Design
Studying Design at the University of Waikato makes you highly sought after, with a unique combination of design and coding skills. You will be able to meet the increasing demand for designers who can work in a variety of media, such as websites, apps, gaming and virtual reality.
Studying Design means you will apply theory and practice to research in areas related to how designers think, how they practice and what they produce. Design at Waikato is unique in New Zealand as a specialist design qualification that offers an integration of design and computer science.
You’ll become a designer who can code – making you highly desirable. Waikato also trains design students to problem-solve, and to apply an aesthetic edge, while seeing the full range of creative design possibilities.
Design is available at undergraduate level under the Certificate in Design (Cert(Des)), the Diploma in Design (Dip(Des)), and the Bachelor of Design (BDes).
Subjects include:
Graduate level study in Design (Master of Design (MDes)) is an opportunity to plan, develop and carry out a large-scale design project supported by original research. Research topics are tailored to suit you and therefore provide an opportunity for honing a particular aspect of graphic design further, which could be a pathway to your chosen career.
Computing facilities at Waikato
The University of Waikato offers students 24-hour computer lab access with all the latest computer software, and several labs fully equipped with Mac computers, commonly used in professional design environments.
Key information
| Study Location: | Hamilton |
|---|---|
| Area of Study: |
Study Design in these qualifications
Study Design as a specialisation of
Career opportunities
- Advertising Designer
- Computer Games Designer
- Interactive Designer
- Motion Graphics Designer
- TV Graphics Designer
- Web Designer
Papers
Available Design papers
500 Level
| Code | Paper Title | Points | Occurrence / Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| DSIGN532 | Information Visualisation | 15.0 | 23A (Hamilton) |
| This paper aims to provide an awareness of the potential offered by information visualisation techniques, a familiarity with the underlying concepts, and an understanding and ability to effectively design and apply information visualisations in a given context. | |||
| DSIGN551 | Studio Management | 15.0 | 23A (Hamilton) |
| This paper covers the management of design projects in the studio. It is intended for those aiming for a future senior position in a design studio, or those managing freelance teams. | |||
| DSIGN581 | Design Research Methods | 30.0 | 23A (Hamilton) |
| This paper aims to introduce students to the assumptions underlying the different methodologies and methods for performing research in design. The paper attempts to give students the conceptual and methodological resources needed to think and converse as researchers and to develop a certain level of competence in at least one resea... | |||
| DSIGN589 | Directed Study | 15.0 | 23A (Hamilton) & 23B (Hamilton) |
| Students have the opportunity to pursue a topic of their own interest under the guidance of academic staff. | |||
| DSIGN590 | Directed Study | 30.0 | 23A (Hamilton) & 23B (Hamilton) |
| Students have the opportunity to pursue a topic of their own interest under the guidance of academic staff. | |||
| DSIGN591 | Design Dissertation | 30.0 | 23X (Hamilton) |
| Write a dissertation to present the findings of a theoretical or empirical investigation, based on a research topic negotiated with a supervisor. Presentation of the findings may include a publicly exhibited design project. | |||
| DSIGN592 | Design Dissertation | 60.0 | 23X (Hamilton) |
| Write a dissertation to present the findings of a theoretical or empirical investigation, based on a research topic negotiated with a supervisor. Presentation of the findings may include a publicly exhibited design project. | |||
| DSIGN593 | Design Thesis | 90.0 | 23X (Hamilton) |
| Write a dissertation to present the findings of a theoretical or empirical investigation, based on a research topic negotiated with a supervisor. Presentation of the findings may include a publicly exhibited design project. | |||
| DSIGN594 | Design Thesis | 120.0 | 23X (Hamilton) |
| Write a dissertation to present the findings of a theoretical or empirical investigation, based on a research topic negotiated with a supervisor. Presentation of the findings may include a publicly exhibited design project. | |||
| MEDIA501 | Critical and Creative Approaches to Research | 30.0 | 23A (Hamilton) & 23B (Hamilton) |
| This paper identifies the constraints and freedoms of research methods, and places a strong emphasis on research as an intellectual, theoretical, and processual activity as well as the roles of interdisciplinary projects in creating unique methodological and conceptual media research. | |||
| MEDIA504 | Media Design and Aesthetics | 30.0 | 23B (Hamilton) |
| Audio-visual media are undergoing continual transformations that question the roles of makers and audiences alike. Students are encouraged to experiment with sensory perception in order to question current notions of aesthetics in relation to cultural practices and media creations. This process of reflection encourages critical per... | |||
800 Level
| Code | Paper Title | Points | Occurrence / Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| DSIGN800 | Design MPhil Thesis | 120.0 | 23X (Hamilton) |
| No description available. | |||
900 Level
| Code | Paper Title | Points | Occurrence / Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| DSIGN900 | Design PhD Thesis | 120.0 | 23I (Hamilton), 23J (Hamilton), 23K (Hamilton) & 23X (Hamilton) |
| No description available. | |||
Scholarships and Prizes
Selected scholarships for Design students.
New to Waikato? The International Excellence Scholarship is worth up to $10,000.
Computer Science Undergraduate Scholarship Accepting applications
For students who are currently in Year 12 or Year 13 at a New Zealand secondary school. Candidates must be intending to enrol full-time in either the BCompSc, BSc majoring in Computer Science, or BE(Hons) majoring in Software Engineering.
Closing Date: 15 September 2023
Looking for more scholarships?
Subject links
Contacts
School of Computing and Mathematical Sciences
Phone:
Email: [email protected]
Website: cms.waikato.ac.nz
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WUcms