Program Overview

Course Overview

The course DSDN 132, also known as Kōrero Paki ā-Hoahoa or Design Storytelling, introduces students to narratives and storytelling in the context of visual design. Students are exposed to a range of traditional and contemporary examples, including Māori storytelling practices and examples from film, animation, digital and physical games, and comics.

Course Details

• Dates: 6 July 2026 to 8 November 2026
• Starts: Trimester 2
• Fees:
  • NZ$1,083.45 for domestic students
  • NZ$5,235.75 for international students
• Lecture Start Times: Wednesday, 12.40pm
• Campus: Te Aro
• Estimated Workload: Approximately 150 hours or 8.3 hours per week for 18 weeks
• Points: 15

Entry Restrictions

• Prerequisites: None
• Corequisites: None
• Restrictions: None

Taught By

The course is taught by the School of Design Innovation, Faculty of Architecture and Design Innovation.

Disclaimer

This course outline may be subject to change.

Key Dates

Important dates, including mid-trimester teaching breaks, can be found on the University's key dates calendar. Assessment dates will be provided once the course has begun.

About This Course

This introductory course explores foundational skills, competencies, and knowledge, intersecting with other first-year courses to consolidate learning. Students develop skills in visual literacy, storytelling, and narrative construction applicable across a wide range of design disciplines.

Delivery Mode

ON CAMPUS ONLY: DSDN 132 is an on-campus only course, not available for distance study. All class sessions are delivered in person at Te Aro or Te Auaha Campus.

Course Learning Objectives

Students who pass this course should be able to:

1. Interpret and apply principles of design in a visual narrative.
2. Communicate and apply storytelling concepts and techniques.
3. Analyse and explore historical and contemporary approaches to visual storytelling.

How This Course Is Taught

• Lectures and Studio/Tutorial Classes: Require in-person attendance. Lecture recordings are made available in Nuku for subsequent revision.
• Projects and Assessments: Designed to progressively build learning, with regular progress-based assessments (PBAs) undertaken in class.
• Disability Inclusion Arrangements: Students registered with Te Amaru Disability Services may have an education access plan outlining teaching adaptations for equal access to learning.
• Lecture Recording Policy: All lecture content is recorded and made available for students to review on Nuku after class.

Assessment

• Select and Analyse a Visual Storytelling Precedent: Produce a visual story fragment or 'scenet' and a critical written review response. (30%)
• Produce a Short Visual Story: In any medium. (40%)
• Progress-Based Assessments (PBAs): Three (of five) online tasks relating to specific project development or course learning objectives. (30%)

Mandatory Requirements

There are no mandatory requirements for this course.

Lecture Times and Rooms

• 6 July 2026 to 16 August 2026
• 31 August 2026 to 11 October 2026

What You'll Need to Get

Students need to provide all materials and equipment necessary for the completion of coursework.

Past Versions of This Course

Older versions of this course may be accessible through the course archive.