New fund established to grow Melbourne’s design education

The University of Melbourne has received a gift of $1 million from Creative Futures Ltd, led by designer, innovator, educator and University alumnus, Dr Robert Treseder.

Pictured: Dr Robert Treseder.

The gift establishes the Creative Futures Design Research and Education Fund at the University, enabling initiatives at the Melbourne Graduate School of Education and the Faculty of Architecture, Building and Planning.

Creative Futures has championed innovative and dynamic programs that nurture the knowledge base, and entrepreneurial and business skills of talented young Australians (including those in areas of economic disadvantage) so that they can lead, create, innovate and make a difference in the world.

In November 2020, Creative Futures was dissolved and its funds donated to support organisations that share a passion for design-led innovation, research and teaching. Dr Treseder is pleased to see work already in progress at the Faculty which aligns with this focus.

“In the research realm, the Fund is intended to foster collaborations – with other design-focused organisations in Victoria; with leading practitioners internationally. The establishment of the Advanced Digital Design + Fabrication Hub at the Faculty of Architecture, Building and Planning is one initiative that will act as a convenor for this type of research-driven collaboration. We hope others will be similarly inspired and supported by the Fund.”

Left to right:  Dr Paul Loh (Advanced Digital Design + Fabrication Hub), Professor Alan Pert (Director, Melbourne School of Design) and Dr Robert Treseder.

Dr Treseder explains the long-term vision for the Fund, in supporting work that will give design educators at all levels of the school system the expertise to help their students thrive in the discipline.

“Our intention in establishing this Fund is that design-led research and innovation and teacher education for design teachers in secondary schools continues to flourish in Victoria and beyond.”

Dean of the Faculty of Architecture, Building and Planning, Professor Julie Willis, said that as the University plans to establish an expanded home for design experimentation, teaching and research at Fishermans Bend, the valuable support given by Creative Futures opens up further possibilities.

“We share a vision with Creative Futures that here at the University, we are in a privileged position in being able to connect design students at all levels of education, their teachers, researchers and our friends in the design, creative and built environment industries. The Fund means we will be able to do more for these communities, ultimately to keep developing Melbourne as a globally-respected design city.

“As we look to design-led innovation to make our lives better, our world more sustainable, our cities more inclusive, our buildings more inspiring, this gift will bring to life some of our collective thinking,” she said.

Watch Professor Julie Willis announce the establishment of the Fund.

The generous gift follows the previous establishment of the Robert Garland Tresder Fellowship, a perpetual Fellowship will enable artists, business innovators, designers, policy leaders, start-ups, architects and scholars with a dedication to the development and promotion of design-based innovation to visit Melbourne.

Dr Treseder is the University’s most generous benefactor in support of the discipline of design, across curriculum, research and community engagement initiatives. He founded and for fifteen years was Director of the highly reputable private institution, the Academy of Design Australia. The success of the Academy made Creative Futures possible, and its legacy now supports initiatives at the University of Melbourne.

The gift was made by Creative Futures and Robert “Bob” Treseder and is part of Believe – the Campaign for the University of Melbourne, a philanthropic investment by alumni and friends to change the lives of future generations.