Qualifications Bachelor of Design (Industrial Design)

The course

When you're awed by the latest product, equipment, interior or piece of furniture in a store, you're probably admiring the work of an industrial designer who designs and develops products for home, business and industry use.

Industrial design concentrates on the creation and improvement of product design and interior spaces used in daily life, in both production and marketing. There is also an environmental and socio-cultural emphasis on innovative and creative use of materials and processes.

The four-year industrial design major within the Bachelor of Design is one of seven majors. It covers history and theory, drawing, ergonomics, socio-cultural studies, manufacturing processes, materials and construction, and professional practice.

Students are taught mainly in small studio classes with opportunities for one-on-one interaction with staff.

The programme has 60 per cent practical content in the first three years. The first year involves three core papers and three electives, with students then taking up specialist subjects in their second year. These include industrial design studio (including model making), history, materials and processes, ergonomics and visual communication (including drawing and rendering).

In the third year, students undertake advanced studio design projects and study theory and criticism, materials and processes and visual communication. Elective papers include design of interiors, products, furniture, exhibitions, photography and computing.

In the fourth year, students develop and undertake individual research assignments, study professional practice and a major design project. These projects are usually based on a real need within the industry or market, both locally and internationally. At fourth year there is also a compulsory business paper covering research and development costings, business plans, loan applications, and so on.

Students are expected to do 50 hours a week, of which 15 to 20 hours is spent in lectures, studios or directed workshops. Assessment involves exams and design presentations through research and design reports, model/prototypes and presentation panels.

Graduates typically start their careers as design assistants or junior designers and progress through to senior or management positions in private practices or in manufacturing and construction industries. Industrial designers end up in a variety of fields, such as product and interior design consultancies, manufacturing industries, social services departments and industrial policy development for private and public corporations.

Due to space and facility requirements, the course accepts limited numbers. The Wellington campus takes up to 60 students per year; Auckland 20 to 25.

Applicants need NCEA University Entrance or a recognised equivalent. They must also present a portfolio of 10 pieces of work, comprising six completed pieces, three drawings and a work/sketch book.

In 2005, the Bachelor of Design costs $3800 for one year of fulltime study plus additional materials costs.

Applications for 2006 closeOctober 21.

What graduates think
Jaron Ansley, 26
Industrial designer at Fisher and Paykel Appliances.
Graduated 2003 with a Bachelor of Design.

At Fisher and Paykel I design home show kitchens and displays, expos, retail and department stores and anything that marketing requires a design service for.

I have to ensure flawless integration of product into cabinetry and displays. I wanted to work at F&P because its philosophy supports and encourages innovation and creativity.

I developed an appreciation for three-dimensional design from making furniture and models at high school.

To learn about design theories and practical skills I chose to study the industrial design degree. There was a fair amount of practical work involved in the degree, which helped prepare me for the job. Knowledge gained from industry while studying is crucial for students moving into a competitive profession.

What employers think Mark Elmore, Industrial Design Manager Fisher and Paykel

We need highly skilled professionals to work in our many multidisciplined project teams. Good qualified designers are equipped to be creative problem-solvers, and know how to apply these skills to bring new ideas and insights to the business.

Industrial design contributes in many ways, ranging from future vision through to detail design.

An industrial design graduate has developed user-focused design skills. The graduate brings those skills to us and, combined with relevant on-job training, well-qualified design graduates get up to speed and become more productive at an earlier stage.

Qualifications
Bachelor of Design (Industrial Design)
Massey University
0800 627 739 (0800 MASSEY) 

Special requirements: Portfolio

Starting salaries range from $30,000 to $70,000 depending on industry and role.

Offered at Albany and Wellington