Social story about Top Designs 2023

I am going to visit the Top Designs exhibition at Melbourne Museum.

I will arrive at the entry to the exhibition on Level 1 where the sign says Mind and Body Gallery.

I will enter the exhibition through a doorway and walk into a space filled with showcases, posters, and touch screens in cabinets.

It is a busy exhibition filled with many students’ design work. There are sections to explore for different VCE and VCE VET design study areas.

Each design study area has touch screens displaying student folios. Some of the touch screens will also show images and demonstration videos of the students’ work.

I will turn left and see the area with Visual Communication Design student work. A couple of pieces are backlit. I will see showcases, posters, and touch screens.

The next area I can visit is the Media Film study area, which is slightly closed with some walls. It might be crowded. It is dark to make it easier to see the films, and the sound is loud. All the films have closed captions. If I don’t like this area, I can move to another area of Top Designs.

Media Print is the next area of work. There are printed books in showcases on the walls and touch screens displaying digital folios.

There are some pillars in the middle of the room. On the back of one pillar is a television screen where student interviews are being played. These might be loud, and I can move away from here if I don’t like the sound.

Media Photography is the next area with photographs on the walls.

A low cabinet with a button and headphones showcases the work of a student in Media Audio. The audio is 27 minutes long, but I can listen for as long as I like.

Theatre Studies films are shown on a large projection on the wall. These are silent films that are a visual presentation of students’ set and prop designs. Selected pieces of student sets and props are displayed in front of the films.

Along the wall within small exhibition windows, I can explore the Top Designs Alumni from past years and Systems Engineering displays with demonstration videos. Next to this, I can see VET Engineering Studies and Integrated Technologies works.

I can also listen to the work of two students for VET Music (Sound Production) using the headphones on a showcase plinth.

Further, along this wall, close to the entrance, I can watch animations, and look at websites and online portfolios by VET Creative and Digital Media students on touch screens.

Nearby, in the centre of the room, Product Design and Technology student works are displayed. Materials such as wood, plastics, textiles, and metals have been used by students.

I can exit the gallery through either of two doors.

If I need time to myself, I can visit the quiet room which is near the Gallery entrance. It is located near the entrance of the Gandel Gondwana Garden and has a sign on the door saying Quiet Room.

I will be inspired by the work of design students and think about what I have seen and learnt when I leave.