Stay ahead with a Master of AI for Design and Creative Practice
Artificial intelligence (AI) is changing how work happens in your creative field. The new Master of Artificial Intelligence for Design and Creative Practice at Deakin University helps you build the skills, confidence and portfolio to stay ahead without losing your creative voice. Designed for emerging and established creatives alike, the course combines technical capability with critical thinking, ethical practice and industry engagement.
We spoke with course director Dr Luke Heemsbergen about what you will learn, who the course is for and how it connects with industry.
Who is this course designed for?
Luke is seeing applicants from a variety of backgrounds, tech-adjacent roles and creatives. 'This course is for people who may already be working in a creative field; the architects, musicians, designers, who can see the AI shift happening. Your workplace is no different.'
Why do creatives need this course right now?
'The reality in the workforce is that you are expected to use and be responsible for AI, but no one is showing you how to do it without losing your craft, credibility or ethics,' says Luke. 'You want to get ahead and recognise the need to upskill to get that competitive edge in pairing AI with your own creative judgement.’
How creative versus technical is the course?
Creative first, technical through collaboration and critical thinking throughout. Expect supportive hands-on learning, experimentation, teamwork, collaboration and feedback in our Melbourne-based facilities. Learn how specific AI workflows impact multiple stakeholders in your practice, how to choose outcomes that grow your expertise and stand up ethically.
'Between AI anxiety and optimism, a conversation is happening – what can AI actually do in the hands of creatives who challenge and question not only its abilities, but the current structures that tell us how to use it?' Luke asks.
Do I need a design or AI background?
Absolutely not. You may be eligible if you have a bachelor degree in a creative, design, media, technology or related field. You don't need previous AI or technical experience, the foundational units introduce key AI concepts to you, tools and workflows before progressing into more complex applications.
AI is only as interesting as the critical approach you bring to it, and for us that is what drives exceptional practice – thinking comes first.
Course director, Master of Artificial Intelligence for Design and Creative Practice
Why choose Deakin for AI-informed education
‘Deakin has invested heavily in digital capability, applied research and industry partnerships. It is positioned at the leading edge of AI-informed education in Australia,' Luke continues. 'Our world-leading AI research feeds directly into our classrooms.'
What are Deakin facilities like?
We are the #1 Victorian university for facilities and resources, so all the technology you use will be cutting-edge and industry-grade. Due to the nature of AI, the technology will evolve in real time alongside industry trends. However, you can expect exposure in our world-class facilities to:
- generative AI platforms
- creative coding environments
- design and prototyping software
- data visualisation tools
- machine learning frameworks suited to creative practice.
Why is it important to learn from active researchers?
You will train under people who are at the frontline of AI discovery bringing current and emerging knowledge and thinking into teaching. Take the opportunity to work on live research problems and industry dilemmas, fostering an innovator's mindset.
Study under those people who are actively shaping AI innovation on a global scale. We bridge knowledge from labs like:
Applied Artificial Intelligence Initiative: a globally recognised research initiative committed to solving industry challenges that benefit society through AI and machine learning.
Deakin Human-Centric Technologies Lab: working on how cutting-edge technologies can support human capabilities in areas like space exploration and mobility.
Mediated Intelligence in Design Lab: focusing on socio-technical, socio-ecological and socio-spatial systems to drive sustainable, intelligent urban ecosystems.
Deakin Digital Life Lab: an interdisciplinary research lab examining how AI, immersive media, and digital platforms reshape everyday life, creative practice, and governance.
Deakin Motion Lab: a practice-led research lab specialising in immersive media, virtual production, and AI-augmented creative workflows, supporting experimental screen production and design innovation.
How will the Master of AI for Design and Creative Practice enhance my employability?
This pioneering, Australian-first degree is shaped by industry demand and designed to address job growth projections in creative industries.
Our future focus is one of the many reasons Deakin is ranked the #1 Victorian university for graduate employment. This two-year course, offered at Deakin's Melbourne Burwood Campus, builds from foundations through to advanced projects, helping you develop both the conceptual understanding and applied skills employers look for.
What will I study in the course?
In Deakin's Master of Artificial Intelligence for Design and Creative Practice, you will explore core topics relating to AI in the creative industries.
Units cover areas such as:
- AI tools and creative workflows
- generative design and machine-assisted creativity
- digital art and photography
- design for digital
- ethics, governance and responsible AI use
- innovation strategy and emerging technology practice.
Students also complete a creative practice research project.
Are there industry links and projects?
Yes. We are excited to connect you with industry as early as possible. One of Deakin's strongest assets is our extensive network of Australian industry partnerships. Expect guest speakers from advertising and film, networking events and opportunities to build valuable peer communities.
You will learn from practising academics who are globally recognised leaders and innovators in this exciting field. We encourage you to learn by doing, to get out there and intern in industry and test your skills in the real world.
Will I graduate with a portfolio?
Yes. On completion, you will have substantial creative and applied projects that will build your professional portfolio – an asset when job hunting.
Why use AI to push your creative practice?
Build the skills you’ll need to stay ahead without losing your creative voice. Course director Dr Luke Heemsbergen explains how the Master of AI for Design and Creative Practice – the first of its kind in Australia - is designed to address job growth projections in creative industries.
Career options with a degree in AI for design and creative practice
'AI is rapidly reshaping creative work,' Luke says, 'raising expectations and compressing industries. Some positions are being automated. Others will be redesigned.'
Graduates can pursue roles such as:
- AI creative director
- creative systems director
- creative technologist
- digital design director
- innovation and practice strategy lead
- narrative and story systems lead.
What's Luke's final piece of advice?
‘AI can amplify the value of practitioners who know how to direct, critique and integrate it into their own goals. The question is not whether change is coming, but how you are positioned to shape it. Together, we are marking the path for artists, designers, researchers and all types of creatives to guide, refine and direct machine outputs to human endeavour,’ Luke says.
There’s even more good news. A recent PwC AI Jobs Barometer (2025) found that AI is making workers more valuable, with wages rising twice as quickly in those industries most exposed to AI compared to those least exposed.
Ready to keep pace with rapid AI change and upskill your creative practice? Apply for the Master of Artificial Intelligence for Design and Creative Practice.
Deakin references data from a range of government, higher education and reputable media sources. For more information, visit our University rankings page.
