A&D postgrad studies flourish

AUT University is launching a new one-year professional Master of Design and a Doctorate of Design
A new one-year professional Master of Design programme being launched in July will bring the number of postgraduate programmes on offer at AUT University’s School of Art and Design to five.

AUT has the largest postgraduate area of any New Zealand-based Art and Design school.

“This area has grown from 12 students and the equivalent of 2.5 full-time staff in 1997 to a projected 120 students and 14 full-time staff by the middle of this year,” says Associate Professor Frances Joseph, inaugural postgraduate programme leader.

“Our 90% completion rates are very good, reflecting both the calibre of students coming into the programme and the commitment and experience of postgraduate staff.”

This year there are 110 students enrolled across the four existing postgraduate programmes – the Bachelor of Art and Design Honours programme, Master of Arts (Art and Design), the MPhil and PhD.

The new Master of Design and a Doctor of Design being introduced next year will focus on the professional design sector and will be delivered using a model similar to an MBA with intensive weekend workshops, specialist industry and international lecturers and online support.

Since 1999 more than 120 students have successfully graduated from the postgraduate studies area which includes specialist areas of graphic, spatial and fashion design and visual arts as well as art & design theory, strategic design, new media and interdisciplinary practices.

Another move underpinning recent growth is the introduction of the online Art & Design Postgraduate Network (ADPGN), which allows the MA programme to be delivered off campus with the support of regional polytechnics.

The off campus delivery of the MA programme began in 2004 with a group of six students based in Wanganui. It has grown to 31 students and is now supported in Nelson, Bay of Plenty, Hawkes Bay and Northland.

The ADPGN system was developed by Dale Fitchett, John Eyles, William Lu and Frances Joseph, and now supports all art and design postgraduate staff and students with access to a communication system, curriculum, course delivery and resource material, forums and special interest groups.

Associate Professor Joseph, who steps down as postgraduate programme leader this year, says ADPGN complements more traditional face-to-face teaching and learning methods such as tutorials, lectures and seminars. Associate Professor Tina Engels-Schwarzpaul will take over as programme leader.