Master of Design Innovation

Expand on your Bachelor's degree and get a head start in your career with advanced study and research in design.

Get the specialist skills and knowledge you need to be a successful professional in the design industry. In this three-trimester programme, you'll learn the art of bringing ideas to life—from conception to design to construction.

Delve into an area of your choice in this industry-focused, professional qualification with the School of Design Innovation. Assess new technologies and investigate the social, cultural, environmental and economic implications of design on our world.

Through a combination of coursework and supervised research you'll gain a greater understanding of the process of creating value through design.

Get the postgraduate Architecture and Design Innovation handbook

Find out more about your study options. Fill in a form to download our Wellington Faculty of Architecture and Design Innovation handbook.

Download the handbook

Research groups

You’ll do much of your work as part of a group in the Design Research Innovation Laboratory (DRIL). These groups provide a stimulating and supportive environment for inspiration and discovery. Choose a research group that fits with your current knowledge, your career goals, and your intended research portfolio topic.

To find out about the School of Design Innovation’s research groups, main research areas, and supervising staff, visit the School's Research site.

Work with commercial and cultural organisations on applied research projects, build your communication and collaboration skills and get ready for an exciting career in design.

Scholarships for international students

We are currently offering a NZ$10,000 VUW Postgraduate International Scholarship to all eligible international students enrolling in a Master’s degree or Postgraduate Diploma programme. Your scholarship will be processed automatically when your programme application is accepted, and the amount will be deducted from your tuition fees.

Community

Postgraduate study at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington will help you build valuable relationships and networks with peers, university staff and future colleagues.

You'll have opportunities to attend events, seminars, workshops and social functions. The Postgraduate Students' Association can give you information on study at the University and provides a voice for you on campus.

Careers

You'll be ready for a career in many design-oriented fields within the public and private sectors. You might work as an industrial, interior or product designer, an art director, visual effects artist, jeweller, exhibition designer, digital animator or a web designer.

Because you'll gain a broad range of skills during your studies, you'll also be able to find opportunities for careers beyond the mainstream profession.

Scholarships

Gain valuable real-world experience as well as an insight into what research is all about with the Summer Research Scholarships.

You can also look for other scholarships based on your level of study, subject area and background.

Advance your expertise with PhD study

If you do well in your Master's research you'll be able to apply to do a PhD. This is the highest academic qualification offered by the University and involves original and sustained research under supervision.

PhD students are supported by the Faculty of Graduate Research (FGR), which also handles all applications.

Before applying, you should talk to the School's postgraduate programme coordinator about available supervision for PhD study in Design.

Discover what and how you'll study.

What you'll study

In Trimester 1, you'll study the 30-point Research Methods course and either the 30-point Contemporary Perspectives in Design Innovation course, or an appropriate elective. You will examine a variety of design research techniques and contemporary issues to help inform and guide your research project. You will gain the skills you need to identify a design research topic, frame a research question, define the scope, and develop your proposal.

In Trimester 2, you'll further develop your knowledge and expertise in design research. You will begin your 120-point Research Portfolio and work with a supervisor and a research group to continue developing your project. Research skills workshops and work-in-progress presentations will also support your journey as a design researcher.

In Trimester 3 and in Trimester 1 of the following year, you'll focus on completing your design research portfolio with the guidance and support of your supervisor and the whanaungatanga of an aligned cohort of students.

Design Research Innovation Laboratory (DRIL)

DRIL research groups receive support from government, industry, and external grants. They produce a range of commercially viable solutions that contribute to the advancement of design research.

Research groups within DRIL include:

• Multi-property Additive-manufacturing Design Experiments (MADE)
• Smart Interactions
• Social Design Lab.

If you join a DRIL research group, you'll work closely with staff, students, and industry collaborators on research projects that address a wide range of contemporary design challenges.

Duration and workload

With full-time study, the MDI can be completed in three or more trimesters, although most candidates submit their research portfolio after four trimesters. With part-time study, the MDI will take six trimesters to complete.

If you are studying full time, you can expect a workload of 35 to 40 hours a week for much of the year. Part-time students will need to do around 20 to 23 hours of work a week. Make sure you take this into account if you are working.

Duration and workload

ith full-time study, the MDI can be completed in three or more trimesters, although most candidates submit their research portfolio after four trimesters.

Studying full time, you can expect a workload of 35 to 40 hours a week for much of the year.