Begin your adventure in the creative industries with the New Zealand Certificate in Digital Media and Design! Collaborate with our creative teams to hone your skills in animation, digital painting, filmmaking, photography, character sculpting, and game development. This course provides an exciting opportunity to explore a wide range of creative processes, laying the foundation for your growth in the creative industries.
Important Notice:
20 weeks full-time
2027 Semester 1: 15 February to 25 June
This programme is eligible for the Zero Fees Scheme.
International Fees can be found here.
The New Zealand Certificate in Digital Media and Design (Level 3) aims to provide students with the creative skills and knowledge required to start their journey into the Creative Industries.
Students learn to develop storytelling skills over a number of different platforms. They make a portfolio of an animated character, be able to use this to make a 2D platformer and publish this for PC gaming. They work on a short live-action film running their own set and as a small group. Photography skills will develop their understanding of cameras, composition, light and colour. Students will learn how to sculpt their characters using a number of traditional and digital techniques for a short stop-motion film. All these skills will give the learner a great portfolio of practical work to be able to develop their creative career in their desired direction.
Students will be exposed to industry-standard software such as Adobe Collection, Toon Boom Harmony, Dragonframe, Maya, Unity and many more. Industry-standard Hardware with custom build HP Z workstations and Wacom Cintiq drawing tablets.
Compulsory
NZCDMD101 Animation
Students will develop character design and character motion knowledge, developing a motion portfolio for their characters. This will include run and walk cycles, idles and actions.
NZCDMD102 Gaming
Students will develop game design knowledge and apply this to making a 2D game for the PC platform.
NZCDMD103 Film
Students will work in small teams to run a film set and develop a short live-action film.
NZCDMD104 Sculpture
Students will learn how to develop sculptural techniques to build a small stop-motion set and accompany characters to develop a short stop-motion film.
NZCDMD105 Painting
Students will develop digital painting techniques to be able to develop concepts and deliver a short narrative-driven project.
NZCDMD106 Photography
Student will develop their knowledge of different photographic techniques and present a portfolio of a themed project.
The Creative Industries is a vibrant and growing Industry and graduates can go onto further study and develop their pathways into industries such as film, animation, game design, concept develop, digital content creators and many many more creative opportunities.
Entry requirements
School leavers
You must be at least 17 years old when the programme begins.
Ideally, you’ll have NCEA Level 2 or 3.
Mature applicants
If you’re 20 or older when you enrol, you may be considered if you can demonstrate your ability to succeed in the programme.
Evidence may include:
Your relevant experience, previous study and commitment to completing the programme will be considered as part of the application process.
In exceptional circumstances, mature applicants who do not meet the standard entry requirements may also be considered if they have successfully completed an approved course or programme that demonstrates they are prepared for study at the required academic level.
English language requirements
If English is not your first language, or your previous education was not taught in English, you’ll need to provide evidence of your English language ability.
You can meet this requirement through one of the following:
An approved English language proficiency test that meets the requirements below
English language test requirements
English language test scores must be achieved in a single test within the two years before enrolment.
To satisfactorily complete the New Zealand Certificate in Digital Media and Design (Level 3) and be awarded this qualification, the student must successfully achieve:
Please Note: Students failing to attend for 80% of the timetabled programme hours may forfeit Zero Fees entitlement.
This course gives learns a number of pathways into the Creative Industries. This inlcudes further study in the follow courses: