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Top Designs

We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the unceded land on which we work and present the VCE Season of Excellence; the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung and Bunurong peoples of the Eastern Kulin Nation. We acknowledge all traditional and ongoing custodians of the lands across Victoria, where students have investigated new creative possibilities and developed their bold artistic works.

About Top Designs

Top Designs is an annual exhibition at Melbourne Museum presenting work created by students who completed VCE Media, Product Design and Technologies, Systems Engineering, Theatre Studies 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 2025 Applications

Applications for VCE Media, Product Design and Technologies, Systems Engineering and Visual Communication Design are now closed.

Applications for VCE VET Creative and Digital Media, Engineering Studies, Furnishing, Integrated Technologies and Music (Sound Production) remain open until 11:59 pm Monday 11 November 2024

All online application forms are linked below. These are accompanied by preview versions of the forms in Word Document format, which allow you to see all questions and prepare your responses/materials for submission.

We recognise that the experience of disability and accessibility is diverse and unique to individuals, and people still face barriers.

If you have access requirements that mean completing a registration form or application via word document, video, audio or another method 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.

For further information on how to apply, refer to the selection process and guidelines for selected works below.

Register your interest now and you will be notified when applications are due to close.

Application forms

VET Creative and Digital Media Application Form

VET Engineering Studies Application Form

VET Furnishing Application Form

VET Integrated Technologies Application Form

VET Music (Sound Production) Application Form


Guidelines for Selected Works

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:

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

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

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

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 Theatre Studies Design

Works are selected that:

  • demonstrate individual and creative qualities
  • address the assessment criteria in innovative, individual ways
  • demonstrate research and thorough development of ideas
  • demonstrate significant imagination and flair
  • demonstrate deep and insightful understanding of the monologue, its associated scene and the play as a whole

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

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

For more information on how to apply, visit the VCE VET Programs webpage.

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

For more information on how to apply, visit the VCE VET Programs webpage.

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

For more information on how to apply, visit the VCE VET Programs webpage.

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 develop electronic equipment

For more information on how to apply, visit the VCE VET Programs webpage.

VCE VET Music (Sound Production)

  • 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

For more information on how to apply, visit the VCE VET Programs webpage.


Accessibility

Top Designs 2024 accessibility resources were created through collaboration between the Victorian Curriculum Assessment Authority, Vitae Veritas, and Melbourne Museum. The exhibition included the following resources:

  • 24 audio descriptions of works
  • Open captions for all audio content
  • Tactile exhibition map
  • Large print labels
  • Access Guide
  • Sensory friendly museum map

To view previous access resources from Top Designs 2024, please visit the Top Designs 2024 section below or the Top Designs 2024 Web Hub.

For additional information about Melbourne Museum access go to Access at Melbourne Museum.

Access is an open and ongoing conversation. We welcome feedback about your Top Designs experience via email at seasonofexcellence@education.vic.gov.au or phone on (03) 8688 7703.

Meet the Top Designs 2024 Exhibitors

Top Designs 2024 took place at Melbourne Museum from Saturday 23 March to Sunday 14 July.

 92 works by 87 students were selected for the exhibition. Hear more about some of their designs below.

Meet the Exhibitors transcript


Educational Resources

Exemplar Folio Pages

A selection of folio pages annotated by the State Reviewer for each study are available upon request via this online form.

Top Designs 2024

Access Guide

The Top Designs Access Guide provides convenient information about accessing Top Designs 2024 at Melbourne Museum and is available for download to prepare for your visit in advance.

Top Designs 2024 Access guide

Top Designs 2024 Access guide

For further information about Top Designs 2024 access go to Accessibility resources.

Audio Described Works

24 works from the exhibition are audio described. Listen to all audio described works on the Museums Victoria website.

Top Designs 2023

Top Designs 2023 opened on Friday 24 March 2023 at Melbourne Museum and closed on Sunday 9 July 2023.

You can take a virtual tour and view the works on the Melbourne Museum website.

The following films explore the work of VCE and VCE VET students featured in Top Designs 2023.

Grace Lucas
Northcote High School, Northcote
Wurundjeri Country
Blaze Guard
VCE Product Design and Technology, Textiles

Grace Lucas transcript

James Crockett
Swinburne University of Technology, Wantirna
Luther College, Croydon
Wurundjeri Country
Three Axis Robotic Arm
VCE VET Engineering Studies

James Crockett transcript

Siena Tieri
Genazzano F.C.J. College, Kew
Wurundjeri Country
Ganbu Barin
VCE Visual Communication Design

Siena Tieri transcript

VCE Theatre Studies

The following film explores the work of VCE Theatre Studies students featured in Top Designs 2023