Why Study/Key Benefits

Massey University’s Bachelor of Design in Textile Design is a studio-based undergraduate programme focused on creating contemporary textiles for applications across fashion, interiors, sports, health, the arts and other industries. Students develop practical and conceptual skills in colour, texture, pattern, digital textile design and material innovation, while gaining specialist knowledge in print, dye, knit, weave and non-woven textiles.

Key benefits include:

• Develop the ability to design and make contemporary textiles rather than focusing only on textile theory.
• Gain practical experience with print, dye, knitting, weaving and digital textile processes.
• Explore colour, texture, pattern, surface design and material innovation.
• Study sustainability and ethical production issues affecting the textile industry.
• Work across fashion, interiors, industrial applications, film, theatre, arts and other creative sectors.
• Develop your own research and design approach in response to current global design challenges.
• Benefit from Massey’s relationships with New Zealand and international textile industries.
• Textile research at Massey includes interdisciplinary work involving M?tauranga M?ori and science, plant dyes and muka fibres, visual and participatory arts, and material innovation with industry partners.
• The degree can lead to further study through the Bachelor of Design with Honours or Master of Design.

Programme Structure and Subjects/Topics

The degree combines Bachelor of Design core studies, the 135-credit Textile Design major and electives.

Part One

Students select at least 15 credits from the Textile Design introductory courses:

• 223157 Textile Design 1.1: Interwoven Structures – 15 credits. Introduces weaving structures, fibre knowledge, yarn exploration and loom equipment, progressing from technical skills to experimental and contemporary textile practice.
• 223158 Textile Design 1.2: Intro to Surface Design, Colour and Screen Print – 15 credits. Introduces textile print processes, mark-making, colour, composition and drawing, with preparation for later textile print study.

These introductory courses establish the foundation for later work in textile construction, surface design and material experimentation.

Part Two

Current Textile Design courses include:

• 223263 Textile Design 2.1: Knitted Textiles – 15 credits. Covers knitted textiles, co-creation concepts, knitted samples and dye techniques for wool yarns.
• 223264 Textile Design 2.2: Print, Colouration and Pattern – 15 credits. Develops sustainable and commercial screen-print processes, colouration, surface design and textile repeat structures.
• 223265 Textile Design 2.3: Woven Textiles – 15 credits. Develops knowledge of fibre and yarn properties and the creation of woven textiles.
• 223266 Textile Design 2.4: Digital Textile Print and Application – 15 credits. Covers digital print, digital embroidery, advanced repeat systems, industry trends, markets and collection building.

The 200-level courses allow students to develop different technical directions rather than following only one textile process.

Part Three

Advanced Textile Design study includes:

• 223367 Textile Design 3.1: Advanced Textile Structures – 15 credits. Extends knowledge of textile structures through advanced digital and analogue technologies, warp design and material testing, with students producing knitted and woven textiles.
• 223368 Textile Design 3.2: Advanced Textile Print and Visualisation – 15 credits. Develops advanced knowledge of large-format printing and colouration, textile repeat structures and digital visualisation.
• 223358 Textile Design 3.3: Studio Collections – 30 credits. Students design a collection for a specific audience and consolidate their textile concepts, techniques, skills and processes into creative outcomes.

Disciplines/Specialisations

The selected major is:

• Textile Design

Within the major, students can develop expertise in:

• Weaving
• Knitting
• Textile print
• Dye and colouration
• Surface pattern
• Digital textile design
• Digital embroidery
• Textile structures
• Material innovation
• Fibre and yarn development
• Collection design
• Sustainable textile production
• Textile visualisation

Programme Highlights

• 360-credit Bachelor of Design.
• NZQF level 7.
• Three years full-time.
• Textile Design major worth 135 credits.
• Wellington-based studio education.
• Practical work with woven, knitted, printed and digitally produced textiles.
• Development of colour, pattern, texture and surface-design skills.
• Exposure to sustainable and ethical textile production.
• Opportunities to explore material innovation and interdisciplinary design.
• Links with textile industry organisations in New Zealand and internationally.
• Research strengths involving M?tauranga M?ori and science, plant dyes, muka fibres, visual arts and material innovation.
• Optional minor of at least 60 credits.
• Progression opportunities into Bachelor of Design with Honours and Master of Design.

Career Outcomes

Massey identifies career directions for Textile Design graduates including:

• Wall-covering design
• Furnishing textile design
• Apparel-fabric design
• Art and design for film
• Art and design for theatre
• Secondary education
• Tertiary education
• Colour and lifestyle trend consulting
• Styling
• Marketing
• Merchandising
• Textile and creative-business entrepreneurship.

Graduates may also develop careers in areas such as:

• Textile product development
• Surface-pattern design
• Digital textile design
• Textile illustration
• Material innovation
• Sustainable textile development
• Fashion and interior textile development
• Textile manufacturing and industry collaboration
• Independent design practice

Latest Updates/Special Requirements

• The current programme is the three-year Bachelor of Design rather than the separate Bachelor of Design with Honours.
• The Textile Design major currently consists of 135 credits.
• There are no additional formal admission requirements beyond Massey’s general university admission regulations.
• Massey recommends completing a Creative Review after application and enrolment.
• Students must satisfy course prerequisites before progressing into higher-level Textile Design courses.
• For example, 223264 requires 223158, while 223367 requires 223263 or 223265.
• At least 45 credits at 100 level are required before enrolling in 200-level courses, and at least 45 credits at 200 level are required before enrolling in 300-level courses under the relevant progression rules.
• Students should check current course availability and prerequisites when planning each academic year.
• The BDes requires at least 90 credits at 300 level or above and no more than 180 credits at 100 level.

International Student Visa Requirements

An international student studying Textile Design on campus in New Zealand would generally need a Fee Paying Student Visa from Immigration New Zealand.

Current requirements include:

• An Offer of Place from an approved education provider.
• Sufficient funds to pay tuition fees or evidence of an applicable scholarship.
• Sufficient funds for living expenses or an acceptable sponsor.
• Acceptable medical and travel insurance.
• Meeting the applicable health and character requirements.
• Meeting the other requirements of the student visa.