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Diploma in Visual Effects & Motion Graphics

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  • NZQA: Approved Level 6 (160 credits)
  • Duration: 40 weeks
  • Fees: $9,730 (NZD) | $23,000 (international)
  • Next intake: 27 August 2012 - view intake calendar

    • Diploma in Visual Effects & Motion Graphics

    Please browse the course calendar below and note which intake works for you.

    Course Start Course Duration Course Application Deadline
    27 August 2012 40 weeks

Course Description

The Diploma of Visual Effects (VFX) and Motion Graphics qualification has been created for people with a love of design, moving images and moviemaking. Over this year-long course you’ll gain the skills necessary to turn that passion into a job in the broadcasting, post production or the visual effects industries.

These industries are multidisciplinary, and utilise professionals who have varied skill sets but specialise in specific areas of design, animation and photo realistic compositing. This year will give you the foundations that you need to start your career and specialise in your desired area.

This course is action-packed. You’ll work on a series of ‘live’ projects – often with external clients that Media Design School brings into the school – from experimental concept-driven pieces to blue screen productions, titling sequences (for broadcast media), advertising and music videos. Projects are a mixture of individual and team-based productions.

Student Work view student work Student Work view student work

Career Paths

Graduates from the Visual Effects course could expect to find employment opportunities primarily in the following areas:

Motion Graphics Artist in:
  • Broadcast television
  • Advertising agencies
  • Video post production
  • Motion design corporate and industrial video production
  • Motion design corporate event production
Visual Effects Artist:
  • Post production
  • Visual effects production companies
  • Production companies
Future Management Roles Could Include:
  • Director Of Motion Design
  • Visual Effects Supervisor

Course Breakdown

Overview Weeks 1-8

The first eight weeks focus on an overview of moving image production techniques including: Moviemaking fundamentals, design theory for the moving image (including graphic design, branding and identity design), Pre-Production (including ideation, storyboarding and visual communication), video editing, audio editing and technical considerations for video production.

Motion Graphics Weeks 9-17

The Motion Graphics component delves in-depth into skills required to put design in motion including: Composition, Shape and text choreography, 2D animation, compositing, tracking, manipulation of 2D layers in 3D space and manipulation and animation of virtual cameras and lights.

Visual Effects (VFX) Weeks 18-26

The Visual Effects (VFX) Component continues to build on the skills you’ve learnt to date, as well as moving on to develop specialised skill sets in VFX procedures including: Roto paint, wire and rig removal, roto masking, matte painting, keying and plate integration using techniques such as light wrap and colour correction, and matching and grading (as well as camera matchmoving).

Production Projects Weeks 27-40

The programme concludes with a series of production projects that let you further develop and hone your skills in creating lifelike, fluid animated movement and photo realistic composits. Bring your creativity to life! The work done in this component is edited into the your final show reel portfolio.

Entry Requirements

Age:

Minimum 17 years (domestic) and 18 years (international).

Prerequisites:

An intermediate level of computing knowledge with graphical software (such as Photoshop) and a creative flair for visual storytelling. Experience with editing and After Effects would be helpful.

Portfolio Requirements:

Relevant work such as digital design, photography, or videos. You can download our Visual Effects and Motion Graphics-based project brief here to demonstrate competency if you have no existing portfolio work. Applicants must also be able to show they have a sufficient level of practical English in written, oral and comprehension form, as indicated by a minimum IELTS score of 5.5 or equivalent.

NB: The Diploma of Visual Effects and Motion Graphics does not teach 3D Computer Animation or Autodesk Maya (refer to 3D Computer Animation).