The New Zealand Diploma in Arts and Design (Level 5) is a one-year introductory creative programme designed to give students broad practical foundations across several areas of art and design.

The programme is particularly suitable for students who want to explore creative disciplines before choosing a more focused direction at Level 6 or degree level.

NMIT describes the programme as focusing on:

• Image making
• Photography
• Graphic/digital design
• Object design
• Art and design theory
• Professional practice
• Creative problem solving.

Why Study Arts and Design at NMIT?

1. Broad introduction to creative industries

One of the strongest features of the Level 5 diploma is that students do not have to commit immediately to one narrow creative discipline.

Students are exposed to:

• Photography
• Image and drawing
• Visual language
• Digital art and design
• Object design
• Professional practice
• Art and design history.

2. Hands-on studio learning

This is not designed as a purely theoretical art-history qualification.

NMIT states that students spend most of their time in studios and labs, taking ideas from concepts through to completed work.

Students can also have opportunities to share their work through:

• Class exhibitions
• Community events
• Creative projects.

3. Purpose-built Creative Industries facilities

NMIT's Creative Industries programmes are delivered in a dedicated facility at the Nelson Campus.

The Arts & Design area provides specialist spaces and technologies for:

• Digital design
• Graphic design
• Image making
• Lens-based media
• Object design
• Digital art
• Front-end website design
• Social media
• Animation
• Brand design
• Promotional artwork
• Photography
• Video production
• Jewellery
• Product design
• Sewing
• Sculpture.

Portfolio / Creative Work – Important Requirement

This is one of the most important admission requirements for international applicants.

All applicants must provide evidence of creative work.

NMIT wants to see evidence of the student's:

• Creative thinking
• Technical ability
• Design process
• Ability to develop ideas
• Presentation skills.

Examples of acceptable creative work

Students can submit things such as:

• Drawings
• Paintings
• Photography
• Digital design
• Multimedia
• Sketchbooks
• Workbooks
• Finished projects
• Process pieces
• Sewing/textile work
• Model making
• Collage
• Other creative personal projects.

What Will Students Learn?

The programme has eight compulsory courses.

1. Photography – AAD541

Students develop foundational photography skills and explore image-making through lens-based media.

Potential areas include:

• Camera techniques
• Image composition
• Visual storytelling
• Creative image development
• Photography processes.

2. Image and Drawing – AAD542

Students develop skills in visual representation and image making.

This can involve:

• Drawing
• Sketching
• Visual experimentation
• Developing concepts
• Translating ideas into visual outcomes.

3. Professional Practice 1 – AAD543

Introduces students to professional approaches within creative industries.

Students begin learning how to:

• Manage creative projects
• Respond to briefs
• Present work
• Communicate professionally
• Understand creative career pathways.

4. Visual Language – AAD544

Students learn how visual elements communicate ideas.

Areas can include:

• Composition
• Form
• Colour
• Shape
• Typography/visual elements
• Visual communication.

5. Digital Art and Design – AAD545

Students explore digital creative processes and technologies.

This is particularly relevant for students interested in:

• Graphic design
• Digital media
• Brand design
• Promotional artwork
• Screen-based design.

6. Object Design – AAD546

Students explore three-dimensional design and object development.

Potential creative areas include:

• Product concepts
• Materials
• Models
• Objects
• Sculpture
• Design processes. 

7. Professional Practice 2 – AAD547

Students build further professional and project-management capability.

8. Introduction to Art and Design History – AAD548

Students develop an understanding of the historical and contextual background of art and design.

This helps students understand how creative work relates to:

• Historical movements
• Cultural contexts
• Design traditions
• Contemporary creative practice.

Disciplines / Specialisations

The Level 5 programme does not have separate formal majors or specialisations.

Instead, students receive exposure to multiple creative disciplines.

Main areas include:

Photography

Lens-based image making and photography.

Image & Drawing

Drawing, image development and visual exploration.

Visual Language

Understanding how visual elements communicate.

Digital Art & Design

Digital creative processes, graphic design and screen-based work.

Object Design

Three-dimensional design, product concepts and objects.

Professional Practice

Creative project management, communication and career development.

Art & Design History

Historical and contextual understanding.

What Skills Will Graduates Develop?

On successful completion, students should be able to:

• Apply professional practices to creative projects
• Manage briefs within defined guidelines
• Research and develop creative ideas
• Critique their own work and others' work
• Communicate creative concepts
• Present resolved creative work
• Use investigative tools and technologies
• Develop creative responses to briefs
• Identify potential education and employment pathways

Career Outcomes

NMIT identifies entry-level opportunities such as:

Design

• Assistant Designer
• Design support roles
• Production support

Creative/Studio

• Studio Assistant
• Creative production support
• Technician roles

Arts

• Arts administration
• Arts sales
• Gallery/creative organisation support.

Wider Career Possibilities

Depending on the student's portfolio, additional skills and further study, the foundation can support progression toward areas such as:

• Graphic design
• Photography
• Digital design
• Multimedia
• Product/object design
• Visual arts
• Creative production
• Advertising
• Branding
• Web/digital design.

Who Should Choose This Programme?

This programme is a particularly good fit for a student who:

• Is creative and visually oriented
• Enjoys drawing, photography or design
• Wants practical rather than purely theoretical education
• Is interested in graphic/digital design
• Wants to explore several creative fields before specialising
• Wants to build a creative portfolio
• Is considering photography
• Is interested in product/object design
• Wants to work in the creative industries
• Plans to progress to Level 6 or bachelor's study.