Bachelor of Screen Arts - Concept Art and Design Major

Bachelor of Screen Arts - Concept Art and Design Major

Bachelor of Screen Arts

Enrol in the Bachelor of Screen Arts Concept Art and Design Major and join a creative team dedicated to crafting rich storytelling experiences. You'll be part of a community that values collaboration and creativity-driven solutions. Develop practical skills in world-building and character development, focusing on audience-centred storytelling. You'll work on both solo and collaborative projects, gaining a wide range of skills and experiences to prepare you for a rewarding and creative career in the screen industries.

SIT now offers the Screen Arts programme in a HyFlex ('Hybrid-Flexible') format, combining face-to-face (F2F) and online learning.

Enrol
Enrol via email
Enquire
Key Details
Invercargill / Hyflex
Qualification:
Degree
Level:
7
Credits:
360
Duration:

Three years full-time,

Part time study is available.

Study Modes:
Dates:

2027 Semester 1: 15 February to 19 November

Fees:

This programme is eligible for the Zero Fees Scheme.

  • NO tuition fees
  • Direct material costs of just $2745 (Y1), $2745 (Y2) and $2781 (Y3) (GST inclusive)

International Fees can be found here.

The Bachelor of Screen Arts is a three-year programme that allows you to express your creativity using the latest techniques and technology.

You will engage and develop skills from day one in teamwork and collaboration, building critical creative problem-solving skills vital to working in the screen and animation industries. You will develop practical skills in both 2D and 3D art production to develop rich storytelling experiences for a diverse range of target audiences. You will be able to work on both solo and collaborative projects so you are exposed to a wide variety of skills and experiences which will prepare you for rewarding and creative future.

The Concept Art & Design major focuses on developing your creativity and technical skills to develop complex design-based projects. You will be getting experience using techniques from the creative industries.

You will learn:

  • Concept Art for games, animation and film
  • 2D and 3D art
  • Storyboarding
  • Studio and Digital Drawing 
  • Develop skills in communications, project management, leadership, and team building. 

While technology moves rapidly the skills in critical thinking, research, development, leadership and storytelling are universally transferable and will give students a foundation which will endure the changing technologies.

Other majors in the Bachelor of Screen Arts:

  • Animation
  • Film
  • Game Design

Year 1 Core Papers

BSA503 Cross-Disciplinary Workshops

Students will participate in cross-disciplinary workshops to gain an understanding of real-world creative industry practice and communication. Students will be introduced to industry-specific techniques, gaining knowledge and skills required to participate as part of a team. Students will develop research skills to identify and demonstrate historical and theoretical practice. Students will document and analyse the progression of their projects.

BSA542 Studio Digital 1 

Students will be introduced to the fundamentals of design within the current creative industries. Students will complete projects that meet the requirements of a design brief, implementing various software solutions to develop an understanding of how to read and use imagery. Students will also explore and create digital artworks which apply the fundamentals of design principles. Students will investigate and a diversity of historic and contemporary digital design practices.

BSA 532 Studio Photography 1

Students will be introduced to the latest processes and techniques of digital photography. Students will complete projects using various practical techniques and software solutions to develop an understanding of how to read and use digital photographic imagery. Students will also explore and create digital photographic artworks while developing a basic technical ability. Students will?gain knowledge of the field through the investigation and analysis of diverse, contemporary and historical photographic practices.

BSA515 Studio Drawing 1

Students will develop fundamental skills in drawing, both digitally and physically. Students will participate in a variety of different drawing methods such as life drawing, mural design, and prompt illustrations. Students will develop visual storytelling skills through producing a narrative-driven short, illustrated project. Students will discuss relevant existing?and emerging practices, and reflectively document their project’s progress.? 

BSA529 Storyboarding 

Students will be introduced to the process of drafting and planning story driven short form screen arts projects. Students will learn basic screenwriting skills for short form narratives and how to design for a target audience. Students will gain an understanding of the creative process and apply visual language and film grammar to produce a completed storyboard and animatic project for the creative industries.

BSA 511 2D and 3D Concept Art & Design

Students will be introduced to fundamentals of design and presentation of effective storytelling and character concepts. Students will implement a design workflow to communicate 2D & 3D concepts to a chosen target audience. Students will produce a mixed media project to present their finalised concepts. Students will discuss relevant existing?and emerging practices, and reflectively document their project’s progress.

BSA570 Transmedia 1

Students will develop?a basic understanding of how audiences are engaged through transmedia storytelling across multiple media platforms. Students will research the use of a variety of media platforms and storytelling devices.?Students will produce a basic transmedia concept and explore its potential distribution, evaluating and documenting effectiveness in reaching target audiences. Students will also explore and evaluate contemporary transmedia practice.

Year 2 Core Papers

BSA603 Cross-Disciplinary Workshops 2

Students will participate and collaborate across disciplines to engage in a series of innovative and contemporary creative industry driven projects. Students will collaborate developing skills in versatility and adaptability within a visually creative environment. Students will research and develop an analytical understanding of emerging disciplines within the creative industries. Students will research and develop communication skills in leadership, decision-making, and group dynamics.

BSA612 World Building

Students will develop their narrative and conceptual art skills to create an original fictional world. Students will be introduced to tools to articulate and demonstrate their world to an audience.Students will also examine relevant existing and emerging practices, and document project progress through self-reflective commentaries.

BSA642 Studio Digital 2

Students will extend their understanding of project-focused research through creative industries practices. Within their fields, students will develop a body of work that reflects an in-depth investigation relevant to their research focus. Students will gain an understanding of the practical and theoretical implications of proposing, developing, and resolving a creative industries project. Students will engage in historical and contemporary research relevant to their research focus. Students will demonstrate experience evaluating a range of practical and digital materials and processes to engage with target audiences. Students will also utilise documentation as a key research method.

BSA 632 Studio Photography 2

Students will further develop their skills in the?latest?processes?and techniques of?digital photography. Students will complete projects?using?various practical techniques and software solutions to hone an understanding of how to read and use digital photographic imagery. Students will also produce digital photographic artworks developing?an advanced technical capability in the production and manipulation of photographic images.?Students will?gain knowledge of the field through research and the inclusion of diverse, contemporary,?and historical?photographic practices.

BSA615 Studio Drawing 2

Students will develop both physical and digital drawing skills. Students will explore their drawing methods by participating in a variety of group and individual exercises such as mural design, life drawing, and prompt illustrations. Students will produce a narrative-driven illustrated project, such as a graphic novel, children’s book, motion comic, manga, or comic, that distinguishes their own creative voice. Students will also examine relevant existing and emerging practises, and document project progress through self-reflective commentaries.

BSA 611 Character, Environment & Prop Design

Students will develop design and communication skills by working from a brief provided by a real or theoretical client. Students will produce a costume piece, prop or environment project that supports character development and world building from concept to completion. Students will create a conceptual project, such as an illustrative or documentative art book, with a focus on a potential client’s creative industry project. Students will also examine relevant existing and emerging practices, and document project progress through self-reflective commentaries. 

BSA670 - Transmedia 2

Students further develop their?understanding of how transmedia practices engage storytelling across multiple media platforms. Students will?research and evaluate?relevant transmedia practices in terms of their specific use of?media platforms and storytelling devices. Students will produce a?compelling, integrated?transmedia project. Students will research, design, and execute a transmedia concept. Students will evaluate and use documentation to articulate the projects effectiveness to communicate a single narrative to target audiences.

Year 3 Core Papers

BSA701 Studio Project 1

Students will build knowledge and skills in communications and management strategies to lead a deadline-driven creative project within a team environment. Students will explore and research relevant existing and emerging practices. Students will develop and produce a project utilising and challenging each member’s current technical and aesthetic talent base. Students will explore pipeline/workflow and time management models, while maintaining best health, wellness and safety practices while observing legal and ethical considerations. Students will explore and critically engage in audience research to ensure all concepts and designs are user centric. Students will critically analyse and execute transmedia approaches to release the final project.

BSA702 Studio Project 2

Students will build knowledge and skills in communications and management strategies to develop or produce a creative project. Students will develop individual or collaborative projects with peers or external partners but must implement individual processes with legal considerations. Students will plan and implement pipelines/workflows that embed researched and evaluated ethics, health, safety, and wellbeing procedures. Students will identify audience to ensure all concepts and designs are user-centric and have clear approaches to brand development and product release. Students will critically analyse and execute transmedia approaches to release their final project.

When you complete the programme you will have the broad range of skills necessary for an industry that increasingly asks for people with a multidisciplinary approach. Depending on the specialisation chosen, you will be able to look for work in numerous roles within the creative industries such as concept artist for games, animation, film or television projects. The real strength of the programme is that graduates will have had some experience in many of these areas, a quality that will become increasingly important as technologies converge.

Entry requirements

Portfolio and application requirements

You’ll need to provide the following with your application:

Film portfolio
Provide links to examples of your film work online, such as a YouTube or Vimeo playlist or collection. Your portfolio should demonstrate your filming and editing skills and can include documentary, scripted or experimental work.

Photography portfolio
Provide at least 10 examples of your photography that demonstrate both your technical and creative skills, including areas such as exposure and composition.

Previous study
Provide evidence of relevant prior learning, such as academic transcripts.

Personal statement
Provide a one-page handwritten statement outlining your interests and goals, including why you want to pursue film as a career.

Referees
Provide contact details for two people who know you well, such as a teacher or employer.

Interview
Following assessment of your application, a time will be arranged for you to meet with the Programme Manager or an appropriate staff member.

Your application should demonstrate maturity, originality, creativity and the ability to develop interesting and engaging stories.

School leavers

You’ll need University Entrance (NCEA Level 3), including:

  • 14 credits in each of three approved Level 3 subjects
  • Literacy: 10 credits at Level 2 or above, including 5 credits in reading and 5 in writing
  • Numeracy: 10 credits at Level 1 or above from approved achievement standards, or all three numeracy unit standards: 26623, 26626 and 26627

Mature applicants

If you’re 20 or older when the programme begins, you may apply based on your skills and relevant work or other experience.

An equivalent external or overseas qualification may also be considered, subject to approval by the Head of Faculty.

Special admission

If you’re under 20 and don’t meet the standard entry requirements, you may still be considered in exceptional circumstances if you can demonstrate your ability to succeed in the programme.

You’ll need to have successfully completed an approved course or programme that prepares you for the required academic level.

If you don’t meet the academic requirements, you may also be able to enrol provisionally in one or more Year One courses. After successfully completing these, you can apply for special admission or mature entry.

English language requirements

If English is not your first language, you’ll need to provide evidence of your English language ability.

Accepted evidence may include eligible previous study completed in English in New Zealand, Australia, Canada, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, the United Kingdom or the United States, or an approved English language test.

Common test requirements include:

  • IELTS Academic: 6.0 overall, with no band below 5.5
  • TOEFL iBT: 60, with a writing score of 18
  • TOEFL pBT: 550, with TWE 5
  • PTE Academic: 50, with no band below 42
  • Cambridge English: B2 First, B2 First for Schools, C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency, score 169, with no skill below 162
  • OET: Grade C or 200 in all sub-tests
  • NZCEL: Level 4 Academic
  • LanguageCert: C1 Expert International ESOL Written (LRW) Pass, with at least 25/50 in each skill, and Spoken (S) Pass
  • Trinity ISE: ISE II, with at least Distinction in each band

Other recognised evidence of English proficiency may also be accepted. Test scores must be achieved in a single test within the two years before enrolment.

In order to be awarded the Bachelor of Screen Arts the student will have been credited with all required papers and electives as specified in the schedule of papers (360 credits).

The overall programme of study for every candidate requires 360 credits for successful completion of the degree.

  • Every candidate is required to pass 120 credits at Year One.
  • Every candidate is required to pass 120 credits at Year Two.
  • Every candidate is required to pass 120 credits at Year Three.

Individual papers may have specific pre-requisites or other knowledge/skill requirements, which must be satisfied by all students.

Screen Arts Block Course – all level 5 students

Monday 12 February – Friday 23 February, 9am – 5pm.

Meet at Te Rau o Te Huia (SIT Creative Centre) – J Block

Suggested Courses