Master of Design Innovation
Victoria University of Wellington
Key Information
Campus location
Wellington, New Zealand
Languages
English
Study format
Distance Learning, On-Campus
Duration
18 - 18 months
Pace
Full time
Tuition fees
NZD 59,650 *
Application deadline
Request info
Earliest start date
Request info
* for the full programme
Introduction
All our courses are offered online at the moment for international students because of the COVID-19 pandemic border closures in New Zealand.
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.
Choose one of three majors—Industrial Design, Media Design, and Design for Social Innovation—in this industry-focused, professional qualification with the School of Design. 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.
Design Research Innovation Laboratory (DRIL)
DRIL research groups receive support from the government, industry, and external grants. They produce a range of commercially viable solutions that contribute to the advancement of design research.
There are seven research groups within DRIL:
- Critical Resilience
- Data.Mine
- Social Design Lab
- Multi-property Additive-manufacturing Design Experiments (MADE)
- More Than Human
- Smart Interactions
- Virtual World 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.
Community
Postgraduate study at Victoria 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 the study at Victoria and provides a voice for you on campus.
Returning to study
Many students return to university for postgraduate study after several years away. If it's been a while since you've studied, our liaison officers can help you get back into university life.
Advance your expertise with a 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.
Curriculum
What you'll study
In Trimester 1, you'll study the 30-point Research Methods course in addition to a 30-point elective course. Examine a variety of design research techniques to help inform and guide your research project. 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 can join a Design Research Innovation Laboratory (DRIL) and nominate a supervisor, so you can begin your 90-point research portfolio. You'll also complete one 400-level, 30-point elective course in your major subject area while continuing to work on your research project within your DRIL.
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 DRIL stream coordinators and supervisor.
Duration and workload
With full-time study, the MDI can be completed in 13 to 18 months. It’s possible to complete it in three semesters, but most people submit their research portfolio after four semesters. With part-time study, the MDI will take six trimesters to complete.
If you are studying full time, you can expect a workload of 40 to 45 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.
Scholarships and Funding
Gain valuable real-world experience as well as an insight into what research is all about with Victoria's Summer Research Scholarships.
You can also look for other scholarships based on your level of study, subject area, and background.
Gallery
Career Opportunities
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 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.