MSD Student Curator Group

The Student Curator Group is a cross-disciplinary team of students who help shape the MSDx Summer and Winter exhibitions at the Melbourne School of Design. Representing the diversity of our student community, the group collaborates closely with staff to ensure each exhibition reflects the breadth, depth, and evolving nature of design learning at MSD.

2025 Student Curator Group

• Navalok
• Smital Shardul Deshpande
• Yuting Qiu
• Maya Slee

What they do

Student curators are actively involved in aspects of the exhibition development and launch night —from helping craft the overall narrative and visitor experience, to developing activations and bringing the exhibition to life. Their role is both creative and strategic, offering a behind-the-scenes look at how major design exhibitions are brought to life.

Throughout the year, the group works with staff and peers to:

• Co-curate MSDx exhibitions
• Represent the student perspective in exhibition planning
• Help shape public programming and activations
• Explore MSD’s impact agendas and how they intersect with student work
• Support a more sustainable and inclusive exhibition culture

Why the group matters

By contributing their ideas, energy, and insight, student curators ensure MSDx remains a rich, representative, and forward-thinking showcase of design in progress. Their work not only enhances the exhibition experience but also strengthens connections across the MSD community.

Meeting rhythm

Every two weeks in the lead-up to MSDx Summer and Winter, monthly at other times of the year.

Supporters

The group receives mentorship from both academic and professional staff, gaining hands-on experience in curation, event planning, and communications. Participation in the group is also a valuable opportunity to build skills, confidence, and industry-ready experience.

Student testimonial

"Volunteering as a student curator for the Events and Engagement Team has been incredibly enriching. It provided me ample opportunities to hone my interest in event planning through events like MSDx and Design Gallery exhibitions. Collaborating with Jen, Phillipa, Sizchen, and Amy gave me valuable insights into event management. Their expertise and support helped me take on new responsibilities confidently and actively build necessary soft skills.

Working alongside academic and professional staff members and contributing to the institution's impact agendas allowed me to understand the social responsibilities of educational institutions like MSD. The role also offered me the unique opportunity to combine my interests in sustainability with event planning, especially while assisting academic staff with curatorial organisation and activations.

Personally, working among a small group has enabled me to meet like-minded individuals and build meaningful connections. This has not only broadened my network but also made me feel more connected to the university community.

Overall, my time as a student curator has been profoundly rewarding, equipping me with the necessary skills and experiences needed to excel in the future. As I approach graduation, these experiences have been invaluable in developing essential soft skills through meaningful interactions with both internal and external stakeholders."

Navalok he/him | Student, Urban Planning
Melbourne School of Design, University of Melbourne