School Archive - Design Assembly

Whitecliffe College is one of New Zealand’s highest ranked and awarded research institutions in the private sector and has a long-standing record of academic excellence.

At Victoria, Design is about innovation. While developing the skills and knowledge that industry currently demands, you’ll also be pushing the limits and, in a sense, forging the future of design practice.

Bachelor; The Bachelor of Design Innovation (BDI) is a three-year undergraduate degree designed to prepare you for a career in one of the many expanding design-related industries. During studio classes and seminars your teachers will show you how to take an experimental approach to design that encourages creative and thoughtful design solutions. You’ll major in one of six areas—Communication Design, Design for Social Innovation, Fashion Design Technology, Industrial Design, Interaction Design or Media Design. A feature of this degree is that it’s cross-disciplinary, meaning you’ll be encouraged to study and work with subject areas outside Design. This will make sure you gain a thorough grounding in design and its connections with the real world.

Postgraduate; Master of Design Innovation – MDI, Expand on your Bachelor’s degree and get a head start in your career with advanced study and research in design. Get the specialist skills and knowledge you need to be a successful professional in the design industry. In this three-trimester programme, you’ll learn the art of bringing ideas to life—from conception to design to construction. Choose one of three majors—Industrial Design, Media Design, and Design for Social Innovation—in this industry-focused, professional qualification with the School of Design. Assess new technologies and investigate the social, cultural, environmental and economic implications of design on our world.

For the last 25 years Unitec has offered a learning experience for designers that has propelled our graduates to national and international acclaim. Within Unitec’s  Design and Contemporary Arts department, students are immersed in an evidence-based programme that links the facilities of the hand, the eye, and the brain, with industry experts, real world projects, and entrepreneurial conceptualization. Through our intimate cohort sizes, we prepare our graduates for the professional world on a one-to-one basis, ensuring that each graduate outcome is specifically and uniquely crafted to each student. We provide ample learning spaces and access to cutting-edge production technologies in realising each students’ creative intentions.

Bachelor; The Bachelor of Creative Enterprise is a recent qualification that balances creative drive with commercial sensibilities. The Graphic Design stream within this qualification allows each student to pursue their own strengths through a combination of reflective practice and the latest in Design Thinking methods. This empowers our students to ideate and resolve solutions within the framesets of culture, environment, and people. The Bachelor of Creative Enterprise enables students to specialise within the practices of interactive, animated, and traditional graphic design as well as generalise as a graphic all-rounder.

Postgraduate; Within our Post Graduate programme we offer a year-long Diploma of Creative Practice and an 18-month Master of Creative Practice. Students are led on individual research-based projects as well as group taught components that cover research methodologies and critical comparative reading.

Unitec Graduates; Our recent Graduate Evandah Steadman said “The thing I liked about Unitec was – Yes, there are smaller classes, but it means there are more real-world opportunities per person. I took hold of every opportunity, and with the mentorship of my tutors I came out with a solid understanding of design, my own process, and real-world experience that I wouldn’t of had anywhere else.” Learn more about another of our recent graduates in this Hot New Things Feature

Graphic design, illustration, sculpture, painting, fashion design, photography, moving image, interior design: these are the things that get your heart racing. Never happier than when you have a pencil, a paintbrush or other tools of the trade in hand, you know you’re destined for a career in the creative industries. Learn how to problem solve and tell stories through a variety of mediums right here at Wintec. Bring ideas, stories. We’ll get you ready for the new world of work, so you can go out into the world confident in both yourself and your technical skills.

Bachelor; The Bachelor of Design is for creatives who wish to solve real-world challenges, and become super-literate in new media, social technologies and design-thinking in the areas of visual communication or fashion.Wintec’s School of Media Art’s Bachelor of Design programme is designed for a new world of work, where creativity, inventiveness, and the ability to collaborate are in high demand. In this increasingly complex world, designers and problem solvers are in hot demand. This degree is for the person with a flair for creative problem solving and helping make our experience of the world a whole lot better. You will gain practical and critical design skills, while keeping pace with current industry trends in this rapidly evolving industry. You’ll also be challenged to apply your skills to a variety of design situations as you learn while doing. Join us in Hamilton City, a thriving culturally active community, with ample opportunities to connect and create.

Postgraduate; The Master of Arts programme provides you with postgraduate study leading towards professional and higher academic practice. This one-year postgraduate programme is ideal for graduates who have completed the Bachelor of Media Arts (Honours) programme, equivalent qualification, a Postgraduate Diploma or professional practice.

Wintec Graduates; Our recent Graduate Elise Murray said “I chose to study design at Wintec as I heard it was a practical, hands-on course which I really valued. I also heard some great success stories from previous graduates that inspired and excited me to study at Wintec and hopefully achieve the same greatness. After completing my studies at Wintec I can see the process of how my creative side has developed into a passion for creativity. The technical skills I learned and the knowledge that my tutors passed on really make me feel like I am qualified to set out and greatly achieve anything I set my mind to.” Learn more about another of our recent graduates in this Hot New Things Feature

Ready to fire up your design career? Yoobee’s practical, innovative courses will give you the skills you need to master your craft. Digital Design is an exciting, rapidly changing industry. Whether you’re looking for full-time study or looking to upskill in your current profession – our hands-on, targeted courses and degrees will get you where you want to go. Taught by designers, for designers, using the latest industry standard equipment, Yoobee will even help you get a great job.

Undergraduate programmes; With tailored programmes ranging from 2 days to 2 years, we’ll teach you how to blaze a trail in today’s rapidly changing world of digital design. Don’t lock yourself into a lengthy degree – our hands-on, targeted courses will get you where you want to go in half the time. Graphic design has long been the linchpin of the creative industries, and as companies around the globe battle it out for brand dominance, talented graphic designers are becoming even hotter hot property.  While the roots of graphic design are undeniably lodged in print, to be successful in today’s workplace you also need top notch digital design skills.  Study graphic design at Yoobee and you get the best of both worlds.  Not only do we give you the technical skills and design chops to create off the hook printed material, we also catapult you into the digital world by developing your skills for web and mobile. Build technical skills and watch your ideas come to life at ACG Yoobee, New Zealand’s leading digital design school.

Yoobee Graduates; Recent graduate James Meyer says “My decision to study at Yoobee came after years of convincing myself to follow my dreams. I worked 5 years with my previous employer which became monotonous and I always felt as though I needed a creative outlet. A few friends of mine had studied here in the past and highly recommended Yoobee. Finally I made the decision to leave my job and enrol, and I’ve never looked back. I feel like I can take away a new sense of self confidence from my experience at Yoobee, obviously along with practical hands on design skills, pre press and mockup experience.” learn more about our programmes and here directly from our recent graduates in these Hot New Things Features

Study one of the School of Design’s acclaimed design programmes and become an industry-ready, creative designer with great prospects for a successful career. Designers find innovative solutions to material, social and ecological problems. We are creative, confident and contribute to change. Immerse yourself in an innovative and supportive environment which allows you to engage in real-world projects, develop your individual voice as a designer and learn how to work in a design team. Take advantage of our strong international relationships, award-winning teaching expertise and first-rate facilities.

Bachelor; Communication Design encompasses a wide range of media and processes. Learn about key areas of Communication Design including graphic design, photography, advertising and web design, and gain the skills to pursue a career in a rapidly expanding global media environment. To tell stories through image, text, sound, moving image and interactive media.

Postgraduate; Bachelor of Design (Honours) If you have already achieved excellence in your undergraduate degree, this postgraduate qualification is a great opportunity to extend and deepen your knowledge and understanding of design research methods and professional design practice. Graduates of this programme will be well-prepared for further postgraduate study or employment in a design creative lead role. Master of Design This qualification allows you to develop a significant body of scholarly creative work which is presented in a public forum and supported by an exegesis or equivalent. Alternatively, you can complete this programme through a thesis which could form the basis of academic journal articles. Graduates will be well-prepared for doctoral-level study, an academic career or a lead design or design management role. Master of Design Enterprise Want to develop the ability to provide design and design-led strategy expertise within an organisation or enterprise? Engage in industry-based research tailored to suit your particular needs. Postgraduate Certificate in Design This qualification introduces you to postgraduate study in a guided learning environment. Extend and deepen your knowledge and understanding of design research methods and the professional design environment. Graduates will be well-prepared for further postgraduate study such as our Postgraduate Diploma in Design or Master of Design Enterprise qualifications, or for employment in a wide range of creative or design management roles. The Postgraduate Diploma in Design is ideal for graduates who want to extend and deepen their research skills and professional design practices through applied design research projects which are self-generated or developed with industry or community partners.

For over twenty years, the award-winning Media Design School in Auckland has been offering qualifications that speak to emerging media environments. Our faculty and students have cemented Media Design School’s reputation as New Zealand’s most awarded tertiary institute for digital and creative technology qualifications by creating work that is consistently regarded among the very best in the world not only in Graphic Design, but also Game Art, Game Programming, Creative Advertising, Motion Graphics, Interactive Design, and 3D Animation and Visual Effects.

If you are interested in becoming a part of the creative arts community but you’re not sure which degree would suit you best, our foundation programme is a great way to discover which career in creative or digital design is for you.

In our purpose-built campus located in the innovation Precinct of Wynyard Quarter, Media Design School assists students to think globally and have opportunities beyond New Zealand. Through our unique relationship with Torrens University, Australia’s newest and fastest growing university, we focus on a commitment and promise to producing global graduates and strong industry connections, firmly rooted in a culture of social change-making, while sharing our strong Be Good ethos.

Bachelor; The evolving needs of creative industries are at the heart of development and delivery of our Bachelor of Media Design. Within three years, students develop technical, conceptual and strategic skills in their chosen major − Graphic Design, Motion Design or Interactive Online Design − as well as a broad interdisciplinary understanding of the industry and related fields making them agile in the workforce. The Bachelor of Media Design (in Graphic Design) teaches you how to communicate using text, image, and form to make visual connections. We will help cultivate your ideas into meaningful interactions.

Postgraduate; Graduate Diploma of Creative Technologies, In this course you’ll have one year to refine your craft – you’ll have the opportunity focus on your interests, if you are looking for a supportive hands-on learning environment that focuses on developing practical skills through working on self-initiated projects, then the Graduate Diploma of Creative Technologies (GDCT) is for you. The GDCT will help you further develop your production and design skills through project-based and problem-solution learning. You’ll investigate, propose and produce projects in the creative area of your choice that compliment your existing skill-set. As you choose your own research topic, you may opt to work across multiple disciplines, to broaden your skill base and increase your career options.

Media Design School Graduates; Recent graduate Dannah Soriano said “I chose MDS because of its reputation being the #1 digital school in Asia Pacific. And since it’s a relatively small institution, there’s a higher chance of being mentored outside class hours.” Graduates from our programmes go on to work in a diverse range of careers, depending on the focus. Hear what our graduates have to say about MDS in this Hot New Things feature.

AUT is the best place to study art and design to acquire the thinking and skills to ensure you develop a unique creative voice. You will be immersed in an environment where innovation and technology will fuel your creativity. Shared studio spaces, cutting-edge labs, experienced lecturers and industry contact provide the best environment for you to launch a career in the creative realm. Our major study areas include: communication (formerly graphic) design, digital d

AUT is the best place to study art and design to acquire the thinking and skills to ensure you develop a unique creative voice. You will be immersed in an environment where innovation and technology will fuel your creativity. Shared studio spaces, cutting-edge labs, experienced lecturers and industry contact provide the best environment for you to launch a career in the creative realm. Our major study areas include: communication (formerly graphic) design, digital design, fashion design, product design, spatial design, textile design and visual arts. We are ranked in the top 100 art and design schools in the world*. This prestigious ranking reflects the high quality of our programmes and staff, the employability of our graduates, and our recognition as a world leader in practice-led art and design research. Our programmes offer a balance of originality, creative and design thinking, and conceptual development, along with theoretical and professional studies. Our students work on industry partnered, or entrepreneurial art and design projects, and we challenge them to become socially and ethically engaged.

Bachelor; The Bachelor of Design is creative and practical, with strong input from industry partners like Weta Workshop, Fisher & Paykel Healthcare, Auckland Art Gallery, Creative New Zealand and Kate Sylvester. As a Bachelor of Design student you have access to world-class facilities, collaborate with other art and design students, and in your final year you may be able to showcase your work at the AUT School of Art and Design festival or the AUT Rookie fashion show.

Postgraduate; The Bachelor of Art and Design (Honours) is an intensive one-year degree that enables you to undertake research within the field of art and design. If your appetite for art and design has been stimulated by your undergraduate studies, it’s time to consider taking those studies further. Certificate in Cultural and Creative Practice; Explore ideas and concepts related to cultural expression in as little as one semester. Implement creative strategies while developing expertise related to your chosen field, contributing to a vibrant creative community and critiquing notions of leadership and entrepreneurship in the cultural and creative sector. Creative thinking will empower your decision-making and inform your professional encounters. The Master of Design is a research degree aimed at developing your design expertise and empowering your decision-making. Specialising in industrial design, fashion design and textile design, communication design, digital design or spatial design, you will work on interdisciplinary projects. Implementing creative research strategies, and continuing to develop expertise in your chosen field, you will contribute to a vibrant, collaborative design culture. The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is t undertaken by research only and leads to advanced academic and theoretical knowledge in a specialist area. Doctoral studies present you with the opportunity to generate new ideas that can benefit business and society. You will make a significant original contribution to knowledge and understanding in your field of study and meet recognised international standards for your work. AUT’s academic supervisors are recognised world-class researchers in their fields who have the expert knowledge to guide and advise you throughout your PhD.

AUT Graduates; Recent AUT graduate Stephanie Zwerink said,“I chose AUT based on recommendations, ease of transport, and the facilities. Having the opportunity to select from a range of minor papers was great. It meant that I had the opportunity to explore digital fabrication techniques, dabble a bit in product design, and collaborate with students from other disciplines. I also learned a lot about design, obviously.” Learn more about our recent Graduates in these Hot New Things interviews or in these Postgraduate Design profiles with Tatiana Tavares, Cassie Khoo, and Albarrán González.