School of Design - Victoria University of Wellington

First Year Design

A unique and distinguishing feature of the School of Design's first-year design programme is its cross-disciplinary nature, which allows for relationships across Culture+Context, Industrial Design and Media Design to be investigated and redefined. An intense and integrated programme of study, first-year students investigate a broad range of essential design ideas, principles, histories, theories, practices, and strategies. Vocabularies of three- and four-dimensional design are also undertaken during this first year, allowing students to challenge traditional and presumptive definitions of design.

The first-year design programme offers a highly structured learning environment which supports creative exploration, helping students to develop the discipline necessary for working in an innovative, design practice. Study is structured around the concept of designing by making where students develop design confidence and commitment through a series of strategically formulated and progressively complex design challenges. All students are encouraged and assisted to develop a strong, individual approach to design that allows them to engage in both physical and digital while evolving around a commitment to a specific design discipline.

Students are able to vary the structure of the first year programme to a certain degree, allowing them several options when they move into their second year of study. Following the first year design programme, students enter their chosen specialisation, selecting from Culture+Context, Industrial Design or Media Design.