One year, full-time
February
Windermere Campus
Kick-start your career in graphic design. This programme has been designed with industry input, so you’ll be learning skills directly related to work opportunities. You’ll learn creative and technical design skills on the Mac platform from tutors experienced in illustration, print, press, multimedia and web. The programme teaches software applications, design research, visual and conceptual design, design and studio practice and web design, and you’ll get work experience as well.
See a montage of Certificate students' project work: Graphic Design Certificate Project Work
Entry
It is preferred that applicants have NZQA unit/NCEA achievement standard credits at Level 2 or higher in any of Art, Design, Photography and English. At the time of the information meeting all applicants must submit a portfolio of current artwork for evaluation.
Combinations of English, Maori, Graphics, Art, Design, Photography, Computing all provide appropriate academic preparation.
Portfolio: Applicants should submit 12 separate artworks. This work should be viewable in an A3 or A4 plastic binder/folder or singularly mounted on card for presentation. All work must be clearly named. A wide variety of artwork is ideal and could include (but is not limited to) drawings, illustrations, paintings, mixed-media, graphic/digital design, multimedia/web, photography, sculpture and/or craftwork. Work can be supplied on disc (CD), saved/exported as either j.peg or pdf format.
English Language Requirements
If you are an overseas student or a new resident and English is not your first language, please note that study at tertiary level requires both written and oral participation. You may be required to have an IELTS score of 5.5 or a TOEFL score of 500.
Qualifications Gained
- Certificate in Computer Graphic Design Level 4
Career Opportunities
Graphic design technician, advertising designer, graphic artist, desktop publisher, Mac operator.
Study Pathways
- Diploma in Graphic Design Level 6
- Bachelor of Design (Graphic Design) - (AUT)
- Bachelor of Media Arts (Visual Arts) - Wintec
- Bachelor of Computer Graphic Design - the University of Waikato.
Rebecca McLeay
Graduate - 2007 Certificate in Computer Graphic Design Level 4
Current student - 2009 Diploma in Graphic Design Level 6
"I grew up loving the outdoors and fresh open air of the country. So I started painting landscapes and developing a taste for the creative arts. Throughout school I always liked graphics and I had a particular strength in design. I knew I could carry that into the work force if I had the right qualification."
Moving to Tauranga wasn’t an instant decision for Rebecca. The 21 year old took a gap year working as a transmission and programme manager for the local TV station in Matamata when she came across Bay of Plenty Polytechnic’s Certificate in Computer and Graphic Design information on the internet.
"The programme content suited what I was looking for; a hands-on, practical course, rather than just theory, thereby giving students more of a realistic insight into the industry. So I decided to enrol."
"I really enjoyed the Graphic Design programme. The tutors were great and very approachable. They have a lot of knowledge and contacts in the area so they were able to assist us with finding employment in the industry. The tutors told me about a vacant position at a copy centre. I went along and got the job a few weeks after graduating."
After a successful year at Copy Corner Rebecca decided it was time to develop her skills even further and is now mid-way through the Diploma in Computer Graphic Design Level 6. She is enjoying it immensely and once qualified, plans to get into a design agency or work as an in-house designer for a company in the region.
"I highly recommend this programme to anyone with an interest in design as it is a great platform into the industry."
Profile written: 2009
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Tauranga 3143 ph: 07 544 0920
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