怀卡托大学

The study of Design combines an understanding of human needs and desires, forming creative solutions, prototyping and developing artefacts and evaluating their impact and effectiveness in society. It comprises a well-balanced combination of analytical, technological and creative abilities.

Bachelor of Design (BDes) graduates are trained to use a variety of skills to operate in a wide range of social contexts using a diverse array of media. During your studies, you will develop a comprehensive understanding of Design and its role in the process of innovation.

The Bachelor of Design offers four majors: Communication Design, Industrial Design, Interface Design, and Media Design.

As a BDes graduate you will have the capability to articulate effective design solutions in the contemporary technological context. You will have a solid understanding of design methods and theories together with advanced technical skills.

Communication Design major is concerned with visually communicating messages and ideas across multiple media platforms. As a communication designer, you will work to combine type and image to attract an audience's attention and deliver your client's messages. Communication designers work in areas such as branding, environmental graphics, wayfinding systems, editorial design (newspapers, magazines, books), catalogues, museum displays and every aspect of our visual landscape where there is a communication need.

Industrial Design major will equip graduates with the knowledge and experience required to design and develop industrially-produced objects. The graduates will be prepared to develop a design career in manufacturing industries. The goal of the major in Industrial Design is to provide Bachelor of Design students with graduate attributes that are recognised as appropriate by professional designers working within the broad subject areas of Industrial Design, and that are well suited to related employment opportunities within their chosen discipline subjects. It is also intended that students will be well prepared for graduate study if they choose to continue study towards a higher qualification.

Interface Design: User experience (UX) and user interface (UI) design for current and emerging technologies will be taught, along with the development of digital skills of coding, motion design, and information design. This will prepare you to work in fast-growing areas such as editorial design for web and mobile, publication websites, mobile apps, data visualisation and the design and development of digital products. UI design usually refers to the design of graphical user interfaces for different types of machines and software, but can also apply to other types of interfaces, such as natural and voice user interfaces.

Studying Media Design will provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the theory, research and design of multi-modal media content for screen and multi-media platforms. You will learn about different tools and techniques such as 2D and 3D animation, film and video production, and motion graphics. As a media designer, you will focus on key design principles associated with the creation, construction and production of audio-visual media content for effective communication.

Career opportunities: Design companies; Web design and development; Mobile design and UI / UX; Interactive media design industries; Games industries; Television graphics; Post-production companies.