Massey University

What you'll study

The programme is studio-centred and built around progressive project work that moves from foundational skills to complex, independent briefs. Early semesters focus on drawing, modelmaking, materials and fabrication, digital tools and design thinking. Core topics typically include design studio practice, design history and theory, materials and manufacturing processes, typography and visual communication, user-centred design and basic coding for designers.

As you progress you choose specialised streams or elective clusters depending on your interests — common pathways include visual communication, industrial/product design, fashion and textile design, interaction/UX design and social or service design. Later-year study emphasises research methods for designers, professional practice, sustainability and ethics in design, and a substantial capstone project or design portfolio that demonstrates your ability to take a brief through investigation, iteration and resolution.

• Studio projects and design workshops
• Materials, making and prototyping (digital fabrication and traditional craft)
• Digital design tools, UX fundamentals and interaction design
• Design history, theory and cultural context
• Design research methods and sustainability in practice
• Professional practice, industry briefs and portfolio/capstone project

Entry requirements

Typical entry requires university entrance from a recognised secondary school qualification (for example NCEA Level 3 with University Entrance in New Zealand) or an equivalent international qualification. Applicants usually need to demonstrate creative potential through a portfolio of recent work; some specialisations may require an interview or additional materials.

Mature applicants with significant creative experience or prior tertiary study can be considered. International applicants must meet Massey University’s English language requirements or provide evidence of equivalent proficiency.

Career prospects

Graduates of the Bachelor of Design find work across a wide range of creative and applied industries. Typical roles include graphic/visual designer, product or industrial designer, UX/UI designer, textile and fashion designer, service designer, design researcher, exhibition and spatial designer, and creative director roles in agencies and in-house teams.

Design graduates also work in start-ups, manufacturing, public sector design programmes and non-profit organisations where human-centred design and sustainability are valued. Many alumni progress to honours, postgraduate study or specialist professional diplomas to deepen research skills or technical expertise.

Why study at Massey University

Massey offers a studio-focused design education with strong emphasis on making, experimentation and socially responsive practice. Students benefit from well-equipped workshops and digital fabrication labs, industry-linked projects and opportunities to build a professional portfolio through live briefs and placements.

The School of Design at Massey encourages interdisciplinary collaboration across creative, technological and business fields, and places sustainability and tangata-whenua perspectives at the centre of design thinking. Teaching staff combine professional experience and research expertise, supporting students to develop both practical skills and critical design thinking applicable to contemporary design careers.