Research

Research is a vital and exciting part of what we do at the School of Design Innovation. Find out about our talented researchers and their fields of expertise.

We have a vibrant research community of academic staff, external and industry partners, and Master’s and PhD students. Our postgraduate students work closely with staff and industry collaborators on research projects that address a wide range of contemporary design challenges.

Areas of research

Find out about the supervising staff, research groups, and study options available in our main research areas.

Old-looking sepia-toned map of Texas and hardback book — Communication Design

Researchers in Communication Design develop ways to bring fresh design perspectives to surfaces, screens, and spaces.

Black and white image of age rings on sliced tree trunk — Design for Social Innovation

Examine the myriad ways that design interacts with culture, society, technology, and the environment.

A ballerina in a luminous dress lit with blue fluorescent lighting — Fashion Design Technology

When technology intersects with fashion and textiles, we see cutting-edge results in science, sports, architecture, and aerospace.

Abstract montage of dark brown images — Film, Animation, and Visual Effects

Blend your creativity with emerging technologies and learn how to bring stories to life through film, animation, and visual effects.

A person sitting on a computer generated island floating in blue space with the words icarus and start game and quit game to the left of the island. — Game design

Game Design looks at the practice of game design and development, exploring the medium and the variety of ways in which it can engage an audience.

Close up of bright green organic shape against black background — Industrial Design

Researchers in industrial design investigate experiences and products that affect human and environmental wellbeing.

Multiple letter A in different fonts on white background — Media Design

Develop a critical understanding of the role of design in complex media environments and designed channels for communication.

Colourful shiny objects that look like decorative pieces — User Experience and Interaction Design

Understand the identity of users and learn how to create the designs with which they interact.

Mataiki flags at the Wellington Harbourside 2019 by David Hakaraia — Te Ao Hurihuri

Find out about research and practice in design by tangata whenua with a focus on mātauranga Māori and kaupapa Māori research.

Research news

Catch up with some of the groundbreaking work being done by researchers in the School of Design Innovation.

Ben Parkinson (right) and Konstantinos Bouloukakis working on the helmet-style MRI magnet. — Developing a portable MRI

The Robinson Research Institute and School of Design Innovation have joined forces to create the world’s first portable MRI scanner prototype.

Multiple letter A in different fonts on white background — Machine-learning design leads to opportunity

For Master of Design Innovation graduate Bryan Loh, working with supervisor Tom White led to an internship with Disney Research in California.

Graphic of four SDGs translated into Maori — SDGs translated into Māori

The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals are now available in te reo Māori, thanks to staff of Victoria University of Wellington.

Cumulus Association

School of Design Innovation is a member of the Cumulus Association–the leading global association to serve art and design education and research.