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Our People

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Our people are talented and passionate digital design experts who bring a wealth of knowledge, experience and empathy to the Media Design School teaching environment.

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    Frances Valintine

    • Position:

      CEO

    Frances Valintine is the Chief Executive of Media Design School. She has provided the long-term direction for the development of the school and its programmes as well as ensuring the continuation of innovation and excellence that has shaped Media Design School into the world-class institute it is today. Frances’s career commenced in Europe where she worked in the design sector before returning to New Zealand in the early 1990s. Over the past twenty years she has worked extensively in the creative and technology sectors, including the development of a high-tech interactive company. She is deeply committed to the school’s ongoing development and delivery of highly relevant qualifications. Frances is a board member of the Santa Fe University of Art & Design in New Mexico, the New Zealand Game Developer’s Association and deputy chairperson for the Independent Tertiary Institutes of New Zealand. Frances is an exhibiting designer, a published writer and strong advocate for the arts.

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    Fionna Scott

    • Position:

      Dean of School

    Fionna Scott is the Dean of School. She joined Media Design School in 2011, after 20 years at Whitecliffe College of Art and Design. In addition to extensive experience in tertiary education management and teaching, Fionna has a background in psychology and ergonomics. After many years in a fine arts environment, Fionna is now able to indulge her passion for all things Star Wars and is looking forward to making a difference as Media Design School moves to mostly degree level provision.

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    David McCurdy

    • Position:

      Academic Manager

    David McCurdy is the Academic Manager at Media Design School. David is the original designer of Media Design School's Graduate Diploma of Game Development and the degree programmes. David has worked on robotic vision research both in academia and industry. David is a multi-award winning researcher.

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    Nick Konings

    • Position:

      Academic Leader, Design

    Nick discovered his passion for graphic design while working as an editor for an educational publishing company. A year’s study at Media Design School prepared him for a two year stint in the advertising industry, followed by another five years as a graphic designer for the University of Auckland. His academic curiosity having got the better of him, Nick then began his Masters degree in Art and Design at the Auckland University of Technology - his research involved sculpture, photography, animation and interactive art. Nick has managed to win various awards for his research, the latest being the 2011 Dean's Award for Top Postgraduate Student. He has recently graduated with first class honours and looks forward to continuing his research into the relationships between graphics, identity, narrative and memory.