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A designer is using a digital drawing pad in a design studio with many sketches stick on the wall next to her.

Bachelor of Design and Contemporary Art

Ready to inspire communities through art and design? The Bachelor of Design and Contemporary Art enables you to explore your creative ambitions through making and prepares you for a successful and enduring career in design, visual arts or digital media. 

Level
7
Credits
360 (3.0 EFTS)
Campus
Mt Albert
Start dates
February or July
Duration
Three years full-time or part-time options available

Programme overview

The Bachelor of Design and Contemporary Art is the key to turning your creativity and innovation into an exciting career in the art and design industry.

With hands-on teaching and learning at the heart of this degree programme, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of your practice through making and creating while developing the technical skills and expert knowledge you’ll need to land your dream job.

Your first year of study will involve lots of discovery and experimentation. From there, you’ll build a specialist area of practice that draws inspiration from your unique creative abilities and lived experiences, while remaining ever-focused on learning through doing.

You’ll be supported every step of the way by a team of expert professionals. They’ll help you develop the knowledge and skills required to excel in the industry, motivate you to step outside your creative comfort zone, consider different cultural perspectives – and try something new.  

Choosing your specialisation

In your second semester, you’ll choose an area of practice within one of our three specialisations– Visual Art and Design – and gain key skills and experiences in that area through studio projects, diverse technical workshops and in-depth contextual discussions.

Here are some of the areas of practice you can choose to focus on:

  • Design: Graphic Design, User Experience (UX/UI), Product Design, Web Design
  • Visual Arts: 2D/3D Practice, Photography/ Moving Image, Painting, Sculpture/Installation, Printmaking, Ceramics
  • Digital media is on the horizon for the coming year, and in the meantime, the Design discipline seamlessly covers this field

Highlights

  • Specialize in your chosen area of practice. Choose an area of interest from one of three majors: Visual Art or Design 
  • Gain key skills and experience through exciting studio projects, diverse technical workshops and in-depth contextual discussions. 
  • Apply practical learning in studios, computer labs, workshops, through one-on-one and group tutorials, wānanga and noho marae – with the opportunity to meet a wide range of artists and designers.
  • Be creative in your own spaces. Our purpose-built gallery, exhibition and presentation facilities will prepare you for the professional environment.
  • Get excellent student support from expert lecturers and technicians, ready to help you realise your creative ambitions.
  • Work on a major creative capstone project in your final year of study – and exhibit this work at our end-of-year Gradfest. .
  • Graduate work-ready for the future. This new qualification is a culmination of four years’ research – hundreds of hours of industry consultation, interviews and reflection, undertaken to ensure it meets the future needs of Auckland’s creative communities. 

Develop the necessary skills to succeed

It’s our job to ensure that when you walk across that graduation platform, you’re prepared and work-ready. Meeting the demands of the art and design industry and carving a thriving career means developing the right skills – and that’s exactly what you’ll do in this degree programme:

  • Expert knowledge. Gain the technical and conceptual knowledge to create specialist creative work in your chosen field.
  • Communication. Effectively and professionally communicate with a range of stakeholders.
  • Industry preparedness. Be ready for employment, self-employment and/or postgraduate study.
  • Cultural diversity capability. Engage collaboratively with diverse teams and cultures in Aotearoa New Zealand and global cultural contexts.
  • Critical engagement with ethically and socially responsible art and design practices. 

Create your future in art and design

In Aotearoa New Zealand, design is the largest sub-sector in the creative industries, employing almost half of all creative professionals in the Auckland region. It has grown four times faster than the total Auckland economy. Aotearoa New Zealand is experiencing a growth period in art sales, and work produced by emerging practitioners is highly desirable. There is a dynamic range of cultural and commercial practice within the arts sector.

The skills that you’ll learn in this programme will not only provide a solid foundation but also help you excel in the world of art and design. As of 2021, it’s estimated that employment for designers in Aotearoa New Zealand will increase over the next five years, keeping career prospects for graduates high. In this degree, designers and artists are taught to be dexterous and adaptive to meet the needs of the dynamic industry.

By developing skills and experience in a specialised area, you can apply for more specialist roles, and as you continue to build your portfolio, you’ll be well set to take on more senior roles or contracting work. 

Further study

Keen to push your creative boundaries even further? Then you might want to consider one of our postgraduate programmes: Postgraduate Certificate in Creative PracticePostgraduate Diploma in Creative Practice and Master of Creative Practice programmes.  

Programme Structure

The programme structure for the Bachelor of Design and Contemporary Art in 2024 is:
 
 Year 1Year 2Year 3
Course 1DCAD5001 Studio 1
Class number(s): 1871 or 5957
15 credits
DCAD6003 Studio 3
Class number(s): 1879 or 5968
30 credits
DCAD7005 Studio 5
Class number(s): 1887 or 5974
30 credits
Course 2DCAD5201 Drawing and Ideation
Class number(s): 1874 or 5960
15 credits
DCAD6102 Practice in Context 2
Class number(s): 1881 or 5970
15 credits
DCAD7104 Practice in Context 3
Class number(s): 1888 or 5976
15 credits
Course 3DCAD5202 Reproduction and Multiple
Class number(s): 1875 or 5961
15 credits
Pathway compulsory course
Level 6
15 credits
DCAD7105 Professional Project
Class number(s): 5977
15 credits
Course 4DCAD5203 Digital Technologies
Class number(s): 1876 or 5962
15 credits
  
Course 5DCAD5002 Studio 2
Class number(s): 1872 or 5958
15 credits
DCAD6004 Studio 4
Class number(s): 1880 or 5969
30 credits
DCAD7006 Studio 6 / Capstone Project
Class number(s): 5975
45 credits
Course 6DCAD5101 Practice in Context 1
Class number(s): 1873 or 5959
15 credits
DCAD6103 Professional Practice
Class number(s): 1882 or 5971
15 credits
Elective
Level 5, 6 or 7
15 credits
Course 7Pathway compulsory course
Level 5
15 credits
Pathway compulsory course
Level 6
15 credits
 
Course 8Pathway compulsory course
Level 5
15 credits
  
 
This example programme overview is a guide only and assumes full-time study. Please check timetables carefully as not every course is offered each semester. Programme requirements and class numbers are subject to change.

Admission requirements

What you will need to study this programme. 


Domestic students

Academic requirements

You must have completed at least one of the following:

  • Successful completion of an appropriate qualification at Level 4 or above in an art- or design-related subject, where appropriate; or
  • NCEA requirements are a minimum of 42 credits achieved at NCEA Level 3 or higher, including:
    • 14 credits in two art or design-related subjects
    • 14 credits from two (maximum) other subjects (approved or non-approved courses)
    • 14 credits achieved at NCEA Level 1 or higher in Mathematics or Pāngarau.
And meet one of the English entry requirements;

Don’t meet these Academic requirements?

Non-academic requirements

  • When you apply for this programme, you’ll need to provide proof of your identity (ID) and other documents such as academic certificates – please have these handy when you’re ready to apply.
  • As part of your application, you may also be asked to present a portfolio of work and/or attend an interview.

For more information, download the programme regulations (PDF 488 KB)


International students

Academic requirements 

Applicants must be at least 16 years of age when they begin their studies and one of the following;

  • Successful completion of an appropriate qualification at Level 4 or above in an art- or design-related subject, where appropriate or
  • Should meet the country-specific admission requirement 

And English entry requirements;

​If English is not your first language, you will also need at least one of the following qualifications:

Don’t meet these Academic requirements?

Non-academic requirements

  • When you apply for this programme, you’ll need to provide proof of your identity (ID) and other documents such as academic certificates – please have these handy when you’re ready to apply.
  • As part of your application, you may also be asked to present a portfolio of work and/or attend an interview.

 

For more information, download the programme regulations (PDF 488 KB)


Courses and timetables

For more details on the courses including timetables, please click on the course names below.

Courses Credits Aim
Studio 1 (DCAD5001) 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) This course enables students to develop foundational skills, knowledge, and experience in creative studio practice in art and design.
Studio 2 (DCAD5002) 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) This course enables students to further develop skills, knowledge, and experience in creative studio practice, drawing upon their interests and cultural backgrounds to generate art and/or design outcomes.
Practice in Context 1 (DCAD5101) 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) This course equips students with the academic skills needed for tertiary study in art and design, including the ability to undertake independent creative research and an understanding of key concepts from Te Ao M?ori.
Drawing and Ideation (DCAD5201) 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) This course develops technical skills fundamental to drawing and ideation practice, including media, surface, application, scale and colour in 2D and 3D tactile approaches.
Reproduction and Multiple (DCAD5202) 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) This course develops technical skills fundamental to modes of reproduction, serial and multiplicity, including digital and tactile approaches to print, photographic, mold making, and laser etch.
Digital Technologies (DCAD5203) 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) This course develops technical skills fundamental to creative digital technologies through the Adobe Creative suite.
Design for Screens (DCAD5301) 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) This course develops fundamental technical skills and processes for the research and design of screen-based information systems and interfaces.
Experimental Drawing (DCAD5401) 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) This course develops experimental skills in digital and tactile technologies in 2D, 3D and lens-based practice.
Digital Asset Creation (DCAD5501) 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) This course develops technical skills fundamental to 3D modelling and texturing for time-based media animation and VFX.
Animation and Rendering (DCAD5502) 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) This course develops technical skills fundamental to animation, rendering , motion capture and compositing for animation and VFX.
Courses Credits Aim
Studio 3 (DCAD6003) 30.0 credits (0.25 EFTS) This course enables students to broaden their knowledge, skills and experience of design, visual art, or digital media practices in a creative studio context.
Studio 4 (DCAD6004) 30.0 credits (0.25 EFTS) This course enables students to consolidate their knowledge, skills and experience of design, visual art or digital media practices, and to develop skills, attitudes, and methods to support independent studio practice.
Practice in Context 2 (DCAD6102) 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) This course introduces research methods and critical perspectives to develop students? abilities to independently contextualise and articulate their own creative practice.
Professional Practice (DCAD6103) 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) This course will develop understandings in professional practices, processes and issues to prepare students to work within the creative sector in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Courses Credits Aim
Studio 5 (DCAD7005) 30.0 credits (0.25 EFTS) This course enables students to incorporate specialist technical knowledge and skills within an area of creative practice of their choosing, and further develop skills, attitudes, and methods to support confident and independent studio practice.
Studio 6 / Capstone Project (DCAD7006) 45.0 credits (0.375 EFTS) This course enables students to incorporate specialist technical knowledge and skills, and an understanding of professional expectations, in undertaking an in-depth practical creative project in an individually nominated area of practice.
Practice in Context 3 (DCAD7104) 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) This course extends students? understanding of research processes and consolidates analytical, interpretative and communication skills through a self-directed research project.
Professional Project (DCAD7105) 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) This course will develop professional practice and research skills to prepare students for employment or further research in the creative industries.
Courses Credits Aim
Type and Sign (DCAD5302) 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) This course will introduce students to the fundamental skills, material technologies, methods and processes relevant to the study and production of typo-graphic design.
Design for People (DCAD5303) 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) This course introduces the purposes, processes, and principles of designing for other people, cultures, and communities.
Paint and Print Technologies (DCAD5402) 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) This course develops technical skills fundamental to painting and printmaking practice, including surface application and scale.
Photographic Technologies (DCAD5403) 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) This course develops technical skills fundamental to photographic practice, including camera, lighting , photographic studio, image editing and print.
Courses Credits Aim
Motion Graphics (DCAD6304) 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) This course develops fundamental technical skills and processes for the research and design of motion graphic sequences through a variety of 2D and 3D methodologies.
Experimental Publication Design (DCAD6305) 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) This course will introduce students to the design process for publications containing self-curated visual and written content.
User Research and Testing (DCAD6307) 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) This course introduces a broad range of principles and techniques of researching, testing, and analysing the design of interfaces and products for human use.
Contemporary Craft (DCAD6404) 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) This course develops technical and visual skills and methods associated with a range of craft practices including ceramics and other materials to enable the production of artefacts.
Moving Image and Sound (DCAD6406) 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) This course develops fundamental technical skills and aesthetic understandings in moving image art practices, including camera craft, sound production, editing and presentation strategies.
Negotiated Study 1 (DCAD6601) 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) This course will enable a student to pursue an individualised course of study of particular interest aligned with the aims of the programme and graduate profile.

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