Digital Media and Design

Explore your creativity through modern digital media guided by mātauranga Māori. In this certificate, you'll gain practical experience using industry-standard tools while embedding tikanga and kaupapa Māori into your creative practice. 

Learn about principles of design and how to incorporate elements of te ao Māori into your work. You'll be able to build your skills in graphic design and web design, using interactive elements to enhance your work and communicate your key messages.   

At the end of this programme, you'll not only get a certificate - you'll also walk away with hands-on experience and a design portfolio to help you boost your career in the creative industry to the next level. 

When you complete this programme, you'll get this qualification:

• New Zealand Certificate in Digital Media and Design Level 4 

• elements and principles of design
• the design process
• Māori design and pūrākau
• online media design
• creating a design portfolio

Some of your learning time will be kaiako-directed. Your kaiako will guide you through instruction and learning activities at a scheduled time and place.

• This might be in a classroom, online sessions, one-day wānanga, or noho.

The rest of your learning time will be activity-directed. Activity-directed learning is self-guided in your own time and space.

• This might consist of completing online activities, attending events, preparing for assessments, or engaging with supporting materials.

Some learning activities will need to be completed online. You’ll need to have access to an internet-connected device to participate in this programme. 

The programme is delivered over 20 weeks, which means you’ll be expected to commit an average of 30 hours per week to your study. Throughout the programme you will be required to attend:

• 3 x 6-hour classes per week

In addition to these attendance hours, you’ll be expected to complete learning activities designed to enhance your learning for approximately:

• 12 hours per week

Some learning activities will need to be completed online. You’ll need to have access to an internet-connected device to participate in this programme.

 
In some locations this programme may be provided by an approved sub-contract arrangement.

To enrol in this programme, you must:

• be 16 years or older
• be a New Zealand citizen or resident (or citizen of Australia, Tokelau, Niue or the Cook Islands)
• reside in New Zealand
• have NCEA Level 1 literacy credits or demonstrate equivalent competence in literacy, OR
• have completed the New Zealand Certificate in Digital Media and Design Level 3, OR
• have completed the New Zealand Certificate in Arts and Design Level 3

I want to keep studying?

You can continue to study art or design at Level 5 in Toi Paematua - Diploma in Māori & Indigenous Art.

I want to use my qualification

You may be able to find employment in junior assistant or support roles in digital media, design, or related creative industries.

The 2025 fees for this programme are:

• $1,900 GST inclusive

Are you eligible for fees-free study?

The Government has announced a final-year Fees Free policy starting from 1 January 2025.

If you are a first-time tertiary learner in 2025, you may be eligible for Fees Free support in your final year of study. You still need to arrange payment of programme fees to Te Wānanga o Aotearoa. Once you have completed your first qualification you may be able to claim the fees back from the IRD from 2026 onwards.

For more information about the final-year Fees Free policy, visit: feesfree.govt.nz. 

Graphic Design Fundamentals | 15 credits

The aim of this kōnae ako is to introduce key elements and principles of design, the overall design process and industry standard digital design tools. Tauira will also be introduced to the use of a Whakaahua (design process) book to document the evolution and progress of their designs fostering reflective practice and continuous improvement.

Introduction to Mātauranga Māori Design Philosophy and Tikanga | 15 credits

The aim of this kōnaeako is to introduce design philosophy using a Mātauranga Māori lens and supported by tikanga. Tauira will gain an understanding of Māori symbology, shape, form, pattern, colour, storytelling through pūrākau and tikanga across contexts and application including taiao and tinana. Expansive thinking is also introduced covering rangahau, critical thinking, problem solving, critique, review and quality assurance with a tikanga and values-based approach.

Online Media Design | 15 credits

The aim of this kōnaeako is to introduce elements and principles of digital media design including web design principles, user interface and experience design, interactive elements, animations and optimising graphics.  Tauira will create a variety of multimedia outputs including images, sounds, video and interactive media across various platforms.

Design Portfolio | 15 credits

The aim of this kōnaeako is for tauira to produce a portfolio of work demonstrating basic technical proficiency and design development, showcasing their creative outputs.  Within their portfolio, tauira will articulate the elements and principles of design utilised, the design process from conception to completion. Finally, tauira will reflect on their work, including personal and professional development that occurred throughout.