Study the Bachelor of Screen Arts Digital Fashion Technology major and be a part of a creative team that designs and develops rich storytelling experiences for a range of diverse clients in a range of diverse fields. You could be designing costumes for a game or film or starting your own fashion label. You will be part of a creative team development community which values collaborative practices and creative driven solutions. You will develop practical skills both digital pipeline production and practical traditional techniques. Designing and developing rich experiences with a client and customer focus. 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 in the creative fashion industries.
Three years full-time,
Part time study is available.
February - November
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.
You will engage and develop skills from day one in team work and collaboration, building critical creative problem-solving skills vital to working in the creative fashion industries. You will develop practical skills both digital and tradition methodologies developing rich story filled solutions for a diverse range of target audiences. You will be able to work on both solo and collaborative projects with clients and/or other screen arts disciplines and you will be exposed to a wide variety of skills and experiences which will prepare you for rewarding and creative future.
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:
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 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.
BSA 542 - Studio Digital 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.
BSA 509 - Introduction to Computer Aided Design
Students will be introduced to the latest computer aided design software to develop efficient and sustainable digital fashion workflows. Students will research how a digital workflow can speed up production and increase ethical practices within the industry. Students will design within a digital workflow and explore fabrication options to minimize waste and optimize production values. Students will explore applications for technology within the fashion, costume, and entertainment industries.
BSA 510 - Fashion Design & Production 1
Students will be introduced to the?basic principles and elements of fashion and the traditional design production process. Students will also research and apply skills in block drafting and garment construction techniques for a variety of garment types, whilst becoming familiar with?industrial machinery and?terminology used in fashion construction. Students will then expand their knowledge and creativity through textile exploration, manipulation and experimentation using a variety of sourced textiles and techniques. Finally, students will utilise the design process and knowledge gained to design, interpret, develop, refine, draft, and produce their own creative and unique range of quality garments for a specific target audience.
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.
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.?
Year Two
BSA 603 - 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.
BSA 642 - Studio Digital 2
Students will extend their understanding of project-focused research through creative industries practices. Within these 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 609 - Computer Aided Design 2
Students will be introduced to innovative collaborative fashion and costume design practices by using a variety of digital practices for design and fabrication. Students will research and analyse both contemporary and historical design practices that can be applied to a contemporary workflow. Students will design, develop, and select a mini collection of garment designs and prepare them within a digital and fabricated context. Students will further develop their understanding through exploration and application of these technologies to create interactive virtual experiences that enhance customer experience.
BSA 615 - 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 610 - Fashion Design & Production 2
Students will extend their knowledge and develop skills in specialised pattern making and?garment construction techniques using both conventional and unconventional methods. Students?will design and produce original mini garment collections from concept?through to completion by implementing specialised and unconventional techniques throughout?all stages of the process. Students will also explore and discuss historical and innovative practices within the fashion industry, relating and applying relevant options to their own design and production projects.?
Year Three
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.
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