Choosing different: Why do students pick LCI Melbourne over traditional design schools and universities?
Here’s why you’ll love LCI.
From mingling with Australia’s top athletes to presenting at Melbourne Fashion Week, no two days at LCI are the same. For over 65 years, students have been choosing this institution because of its vibrant community — welcoming 20,000+ students across 5 continents each year — as well as its commitment to innovation, especially in a world that moves faster than traditional education. Creatives today need help finding their identity among a sea of voices, a flexible skillset that offers agility in times of change, tailored guidance from mentors who get it and who care, teaching them real, on-the-job skills they can’t find in a textbook. Learn more about what makes us different by design, and what it’s like studying in Melbourne’s creative district, Collingwood.
An inclusive community that welcomes diversity.
Whether you’re dreaming of becoming an artist, designer, game developer or brand manager, you’ll soon have a family of fellow creatives, entrepreneurs and mentors who support you — in being you! Some of your cohort will feel like soulmates; others will appear completely unfamiliar. This is highly intentional, and what makes learning interesting, with students from all ages, races, locations and backgrounds contributing to classroom conversations and culture.
We believe in being ‘different by design’ — and this extends to people’s individuality. Our students are encouraged to view the world from new perspectives, express themselves in their own unique ways, and get comfortable standing out to get their work and profiles seen. Being different is not always easy, but at LCI you’re celebrated for it. And, if you have any hope of making it in today’s industry, it’s a fundamental part of the job that most other institutions don’t emphasise.
“The connections I’ve made with my mentors are more like friendships and lifelong relationships.” Visual arts student, Olivia Corrigan.
Multidisciplinary programs, for career flexibility.
Our world today moves fast. Changes in culture and technology are shifting consumer preferences and the need for certain skills, especially those that are transferable. Creatives of the future are well placed to take advantage of the economy’s growth if they have a design thinking mindset and cross-disciplinary expertise. Not only does this make them creative all-rounders, with the ability to see things others don’t, it gives them the option of choosing which direction they wish to take their careers.
At LCI Melbourne, students study a range of disciplines before selecting their area of specialisation — selecting between visual art, interior / graphic / interactive / fashion & costume design, filmmaking, photography and entrepreneurship. For some, this means they discover passions they didn’t know existed, and their true creative calling. For others, it means they graduate with essential skills that support their careers — like a fashion designer who uses graphic and digital skills to promote their work online.
“My mentors have taught me that it’s okay to be myself and embrace the kind of artists that I think I am supposed to be, rather than the artist I think people want me to be.” Visual arts student, Ben Edwards.
Personalised mentorship, to meet individual needs.
From the designs that interest you, to the people you enjoy designing for, every student’s creative calling is unique. Your strengths, ambitions and journey towards achieving them will differ entirely from that of your peers. That’s why we prioritise tailored guidance and building one-on-one relationships with experienced professionals who not only understand the industry, but also take the time to understand you. Unlike other institutions where you risk getting lost in the crowd, this approach ensures you receive actionable insights, confidence, and clear direction to forge a path that aligns with your vision, not someone else’s.
Our mentors listen to and value your individual needs, then tailor their teaching methods to suit your unique style and goals. In a time when individuality is key to standing out, adaptive learning makes all the difference. How often do you get the chance to pick the brain of someone who’s done what you dream of, over coffee or as you’re bringing your own work to life? Our mentors combine industry-old wisdom with a friendship-like feeling, and they’re just as excited to learn from you.
“We pride ourselves on understanding our students’ goals, strengths and areas they wish to improve. This personalised approach ensures that we don’t offer a one-size-fits-all guidance, but rather tailor our methods to suit students’ diverse needs and aspirations.” Academic mentor, Pari Mehr.
Degrees that feel like you’re in the industry.
Here, you won’t feel like you’re at school. Rather, you’ll be treated as though you’re in industry from day one. Plus, you’ll find that learning isn’t confined to the classroom — it’s hands-on and built around practical experiences that mirror the challenges and opportunities of the creative world. Our students thrive on this immersive approach, which opens the doors to real-world projects, events, and networks so you don’t have to go looking for them when you graduate.
Many of our degrees are also fast-tracked, with a two-year timespan that matches the industry’s pace, including critical timelines that businesses work to. For example, students in our Fashion & Costume Design major learn to develop collections on tight deadlines, similar to real-world fashion houses that operate on a seasonal basis. Graphic & Digital Design students often collaborate with external clients, working under industry-standard conditions to produce professional-quality work that needs to meet printing and distribution requirements. This accelerated approach ensures you graduate fully immersed and industry-ready, in record time.
Fashion & Costume alumni, Sullivan Kovacs credits LCI Melbourne’s applied learning model and mentor support for her ability to confidently navigate the fast-paced environment of Paris Fashion Week. Just 10 months after graduating, Sullivan showcased her collection at one of the most prestigious global fashion events. “I could take what I learned and actually apply it to my life.”
Take the first step in pursuing your creative calling — explore what you’ll be learning, who you’ll be working alongside, and the multitude of career opportunities it could lead to!
Browse our range of courses or hear from students and mentors to see if you’re a fit. Come find your place in our family of designers and entrepreneurs who are choosing different.
Ready to make your dream real? Get in touch now!
LCI Melbourne
If you have questions, need guidance or simply want to chat about your options, we’re open during the following times across the Change of Preference period:
- Thursday 12th December, 9:00am-5:00pm
- Friday 13th December, 9:00am-5:00pm
- Saturday 14th December, 9:00am-12:00pm
Phone: (03) 9676 9000
