Victoria University - Bachelor of Design Innovation

DESIGNBACHELOR OF At Victoria University, Design
INNOVATION is about innovation. Think of
a surfboard, an art exhibition,
an avatar, a prosthetic leg—all
were imagined by designers
who took their creativity and
gave it a purpose.

Master of Design Innovation student Sophia Cameron develops upcycled 3D printed products at the School of Design from plastic waste collected on coastal
beaches. The new objects extend the lifespans of what were previously single-use products.

The Bachelor of Design Innovation (BDI) will push you necessary for working in a creative practice. Employing
to forge a future in the many expanding design-related ‘designing through making’ learning processes, the first year
industries by learning how to use technology to encourage provides you with design confidence through a series of
creative and thoughtful design solutions that will challenge experimental challenges.
the way the world works. A distinguishing feature of the School of Design is its cross-
Design innovation is vital to the design process and has the disciplinary programme that allows strong relationships to
potential to enhance both cultural and economic wellbeing. develop across the majors. It is an integrated programme
Bringing together behavioural, cultural and social insights of study that challenges traditional definitions of design
with technology creates an environment where truly through the creative investigation of the skills and principles
innovative, unexpected and meaningful designs emerge. of design.
The University’s three-year BDI allows you to configure your You are encouraged to develop a strong, individual approach
course of study to suit your individual interests and prepare to design while identifying a commitment to a particular
you for your desired career. design discipline.
You can major in one of six areas—Communication Design, A portfolio is not required to get into the first-year
Design for Social Innovation, Fashion Design Technology*, programme, but selection into second-year disciplines is
Industrial Design, Interaction Design or Media Design— based on academic performance in the first year.
or combine your studies in Design with a minor in a
complementary discipline such as Computer Science, * Subject to regulatory approval.
Cultural Anthropology, Film, Marketing, Māori Studies, Media
Studies, Pacific Studies or Psychology.
The first year of the BDI introduces you to the breadth of
design tools and technologies and develops the discipline

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THIS DEGREE  www.victoria.ac.nz/bdi

FACULTY OF ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN | 139 Vivian Street, Wellington
 04-463 6200 |  [email protected] |  www.victoria.ac.nz/design

74 Victoria University of Wellington

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES RECOMMENDED SCHOOL
SUBJECTS
Communication Design graduates will be well
prepared to start their career in a range of design Recommended school subjects include Art, Design,
fields, including art direction, communication design, Digital Media, English, Graphics, Media Studies and
digital branding, graphic design, illustration, layout Technology. If you have not achieved 14 credits in
design, photography and publishing. an English-rich subject at NCEA Level 3 (Art History,
Design for Social Innovation offers a variety of Classics, Economics, English, Geography or History),
career opportunities in the rapidly expanding field of you must complete a writing skills course (WRIT 101
the creative industries. Future careers include design or WRIT 151) in your first year of the BDI.
advocates, consultants, critics, curators, facilitators,
managers, researchers, strategists, teachers, writers MAJORS
and design and material culture advisers.
Fashion Design Technology* provides a strong base Communication Design: Actively shape and inform the future
for any career in fashion, including generative textiles, evolution of the design industry in New Zealand and learn how
interaction design for healthcare, and wearable to respond and contribute to a global society that is creative,
technology. Graduates will be well prepared for roles ethical, sustainable, experimental and reflective of different
such as concept artist, costume designer, creative cultures. Unlike other communication design programmes in
director–fashion, fashion designer, fashion editor, New Zealand, you will explore innovative concepts such as
retail merchandiser, textile designer, wardrobe stylist generative design, digital painting and visual narratives, while
and wearable technology expert. considering Māori knowledge and culture.
Design for Social Innovation: This major will give you a good
* Subject to regulatory approval. understanding of the relationship between design and culture,
society, technology and the environment. Explore how they
Industrial Design has a well-established range of impact each other and delve into the theoretical and practical
career opportunities. The programme encourages a connections between them. You’ll look at how design is applied
global perspective and provides an internationally across a variety of industries and how it relates to other areas
competitive qualification. Whether operating out of of study.
New Zealand or practising internationally, Industrial Fashion Design Technology*: Learn to design and create
Design students can look forward to such positions clothing and accessories while exploring rich cultures and
as 3D digital designers, design consultants, exhibition histories. Discover how fashion is used to tell stories and how
designers, furniture designers, in-house industrial garments are being constructed for the needs to the twenty-first
designers, physical interaction designers, product century. You’ll study the human body, pattern making, and the
interface designers, product usability designers and design and construction of garments, while exploring the history
design and technology teachers. of fashion, ethical production practices and sustainability
Interaction Design graduates will be well placed to alongside cutting-edge applications in fashion design.
start their career in the fast-growing design industry
as a game designer, interaction designer, interface * Subject to regulatory approval.
designer, service designer, user-experience designer
or web designer. Industrial Design: Learn how to develop original, useful and
Media Design prepares you for roles in interactive meaningful products that enrich our daily lives. You’ll explore
media, one of the fastest growing sectors of the new the complex social and cultural considerations that go into
mobile world economy. Students graduating from the creating good design. Study human experience, behaviour,
Media Design major can look forward to careers in needs and desires so that you can design products that respond
3D animation, entertainment and interactive TV, film to them.
and visual effects, game development and design, Interaction Design: Be part of one of the most important
motion graphics, performance arts and exhibition emerging fields within the design discipline. From mobile
design and web design. computing to gaming and the emerging virtual reality sector,
Interaction Design is a highly interdisciplinary field. You’ll
 www.victoria.ac.nz/careers be introduced to a range of design disciplines and have the
opportunity to combine your knowledge with courses from
POSTGRADUATE other schools and faculties at the University.
OPPORTUNITIES Media Design: Explore the diverse ways people interact with
digital technology. These technologies include augmented
The BDI leads to the 13–18-month Master of Design and virtual reality, gaming and mobile media, visual and audio
Innovation (MDI) for students who wish to train as communication and web experiences. You’ll spend most of
professional designers. While the BDI will inspire your class time in studios working on design solutions to real-
and open your mind to an exciting new world of world problems. You’ll brainstorm, build concepts and craft
career possibilities in design, the MDI offers you projects while developing new software skills.
the opportunity to focus your studies and develop
your skills to internationally competitive levels of
professional practice.

 www.victoria.ac.nz/design/postgraduate

Guide to Undergraduate Study 2019 75

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS Communication Design

Three years of full-time study. First year Second year Third year
A total of 360 points is required: DSDN 101 CCDN 271 COMD 301 and
DSDN 111 two courses from
at least 240 points must be from courses listed for the BDI DSDN 171 COMD 321,
at least 200 points must be at 200 and 300 level WRIT 101 or COMD 331,
of the 200 points, at least 120 points must be from WRIT 151* COMD 342,
COMD 351
courses listed for the BDI and at least 80 points must be at DSDN 151 COMD 201 One further
300 level COMD 231 course from
of the 80 points, at least 60 points must be from courses One further course COMD 241 COMD, DSDN,
listed for the BDI. from DSDN 100– INDN, IXXN,
The requirements for one major must be satisfied. Courses at 199 (DSDN 144 CCDN 300–399
300 level may be counted only towards one major. recommended)
40 points from
MAJORS 30 points, 40 points from elective courses
including any elective courses or courses for a
Major Code prerequisites for or courses for a minor, including at
200-level courses minor least 20 points at
Communication Design COMD in a minor subject 300 level

Design for Social Innovation CCDN

Fashion Design Technology* FADN

Industrial Design INDN * If you have 14 NCEA Level 3 credits in Art History, Classics, Economics,
English, Geography or History, you may substitute the WRIT course with
Interaction Design IXXN another 100-level course.

Media Design MDDN Specialisations

* Subject to regulatory approval. If you are completing a major in Communication Design, you
may obtain a specialisation within that major by completing
First year the courses in your chosen specialisation:

All BDI students must complete four core courses at 100 level. Advertising: COMD 321, COMD 351, DSDN 244, and 20 points
from MDIA 100–199
Course code Course title
DSDN 101 Design Visualisation Computational Graphic Design: COMD 342, MDDN 242, and
DSDN 111 Ideas and Principles of Design 20 further points from MDDN 200–399.
DSDN 171 Design in Context
WRIT 101 or WRIT 151* Writing at University or Writing Design for Social Innovation
in English as a Second Language
First year Second year Third year

* If you have 14 NCEA Level 3 credits in Art History, Classics, Economics, DSDN 101 CCDN 271 CCDN 312
English, Geography or History, you may substitute the WRIT course with DSDN 111 CCDN 331
another 100-level course. DSDN 171
WRIT 101 or
In addition to these core courses, you will take other WRIT 151*
100-level courses as required for your major. You can also
include a minor within your programme of study. See below DSDN 144 Two courses from One course from
for more information. CCDN 200–270 CCDN 300–399

Specialisations 40 points, 60 points from 60 points from
including any elective courses elective courses
Within each major, it is possible to include specialisations, as prerequisites for or courses for a or courses for a
described under each major. 200-level courses minor minor, including
in a minor subject at least 20 points
Minors at 300 level

If you are majoring in Communication Design, Industrial * If you have 14 NCEA Level 3 credits in Art History, Classics, Economics,
Design, Interaction Design or Media Design, you have the English, Geography or History, you may substitute the WRIT course with
option of including a minor within your programme of study. another 100-level course.
If you are majoring in Design for Social Innovation, you must
include a major or minor in an approved complementary Specialisations
subject from outside the BDI schedule.
Minors require course planning from your first year to ensure If you are completing a major in Design for Social Innovation,
prerequisites are met for 200- and 300-level courses. Minors you may obtain a specialisation within that major by completing
consist of 60 points from 200–300 level, including at least the courses in your chosen specialisation:
15 points at 300 level. For a list of recommended minors, with
your required first-year courses, go to www.victoria.ac.nz/bdi Cultures of Making: CCDN 233, CCDN 244, CCDN 344
The BDI must include 240 Design points overall, so plan
any non-Design electives or minors carefully to meet this Service Design: DSDN 251, CCDN 233, CCDN 312
requirement.
Speculative Design: CCDN 233, CCDN 242, CCDN 312,
CCDN 342.

76 Victoria University of Wellington

Minors Interaction Design

If you are majoring in Design for Social Innovation, you must also First year Second year Third year
complete one minor in a complementary subject from outside DSDN 101 CCDN 271 IXXN 301
the BDI subjects. See left for more information about minors. DSDN 111 INDN 252 IXXN 321
DSDN 171 IXXN 201
Fashion Design Technology^ WRIT 101 or IXXN 221
WRIT 151*
First year Second year Third year DSDN 104 Two courses from Complete two
DSDN 101 CCDN 271 FADN 301^ DSDN 112 CCDN 233, further courses
DSDN 111 FADN 201^ FADN 312^ DSDN 142 DSDN 251, from INDN 321,
DSDN 171 FADN 242^ FADN 341^ MDDN 201, IXXN 341,
WRIT 101 or MDDN 351 15 points from MDDN 243, MDDN 343,
WRIT 151* Two further One course from elective courses MDDN 251 MDDN 352
DSDN 142 courses from INDN 321, 20 points from 40 points from
DSDN 152^ COMD 211, INDN INDN 332, IXXN 341 elective courses elective courses
FADN 101 ^ 241, INDN 252,
MDDN 251 20 points from * If you have 14 NCEA Level 3 credits in Art History, Classics, Economics,
15 points from 20 points from elective courses English, Geography or History, you may substitute the WRIT course with
elective courses elective courses another 100-level course.

* If you have 14 NCEA Level 3 credits in Art History, Classics, Economics, Specialisations
English, Geography or History, you may substitute the WRIT course with
another 100-level course. If you are completing a major in Interaction Design, you may
obtain a specialisation within that major by completing the
Specialisations courses in your chosen specialisation:
Design for Healthcare: INDN 252, IXXN 341, CCDN 233
If you are completing a major in Fashion Design Technology^, Web Design: IXXN 221, IXXN 321, MDDN 201.
you may obtain a specialisation within that major by
completing the three courses in your chosen specialisation: Media Design
Costume Technology: COMD 231, FADN 321^, INDN 332
Wearable Technology: MDDN 251, INDN 321, IXXN 341. First year Second year Third year

^ Subject to regulatory approval. DSDN 101 CCDN 271 Complete one
DSDN 111 course from INDN,
Industrial Design DSDN 171 DSDN or CCDN
WRIT 101 or 300–399
First year Second year Third year WRIT 151*

DSDN 101 CCDN 271 INDN 311 DSDN 112 Complete three Complete three
DSDN 111 INDN 211 INDN 312 DSDN 142 courses from courses from
DSDN 171 INDN 212 One of INDN 321, MDDN 200–299 MDDN 300–399
WRIT 101 or INDN 341 (60 points) (60 points)
WRIT 151*
30 points, 40 points from 40 points from
DSDN 104 One of CCDN 331, including any elective courses elective courses
DSDN 141 CCDN 344, INDN prerequisites for or courses for a or courses for a
332 200-level courses minor minor
in a minor subject
30 points, 60 points from 40 points from
including any elective courses elective courses * If you have 14 NCEA Level 3 credits in Art History, Classics, Economics,
prerequisites for or courses for a or courses for a English, Geography or History, you may substitute the WRIT course with
200-level courses minor minor another 100-level course.
in a minor subject
Specialisations
* If you have 14 NCEA Level 3 credits in Art History, Classics, Economics,
English, Geography or History, you may substitute the WRIT course with If you are completing a major in Media Design you may
another 100-level course. obtain a specialisation within that major by completing the
courses in your chosen specialisation:
Specialisations
3D Design and Animation: DSDN 132, MDDN 211, MDDN 241,
If you are completing a major in Industrial Design, you may MDDN 311
obtain a specialisation within that major by completing the Creative Coding: MDDN 242, MDDN 251, MDDN 342, CGRA 151
three courses in your chosen specialisation: Game Design: DSDN 132, MDDN 241, MDDN 243, MDDN 343
Interactive Design: MDDN 251, either MDDN 201 or
Design for Digital Making: INDN 252, INDN 341, INDN 342 MDDN 242, either MDDN 351 or MDDN 352
Design for Future Technologies: INDN 252, INDN 332, Digital Video: DSDN 132, DSDN 144, MDDN 211, MDDN 311,
CCDN 242 or CCDN 344 MDDN 314, CCDN 244.
Tangible Interactions Design: DSDN 251, INDN 312, INDN 321.
* If you have 14 NCEA Level 3 credits in Art History, Classics, Economics,
English, Geography or History, you may substitute the WRIT course with
another 100-level course.

Guide to Undergraduate Study 2019 77

DEGREE EXAMPLES

BDI majoring in Design for Social Innovation

Year 1 Year 2 Year 3
1/3
1/3 2/3 1/3 2/3 CCDN 300 level 2/3
20 points CCDN 331
DSDN 101 WRIT 101 CCDN 200 level CCDN 271 300-level minor 20 points
15 points 20 points 20 points 20 points 20 points CCDN 312
Elective 20 points
DSDN 111 DSDN 144 CCDN 200 level Elective 20 points Elective
15 points 15 points 20 points 20 points 20 points

DSDN 171 100-level minor 200-level minor 200-level minor
15 points 20 points 20 points 20 points

100-level minor
20 points

65 points 55 points 60 points 60 points 60 points 60 points

120 points 120 points 120 points

Total points required: 360
Total points completed: 360

BDI majoring in Industrial Design

Year 1 Year 2 Year 3
2/3
1/3 2/3 1/3 1/3 2/3
DSDN 101 WRIT 101 INDN 211 INDN 212
15 points 20 points 20 points 20 points INDN 311 INDN 312
DSDN 111 DSDN 104 Elective CCDN 271 20 points 20 points
15 points 15 points 20 points 20 points
200- or 300-level 300-level major 300-level major
Elective elective 20 points 20 points
20 points 20 points
DSDN 171 DSDN 141 200- or 300-level 200- or 300-level
15 points 15 points elective elective
20 points 20 points

Elective Elective
15 points 15 points

60 points 65 points 60 points 60 points 60 points 60 points

125 points 120 points 120 points

Total points required: 360
Total points completed: 365

BDI majoring in Media Design

Year 1 Year 2 Year 3
1/3
1/3 2/3 MDDN 200 level 2/3 1/3 2/3
DSDN 101 WRIT 101 20 points CCDN 271
15 points 20 points 20 points MMDN 300 level MMDN 300 level
20 points 20 points

DSDN 111 DSDN 112 MMDN 200-level MMDN 200 level MMDN 300 level DSDN, INDN or
15 points 15 points 20 points 20 points 20 points SIDN 300 level

20 points

DSDN 171 DSDN 142 Elective Elective 200- or 300-level 200- or 300-level
15 points 15 points 20 points 20 points elective elective
20 points 20 points

Elective Elective
15 points 15 points

60 points 65 points 60 points 60 points 60 points 60 points

125 points 120 points 120 points

Total points required: 360
Total points completed: 365

Key

Core Major Minor Elective

78 Victoria University of Wellington

CAROLINE
SANTOS
O’CONNELL

Student, Bachelor of Design Innovation
in Design for Social Innovation

Why Wellington?

I wanted to study design and marketing at a
university that was highly regarded in both
fields. Victoria University has a good reputation
across New Zealand and overseas, which was
attractive to me as I wanted to graduate from
a university with high standards. I also love
Wellington’s culture and environment. There’s
always something going on, like an event, festival
or performance on Cuba Street.

Combining passions Favourite course

I really like how the Design for Social Innovation programme My favourite course so far has been CCDN 244 Expanded
allows you to take a minor, which was perfect for me, as Photographics. I learnt a lot from this class and expanded my
I wanted to include a minor in Marketing in my degree. This skill set not only as a designer but also as a creative. It’s a great
allows me to use my skills across both fields and develop them hands-on course that teaches you how to get the best out of
into exciting projects. In the second and third years, you get your work. The course gives you a lot of creative freedom, which
more freedom and the lecturers help you develop a project allows you to explore and create whatever you want.
that is truly yours. I love being able to use an interdisciplinary
approach in my work and combine my passions together. Finding a balance

Collaborative environment My advice is to find a good balance between work and play, and
make sure you find time to do things you are passionate about
At the Te Aro campus, I love the open and collaborative and make you happy. Try and integrate your passions with your
environment of the Design studios. It’s a great way to engage university work—studying Design allows so many opportunities
with other students and get a second opinion on your work, to do this. Finding a balance is always hard at first, but I’ve
and it also makes the work seem less arduous. If I’m heading now learnt how to manage my university work and spare time
to Pipitea campus for a Marketing class, I enjoy the walk down efficiently. Balancing a part-time job, full-time study and a social
Lambton Quay, checking out the busy streets, shops and cafés life is completely achievable.
along the way. On a nice day, it’s a good way to get out when I’ve
been cooped up behind a computer and to freshen my mind
before a class.

Guide to Undergraduate Study 2019 79