Bachelor of Design(Interior design) / Business

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Griffith University Gold Coast Campus

Program Overview

If you’re creative and love shaping spaces, the Bachelor of Design (Interior Design) at Griffith University is perfect for you. You’ll get hands-on experience bringing interiors to life, exploring how spaces can be functional, beautiful, and inspiring. If you’re also interested in the business side of creativity, the Bachelor of Design/Bachelor of Business lets you combine your design skills with business know-how — giving you the confidence to lead creative projects, start your own venture, or manage design teams.

Curriculum Structure

First Year:
Your first year is all about laying the foundations. You’ll explore design principles, visual communication, and spatial concepts while also learning the basics of business like marketing, communication, and decision-making. This year gives you the confidence to combine creativity with strategy and sets you up for more advanced projects.

Second Year:
In Year 2, your projects become more ambitious. You’ll tackle interior and spatial design briefs, learning how to respond to real-world challenges while working in teams. On the business side, you’ll dive deeper into strategy and market understanding, preparing you to see the bigger picture behind every design decision.

Third Year:
By Year 3, you’re really honing your craft. You’ll work on more complex studio projects, using advanced modelling, digital tools, and presentation techniques. Your business studies will explore innovation, entrepreneurship, and project management, giving you a versatile skillset that’s valuable in any creative career.

Fourth Year:
In your final year, it all comes together. You’ll complete capstone projects that showcase your design skills and business knowledge, creating professional-quality portfolios and presentations. These projects are designed to impress future employers and give you the confidence to step straight into the creative industry.

Focus areas:
Interior & Spatial Design, Design Thinking, Visual Communication, Business Strategy, Entrepreneurship, User-Centred Creative Practice.

Learning outcomes:
Create functional and innovative interior designs, use industry-standard digital tools, communicate ideas clearly, apply strategic business insights to creative projects, and solve complex design challenges.

Professional alignment (accreditation):
The design component is recognised by the Design Institute of Australia, and the business component links to Griffith Business School’s professional affiliations, including AACSB accreditation.

Reputation (employability rankings):
Griffith University is a highly regarded Australian university with strong global recognition, active industry connections, and excellent career support for design and business graduates.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At Griffith, studying Interior Design is all about getting your hands dirty (in the best way!). From day one, you’ll be working in collaborative studios, turning your creative ideas into real spaces. You’ll sketch, model, experiment with materials, and use cutting-edge digital tools — all while receiving feedback from experienced designers who know exactly what the industry expects. If you’re in the combined Design/Business degree, you’ll also learn how to think like an entrepreneur, blending creativity with business strategy so your designs are not just beautiful, but smart too:

Here’s what that looks like in practice:

Creative studios & maker spaces: Work in modern, purpose-built studios designed for interior and spatial design. You’ll collaborate with classmates, build models, and bring your concepts to life in a professional-style environment.
Digital tools & tech: Explore 3D printing, VR labs, laser cutting, and other industry-standard technologies to prototype and visualise your ideas.
LiveWorm studio projects: Take on real-world client briefs in Griffith’s award-winning design studio, giving you portfolio-ready projects and mentorship from professionals.
Hands-on workshops & materials: Experiment with timber, foam, plastics, and other materials to understand how spaces and objects interact in the real world.
Team projects & crit sessions: Collaborate with peers, share feedback, pitch ideas, and solve design challenges — just like in a real design studio.
Industry-focused experience: Many projects are based on current industry briefs, so what you’re learning is directly applicable to your future career.
Libraries & study support: The Gold Coast campus library offers quiet study zones, collaborative spaces, and all the resources you need for research or team projects.
Business integration (for the combined degree): Learn to apply business thinking to your creative projects — from strategy and marketing to understanding client needs — giving you a real advantage in the workplace.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduating from Griffith’s Interior Design or Design/Business program means you’re ready to step into the creative world with confidence. You could see yourself as an Interior Designer, Spatial Designer, Creative Consultant, or Design Project Coordinator, using your skills to create spaces that are functional, beautiful, and memorable. Griffith also gives you plenty of support and connections to help you launch your career successfully:

Personalised career support: Griffith’s Careers and Employment Service helps you with resumes, interviews, networking, and job search strategies — and you can access their guidance even after graduation.
CareerHub & job tools: Find internships, graduate roles, and work placements tailored for design and business students, with step-by-step guidance on navigating the job market.
Industry mentoring & networking: Connect with practicing designers and business professionals through Griffith’s Industry Mentoring Program, gaining real-world insights and valuable contacts.
Hands-on work experience: Internships, placements, and real-world projects help you build a portfolio and demonstrate your skills to potential employers.
Graduate outcomes & employability: Griffith tracks graduates’ career success through national surveys, showing that students leave ready to work and in demand across design and business fields.
Accreditation & recognition: Your design qualification is recognised by the Design Institute of Australia, and the business component is supported by Griffith Business School’s professional affiliations, giving your skills extra credibility.
Long-term career value: Beyond your first job, you’ll have a professional network, a strong portfolio, and access to alumni mentoring and career resources to support you as your career grows.

Further Academic Progression:
After graduation, you have many options to build on your skills:Pursue a Master of Design or Master of Architecture to deepen your creative and technical expertise.Explore postgraduate business programs like a Master of Business or specialised courses in marketing, strategy, or entrepreneurship to strengthen your leadership edge.Consider research-focused pathways, including Honours or postgraduate research degrees, if you’re passionate about design innovation, theory, or teaching at a higher level.