Make your dream of a career in fashion a reality with the Bachelor of Screen Arts - Digital Fashion Technology major. The Digital Fashion Technology major focuses on developing your creativity and technical skills with digital software packages relevant to the contemporary fashion design industry, while also teaching you about the industry's processes, pipelines and supply chain management.
Three years full-time,
Part time study is available.
This programme is eligible for the Zero Fees Scheme.
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 digital technology.
It will develop your creativity and technical abilities that are well sought after in this rapidly changing industry. You will be encouraged to develop individual projects which have distinctive conceptual, aesthetic and technical outcomes.
In ten years’ time, the technology we use today will be obsolete, however skills in storytelling, character development, research and critical thinking, are enduring, irrespective of future technology.
Other majors in the Bachelor of Screen Arts:
Bachelor of Screen Arts (Digital Fashion Technology)
Year 1
BSA 503 - Cross-Disciplinary Workshops
Students will participate in cross-disciplinary workshops to gain an understanding of real-world screen industry contexts. Students will be introduced to industry specific research and development strategies gaining the knowledge and skills required to execute a project or projects across disciplines. Students will develop basic research skills to identify the significance of historical and theoretical contexts and methodologies and document and analysis their project progression.
BSA 542 - Studio Digital 1
Students will be introduced to the processes, standards and requirements of the contemporary screen arts industries. Students will complete projects to meet the requirements of specifications implementing various software solutions to develop an understanding of how to read and use imagery. Students will also explore and create digital artworks developing the basic technical ability towards the realisation of ideas and gain knowledge of the field through the investigation and analysis of a diversity of historic and contemporary digital art practices.
BSA 509 - Introduction to Computer Aided Design
Students will be introduced to the digital software packages relevant to the contemporary digital fashion design industry’s processes and pipelines. Students will complete projects to meet the requirements of specifications implementing various software solutions to develop an understanding of how to read, create and use digital imagery. Students will also explore illustration and image manipulation applicable to the digital fashion design context and to accurately convey garment technical information. Students will create fashion concepts developing the basic technical ability towards the realisation of ideas and gain knowledge of the field through the investigation and analysis of a diversity of contemporary digital fashion design practices.
BSA 528 - Game Design 1
Students will develop the skills and understanding required to produce a small gaming project. Students will apply the principles of animation to a game production pipeline.
BSA 510 - Fashion Design & Production 1
Students will be introduced to the basic elements, principles and processes of design development and production in relation to the contemporary fashion industry. Students will gain an understanding of the essential stages through the design development process and explore ways to develop and present their design ideas from concept through to visual presentation. Students will become familiar with the basic machinery, techniques and terminology used in the construction area of the fashion industry and will produce basic quality garments constructed from their own patterns and designs. Students will develop skills in fundamental block drafting and garment construction techniques for a variety of garment types.
BSA 515 - Studio Drawing 1
Students will develop the fundamental drawing skills essential as an analytical, descriptive, and creative tool. Students will gain a range of observational and conceptual skills and be introduced to analytical aspects of drawing as an aid to visualising and interrogating ideas and recording practice using a variety of drawing approaches. Students will also be introduced to the human figure as a source to explore form, tone and composition. Students will be introduced to the history and theory of drawing and discuss and document its relevance and use in contemporary practice.
Year Two
BSA 603 - Cross-Disciplinary Workshops 2
Students will participate in cross-disciplinary workshops to expand their understanding of real-world screen industry contexts. Students will demonstrate their ability to engage in industry specific research and development to execute a practice-based investigation across disciplines. Students will research and identify relevant historical and theoretical contexts and implement appropriate project methodologies including the use of documentation and analysis as a research tool to drive project decision-making.
BSA 609 - Computer Aided Design 2
Students will utilize relevant digital software packages effectively to meet the requirements of the contemporary fashion design industry’s processes and pipelines. Students will complete projects to meet the requirements of specifications implementing appropriate software solutions to demonstrate the ability to read, create and use imagery effectively. Students will demonstrate capability in illustration and image manipulation applicable to the fashion design context. Students will accurately convey garment technical information and research applicable design communication pipelines. Students will propose and create fashion concepts demonstrating the technical ability to realise and resolve ideas. Students will also further develop their knowledge of the field through the investigation and analysis of contemporary fashion design practices relevant to proposed fashion concepts.
BSA 615 - Studio Drawing 2
Students will build on the foundation of the first-year drawing paper to reinforce and expand their observational, analytical and creative skills and knowledge. Students will utilise practical drawing tools in thematic and conceptual projects to explore the use of drawing as an art form. Students will analyse and identify the visual language used in a range of historic and contemporary drawing practices to begin to develop their own ‘voice’ within drawing practice.
BSA 628 - Game Design 2
Students will acquire core skills and an understanding of the creative process underpinning a game development pipeline and studio. Students will participate in the design and creation of concepts and artwork for game level one world prototype.
BSA 610 - Fashion Design & Production 2
This paper enables students to extend their skills and knowledge in specialised pattern making and garment construction techniques using both conventional and unconventional methods. Students will design and produce a mini collection of unique and original fashion garments from initial concept through to completion of the garments by implementing specialised techniques throughout all stages of the process. Students will also explore and discuss business options within the contemporary fashion industry and relate those options to specific design projects.
Year Three
BSA703 - Studio Project 1
Students will build on knowledge gained in earlier papers strengthening skills and knowledge required to operate within a deadline-driven studio production environment. Developing and implementing effective communication and management strategies, students will work on a collaborative group project. Students will receive a brief and form a company to produce, promote and present a major project applicable to the screen industries (as approved by Tutor/PM). Students will explore industry relevant research and development strategies to inform the conceptual, technical and aesthetic aspects of the project to achieve the most effective, efficient production outcomes. Students will investigate target audience and transmedia approaches to brand development. Students will plan and present project as part of a promoted public event.
BSA725 - Studio Project 2
Students will build on knowledge gained in BSA703 strengthening skills and knowledge required to operate within a deadline-driven studio production environment. Students will apply their communication and management strategies to work on either a collaborative group or an individual research question driven project applicable to the screen industries (as approved by Tutor/PM). Students may choose to form a company to produce, promote and present a major project or work from a brief provided by an external partner (to be approved by Tutor/PM). Students will employ industry relevant research and development strategies to inform the conceptual, technical and aesthetic aspects of the project to achieve the most effective, efficient production outcomes. Students will identify target audience and apply transmedia approaches to brand development. Students will plan and present project as part of a promoted public event.
School Leavers
University Entrance - NCEA Level 3 - three subjects at Level 3, made up of:
14 credits each, in three NZQA University Entrance approved subjects, and
Literacy – 10 credits at Level 2 or above, made up of five credits in reading and five credits in writing, and
Numeracy – 10 credits at Level 1 or above, made up of specified achievement standards through a range of subjects, or a package of three numeracy unit standards (26623, 26626, 26627 – all three required)
Mature Applicants
Be at least 20 years of age when the programme begins and provide evidence of aptitude or appropriate work or other experience; or completion of an external or overseas qualification which is considered to be the equivalent of any of the above qualifications, as approved by the Head of Faculty.
Special Admission
Notwithstanding the above admissions categories, in exceptional circumstances, an applicant below the age of 20 who can show evidence of ability to succeed in the programme may be considered for admission, provided the applicant has successfully completed an approved course or programme which is deemed to prepare graduates for the required academic standard for entry.
An applicant who does not meet academic criteria, may be provisionally admitted to enrol in one or more Year One papers, provided he or she meets the requirements above. Upon successful completion of the papers, the student may apply for special admission or admission by mature entry.
Additional Criteria - Portfolio Requirements
Applicants are required to submit a portfolio of their work with their application as follows:
English Language Requirements
Applicants, whose first language is not English, or who come from a country where the language of instruction in schools is not English, are required to provide evidence of having achieved one of the following:
NCEA Level 3 with University Entrance, or
an International Baccalaureate Diploma or Cambridge A- level qualification for which the teaching and assessment was conducted in English, or
Cambridge Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (CELTA),or Trinity College London Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (CertTESOL), or
Successful completion of all primary education (being the equivalent of New Zealand primary school years 1 to 8) and at least three years of secondary education (being the equivalent of three years from New Zealand secondary school years 9 to 13) at schools in either New Zealand, Australia, Canada, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States one of the countries listed in Rule 18.5 where the student was taught using English as the language of instruction, or
Successful completion of at least five years of secondary education (being the equivalent of New Zealand secondary school years 9 to 13) at schools in either New Zealand, Australia, Canada, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States where the student was taught using English as the language of instruction, or
Successful completion of a Bachelors' Degree, Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma, Bachelor Honours degree, Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma, Masters' Degree or Doctoral Degree, the language of instruction of which must be in English and which must be from a tertiary education provider from New Zealand, Australia, Canada, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, the United Kingdom or the United States, or
Successful completion of one of the following internationally recognised proficiency tests listed below to the level required of the programme of study and with all scores achieved in a single test during the two years preceding the proposed date of enrolment:
IELTS test - Academic score of 6 with no band score lower than 5.5 TOEFL Paper based test (pBT) - Score of 550 (with an essay score 5 TWE) TOEFL Internet based test (iBT) - Score of 60 (with a writing score of 18) Cambridge English Examination - B2 First or B2 First for schools or C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency with a score of 169. No less than 162 in each skill. OET - Minimum of Grade C or 200 in all sub-tests NZCEL - a) Expiring Level b) Current: a) Level 4 (Academic) b) Level 4 (Academic) Pearson Test of English (Academic) - PTE (Academic) score of 50 with no band score lower than 42 Language Cert - C1 Expert IESOL (LRWS) with PASS and no less than Pass in each skill Trinity ISE - ISE II with no less than distinction in any band
* New versions of some NZCEL qualifications, and in some cases new qualifications, were published on 13 June 2017. These are intended to replace pre-existing versions and qualifications, which have been given expiring status until discontinued on 31 December 2019. (a) denotes expiring (b) denotes current.
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.
Individual papers may have specific pre-requisites or other knowledge/skill requirements, which must be satisfied by all students.
Classes are held Monday to Friday, 9.00am-5.00pm at SIT's Downtown Campus (Don St, Invercargill).
