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Mission Statement
We recognise that design thrives in an environment of porous boundaries and diverse teams. As such, we are fortunate to be a part of a vibrant research-focused university that facilitates collaborations with Health, Science, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Humanities, Social Sciences and Business, and many other disciplines.
This diversity—accessed through minors, electives, co-taught courses, and multi-disciplinary research—allows our students and staff to anticipate emerging trends in professional design practice.
We draw on diverse knowledge, advanced technologies and collaborative practices to achieve a collective vision for design. Holding this to our heart, we are committed to the teaching, learning and nurturing students who, as arbiters of design, harness and celebrate the past, present, and future of innovation . We prioritise criticality, creativity and inclusion as goals to guide us as we challenge the status quo. Our aim is to help craft a world enhanced not only by design, but one in which our 'future designers' are empowered to be more than just creative, but to be insightful and impactful, and to contribute to the creative, cultural, digital, social, and ecological welfare of Aotearoa and beyond.
While we can’t predict the future, we can prepare our students to be trailblazers as we walk into the unknown. In the language of new Zealand's Indigenous Māori "Ka mua, ka muri – Let's walk backwards into the future".
International Role
We have a comprehensive exchange program with multiple worldwide institutions such as Rhode Island School of Design, Swinburne University of Technology, Design Academy Eindhoven, Carnegie Mellon University and Aalto University, Beijing Film Academy and Zhengzhou University List of all exchange institutions under Design: https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/victoria-abroad/partner-universities
National Role
While based mainly at our Te Aro campus in the centre of Wellinton, the School has facilities in Miramar at the Miramar Creative Centre—a multimillion dollar complex integrally connected to New Zealand’s internationally recognised film, gaming, and visual effects community: https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/mcc
Main Focus
The School offers eight majors that are well-defined domains by their industry alignment and broad career prospects. Our majors include Design for Social Innovation, Industrial Design, and Media Design, Animation and Visual Effects, Communication Design, Fashion Design Technology, Interaction Design with Game Design.
Faculties and Departments
School of Design Innovation
Bachelor Level Programs
3 year undergraduate degrees of Bachelor of Design Innovation in
- Animation and Visual Effects
- Communication Design
- Design for Social Innovation
- Game Design
- Fashion Design Technology
- Industrial Design
- Interaction Design
- Media Design
Master Level Programs
1 year postgraduate degrees:
Master of Design Innovation
Get the specialist skills and knowledge you need to be a successful professional in the design industry. In this programme, you'll learn the art of bringing ideas to life—from conception to design to construction. The Master of Design Innovation (MDI) is focused on research and innovation with a 90-point thesis. Ideal students will be interested in independent research towards changing the status quo of design through disruptive or breakthrough innovation exemplified through a thesis.
Master of Design Technology
Want to tell interesting stories using time-based digital media? The Master of Design Technology (MDT) is designed to build upon the existing digital media skills you’ve acquired in an undergraduate degree. Learn industry leading software, techniques and professional practices from our experienced lecturers in visual effects (VFX), game design, animation, extended reality (XR), exhibition design and multimedia design. https://wellingtonict.ac.nz/programmes/master-of-design-technology/
Master of User Experience
User experience design is one of the largest growing design fields that addresses all aspects of user experience from understanding the identity of the users to the creation of the designs they interact with. The Master of User Experience Design (MUXD) is aimed particularly at industry professionals and/or recent graduates without an undergraduate qualification in media design, i.e. a conversion master’s degree. The degree will build on the relevant skills these students have developed during their professional careers and/or undergraduate university study, such as problem solving, critical thinking and verbal and written communication. https://wellingtonict.ac.nz/programmes/master-of-user-experience-design/
Master of Design
Advance your knowledge in the area of design that interests you, and enhance your theoretical and practical design expertise. You'll further develop your critical thinking and discussion skills, increase your understanding of design and learn to express your own ideas and conclusions within a theoretical framework.The Master of Design degree is a research based degree focusing on structured independent investigations of topics relevant to design and outlined in a research proposal. Prospective candidates should contact staff members about the possibility of supervision before applying.
Master of Fine Art
The MFA takes advantage of our creative capital city location and study at Victoria University of Wellington and is a collaboration between our Film and Music/Sound programmes who also get to use a new purpose-refitted facility at the Miramar Creative Centre. The MFA hones leadership, collaborative, creative, and business skills as a practising artist over an intensive 12-month programme. Our Master of Fine Arts (Creative Practice) is an industry-focused, practical degree that will help you build new contacts and networks in Wellington’s creative industries.https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/explore/postgraduate-programmes/master-of-fine-arts-creative-practice/overview
Research Activity and Main Areas
Design for Social Innovation, Industrial Design, and Media Design, Animation and Visual Effects, Communication Design, Fashion Design Technology, Interaction Design with Game Design . Our current areas of research focus and expertise: https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/design/research
Doctorate Level Programs
PhD in Design 3 – 5 years
The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in our School focuses on a thesis that produces an original body of research that expands the design discipline. Students work closely with two supervisors on largely independently driven work. Typically on-site, the PhD may be studied by distance in suitable cases. The program has three areas of concentration: Design for Social Innovation, Industrial Design and Media Design.
Subject Areas for Exchange Students
The Study Abroad and Exchange programme allows you to spend a trimester or a year studying design at Victoria University of Wellington, while earning credits towards your home university qualification.
Application Deadlines
See enrollment information and application deadlines: https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/exchange
Teaching Languages
English
Semester Dates
First Trimester: February – June Second Trimester: July – November Third Trimester: (optional) December – February
Cost of Living Per Month (Studying and Living)
Living costs will depend on your needs and habits. For 20 weeks (one trimester) in Wellington, you might need:
- Essential living costs (keeping it basic but comfortable): NZD$9,000. (which equals NZD$1,800 / month)
- Generous living costs (weekend trips and enjoying the nightlife): NZD$13,000. (which equals NZD$2,600 / month)
Exchange students pay tuition fees to their home university.
