Name: NZ Certificate in Digital Media and Design
Price: 6026 NZD

Qualification

20 Weeks

Level 4 (60 Credits)

Start Dates

20 July 2026

22 February 2027

19 July 2027

Course Fees

Domestic $4,792.00 NZD

International $13,572.00 NZD

Admission Requirements

NZ Certificate in Digital Media and Design (Level 4) qualification must provide evidence of the following:

a Domestic Student; or
an Australian citizen or Australian permanent resident currently residing in New Zealand
and is 16 years of age or over

Portfolio Requirements

N/A

Click here to access key information about this qualification

Study Mode

20 Weeks (Full time)
40 weeks (Part time)

Full time Part time

Study on campus Study online Study at NGEN Room, Whangarei

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Build creative confidence and explore your design future

You’ll develop foundational skills across branding, visual communication, web design, and multimedia while learning in a supportive, studio-style environment. The programme helps you build confidence with creative tools, understand how digital design works in practice, and create early portfolio pieces to support progression into bachelor’s-level study. It’s an ideal starting point if you’re passionate about design but still shaping your direction.

With upcoming changes to the Government’s Fees Free policy, the July 2026 intake may be one of the final opportunities for eligible students to access Fees Free funding for an MDS pre-degree certificate. Find out what this means for future students here - Last Chance for Fees Free – MDS Pre-Degree Pathway.

What you'll cover in this course

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

Apply professional practices and creative processes - such as discovery, conceptualisation, iteration, prototyping, and presentation - to develop digital media solutions in response to a project brief.
Use a range of technical tools and methods to design, produce, and present creative digital media work.
Apply knowledge of design elements and principles to assess and refine the quality of digital media outcomes.

Component Name	Credits	Toggle
Graphic Design	15
Explore the core principles of graphic design through hands-on projects and practical learning. You'll be introduced to colour theory, typography, layout, and composition, and learn how to apply these using industry tools like Adobe Illustrator and InDesign. Alongside design skills, you’ll build problem-solving and project management capabilities that will support your creative growth and help prepare you for further study in design. Learning Outcomes 1. Develop creative processes from discovery to concept development in response to a design brief. 2. Apply technical skills and tools to produce a digital media design outcome. 3. Use design principles to inform and justify creative choices. Level 4 DM100

Web Design	15
Gain a solid foundation in front-end web design and development. Learn how to apply design principles to digital interfaces, understand basic HTML and CSS, and explore responsive design practices. You’ll also enhance your project planning, communication, and digital literacy - skills that will support you as you transition into further study in digital or interactive design. Learning Outcomes 1. Develop creative processes through review and iteration in response to a design brief. 2. Apply front-end web design tools and techniques to create digital outcomes. 3. Present your work using appropriate visual and verbal communication methods. Level 4 DM200

Motion Design	15
Get introduced to the dynamic world of motion graphics. Learn the fundamentals of animation, timing, and movement while working with tools such as Adobe After Effects and Media Encoder. You’ll build foundational knowledge across the production pipeline - from concept and storyboard to rendering - and develop transferable skills in time management and critical thinking. Learning Outcomes 1. Develop creative processes through review and iteration in response to a design problem. 2. Use technical tools to design and animate digital media content. 3. Produce a completed motion design piece that reflects your creative intent. Level 4 DM300

Portfolio Design	15
Build a foundation for presenting your creative work with confidence. Learn how to curate and communicate your ideas effectively through a portfolio format. Explore the fundamentals of visual storytelling, layout, audience engagement, and self-promotion. This component also supports development in areas like time management and professional communication - key to succeeding in future design studies. Learning Outcomes 1. Explore creative processes from concept to presentation in response to a design brief. 2. Apply technical and design skills to present your work in a portfolio format. 3. Experiment with visual elements to communicate ideas clearly and effectively. Level 4 DM400

The Certificate in Digital Media and Design set you up perfectly to go into one of our Bachelor programmes, and onto an exciting career path in your chosen field.

Graphic Design - Bachelor of Media Design

Graphic Design teaches you how to communicate using text, image and form to make visual connections and craft the seeds of ideas and information into meaningful interactions.

Our Bachelor of Media Design programme teaches you important design skills in Year 1, then go on to major in Graphic Design for Year 2 and 3.

Check out our Design course

Motion Design - Bachelor of Media Design

Motion graphics is a term used to describe graphics in movement. It involves bringing new life to otherwise static images by incorporating the aspect of time and space into the equation. Motion graphics contain design elements like shape, typography and composition in order to add movement to a print or static visual design piece.

Our Bachelor of Media Design programme teaches you important design skills in Year 1, then go on to major in Motion Design for Year 2 and 3.

Check out our Design course

Interactive (UX) Design - Bachelor of Media Design

Interactive design defines the way in which a user interacts with a digital product or service. It involves taking the time to understand who the users are, the products they interact with, and incorporating the right design elements to make the user experience as accessible as possible.

Our Bachelor of Media Design programme teaches you important design skills in Year 1, then go on to major in Motion Design for Year 2 and 3.

Check out our Design course