Concept Design – Bachelor of Design

Imagine new worlds with Massey's Bachelor of Design (Concept Design). Learn how to design concepts for entertainment and education within film, animation, television, gaming, and location-based experiences.

Where you can study

Wellington campus

International students

International students are not New Zealand citizens or residents.

Definition of New Zealand citizens and residents

Open to international students on campus in New Zealand

Specialise in Concept Design for your Bachelor of Design at Massey

Concept design is about visualising and developing the ideas behind film, television, gaming, performance, products and interactive experiences.

In the Bachelor of Design (Concept Design), you’ll use traditional and contemporary art forms to communicate your concepts for new objects, characters or environments. This could include drawing and sculpting 3D models, as well as making digital plans and renders.

You could be designing characters, creatures, props, vehicles and machines, all the way to building entire worlds to form the foundations of feature films, theme parks, events, toys or exhibits.

Concept design is one of the first stages in every design process. Concept designers create the basis for further production and development, rather than finished products.

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Further study

Extend your study and work on an independent research project in the Bachelor of Design with Honours  or take a creative product or idea to market in the Master of Design.

Planning information

If you study full-time, in your first year, you’ll take eight 15-credit courses, making a total of 120 credits.

If you wish to study over two semesters, you should aim for 60 credits per semester. You may be able to take some courses at summer school. Make sure you include courses that are prerequisites for the next level of courses you wish to study.

About this major

The Concept Design major in the Bachelor of Design consists of 135 credits.

Minors

Completing a minor is optional and may be a way for you to show the breadth of your degree.

A minor must be in a different subject from your major and be made up of at least 60 credits.

If you’re interested in doing a minor you should contact us using the Get advice button on this page. Our student advice team will be able to talk you through your options and help you plan your degree.

More on minors

Official regulations

To understand what you need to study and must complete to graduate read the official rules and regulations for this qualification.

You should read these together with all other relevant Statutes and Regulations of the University including the General Regulations for Undergraduate Degrees, Undergraduate Diplomas, Undergraduate Certificates, Graduate Diplomas and Graduate Certificates.

 

Courses you can enrol in

Course planning key

Prerequisites
Courses that need to be completed before moving onto a course at the next level. For example, a lot of 200-level courses have 100-level prerequisite courses.
Corequisites
Courses that must be completed at the same time as another course are known as corequisite courses.
Restrictions
Some courses are restricted against each other because their content is similar. This means you can only choose one of the offered courses to study and credit to your qualification.

Core courses for the Bachelor of Design

As well as the specialisation courses listed below, this qualification has core courses that you will need to complete.

Bachelor of Design core courses

Concept Design courses

Part One

Choose at least 15 credits from
Course code: 296157 Concept Design 1.1: Imagine 15 credits

In this studio course students will be introduced to creative and analytical thinking skills, idea generation and visualisation central to concept design as a practice. They will begin to acquire specific techniques, skills and processes for investigating and responding to imagined characters and stories through iterative drawing, referencing and digital painting.

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Course code: 296158 Concept Design 1.2: Worldbuilding 15 credits

In this studio course, students will experiment with creative and analytical thinking skills, idea generation and visualisation central to concept design as a practice. They will develop specific techniques, skills and processes for investigating and defining worldbuilding techniques through storytelling and the creative practice of iterative digital modelling, prototyping and digital matte painting.

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Part Two

Course code: 296263 Concept Design 2.1: Character and Environment 15 credits

In this studio course, students will explore and articulate creative responses to design challenges through critical awareness of character and environment design, and production. Students will develop and apply core 2D and 3D concept design skills, processes and techniques to create original character and environment designs for an entertainment license.

Prerequisites: 1 of 296157 296158 Restrictions: 296257

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Course code: 296264 Concept Design 2.2: Prop and Creature 15 credits

In this studio course, students will explore and articulate creative responses to design challenges through critical awareness of prop and creature design and production. Students will develop and apply core 2D and 3D concept design skills, processes and techniques to create original prop and creature designs for an entertainment license.

Prerequisites: 1 of: 296157 296158 or permission from the lecturer Restrictions: 296257

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Course code: 296265 Concept Design 2.3: Visualisation 15 credits

In this studio, students will collaborate to explore and articulate the relationship between narrative and design for an animation or game design context. Students will engage critically through tone, genre and aesthetic studies, applying these through their creative responses using core concept design techniques. The final output will be a curated presentation of these finished ideas with consideration of both audience, client and medium.

Prerequisites: 296157 or 296158 or permission course coordinator Restrictions: 296258

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Course code: 296266 Concept Design 2.4 Design for Fabrication 15 credits

In this studio, students will explore the design process from concept through to fabrication. Students will critically engage with the role of designer and fabricator using core concept design techniques, methods of manufacture, digital and physical fabrication techniques, and production drawings to communicate concept intention and realisation. The design will be resolved in the form of a tangible output.

Prerequisites: 296157 or 296158 or permission course coordinator Restrictions: 296258

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Part Three

Course code: 296358 Concept Design 3.3: Developing Imaginary Worlds 30 credits

Students will use worldbuilding and storytelling techniques to generate an original entertainment property that examines a contemporary wicked problem through a Science Fiction or Fantasy lens. Through the development and realisation of an advanced concept design project students will develop an understanding of the culture, ecosystem, technology and inhabitants of their world.

Prerequisites: 296367 or 296368

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Course code: 296367 Concept Design 3.1 Concepting Film and Animation 15 credits

In this studio course, students will develop a proof of concept design proposal for a given text through the comparative lens of Concept for Film and Animation. Students will establish a critical position through individual and collaborative creative exploration and articulation to expand on concept design concepts, techniques, skills and processes in the production of their creative work.

Prerequisites: At least 15 credits at 200 level with a 296 prefix or permission course coordinator Restrictions: 296357

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Course code: 296368 Concept Design 3.2: Concepting Game and Location-Based Experience 15 credits

In this studio course, students will develop a proof of concept design proposal for a given text through the comparative lens of Concept for Game and Location-Based Experience design. Students will establish a critical position through individual and collaborative creative exploration and articulation to expand on concept design concepts, techniques, skills and processes in the production of their creative work.

Prerequisites: 15 credits at 200 level with a 296 prefix or permission course coordinator Restrictions: 296357

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Entry requirements

Admission to Massey

All students must meet university entrance requirements to be admitted to the University.

Specific requirements

This is an open-entry qualification from 2026. For 2025 entry, please see the portfolio requirements. Once you have applied and enrolled we encourage you to book a Creative Review to ensure you are on the right track.

Application closing date

  • For Semester One start: Applications close on 30 November, for study commencing the following year.
  • For Semester Two start: Applications close on 30 June.

Late applications will be considered subject to available spaces.

English language requirements

To study this qualification you must meet Massey University's English language standards.

English language skills

If you need help with your English language skills before you start university, see our English for Academic Purposes (EAP) courses.

Careers and job opportunities

New Zealand’s booming film and entertainment industry means concept designers are in high demand. Apply your creative thinking in roles across film, theatre and television as well as in growing markets like video game development and interactive experiences.

Follow in the footsteps of Massey graduates working at Weta Workshop, Mechanic Animation, A44, PikPok, Weta Gameshop, Pukeko Pictures and Story Inc. Other graduates see success freelancing or starting their own independent companies right after graduating, like game studios Odd Boy, and Wild Boy Studios.

There is also a growing demand for graduates who can apply design thinking at a strategic level. Whether that is in business, government, or within social and civic enterprises. You could go on to work in a design or advertising agency, major events development or create exhibition concepts for a gallery or museum.

International students

New Zealand is a great place to study. Massey University’s reputation is supported by our international rankings, accreditations and associations. We are rated five star plus by the QS World University Rankings.

Massey University has small class sizes, and our lecturers and staff are friendly and approachable.

As an international student, there are entry requirements that will apply to you. We recommend that you apply at least three months before your anticipated start date so your application can be processed in time. There are additional steps you will need to take. These include obtaining a visa and travel bookings if your study is to be in New Zealand.

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