Design Innovation teaches skills in graphic design, visual communication design, user experience, web and app design, responsive design, data visualisation, human-centered design, design thinking, entrepreneurship, and independent research.
Explore the future of design and gain the skills required through innovative and leading-edge approaches to thrive in the dynamic industry
Our Certificate is ideal for school-leavers or career changers looking to break into design with practical hands-on training.
The short course (18 weeks) provides the fundamental skills and a pathway into further study at degree level.
Our Degree is suited to those seeking a broader skillset and a deeper understanding of design.
Offering practical and focused projects taught over 3 years, these programs are perfect for those wanting to make a career in design – be it graphics, web, print, or more.
Our Masters programme is perfect for professionals, or degree holders, looking to build a skillset based on creativity, leadership and innovation. Our unique programme provides insights, industry exposure and practical experience to help you lead transformative projects, drive strategic change, and make a meaningful impact in your field.
July 2025 Intake
21/07/2025
September 2025 Intake
08/09/2025
February 2026 Intake
16/02/2026
Auckland City Symonds Street Campus
Manukau Campus
Wellington Campus
Where will this programme take you?
July 2025 Intake
21/07/2025
February 2026 Intake
16/02/2026
Auckland City Symonds Street Campus
Wellington Campus
Where will this programme take you?
September 2025 Intake
01/09/2025
November 2025 Intake
03/11/2025
March 2026 Intake
16/03/2026
Auckland City Symonds Street Campus
Where will this programme take you?
With small supportive cohorts, individual mentoring and focusing on what makes you distinctive not just different, design at Whitecliffe sets you apart. Far from cookie-cutter learning, we develop from the fundamentals to find the unique you – creating tailored solutions, cohesive portfolios and making you industry ready.
The stats speak for themselves
AI-Driven Design
Employment requirements, sustainability, and cultural storytelling
among the top 10
fastest-growing jobs for 2025/2026
Faculty and Students
Best Design Awards (DINZ) National Winners & Finalists
Degree holders may make NZ$1.37m more over their career than people with only secondary education
We partner with Globally recognised brands
We offer a range of design programmes, including a three-year Bachelor of Design and Digital Media and a Master of Creative Enterprise and Innovation. We also provide a pathway into the field with our Certificate in Digital Media and Design. Each programme is designed to build your creative skills and prepare you for a dynamic career.
The degree focuses on solving real-world problems using creative thinking and digital tools. You’ll build a strong foundation in branding, app and web design (UX/UI), content creation, and motion graphics, learning how to turn innovative ideas into tangible, user-friendly solutions.
Design Innovation is broader, focusing on the entire user experience, while Graphic Design focuses on visual communication. A graphic designer might create a logo, whereas a design innovator creates the entire system around it—how a user interacts with the app, the service it provides, and the problem it solves. Our programme gives you skills in both areas.
A design degree from Whitecliffe prepares you for a wide variety of creative and technical roles. Our graduates work as UX/UI Designers, Graphic Designers, Digital Content Creators, Interaction Designers, and Web Designers. Many join leading design agencies or in-house creative teams, while others use the entrepreneurial skills from our programmes to start their own businesses.
Yes, you will get extensive real-world experience by working on live briefs and collaborative industry projects. The curriculum is designed to help you build a professional portfolio from day one. Strong industry connections and regular opportunities to exhibit your work are core parts of the programme, ensuring you graduate with both a qualification and practical experience.
Yes, a portfolio is a key part of the application for our degree-level programmes. It doesn’t need to be perfect, but it should showcase your creativity, your visual thinking, and your passion for design. We want to see how you think and get a sense of your unique creative potential.
Tuition fees vary by programme, and financial support is available for eligible domestic students. Government funding options like StudyLink student loans and the Fees Free policy can help cover your costs. You can find detailed fee information on each programme page and our Student Finance team can discuss payment plans and scholarships with you.
Yes, we welcome applications from international students. You will need to provide proof of your English language proficiency (such as an IELTS score) and secure a valid student visa. Our dedicated Admissions Team is here to support you through every step of the application and enrolment process.
This course is right for you if you are a creative problem-solver who wants a hands-on, collaborative learning experience. If you enjoy thinking visually and want a career that involves constant innovation, you will thrive here. Our small class sizes mean your lecturers will know you personally and help you develop your unique strengths into a successful career.
You will have access to purpose-built studios and computer labs equipped with industry-standard technology. All students are provided with a license for the full Adobe Creative Cloud suite, and you will learn to use design software and tools that are essential for a modern design career.
