Why Study / Key Benefits

• Integrated Design is designed for students who want to work across multiple design disciplines rather than specialise in only one traditional design field.
• Students select courses from two or more of the other Bachelor of Design with Honours majors and build an individual programme in consultation with the qualification leader.
• The programme develops critical and creative thinking, design problem-solving, research skills, visualisation, making, user experience, interdisciplinary practice and the ability to combine different design approaches.
• The fourth year provides a significant research-led independent body of work, giving the honours degree a stronger research and advanced-practice focus than the three-year Bachelor of Design.
• Students can develop a broad creative portfolio spanning areas such as graphic design, UX, product design, fashion, spatial design, photography, textiles and concept design.
• Massey reports that 94% of its design graduates are employed or self-employed in relevant industries within six months of completing their degree. This figure is for design graduates generally rather than specifically Integrated Design graduates.

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The programme is organised into four parts and combines compulsory design/theory courses, major courses, studio choices and electives.

Year 1 / Part One:

• Students take eight 15-credit courses.
• The Integrated Design pathway allows students to explore different design areas before developing a more individual interdisciplinary direction.
• Examples of available introductory studio courses include:
  • Product and Industrial Design: Materialising Form
  • Product and Industrial Design: Furniture Design
  • Fashion Design: Fashioning the Body
  • Fashion Design: Introduction to Fashion Practice
  • Photography Studio: What is Photography?
  • Photography Studio: Introduction to the Darkroom
  • Visual Communication Design: Introduction to Graphic Design
  • Visual Communication Design: Introduction to Typography
  • Visual Communication Design: Introduction to User Experience Design
  • Textile Design: Interwoven Structures
  • Textile Design: Surface Design, Colour and Screen Print
  • Spatial Design: An Introduction
  • Spatial Design: Immersive Experiences
  • Concept Design: Imagine.

Year 2 / Part Two:

• Students develop more advanced techniques, skills and processes.
• The Integrated Design pathway introduces interdisciplinary approaches and prepares students to develop an individual integrated practice.
• Integrated Design Practice is a 15-credit studio course focused on how methods from different disciplines can contribute to independent creative practice.

Year 3 / Part Three:

Students select advanced courses across design areas, including examples such as:

• Product and Industrial Design
• Fashion Design
• Visual Communication Design
• Textile Design
• Concept Design
• Integrated Design Studio
• Toi Atea/Maori-focused design practice.

Examples of advanced topics include:

• Future Industries
• Industry, Markets and Processes
• Brand Strategies and Systems
• User Experience and Interaction Design
• Visual Narrative
• Advanced Textile Structures
• Design for Digital Engagement
• Design for Physical Engagement
• Integrated Design Studio.

Year 4 / Part Four:

• The fourth year provides the research-led honours component.
• Students can take Design Research Development or Integrated Design Research and Development.
• Integrated Design Research and Development involves advanced research using integrated design strategies and diverse design approaches.
• Students develop a research project of their choice.

Disciplines / Specialisations

The Integrated Design major allows students to combine study from two or more of the other design disciplines. Available areas include:

• Concept Design
• Fashion Design
• Industrial Design
• Photography
• Spatial Design
• Textile Design
• Visual Communication Design.

Visual Communication Design can include areas such as:

• Graphic design
• Illustration
• Advertising
• Branding
• Interaction design
• UX/UI-related practice.

Programme Highlights

• Four-year Level 8 honours degree.
• 480-credit qualification.
• Wellington-based design education.
• Interdisciplinary Integrated Design major.
• Ability to combine two or more design disciplines.
• Studio-based learning and practical design development.
• Strong emphasis on critical and creative thinking.
• Research-led fourth year.
• Development of an individual creative/design practice.
• Optional minor study is available; a minor must normally be in a different subject from the major and consist of at least 60 credits.
• Further study can include the Master of Design and doctoral study such as a PhD.

Career Outcomes

The programme can prepare graduates for interdisciplinary and design-related careers involving products, services, experiences, communication and creative strategy.

Potential areas include:

• Integrated/interdisciplinary designer
• Graphic and visual communication design
• UX/UI and interaction design
• Experience and service design
• Product and industrial design
• Fashion and textile design
• Spatial and experiential design
• Concept design
• Photography and visual practice
• Brand and creative strategy
• Design research
• Creative entrepreneurship
• Freelance design
• Design consultancy
• Agency and studio work.

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

• The current programme is a selected-entry qualification, so applicants should not treat the statement "no specific entry requirements" as meaning that the qualification is completely open-entry. The programme page says there are no additional academic requirements beyond university admission regulations, while Massey's College of Creative Arts identifies portfolio-based selection for design honours entry.
• The current regulations require at least 480 credits, including at least one major, no more than 180 credits at 100 level, and at least 195 credits at 300 level or above, including at least 120 credits at 400 level or above.
• Progression to Part Four requires a weighted grade average of at least B- across the highest-graded 75 credits at the highest year level of study.
• Students should be prepared for practical studio work, workshops and course-specific facilities/material requirements. Additional charges for resources, software, trips or contact workshops may apply.
• Massey recommends that international applicants apply at least three months before their intended start date to allow time for processing, visa arrangements and travel.

International Student Visa Requirements

For an international student studying this programme physically in Wellington, the relevant New Zealand immigration route is generally the Fee Paying Student Visa.

Immigration New Zealand currently states that applicants must:

• Have an offer of place from an approved education provider.
• Have sufficient funds to pay tuition fees or hold an appropriate scholarship.
• Have sufficient funds for living expenses or an acceptable sponsor.
• Have acceptable medical and travel insurance for the period of study.
• Meet health and character requirements.
• Demonstrate a genuine reason for studying in New Zealand.
• Show that they can leave New Zealand at the end of their stay.
• Study the approved full-time course specified by the visa.
• Maintain satisfactory attendance and academic progress while studying.