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).
Applications for Top Designs 2025 are now closed. Applications open on 1 September each year. Register your interest here and you will be notified when applications open.
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:
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
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
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
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
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
- 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.
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.
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.