Pioneering Digital Creativity Since 1998

Founded in 1998 to meet the rising global demand for skilled graduates in digital design and creative technology, MDS has grown into New Zealand’s leading hub for creative innovation.

Our students and faculty create work that consistently earns recognition on the world stage, building a legacy of creativity and technical excellence. Strong industry partnerships give our students authentic projects, professional insights, and connections that launch lasting careers.

With innovation at our core, we remain committed to evolving our programmes, growing our community, and shaping the future of creativity in New Zealand and beyond.

Early film crew at MDS

Our History

25+ years of Creativity, Innovation, and Impact

Media Design School was founded in 1998

1998

Media Design School was founded in 1998 by Liz Valintine, and was the first to offer a dedicated programme of study in 3D Animation in the Southern Hemisphere.
We introduced our Diploma in Game Development

1999

We introduced our Diploma in Game Development, making us the first school in Aotearoa New Zealand to provide a specialised games course.
We adopted a VFX studio approach to the third year of our Animation course

2009

We adopted a VFX studio approach to the third year of our Animation course, including pipeline and professional set ups, which we still adhere to today, allowing our films to be shown at festivals around the world.
The first Girls in Games event

2013

The first Girls in Games workshop was held to engage and empower young women to pursue a career in STEAM subjects and promoting the video game industry as a viable career.
Over the Moon shown at Comic Con

2013

Over the Moon was produced and became the first of our films to be shown at Comic-Con in San Diego, and winning a collection of international film awards. Subsequent film Prickly Jam also received this same honour in 2022.
We partnered with Sony Playstation in 2014

2014

We partnered with Sony, becoming the first and only institution in Aotearoa New Zealand to offer PlayStation development as part of our degree programme.
Games studios start interviewing MDS students

2014

In 2014, Game developers including Pikpok and Grinding Gear Games interview third year students on campus before they graduate. This has since expanded to include A44, Outerdawn and BuildMedia, with more on the horizon.
Student game Reverie is released on the PS4 and PlayStation Vita

2018

Student game Reverie is released on PlayStation Vita, and Sky Noon is released on Steam. More recently, Falsepine in 2022, and Bronzebeard’s Tavern in 2023 were also released on Steam to amazing success.
Creative Advertising students win their first D&AD pencil

2019

AdSchool students win their first D&AD pencil. Since then, AdSchool students have won three more, including two Yellows (the top award available).
Our new campus at Wynyard Quarter

2021

Media Design School shifts locations from Albert Street to a newly built campus in Wynyard Quarter.
Rose Norgrove wins the prestigious International Red Dot Award for design

2021

Rose Norgrove, student of the Bachelor of Media Design wins the prestigious International Red Dot Award for design with project Dual.
We became a Houdini Certified School

2022

We became a certified Houdini partner, which has been renewed every year based on our performance.
We're ranked number 1 in NZ by Animation Career Review

2023

Ranked 1st in New Zealand and 12th in the world for Animation Colleges by Animation Career Review.
Adobe Creative Campus

2024

We became the 1st Adobe Creative Campus in New Zealand

A Legacy of Creativity, A Future of Innovation

In 2023 we proudly celebrated 25 years of MDS with a milestone event woven into our annual End of Year Show. The celebration honoured not only our graduating cohort, but also generations of alumni whose work has set — and continually raised — the benchmark for creative excellence.

Alumni returned to share the moment, many now established industry leaders, reflecting on where their journeys began and the paths they’ve carved since. The event brought together MDS’s past, present, and future in one inspiring showcase — a reminder of the community we’ve built and the creativity still to come.

Satellite Learning Centres

Accessibility can shape a student’s future - which is why MDS has established Satellite Learning Centres in Northland and South Auckland.

Developed in partnership with local organisations, these centres reduce the cost and challenge of travel while preserving the collaborative, social learning experience that defines MDS.

Our goal is simple: to give more students the opportunity to access world-class creative education, no matter where they live or what their background.

NGEN Room

Whangarei, Northland

The NGEN Room prides themselves on holding high standards for their tutors to deliver leading tech industry skills, professionalism and ethics.

NGEN Room

The Cause Collective

Wiri, Auckland

The Cause Collective is a community organisation that aims to create the conditions for communities to thrive from this generation to the next.

The Cause Collective