Faculty of Architecture and Design

culture+context

Culture+Context

Please note: Information on this page relates to the 2013 academic year unless otherwise specified.

On this page:

This subject is taught by the School of Design.

Overview

Culture+Context combines both studio-based and theoretical studies in design within a multidisciplinary approach. This enables students to use the studio environment to creatively explore new concepts, evolving theories and historical ideas that contribute to design in contemporary culture. It recognises the increasing importance of design, and is influenced by new technologies, shifting geo-politics and global culture and society.

Culture+Context is a cross-disciplinary subject providing an insightful approach to critical understandings and contemporary interpretations of design. Students will acquire thorough knowledge of key historical and theoretical approaches in design, and will examine their impact on visual culture. Culture+Context explores the relationship between design and related disciplines by requiring students to select a minor subject outside the Design disciplines from a diverse range including Psychology, Cultural Anthropology, Marketing, Maori Studies, Pacific Studies, Film and Media Studies.

Working in a stimulating environment at Victoria’s School of Design, you will have the opportunity to design objects within a critical and theoretical framework. In our rapidly changing society, employers value the innovation and experience of our graduates from the Culture+Context specialisation.

Culture+Context is a specialisation in the Bachelor of Design Innovation (BDI) degree. This undergraduate programme leads into a two-year Master of Design Innovation (MDI) for those seeking a professional qualification in areas wider than traditional design disciplines.

For more detailed information on the School of Design and its programmes, see School of Design.

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Undergraduate Information

Entry Requirements

To enrol in a BDI you must have a University Entrance qualification and have met the Guaranteed Entry Score requirements for this degree. For more information, please see the admission webpages for New Zealand students and International students.

Useful background subjects are creative subjects such as Graphics, Technology, Art or Design and essay-based subjects, such as English, History, Art History, Classics, Geography or Economics. 

Credit Assessment of Prior Tertiary Study

If you have completed any study previously at another tertiary institute you may be eligible for some transferred credit towards your Victoria University qualification. Please check with the Faculty Office if you think this applies to you.

Degree Requirements

The BDI in Culture+Context is a three-year undergraduate degree consisting of 360 points and is structured in two parts. Culture+Context students must include a minor in a non-design subject.

 

Part 1

Part 1 is the first year of the Design Innovation programme (120 points). This year you take the courses alongside students in Industrial Design and Media Design programmes, as well as courses taught in other facilities.

In Part 1 you will investigate a broad range of essential design ideas, principles, histories, theories, practices and strategies. You will use the vocabularies of three- and four-dimensional design to explore concepts and challenge traditional and presumptive definitions of design. You will also engage with your minor subject by doing the 100-level courses required to progress in that discipline.

Part 1 comprises 4 core courses and 4 elective courses as follows:

Core courses:

*We recommend including DSDN 144 Photographics. DSDN 144 is a prerequisite for CCDN 244. Students not intending to include CCDN 244 in their second year may replace DSDN 144 with another 100-level DSDN course.

**If you have achieved 14 or more NCEA Level 3 credits in English, History, Art History, Classics, Geography or Economics you may substitute WRIT 101 or WRIT 151 with an additional elective course.

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Part 2

Part 2 comprises the second and third years of the BDI degree, and requires 240 points-120 points each year.

Part 2 involves a range of Culture+Context courses as well as additional courses from the BDI programme and courses for your non-design minor, enabling ou to personalise your programme to suit your needs and interests.

In 2nd year you will need to include:

and 2 of:

and 60 points of electives including courses for your minor

*CCDN 244 has a prerequisite of DSDN 144

 

Third Year

and 60 points of electives including courses for your minor

*You must have completed most of your non-design minor before doing CCDN 332.

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Culture+Context elective course requirements

The breadth and flexibility provided by the elective courses is a key feature of the Culture+Context specialisation. The electives provide opportunity to place design concepts and understandings in a broader context, and to engage with issues of how design affects, and is affected by, those contexts.

It is important that you plan your electives carefully to get the best out of your programme of study. In selecting electives you need to ensure that your overall BDI programme contains at least 360 points, and that your electives include:

  • at least one non-design minor subject (see below)
  • any 100-level prerequisite courses necessary for your minor subject
  • at least 60 points from the BDI schedule*
  • at least 80 points at 200- or 300-level, including at least 20 points at 300-level.

*The BDI schedule includes all CCDN, DSDN, INDN or MDDN courses.

  • If you plan to do 200-level courses in Industrial Design you should include DSDN 104 and 141 in your first year; if you plan to do 200-level Media Design courses you should include DSDN 112 and 142 in your first-year.
  • If you want to include studio-based Industrial Design or Media Design courses in your Part 2 programme, you must apply as numbers are limited. 

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Culture+Context minors

Culture+Context students must do at least one minor, from the recommended list below, outside the School of Design. With careful planning, it is possible to include a second minor, although not required.

Students are advised to combine their minor(s) with electives offered by the School of Design.

A minor requires 60 points at 200- and 300-level including at least 20 points at 300-level.

Recommended minors include:

Cultural Anthropology Maori Studies
Art History Management
Asian Studies Media Studies
English Studies Music
European Studies Pacific Studies
Film Philosophy
Geography Psychology
Marketing Sociology

Please contact the relevant Faculty or School for course information relating to your choice of minor.

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Postgraduate Information

Please visit our postgraduate study pages on the School of Design website for information about postgraduate qualifications in Culture+Context.

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How to Find out More

You can order more information on this subject by registering on our Request for Study Material database.

Victoria's Student Recruitment, Admission and Orientation Office offer advice on courses and help with planning your degree.

Contact the School of Design Student Administration Office for information on:

  • admission
  • qualifications and courses
  • course advice and selection criteria
  • exemptions and prerequisites and
  • your Application to Study.

All courses are taught at Victoria's Te Aro Campus.

School of Design Student Administration Office
Phone: +64 4 463 6200
Email: design@vuw.ac.nz

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Related Subjects and Careers

The following list gives examples of how various minors can lead to a range of careers:

Minor Career
Cultural Anthropology Design Culture Critic and Researcher
Art History Museum or Gallery Critic and Curator
Management Design Manager
Maori Studies Promotional Maori Design Advocate
Philosophy Design Theory Researcher
Psychology Product Interface Designer
Sociology Design Consultant and Manager

Those who choose a double minor have a wider range of options:

Double Minor Careers
Industrial Design Asian Studies Offshore Design Promotion and Facilitator
Media Design Marketing In-house Media Design Promoter
Industrial Design Marketing Design Retail Store Manager and Owner

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List of Courses

On this page:

200 Level Courses

CCDN 231 – Experimental Design Ideas

CCDN 233 – Design Ethnography

CCDN 244 – Expanded Photographics

CCDN 271 – Design as Inquiry


300 Level Courses

CCDN 331 – Live Theory

CCDN 332 – Design +

CCDN 371 – Cultures of Design

CCDN 381 – Independent Study

CCDN 382 – Independent Study

CCDN 383 – Special Topic

CCDN 384 – Special Topic