School of Design

The Wellington School of Design was opened in April 1886, initially occupying premises on Brandon Street, central Wellington, before later moving to Mercer Street, where it became part of the Wellington Technical College. In 1922 the Technical College moved to the Mount Cook site adjacent to where it is today.

In 1962 the Wellington School of Design became a School within Wellington Polytechnic and developed a multi-professional approach to scholarship in a central design discipline.

New Zealand's first university design degree was developed and delivered by the Wellington School of Design between 1992 and 2000 in a conjoint arrangement with the Victoria University of Wellington.

In 1999, Wellington Polytechnic merged with Massey University, and the School of Design programmes and qualifications were reviewed and re-accredited for delivery by Massey University.

Since its inception the School has enjoyed a long and prestigious history, producing many of New Zealand’s most notable and famous designers, a number of whom have been recognised in the College's Hall of Fame.

The School of Design now incorporates two units: The Institute of Communication Design and the Institute of Design for Industry and Environment. These institutes, alongside the School of Fine Arts, the School of Visual and Material Culture and the Auckland School of Design, form Massey's College of Creative Arts.