchives@rmit.edu.au

Phone: +61 3 9925 9946

Postal Address: RMIT Design Archives, RMIT University, Building 100, GPO Box 2476, Melbourne, Victoria 3001

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Centres and collaborations

Our researchers connect, create and share expertise and resources in our Research Centres and collaborations.

Digital pattern scribbles.

Research

Together with our partners we develop and apply knowledge to shape a better world.

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Research partnerships

RMIT’s researchers are committed to supporting our partners to create and capture value through tailored approaches for small business through to research programs in consortiums.

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Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Luwaytini' by Mark Cleaver, Palawa.

More information
aboriginal flag
torres strait flag

Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business.

More information