Top Designs
About Top Designs
Top Designs is an annual exhibition presenting work created by students who completed VCE Media, Product Design and Technologies, Systems Engineering and Visual Communication Design, as well as a range of VCE VET studies including Creative and Digital Media, Engineering Studies, Furnishing, Integrated Technologies and Music (Sound Production). Top Designs is presented in partnership with Museums Victoria.
Top Designs 2027 will take place throughout April to July 2027.
Bookings open Tuesday 1 December.
Apply now for Top Designs 2027
VCE Product Design and Technologies Application Form
VCE Systems Engineering Application Form
VCE Visual Communication Design Application Form
VCE applications close 11:59 pm Monday 19 October 2026
VCE VET Creative and Digital Media Application Form
VCE VET Engineering Studies Application Form
VCE VET Furnishing Application Form
VCE VET Integrated Technologies Application Form
VCE VET Music (Sound Production) Application Form
VCE VET applications close 11:59 pm Monday 16 November 2026
If you have access requirements that mean completing a registration form or application in another format would work best, please get in touch with us prior to the deadline to discuss.
Email seasonofexcellence@education.vic.gov.au or call (03) 8688 7815.
Sign up to the VCE Season of Excellence Update for updates on Season applications, education programs, alumni stories and behind the scenes insights.
Selection Process
Works must be suitable for public exhibition. The following guidelines are considered by the panel during the selection process to ensure that works are fit for display:
- Works that include cultural knowledge and design of cultures other than that of the person who created it, should document the ethical process and cultural permissions/protocols provided by First Peoples knowledge holders. This includes Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural and intellectual property. For best practice guidelines, refer to:
- Works and all folio content meet community standards. For best practice guidelines for equitable, ethical, and self-reflective design practice, refer to: NAVA Code of Practice for Visual Arts, Craft and Design
- Works are of a size and weight that is considered safe for handling and transport
- Works are undamaged and made from materials that are able to withstand the duration of the exhibition
- Powered works are safe and have been tested and tagged
- Works have documented and correct copyright clearance for display in the Melbourne Museum for the duration of Top Designs
All studies
Works selected must:
- achieve an A+ or A on the School-assessed Task (moderated score)
- be appropriate for public exhibition (refer to guidelines above)
- provide evidence of copyright clearance and/or citation for all non-original material used
- be accompanied by an Authentication Record Form (VCE studies), signed by the student and their teacher
For information on study-specific criteria:
VCE Media
VCE Media
Works are selected that:
- are accompanied by an exemplary:
- research portfolio
- production experiments with accompanying documentation
- a pre-production plan
- production notes documenting post-production, feedback and distribution
- demonstrate an understanding of all stages of the media production process through development, pre-production, production, post-production and distribution
- demonstrate a high level of critical, creative and reflective thinking to develop, refine and resolve the media production
- demonstrate an understanding of media codes and conventions, materials and technologies used to develop, resolve and refine the media production
VCE Product Design and Technologies
VCE Product Design and Technologies
Works are selected that:
- are accompanied by an exemplary record of evidence
- demonstrate research and thorough development of ideas
- incorporate a range of materials and creative uses of those materials
- demonstrate safe practices of working with technologies
- demonstrate an understanding of design thinking and use of the Double Diamond design approach
VCE Systems Engineering
VCE Systems Engineering
Works are selected that:
- are accompanied by an exemplary record of evidence
- demonstrate research and thorough development of ideas
- incorporate a range of materials and creative uses of those materials
- demonstrate safe methods of working
- demonstrate an understanding of the system engineering process
VCE Visual Communication Design
VCE Visual Communication Design
Works are selected that:
- are accompanied by an exemplary folio
- demonstrate an understanding and application of design thinking
- demonstrate an understanding of the use of visual language to communicate ideas and concepts in design solutions
- demonstrate an understanding of the conventions of the fields of design practice
VCE VET Creative and Digital Media
VCE VET Creative and Digital Media
Works are selected that:
- demonstrate high quality technical skills in the process used for the production of the work
- show that user experience has been well considered
- demonstrate individual and creative qualities
- demonstrate a range of formats and content for example: websites, portfolios, games, animations
VCE VET Engineering Studies
VCE VET Engineering Studies
Works are selected that:
- demonstrate high quality technical skills in the process used for the production of the work
- show that student understanding of the materials selected has been well considered
- demonstrate individual and creative qualities
- demonstrate a clear understanding of engineering processes for the production of items according to the project brief
VCE VET Furnishing
VCE VET Furnishing
Works are selected that:
- demonstrate high quality technical skills in the process used for the production of the work
- show that student understanding of the materials selected has been well considered
- demonstrate individual and creative qualities
- demonstrate a clear understanding of furniture making processes for the production of items according to the project brief
VCE VET Integrated Technologies
VCE VET Integrated Technologies
Works are selected that:
- demonstrate high quality technical skills in the process used for the production of the work
- show that user experience has been well considered
- demonstrate individual and creative qualities
- demonstrate a range of formats and content for example: automated systems, robotic systems, smart technologies, security systems, design and development of electronic equipment
VCE VET Music (Sound Production)
VCE VET Music (Sound Production)
Works are selected that:
- demonstrate high quality technical skills in the process used for the production of the work
- demonstrate professionalism in the planning and realisation (project management) of the work
- demonstrate novel and/or creative application of a range of current techniques and skills
- show a level of creative maturity and artistry
Access
The following accessibility resources are available to support your visit via the Top Designs Web Hub:
- Audio descriptions of works
- Open captions for all audio content
- Large print labels
- Sensory friendly museum map
For additional information about Melbourne Museum access go to Access at Melbourne Museum, or email seasonofexcellence@education.vic.gov.au
Education resources
The VCAA provides a suite of resources to accompany VCE Season of Excellence programs. These resources are provided to students and educators across Victoria to support learning across various study areas.
Top Designs and Top Screen Annotated Folio Pages
A selection of folio pages annotated by the State Reviewer for each study are available upon request.
Visit Season Resources to explore more.
Top Designs Web Hub
Find out more about the exhibition via the Top Designs Web Hub.
Visit Season Resources to explore more.