Integrated Design (Auckland School of Design)

Integrated design, a unique major offered at the Auckland School of Design, is the degree for students who want to be at the leading edge of creativity, and have a say in shaping the future without being constrained by conventional discipline boundaries. It’s the ideal route for those who want to develop a further understanding of the relationship between two-dimensional and three-dimensional design.

Students completing this major will hit the market place with the skills to create forward-looking and innovative holistic design solutions. Prospective employers will appreciate graduates who can offer new, creative ways and ideas to solve existing and new unresolved issues. The degree is studio-based and along the way you’ll learn the art of research, how to design and then present the final outcome whether it’s a product, a system or a means of communication.

During the course you’ll build a strong base in visual communication design and related practical skills. In addition, you’ll get to know your way around a workshop, building models and prototypes. It’s not all about making physical things though; you’ll also learn the arts of digital design for the web and interactivity. Once you’ve mastered the ability to design and create your own masterpiece, the course will provide you with the know-how to integrate creativity into the associated business, advertising and marketing.

First Year: The creative and technical building blocks are taught with a view to students specialising over the next three years. Students will be exposed to tutors and lecturers who have expertise in the various disciplines including visual communication, industrial and transport design.

Second Year: The creative and technical building blocks are further developed with students now focusing a little more on their perceived area of interest while still learning typography, digital animation and design history and integrated design.

Third Year: You will be exposed to marketing communication and design, communication strategies and integrated design project management as well as extending integrated design studio experiences.

Fourth Year: You are required to develop and undertake individual research studio-based projects, study professional practice and complete a design project or a design research project. Entry into national and international design competitions is strongly encouraged. The outcomes of the research projects are exhibited in a public exhibition at a central Auckland location in November of each year.