New Zealand Certificate in Arts and Design (Level 4)

Programme outline

This programme is studio and classroom based, which allows you to explore and gain skills and is designed for ākonga who are seeking to develop a range of foundational technical skills and conceptual knowledge to produce creative work in arts, crafts, or design. As graduates of this qualification, you will have developed a range of creative capabilities to contribute to community or commercial projects in preparation for further study.

More detail about this qualification

The New Zealand Certificate in Arts and Design (Level 4) comprises of 60 credits and is a 17-week programme. Ākonga study full-time or part-time but must complete the qualification within three years of the date of first enrolment. 

Areas covered on this programmes includes: 

• An introduction to key historical principles, contexts, and conventions in art and design
• Practical experimentation with photographic and traditional printmaking process: cyanotypes, block printing, collage, dry point
• More advanced photography techniques
• Designing and building a physical environment based on an existing world genre, dystopian or utopian
• Preparing files for laser cutting and 3D printing
• Applying elements and principles of design within illustration and visual communications
• Character design
• Preparing design work to enter national competitions
• Creating a prototype website using Figma - a cloud-based interface design tool
• Typographic conventions for logotype design and other applications
• Direct learning of Adobe CC: Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, also Figma

Course related costs

Some drawing resources may need to be purchased.

Entry requirements

To be eligible for entry to this programme, applicants must hold at least one of the following:

NCEA Level 2 (Including Literacy 10 credits at Level 1 and Numeracy 10 credits at Level 1) or Equivalent academic achievement or on a case by case at the discretion of the Programme Manager.

English Language Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for international students is IELTS General or Academic Score of 5.5 with no band score lower than 5. IELTS scores used must be taken from a single IELTS Test Report Form.

Further study options

The NZ Certificate in Arts and Design (Level 4) can lead you to apply for entry into the Diplomas in Arts and Design and Screen Production. The portfolio content completed during the programme can be used to support an application for further study or look for an entry level job in New Zealand’s fastest growing industry.

You can also complete this qualification two evenings per week (Monday & Wednesday) at our Wellington campus from 6-9pm from 27/2/2023-3/11/2023, there will also be the opportunity to attend two weekend workshops, dates to be confirmed.