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Creative Industry

Graphic Design and Animation

Whether it be the choice of typography, a new corporate logo, or the layout of a magazine or web article, graphic designers are tasked with creating visuals to communicate ideas and solve a problem. Animators take these same principles and incorporate layers, motion, character design and story. You’ll learn about how to see the world around you, not just look.

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 centres 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. 

If you're interested in learning the skills and tools to be able to create a business around your creative specialisation such as graphic design or animation, then the Bachelor of Design and Contemporary Art would be a good choice for you.

At the last year of your studies, 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.

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 lab of dual boot iMacs, two 20-seat labs of dual boot Macs (iMac and MacPro), and two 15-seat labs with 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.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

In School of Creative Industries we have a wide range of shows and events, discover more from: 

What's On 

Programmes and study path

Start with a programme that suits your qualifications and/or experience, then progress to a level that achieves your goals.
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
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
Bachelor of Design and Contemporary Art 7 Three years full-time or part-time options available Graphic designer, Photographer, Artist, Motion graphics designer, Illustrator, Packaging designer, Product designer, Curator, Art/design educator, Gallerist, Animator February or July
Postgraduate Certificate in Creative Practice 8 Six months full-time or one year part-time Artist, Art director, Product designer, Graphic designer, Director, Photographer, Experience designer, Producer, Sculptor, Visual artist, Performance designer, Service designer, Curator, Choreographer, Filmmaker 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, Choreographer 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