Institute of Design for Industry and Environment

The Institute of Design for Industry and Environment Design, based on the CoCA Wellington campus, provides world-class programmes in fashion, industrial, spatial and textile design. This rich portfolio of subjects is delivered by specialist academic staff using cutting-edge facilities to provide our students with an inspiring environment for creative and personal development.

College students have won national and international competitions such as New Zealand’s Best Awards and the International RedDot Student Design Awards, Australasian Student Design Awards, Hokonui Fashion Show and New Dowse Student Craft/Design Award. As professionals, our graduates have helped to create New Zealand’s design reputation through their achievements at companies such as Philips (Netherlands), Nike, Rembrandt, Kate Sylvester, Studio Daniel Libeskind (Switzerland), Mokum Textiles, Timorous Beasties and Weta Workshop.

The programmes are delivered by leading design researchers whose work informs their teaching and contributes to understanding in their field. Staff are engaged in creative design work with industry and theoretical research that results in national and international conference presentations, award winning designs, exhibitions and festivals, such as the World Stage Design award.

The Institute has strong relationships with industry and the cultural sector, both nationally and internationally. It is committed to providing education for our students that is led by research from both design practice and teaching methods. Design for industry and environment is of critical importance in today’s globally orientated society. The ability to transform materials into desirable and valued products, places and spaces is fundamental for our well-being, identity, economic prosperity and sustainability. Students and research staff are expected to develop innovative concepts that respond to these issues and demonstrate an understanding of peoples’ prescient needs, the market, the client and the opportunities offered by new technology.

Click on the gallery to view examples of staff and student work.

Rodney Adank
Acting Head of Institute