Whakahoahoa,
Design

Prepare yourself for a creative future. Create solutions to real-life issues by studying design.

Young Māori woman with hand-woven black and grey cloth around her shoulders.

Experience learning through an integrated Pōwhiri framework, which incorporates Māori perspectives and guides you through four years of supportive learning.

Five Visual Communication Design students working together around a table.

Access the vast array of skills and knowledge of all our creative staff, and collaborate with students across design, fine arts, music, and media.

Young female student working in the studio with laser-cut wood objects.

Be part of an immersive studio culture working with your colleagues across design, exposing you to a wide range of design thinking and making.

What can I study?

Concept

Bachelor of Design with Honours

Imagine new worlds and create compelling characters and environments.

Create concept design for entertainment and education within film, animation, television, gaming, and location-based experiences.

Use traditional art forms like drawing and sculpting 3D models, as well as making digital plans and renders.

Inspire others as you create the basis for further production and development, rather than finished products.

Be supported by experienced and award-winning staff like character storytelling specialist Tanya Marriott.

The New Basin Reserve

[The New Basin]. Daniel Voss.

Tahiwi Trenor Hunt and Rhys Humphries

Tahiwi—BDes (Hons)
Rhys—BDes
Graduated 2015

Tahiwi and Rhys collaborated to develop their final year project Wargoroth, a concept pitch book for an alternative reality for earth where mankind has been stripped of all progress and power, only to be out-evolved by a ruthless race of humanoid pigs.

The role reversal story was inspired by the low standards we hold for farmed animals and draws on existing social commentaries as George Orwell’s Animal Farm.

Tahiwi now works as a concept designer for Weta Workshop in Wellington. Rhys has worked as a storyboard artist for Mechanic Animation, Nyuk Nyuk studios, and is currently at Flying Bark Productions in Sydney.

Hot Watercylinder Saurus

[Hot Watercylinder Saurus]. Alice Moore.

The Gut

[The Gut]. Tahiwi Trenor-Hunt and Rhys Humphries.

Fashion

Bachelor of Design with Honours

Shape the future of fashion.

Challenge social, political, and ethical agendas to create forward-thinking fashion.

Develop ideas, fashion communication methods, pattern-making and construction techniques to challenge the way fashion is designed, made and worn.

Work with clients and fashion-related industries, and devise your own fashion collections with support from staff like costume specialist Sue Prescott.

Take up internships or international exchanges through our well-connected industry and educational networks. 

 

Watch the 2020 Exposure Graduate Fashion Show here

Jing Hé (International Student from China)

Jing Hé (International student from China).
iD International Emerging Designer Award Finalist 2021.

Jacob Coutie

BDes (Hons)
Fashion Design major
Graduated 2017

Jacob (Ngāti Raukawa, Tainui) discovered the influence of fashion on identity as a primary school student in Hamilton. Studying fashion design helped him develop critical thinking skills and build up his talents in garment construction.

“In terms of design it takes confidence to produce work that people may not agree with, but you flourish knowing that you’re doing what you enjoy,” he says.

Jacob won the 2017 Miromoda Emerging Designer award and Toa, his tikanga Māori-inspired menswear collection, was shown at New Zealand Fashion Week.

Everywear - collection not bound by gender.

[Everywear]. Kyra Thomson.

Menswear inspired by military and Māori heritage.

Jacob Coutie's collection at Miromoda Emerging Designer Showcase, 2017.

Industrial

Bachelor of Design with Honours

Create products, objects or systems that improve our lives.

Industrial designers use human-centred design to solve problems, considering everything from environment, sustainability, culture and society.

Develop techniques for idea generation, learn about materials and processes, human experience, ergonomics, visual communication, modelling and production.

Get hands-on in our various workshops and digital fabrication facilities, including Australasia’s first Fab Lab.

Be supported by experienced and award-winning staff like object designer Yueyun Song and industrial designer Lyn Garrett.

Psych: Adaptable Micro-Transport

Michaela Lawn, Les Meadows and Shubham Ghanatha. Psych: Adaptable Micro-Transport

Sian Hosking-Berge

BDes (Hons)
Industrial Design major
Graduated 2018

Sian's fourth-year project, a kitset bike for 2–5 year olds, came top in the international Red Dot Design Concept Best of the Best awards in 2019. 

“The inspiration for my design came from my experience building in my Poppa’s workshop as a kid. I decided I wanted the outcome to be something the child could build with a parent or caregiver as a relationship building experience and then use and be proud of.”

The bike is designed to be received flat pack and constructed using basic tools. It transforms using the same pieces, so that the building experience extends past the initial construction. It can grow from a balance bike to trike and then scooter as the child grows.

“Through the BOU Bike, children can own their experience of making, creating a fun ride-on product relevant to them.”

Electronic portable South Pacific style drum.

[Pāto]. Rachael Hall. 2017 Best Awards Student Product Gold winner.

Hanna de Ridder. Mindful - a well-rounded, flat packable, multifunctional storage system for two people.

Hanna de Ridder. Mindful - a well-rounded, flat packable, multifunctional storage system for two people.

Photography

Bachelor of Design with Honours

Help people see the world in new ways through the power of photography.

Photography can shape our understanding of the world, intervene, help us form opinions, or express a view.

Use critical understanding and highly developed technical skills to create work that deals with ideas and issues.

Use professional cameras and capture systems in well-equipped studios with high quality digital print facilities, wet-based darkrooms and specialist labs.

Get support from lecturers like Anne Noble (ONZM), Caroline McQuarrie and David Cook.

Opa - Gottmadingen. Elena Burger-Guimaraes.

[Opa - Gottmadingen]. Elena Burger-Guimaraes. Winner of a 2017 Documentary Family Award in the environmental portrait category.

Chevron Te Whetumatarau Hassett

BDes (Hons)
Photography major
Graduated 2016

Chevron (Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Rongomaiwahine, Ngāti Kahungunu) is a respected youth leader who found strength in bringing together his art and his whakapapa.

He's a multidisciplinary artist and writer, with an attention to upholding tikanga Māori, wairua, mātauranga Māori and kaupapa Māori within his practice and creative approach. His work addresses cultural and social identities, urbanisation, diaspora, migration, and whanaungatanga.

His emerging creative career has involved advertising, journalism, mural and documentary projects.

Chevron won the 2017 Ngā Manu Pīrere award for emerging Māori artists at Te Waka Toi Awards.

Mia Vinaccia - Queen

Mia Vinaccia - Queen

Tekoteko, Chevron Hassett

[Tekoteko]. Chevron Hassett.

Spatial

Bachelor of Design with Honours

Imagine and build engaging environments, creating new ways to inhabit and experience physical and virtual spaces.

Rethink spaces in ways that are innovative, speculative, and mindful of the wellbeing of people and the planet.

Bring together the disciplines of interior, architecture, landscape, urban, performance, exhibition and digital design to create exciting new experiences.

Work in studios, workshops and site-specific environments to develop solutions to issues that can be resolved through spatial design.

Be supported by experienced staff like digital interactive design researcher Stu Foster, performance designer Meg Rollandi or exhibit designer Sven Mehzoud.

Spatial students projection project.

Students projection project. Spatial design also explores temporary spaces, exhibitions , performances and digital spaces including online environments, virtual reality and mixed reality.

Libby White

BDes (Hons)
Spatial Design major
Graduated 2018

As a spatial designer, Libby (Manukorihi Hapū, Te Atiawa) was attracted to projects that contribute to environmental awareness, heritage site access and interpretation, urban renewal, and community-focused public art.

Her final year project Te Papakāinga o ngā Kuaka is a series of spatial interventions that tell stories about the Waitara area, in the form of a bird conservation area along the New Plymouth Coastal Walkway extension.

Her design challenges traditional walkway concepts and facilitates a habitat for both the kuaka (bar-tailed godwits) and humans to coexist.

Designed in partnership with her whānau, who are mana whenua, this project was an opportunity to engage with Waitara locals to discover their hometown narratives, and create an inclusive design.

Saphera Fitzsimons

[A Mourner's Tale]. Saphera Fitzsimons. 2017 Best Awards Student Spatial Silver winner.

[Te Papakāinga o ngā Kuaka]. Libby White.

[Te Papakāinga o ngā Kuaka]. Libby White.

Textile

Bachelor of Design with Honours

Challenge traditional boundaries of textiles and create new surfaces that impact on social, environmental and cultural opportunities.

Create your own definition of textiles in a world that is surrounded by surfaces that engage our senses, solve problems and encourage interaction.

Create surface solutions using various mediums, established and emerging technologies, and processes including weave, knit, dye, embroidery and print.

Be challenged to use alternative materials, colour, drawing and pattern.

Be supported by practicing designers and researchers like Lisa Munnelly (performative drawing) and Dr Faith Kane (textiles).

For the Life of Me. Elise Brimer.

[For the Life of Me]. Elise Brimer.

Brittany Rusbatch

BDes(Hons)
Textile Design major
Graduated 2018

Please Do Touch explores inclusive design for the visually impaired community.

In a society driven by visual stimuli, Brittany sought to challenge the ingrained hierarchy of sight by exploring alternative forms of information gathering for the visually impaired, through tactile sensory paths.

Encompassing Braille and tactility through the process of weave, screen print and digital embroidery, Brittany has created a series of wall hangings and coordinaates that promote the written language for the blind.

The compositions of the pieces take inspiration from patterns of vision loss and use a monochromatic colour palette, contrasting and concealing messages and textures that are revealed through touch.

Hospital gown, Ayla Wednesday Corner.

[Scalpel, Please] hospital gown. Ayla (Wednesday) Corner.

Please Do Touch. Brittany Rusbatch.

[Please Do Touch]. Brittany Rusbatch.

Visual Communication

Bachelor of Design with Honours

Challenge how we experience the world through visual design.

Transform perceptions, express a point of view and embrace experimentation.

Discover an array of subject areas within visual communication design that you can delve deep into, including concept design, illustration, typography, interaction design, web and information design and branding.

Collaborate on projects with group members—pulling your different skills and thinking together with others, as well as working independently on your own.

Be supported by staff like Fay McAlpine (typography) and Tim Turnidge (creative coding).

Carrie reusable satchel. Hannah Jensen, Jodi Melody and Sam Ross. 2018 Best Awards Student Product Gold winner.

[Carrie] reusable satchel. Hannah Jensen, Jodi Melody and Sam Ross. 2018 Best Awards Student Product Gold winner.

Phoebe Morris

BDes (Hons)
Visual Communication Design major
Graduated 2013

Phoebe is an illustrator with a diverse portfolio of work for apps, animation, books, interior design and websites for clients that include Kiwibank, TradeMe, Te Papa and Xero. Three of her recent book projects for Penguin New Zealand have received awards.

phoebemorriscreative.com

Foreplay app. Briar Evans.

[Foreplay] app. Briar Evans.

Animation of illustrated hillside, houses with lit windows and smoke rising from chimneys.

Work for Kiwibank, 2013. Phoebe Morris.

Integrated

Bachelor of Design with Honours

Carve your own creative path.

Step outside the boundaries of traditional design subjects in a multi-disciplinary major.

Combine courses from across the Bachelor of Design with Honours for a focused programme that suits your interests.

Become a versatile design problem-solver with knowledge from across different areas of design. 

 

Interactive textiles

[Sleight of Hand] interactive textiles, Sora Ichinose.

Installation in Photography studio

Hugh Chesterman.

Photography installation, Hugh Chesterman.

What degree?

  • Create solutions to real-life design issues and emerge ready to make an impact with your ideas.

    Ideal if
    • You have a number of design interests and want to explore what fit is right for you or you have a singular design interest and want to develop your specialised skill.
    • You are a school leaver or you’re starting a new career path.
    • You want a full immersive experience in design.
    Majors
    • Concept Design
    • Fashion Design
    • Industrial Design
    • Integrated Design
    • Photography
    • Spatial Design
    • Textile Design
    • Visual Communication Design
    Key information
    Duration
    Four years full-time study.
    Entry

    Selected entry—you'll need to show us a portfolio of your creative work, unless you have excellent secondary school results.
    Find out more about entry

    Location
    Wellington.
    Intakes
    February or July.
    Application
    Due 30 November (February start) or 28 June (July start). Late applications may be accepted.
    Find out more
    Matt Jennings - Mr Stranger Is Your Friend In The Apocalypse
  • Conduct purposeful advanced design research that connects with people well beyond the university.

    Ideal if
    • You already have an undergraduate degree and want to undertake an in-depth design research project.
    • You want to grow your specialisation and need time to focus in a particular area.
    • You want peer support, mentoring and collaboration in order to enhance your expertise.

    Choose the MDes (120 points) if you already have an Honours degree, or choose the MDes (180 points) if you don't have an Honours degree.

    Key information
    Duration
    12 to 18 months full time, or part-time over a longer period.
    Entry

    MDes 120—you'll need to submit a portfolio of your creative work, and a research proposal for your intended thesis project.

    MDes 180—you'll need to submit a portfolio of your creative work, and attend an interview.

    Find out more about entry to the MDes

    Location
    Wellington.
    Intakes
    February or July.
    Application
    Apply by 30 November (February start) or 15 May (July start). Late applications may be accepted.
    Find out more
    Harmony Repia
  • Conduct purposeful, advanced, transdisciplinary art or design research that connects with people well beyond the university.

    Ideal if
    • You already have an Honours degree and want to undertake an in-depth art or design research project.
    • Or, you already have a Postgraduate Diploma in Fine Arts or Design.
    • You want to grow your specialisation and need time to focus in a particular area.
    • You want peer support, mentoring and collaboration in order to enhance your expertise from a cohort of students with a variety of backgrounds and transdisciplinary practices.
    • You want your own dedicated studio space.

    This programme includes four intensive one-week blocks per year.

    Key information
    Duration
    Two years full-time study, or three to four years part time.
    Entry

    Selected entry—you'll need to submit a portfolio of your creative work, and attend an interview. 

    Find out more about entry to the MFA

    Location
    Wellington or by distance.
    Study options

    When you complete your MFA, you can choose to have it awarded with or without designation: MFA (Fine Arts), or MFA (Design), or MFA.

    Intakes
    February.
    Application
    Due 30 November.
    Find out more
    Black and white work on floor
  • Become the absolute top in your field by pursuing rigorous research, and pushing and challenging current knowledge. Contribute significantly to the understanding of a field of interest.

    Ideal if
    • You want to produce a sustained piece of advanced research work in a creative arts discipline. This could be a written thesis, or one comprised of creative practice research and a written component.
    • You have completed a postgraduate Bachelor (Honours) degree with first class or second class (division 1) honours, or a Master degree with first class or second class (division 1) honours in a relevant field. This qualification must also include a substantive (minimum 30 credits) research project, dissertation or thesis in which you have achieved a minimum grade of B+.
    Key information
    Duration
    Three to four years full time, or six years part time.
    Location
    Auckland, Wellington, Manawatū, or by distance within New Zealand.
    Intakes
    February and July
    Application
    Apply anytime
    Find out more
    Collage text
  • Ideal if
    • You want a taster of all of the design subjects available.
    • You want to be introduced to the basics of art and design (creative thinking, visual communication, critical awareness).
    • You want a flexible programme with lots of choice, that can lead into the Bachelor of Design (Hons) or Bachelor of Fine Arts (Hons).
    Key information
    Duration
    One year full time, or part-time over a longer period.
    Entry

    Open entry—just apply online.

    Location
    Wellington.
    Intakes
    February.
    Application
    Due 13 January (February start).
    Find out more
    Student gesture drawing on the ground with her body
  • Ideal if
    • You already have a Bachelors degree in a non-design discipline, and you want to change direction.
    Key information
    Duration
    One year full time, or part-time over a longer period.
    Entry

    Selected entry—you'll need to submit a portfolio of your creative work. Find out more about entry.

    Location
    Wellington.
    Intakes
    February.
    Application
    Due 15 November (February start).
    Find out more
    Students in Te Ara Hihiko hallway
  • Ideal if
    • You don't have an Honours degree and you need a qualification that can allow you to bridge the gap to higher postgraduate study.
    Key information
    Duration
    One year full time, or part-time over a longer period.
    Entry

    Selected entry—you'll need to submit a portfolio of your creative work. Find out more about entry.

    Location
    Wellington.
    Intakes
    February.
    Application
    Due 30 November .
    Find out more
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Professor Brian Lucid

Brian Lucid

Head of School of Design, Ngā Pae Mahutonga
Professor of Interactive Design

Brian Lucid is a designer, academic, peer educator and creative entrepreneur.

He designs and consults for Fortune 500 companies, design agencies, cultural institutions, and emerging startups. Clients have included Adobe Systems, Proximity Lab, The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Altitude Inc., Road Scholar, Solidworks, The Minda de Gunzburg Center for European Studies at Harvard University, The Barbarian Group, The Education Development Center, and Trinity Communications.

Prior to joining Massey, Brian was Professor of Graphic Design at the Massachusetts College of Art and Design in Boston, Massachusetts. He holds a BFA and an MFA from the Rhode Island School of Design.

Turn your talents into a lifelong creative career.

Register your interest

Te Ara Toroa — Rere Ki Uta, Rere Ki Tai
The flight of the albatross — Venturing into the unknown
Design by Ngataiharuru Taepa, Kaihautu Toi Māori—Director of Māori Arts

Toi Rauwhārangi
College of Creative Arts
Wellington, Aotearoa

massey