Top Designs

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).

Apply now for Top Designs 2026

All online application forms are linked below. For further information on how to apply, refer to the selection process and guidelines for selected works below.

To save and return to your form later, click 'save & return later' at the bottom of the page and you will receive an access code to complete your application in multiple sessions.

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

Sign up to the VCE Season of Excellence Update for updates on Season applications, education programs, alumni stories and behind the scenes insights. 

Application forms

Applications for VCE Media, Product Design and Technologies, Systems Engineering and Visual Communication Design will close at 11:59 pm Monday 20 October 2025.

VCE Media Application Form

VCE Product Design and Technologies Application Form

VCE Systems Engineering Application Form

VCE Visual Communication Design Application Form

Applications for VCE VET Creative and Digital Media, Engineering Studies, Furnishing, Integrated Technologies and Music (Sound Production) will close at 11:59 pm Monday 17 November 2025.

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

Education forums

Top Designs 2026 Education Forum bookings open in December 2025

The forums will be held at Melbourne Museum as part of the VCE Season of Excellence. The 1-hour education sessions complement school visits to the Top Designs exhibition and, feature an exciting lineup of industry experts and VCAA representatives covering design thinking, study outcomes and creative opportunities in VCE media, product design and technologies, systems engineering, theatre studies, visual communication and VCE VET design studies

Learn about design areas including furniture, fashion, graphic and product design, set and costume design, film, photography, animation, web design, and technological projects.

For more information, visit  Top Designs Education Forums  or contact the Melbourne Museum bookings office on 13 11 02

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:

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 exceptional interpretation of the monologue
  • address the assessment criteria to an exceptional level
  • demonstrate thorough research and development of ideas
  • demonstrate excellence in applying the relevant production roles
  • demonstrate deep and insightful understanding of the monologue, its associated scene and the world of the play

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

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

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

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

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

The following accessibility resources are available to support your visit via the Top Designs 2025 Web Hub

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

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 2025 took place at Melbourne Museum from Saturday 29 March to Sunday 20 July.

77 student works were selected for the exhibition. Hear more about some of their designs below.

Remote video URL

Education resources

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

Find out more about the exhibition via the Top Designs Web Hub.