Bachelor of Design and Arts

This programme consists of 360 credits and has majors in Visual Arts, Design Media, or Textile/Fashion Design. The courses include;

Your studies will depend upon your choice of major - Design Media, Textiles/Fashion Design, or Visual Arts.

COMPULSORY COURSES-YEAR ONE

Visual Language (15 Credits)
Become familiar with the language of art and design. Formal art/design elements will be considered alongside key theoretical ideas, which inform contemporary practices of visual and oral culture. Learners will be required to evaluate and critique visual culture, research theoretical texts and apply their research to the writing of an academic essay and oral presentation.

Art/Design Lab 1 (15 Credits)
Be introduced to a hands-on approach to creative design process and problem-solving. It focuses on research and exploration and the development of a conceptually driven and personalised visual language. The course aims to familiarise students with the process of responding to a given brief. 

Art/Design Lab 2 (15 Credits)
Extend conceptual and practice-based design processes. Learner knowledge of art/design problem-solving will be extended through research processes and exploration of the formal elements of art/design. Learners will continue to work towards the development of a personalised visual language.

Design Practical (15 Credits)
Learn to use various processes and technologies to produce art and design works.

Art/Design History (15 Credits)
An introduction to the significance of art, design and fashion throughout history and about different cultural and social structures, including local indigenous culture.

Drawing (15 Credits)
Develop perceptual and technical drawing skills and knowledge about historical and contemporary trends in drawing, including specific aspects relating to Aotearoa New Zealand, and the Whanganui region. It introduces applied research methods to enable the development and expression of personal concepts by applying tools, techniques and processes suited to artists and designers.

COMPULSORY COURSES-YEAR TWO

Art/Design Contemporary (15 Credits)
Further develop your knowledge of art/design history by tracing the development of art and design and its relationship to the historical context of its production through contemporary art and design production.

Art/Design Theory (15 Credits)
Further, your knowledge gained in Visual Language and Arts/Design History 1 of various academic and philosophical perspectives related to cultural production. The course also aims to promote critical and analytical skills to evaluate theoretical structures that underpin creative practices.

ELECTIVE COURSES - YEAR TWO

Digital Photography 1 (15 Credits) (Elective course)
Learn to utilise the functions, operations and applications of digital photography equipment and software to create photographic images for use in the production of a range of art and design projects.

Illustration 1 (15 Credits) (Elective course)
Learn to adopt a conceptual problem-solving approach to illustration and its relationship to art and design with an emphasis on conceptual problem-solving and matching form to content. Learners knowledge will be developed so that they may critically analyse and critique historic and contemporary illustration.

3D Modelling (15 Credits) (Elective course)
Build 3D models and develop technical skills and various conceptual approaches to form and content using a range of 3D modelling software.

Moving Image (15 Credits) (Elective course)
Gain the knowledge and skills required to produce art and design works using moving image and sound mediums. Learn to apply your knowledge and skills to creating and editing moving image productions.

Glass Studio (15 Credits) (Elective course)
Use the concepts and technical applications of studio glass equipment and processes to create a range of art or design projects.

Printmaking (15 Credits) (Elective course)
Use the concepts and technical applications of printmaking equipment and processes for use in the production of a range of arts or design projects.

Textile and Fibre (15 Credits) (Elective course)
Use the concepts and technical applications of a range of textile and fibre methods. Students will be introduced to traditional and contemporary textile and fibre techniques for use in the production of a range of art and design projects.

Computer Aided Drafting (15 Credits) (Elective course)
Explore CAD drafting techniques using appropriate software and devices in the resolution art/design projects. 

Object (15 Credits) (Elective course)
Develop concepts and utilise a range of technical applications, equipment, and processes to create contemporary three-dimensional art/design objects.

COMPULSORY COURSES-YEAR THREE

Internship (15 Credits)
Learn the skills and experience to undertake an industry-oriented art or design project where creative methodology is used to create an original solution that addresses the needs of the project client.

Research Methods (15 Credits)
Build on the learning undertaken in year one and two theory and studio papers with knowledge of the chief principles, concepts and methods of research as they are applied in the field of art and design. Key research skills will be developed in order to prepare students for the possibility of postgraduate research.

Professional Practice (15 Credits)
Develop your understanding and analysis of professional practices related to a range of art/design activities. The course allows learners to reflect on and extend their commercial understanding through the investigation of art/design-related business practices and marketing applications

Design Media Major

COMPULSORY COURSES-YEAR ONE

Design Media(15 Credits)
Learn to define, and discuss the fundamental elements of typography with regard to its use and application in design media. Learners are also introduced to styles of type, within a historic continuum, and the history of type and typographers.

Design Media 2 (15 Credits)
Gain an introduction to a range of time-based computer software packages and to industry-standard workflow practices and production. An introduction to contemporary design in Aotearoa/New Zealand will provide a theoretical and historical discourse relevant to contemporary design media practice.

COMPULSORY COURSES-YEAR TWO

Design Media Studio 1 (30 Credits)
Gain problem-solving skills relative to the application of the elements and principles of design, using combinations of type and image in the visual communication of ideas.

Design Media Studio 2 (30 Credits) 
This course aims to build on the knowledge and skills gained in Design Media 1 and Art/Design LAB 1 + 2 to equip students to develop design concepts as applied to industry-standard practical design media projects. Learners will apply design systems to organise textual information using various media, including identity systems and informational graphics, as applied to a range of design projects.

COMPULSORY COURSES-YEAR THREE

Design Media Studio 3 (30 Credits)
Refine the skills and knowledge gained in Design Media 2 and apply design development in the resolution of complex technical and conceptual design problems. Learners will have the opportunity to resolve sophisticated solutions in research and concept development and use software requiring technical execution across sequential and multiple media.

Design Media Studio 4 (45 Credits) 
Learn to define an individual, contemporary perspective within design media. Students will also extend their knowledge, conceptual abilities and critical faculty with regard to design and undertake an exploration of a personal vision within a specific area of design media.

Textiles/Fashion Design Major

COMPULSORY COURSES-YEAR ONE

Textiles/Fashion 1 (15 Credits) 
Gain a comprehensive grounding in the skills and knowledge associated with creative textiles and fashion design, including the expression of personal concepts within two and three-dimensional design. An introduction to contemporary design practice in Aotearoa/New Zealand will provide a theoretical and historical discourse relevant to contemporary textiles/fashion practice. 

Textiles/Fashion 2 (15 Credits)
This course aims to enable learners to explore and extend their skills and knowledge within creative textiles/fashion design, including implications for two and three-dimensional design. The course is then intended to provide students with opportunities to apply these skills to practical textiles/ fashion design tasks. Contextualised study of contemporary visual arts in Aotearoa/New Zealand will provide the theoretical and historical discourse relevant to contemporary design practice.

COMPULSORY COURSES-YEAR TWO

Textiles/Fashion Studio 1 (30 Credits)
This course aims to build upon theoretical and practical knowledge gained in Textiles/Fashion 1+2 and Art/Design LAB 1+2. Learners will further develop conceptual knowledge and technical skills in textiles/fashion design and increase historical and theoretical knowledge of fashion/textiles media. They will develop the ability to engage in critical analysis of textiles/fashion design and explore the contemporary parameters and concerns of textiles/fashion design and production

Textiles/Fashion Studio 2 (30 Credits) 
This course aims to build upon theoretical and practical knowledge gained in Textiles/Fashion 1 and Art/Design LAB 1 + 2. Learners will expand theoretical knowledge about and technical skills in the production of fashion items or garments, extending use and application while developing and expressing personal concepts. Increased historical and theoretical knowledge about textiles/fashion design will provide a theoretical underpinning to expand understanding of textiles/fashion design. Learners will develop the ability to engage in critical analysis in design with regard to their practice and the context of contemporary textiles/fashion design.

COMPULSORY COURSES-YEAR THREE

Textiles/Fashion Studio 3 (30 Credits)
Refine the skills and knowledge gained in Textiles/Fashion Studio 2 to define an individual perspective and a contemporary approach to fashion design. Learners will develop and extend design and production processes within the framework of conceptual abilities and critical faculties with regard to 2 or 3-dimensional fashion media 

Textiles/Fashion Studio 4 (45 Credits)
Define an individual, contemporary perspective within textiles/fashion design. Learners will also extend their knowledge, conceptual abilities and critical faculty with regard to design and undertake an exploration of a personal vision within a specific area of textiles/fashion design.

Visual Arts Major

COMPULSORY COURSES-YEAR ONE

Visual Arts 1 (15 Credits)
Explore and extend skills in and knowledge about 2-dimensional media with regard to its use and application in developing and expressing personal concepts. An introduction to contemporary visual arts in Aotearoa/New Zealand will provide a theoretical and historical discourse relevant to contemporary art practice. Opportunities to explore a range of 2-dimensional art media through studio-based projects will be a focus.

Visual Arts 2 (15 Credits) 
This course aims to enable students to explore and extend skills in and knowledge about 3-dimensional media with regard to its use and application in developing and expressing personal concepts. Contextualised study of contemporary visual arts in Aotearoa/New Zealand will provide the theoretical and historical discourse relevant to contemporary art practice. Opportunities to explore a range of 3-dimensional art media through studio-based projects will be a focus.

COMPULSORY COURSES-YEAR TWO

Art Studio 1 (30 Credits) 
This course aims to build upon theoretical and practical knowledge gained in Visual Arts 1+2 and Art/Design LAB 1 + 2. Learners will expand theoretical knowledge about and technical skills in 2 and 3-dimensional media, extending use and application while developing and expressing personal concepts. Increased historical and theoretical knowledge about 2 and 3-dimensional art practice will provide the foundation required to expand understanding of contemporary art practice. Learners will develop the ability to engage in critical analysis in art-making with regard to their practice and the context of contemporary art.

Art Studio 2 (30 Credits) 
This course aims to build upon theoretical and practical knowledge gained in Visual Arts 1 and Art/Design LAB 1 + 2. Learners will expand theoretical knowledge about and technical skills in 2 and/or 3-dimensional media, extending application while developing and expressing personal concepts. Increased historical and theoretical knowledge about 2 and/or 3-dimensional art practice will provide a theoretical underpinning required to expand understanding of contemporary art practice. Learners will extend their ability to engage in critical analysis in art-making with regard to their practice and the context of contemporary art.

COMPULSORY COURSES-YEAR THREE

Art Studio 3 (30 Credits) 
Refine the skills and knowledge gained in Art Studio 2 so you can define an individual perspective within and a contemporary approach to art making. You will develop and extend art-making processes within your conceptual framework and expand critical faculties with regard to your work in 2 and/or 3-dimensional media.

Art Studio 4 (45 Credits) 
Learn to apply an individual perspective within contemporary approaches to art-making. You will utilise your specialised knowledge, conceptual abilities and critical faculty to create work for presentation in a public exhibition.

Previous Related Programmes

The Bachelor of Design and Arts supersedes and takes the best from the following programmes of study, which are no longer offered:

• Bachelor of Computer Graphic Design
• Bachelor of Fine Arts
• Bachelor of Fashion
• Diploma in Glass Design and Production

• Postgraduate Diploma of Design
• Master of Design
• New Zealand Certificate in Arts and Design (Level 4)

Applicants under 20 years of age:
University entrance 
OR
Equivalent academic achievement.
OR
On a case-by-case basis at the discretion of the Executive Dean.
OR
A provisional enrolment. Provisional enrolment is defined by NZQA as being Discretionary Entrance and may be granted to those applicants under the age of 20 who:

• Are New Zealand or Australian citizens and permanent residents under 20 years of age
  
• Must have a minimum of 14 credits in an approved subject at Level 2 towards NCEA
  
• Must also have met the literacy and numeracy standards required for University Entrance

Applicants over 20 years of age:
If the student is 20 years old on their first day of the programme, there are no entry requirements.    

All prospective students must provide a portfolio and written statement
All applicants are asked to provide a portfolio of work and a written statement that summarises their personal interest in Design and Arts. 

Portfolio
All students applying for the Bachelor of Design and Arts (with a major in Design Media, Visual Arts or Textiles/Fashion Design) need to submit a portfolio of work which demonstrates previous engagement with creative activity. Portfolios can take a number of different formats and each will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Portfolios can be submitted either in hard copy or digital format and could contain any combination of the following:

• Drawings or sketches
• Paintings or other artworks 
• Photographs
• Prototypes or toiles
• Concept drawings
• Examples of sculptural or 3D work
• Design media
• Examples of applied art or craft work
• Original film or video
• Textiles design
• Interior design concepts
• Examples of anything else that demonstrates creative engagement.
  

For more information about NCEA Credits see the UCOL NCEA explained page.

In addition to the Domestic Entry Requirements, the following applies to international learner applicants.

English language proficiency
International learner applicants whose first language is not English must have an IELTS Academic score of 6.0 with no band score lower than 5.5 (or equivalent including TOEFL). IELTS scores used must be taken from a single IELTS Test Report Form (i.e. combining scores from more than one test is not permissible).

Under 20 years of age
In addition to this, international applicants under 20 years of age must have NCEA equivalency.

Work experience/internship

As part of your studies you will take an internship course comprising 48 lecturer supported learning hours and 102 independent learning hours, where you'll undertake an industry oriented design or art project that addresses the needs of the project client.

Timetable

Your personalised timetable will be available just prior to classes starting, and will comprise a weekly commitment of:

• 18 hours of lecturer supported learning in class
• 22 hours of self-directed learning (your own time spent working to complete your assignments)

Recognition of prior learning
Applications for Recognition of Prior Learning, including Cross Credit, Credit Transfer and Assessment of Prior Learning may be made on the Recognition of Prior Learning Form where a student believes all learning outcomes for a course have already been met. Applications will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis in accordance with the UCOL Academic Statute and other relavant policies and procedures.

Application checklist
It will make the process easier if you prepare the following before you apply:

• National Student Number (NSN) (If you don't have a NSN, you may request one from NZQA, or you can supply a verified copy of your birth certificate, passport or Whakapapa statement.)
• Evidence of your highest level of academic achievement (and evidence of prior learning, if applicable)
• Evidence that you meet the entry requirements of the programme
• Check if you're eligible for additional support or a scholarship. If you're 19 years or younger, you may be eligible to enrol in one of our free Youth Transition programmes.

Note that you will need to provide any verified documents in person, via post or email (not via the online application form).