The programme culminates in the development of a portfolio for application to continuing tertiary study at Whitecliffe and/or elsewhere in New Zealand, or overseas.

The Certificate in Digital Media + Design focuses on the development of theoretical knowledge and technical skills related to visual communication and drawing techniques and their application within the graphic design space. Upon completion of the programme, students will have built on the foundation skills that can be further developed in Whitecliffe's degree-level programmes.

 

Certificate in Digital Media + Design Course Outline

The programme culminates in the development of a portfolio for application to continuing tertiary study at Whitecliffe and/or elsewhere in New Zealand, or overseas.

The Certificate in Digital Media + Design focuses on the development of theoretical knowledge and technical skills related to visual communication and drawing techniques and their application within the graphic design space. Upon completion of the programme, students will have built on the foundation skills that can be further developed in Whitecliffe's degree-level programmes.

The emphasis of the Certificate in Digital Media + Design programme is on the understanding of critical thinking and technical processes as tools to solve for the design inquiry/brief. These are delivered through lectures, demonstrations, individual and peer discussions, and assignments of practical tasks and creative projects, both in-class as well as self-directed learning.

 

Certificate in Digital Media + Design Programme Overview

• Design
  Introduction to principles, elements, and processes of graphic design and typography, which are the building blocks of visual communication. The emphasis of this course is to provide students with an awareness of design principles, compositional, and typographic strategies applicable to the broader creative processes related to graphic design. Industry-standard technical skills related to digital software such as Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign are developed within this course.
   
• Drawing + Digital Media
  Introduction to drawing and digital processes related to photography, moving image, and concept design. Course content is designed to offer students an understanding of drawing practices as part of the graphic design workflow. Major projects for this course include digital photography and imaging, motion graphics, storyboarding, and concept design. In parallel to developing an in-depth understanding of conceptualisation sequence, and professional practice, industry-standard technical skills related to digital software such as Adobe Premiere Pro and After Effects are developed within this course.
   
• Graphic Illustration
  This is an introduction to illustration processes and techniques with a focus on the study of creative approaches to digital production and graphical styles. Students will select and experiment from a range of illustrative media and contemporary themes to develop technical skills related to rendering both analogue and digital.
   
• Publication Design
  This is an introduction to principles and processes of publication design with a focus on a specific audience. Students will develop an understanding of functionality in graphic design and compositional strategies related to page layout.

 

Workshops

• Design Research Workshop
  A course with a focus on fundamental methods of visual recording, critical analysis, and experimental work-making. Students will explore and learn creative processes related to accessing and recording of information from various sources to build a visual reference bank which is an integral part of their art-making process.
   
• Contextual Studies Workshop
  A block course with a focus on critical students and collaborative work-making related to contextual themes. Students will have the opportunity to explore the generation of creative concepts from a body of research that translates into a collaborative art and design project developed with their peers.
   
• Portfolio Techniques Workshop
  A block course with a focus on portfolio design and exhibition practices. The course aims to provide students with an opportunity to bring together all creative works generated from the Certificate in Digital Media + Design programme to be collated into a conclusive showcase of their work.