Explore your options
Study graphic design at Unitec and you’ll learn how to design and animate using illustration, photography, printmaking, painting and digital media. Course structure centers around developing creative ideas and building your technical skills. You'll have access to photographic studios and learn how to use specialist software in our dedicated computer suites.
It’s a close-knit environment, with regular peer reviews and group critiques. Your tutors are specialists in animation and design, and our guest lecturer programme introduces you to practitioners from across the industry. Unitec has incorporated a social innovation focus as well as a look at contemporary Māori and Pacific design to offer you a creative and diverse education. In the final year of your graphic design qualification you’ll take on your own design projects, which could include working with a real client.
You’ll get to show off your hard work in the campus galleries and at the end-of-year graduate show. There’s even a chance to enter the Best Awards.
Programmes and study path
| PROGRAMME | LEVEL | DURATION | CAREER OPTIONS | START DATES |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Zealand Certificate in Study and Career Preparation (Level 3) | 3 | Full-time for 16 weeks or part-time options available | Entry into further study at certificate or diploma level. | February or July |
| Certificate in Design and Visual Arts | 4 | Full-time for one year or part-time options available | No longer offered for new enrolments | |
| New Zealand Certificate in Study and Career Preparation (Level 4) - Art and Design | 4 | Full-time for 16 weeks or part-time options available. | This programme prepares you for further study toward a career in art and design in creative industries | February or July pending NZQA approval. |
| Diploma in Applied Animation | 6 | Full-time for two years | Animator, Artist, Illustrator, Concept artist, Game artist, App designer, Mobile content developer, Storyboard/pre-viz artist, Animation director, 3D artist, Texture artist, Matte painter | Programme no longer offered |
| Bachelor of Creative Enterprise | 7 | Three years full-time or six years part-time | Artist, Photographer, Graphic designer, Product designer, Motion graphics designer, Digital producer | February or July. Summer School also available |
| Graduate Diploma in Creative Enterprise | 7 | One year full-time or two years part-time | Animator, Artist, Photographer, Game or app designer, Graphic designer, Industrial designer, Interior designer, Brand manager, Online marketer | Programme no longer offered |
| Postgraduate Certificate in Creative Practice | 8 | Six months full-time or one year part-time | Director, Experience designer, Graphic designer, Photographer, Producer, Product designer, Production designer, Performance designer, Sculptor, Service designer, Visual communicator, Visual artist, This programme provides an ongoing qualification for teachers or trainers of adults, who are already working in this field. | February or July |
| Postgraduate Diploma in Creative Practice | 8 | Full-time for one year or part-time for two years | Artist, Creative director, Curator, Digital artist, Director, Graphic designer, Photographer, Producer, Visual artist | February or July |
| Master of Creative Practice | 9 | Full-time for 18 months or part-time for three years | Artist, Art director, Product designer, Graphic designer, Director, Photographer, Experience designer, Producer, Production designer, Sculptor, Visual artist, Performance designer, Service designer, Curator, Actor for theatre, film and television, Choreographer, Filmmaker | February or July |
| Master of Design | 9 | Full-time for two years or four years part-time | Artist, Art director, Art/design educator, Art/photography educator, Curator, Graphic designer, Photographer, Product designer, Production designer, Performance designer, Service designer, Visual artist, Visual communicator | Throughout the year |
Facilities
Study graphic design and animation and you’ll have access to the latest computer software to give you the technical skills you need for the industry. Our computer labs include one 40-seat dual boot iMac, two 20-seat dual boot Mac (iMac and MacPro), and two 15-seat PCs. You’ll also be able to use the full Adobe Creative Suite, Apple Shake, and Autodesk Maya. It’s the industry standard software used by Weta and other animation studios throughout the world to make the biggest animated films.
