Design Management
You’ll develop the cultural awareness and critical thinking skills you need to analyze and produce a broad range of discourse in a full spectrum of careers — and to make a difference in whatever you do.
- 2 Years / Onsite
- Intakes: Jan, Apr, Jun, Oct
Overview
Design Management at Auckland Royal Academy prepares graduates to lead the integration of design thinking and creative process within business strategy. The programme bridges design practice and management science, developing professionals who can advocate for design within organisations, manage creative teams, direct design projects, and measure the commercial value of design investment. Students graduate with both the business fluency and design literacy needed in leadership roles.
Project-based learning places you in cross-functional teams that simulate the experience of leading a design initiative from strategic brief through to implementation and evaluation. Guest design directors and creative industry executives from Auckland's leading agencies and corporations contribute to the programme, sharing insight into how organisations embed design culture, manage creative talent, and leverage design for competitive advantage.
Career Opportunities
Design Management graduates work as design managers, creative directors, innovation consultants, product managers, and brand directors in a wide range of industries. The combination of design sensibility and business acumen is particularly valued in technology, retail, consumer goods, and cultural institutions, where the ability to lead creative processes with commercial intelligence creates significant organisational value.
Program Learning Outcomes
Apply design management frameworks to plan, execute, and evaluate design-led projects that deliver measurable commercial and cultural value within organisational budget, timeline, and quality constraints.
Demonstrate proficiency in managing creative teams, briefing designers, commissioning external agencies, and building design culture within organisations, applying principles of creative leadership and project governance.
Evaluate the strategic and commercial contribution of design within organisations, using design ROI frameworks, innovation metrics, and brand equity analysis to advocate for sustained design investment at the executive level.
Programme
| Semester 1 | Credits | Number |
|---|---|---|
| Introduction to Design Management | 4 | DSGN 101 |
| Foundations & Theory | 4 | DSGN 110 |
| Research Methods | 3 | DSGN 120 |
| Semester 2 | Credits | Number |
|---|---|---|
| Applied Design Management I | 4 | DSGN 201 |
| Professional Practice | 3 | DSGN 210 |
| Industry Context NZ | 4 | DSGN 220 |
| Semester 3 | Credits | Number |
|---|---|---|
| Applied Design Management II | 4 | DSGN 301 |
| Critical Perspectives | 3 | DSGN 310 |
| Ethics & Standards | 3 | DSGN 320 |
| Semester 4 | Credits | Number |
|---|---|---|
| Advanced Design Management | 4 | DSGN 401 |
| Specialisation Elective | 3 | DSGN 410 |
| Design Management Capstone Project | 4 | DSGN 490 |
| Total for the entire period of study | 11 |
Contact us
3/60 Federal Street, Auckland CBD, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
How to Apply?
- You Apply
Tell us a little about yourself and we’ll help with the rest. Our convenient online application tool only takes 10 minutes to complete.
- We Connect
After you submit your application, an admissions representative will contact you and will help you to complete the process.
- You Get Ready
Once you’ve completed your application and connected with an admissions representative, you’re ready to create your schedule.