Overview
Overview
Whether you’re just starting out or you’ve got a few years’ experience behind you, this course will help you reach those all-important career goals. Our postgraduate design programme has been designed to encourage passionate people to develop their creative thinking, even if they don’t already have formal qualifications. Progress on to a Master of Design, or simply walk away with your completed Postgraduate Certificate in Design in 15 weeks. Apply now!
Why study postgraduate design?
You should study a postgraduate in Design if you wish to advance your Design career. The course gives you the freedom to expand your knowledge in a range of specialist subjects, develop your creative thinking skills, and progress to a Master’s Degree. All of which is done in a collaborative and inspiring creative space.
Course Outline
What you'll cover in this course
To complete a Postgraduate Certificate in Design, you must complete any two of the following components:
| Component Name | Credits | Toggle |
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Design Research: Connecting Texts, Deciphering Context
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30
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Discover the ways different types of ‘texts’ (not just the written kind!) can be linked to understand the range of situations in which a designer operates. Research design by exploring these possible connections within the framework of a real-world project. Working in a replicated work environment on actual industry briefs will add a practical focus to your learning. You’ll gain relevant experience and build valuable professional portfolio skills and content.
Level 8
PGD001
This course will be offered in Trimester 1
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Interdisciplinary Design Project: Emerging Contexts
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30
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In this component, you’ll gain skills in the analysis of research data for application in visual research and design. Here, emerging technologies across a range of design disciplines are used to study both people and cultural phenomena (such as target audiences). In turn, these tools are utilised to inform your design decisions. Because emphasis is placed on gaining understanding through making, you’ll use audio, visual and textual elements (and more!) in your designed communication responses to a real-world project.
Level 8
PGD002
This course will be offered in Trimester 1
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Contemporary Design Issue: Creative Futures
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30
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A live brief is used to explore how design interventions can have profound and ongoing effects on the world - both intended and unintended. This component investigates the ways that designed things such as equipment, services, interfaces or environments shape environments, behaviours and attitudes. Drawing upon contemporary philosophies of technology and theories of practice, you’ll learn about the tools that are critical to design and that can richly engage with the complexity of living. You’ll gain a reflective awareness of the ways in which design can reconfigure ways to produce more considerate and sustainable products, services and approaches that benefit both people and the planet.
Level 8
PGD003
This course will be offered in Trimester 2
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Special Topic Project: Creative Entrepreneurship
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30
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Step out of your comfort zone by crossing the boundaries of your known discipline to contribute to a real-world project that requires a fresh solution. This component explores the potential of design thinking as a generator of state-of-the-art and entrepreneurial strategies, practices and designed things through innovation challenges. This requires the application of both corporate and academic research in conjunction with savvy design methodology. You’ll work both independently and in a team to respond to a client’s requirements and you’ll need to consider the effect of your choices on outcomes throughout the process. Successful results will be risk-taking tactical and effective responses to the brief provided.
Level 8
PGD004
This course will be offered in Trimester 2
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Special Topic Project: Design and Economies
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30
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Design is profoundly affected by the economy in which it is embedded. In this component you’ll take a real-world project brief and employ it to rethink assumptions about the unsustainable growth-based and unstable economies of the 21st Century. The outcome of this project is to survey critical approaches to an economy using design thinking to address such concerns as the implications of this economy for design; how more sustainable approaches to the economy might open new possibilities for design; and what role design might play in a transition to a different economic model.
Level 8
PGD005
This course will be offered in Trimester 3
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Interdisciplinary Design Theories: Dialogues
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30
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When one type of design intersects with another, the result can be a more comprehensive solution than a singular, traditional approach might provide. Working in diverse teams of designers from a range of disciplines can build ground-breaking outcomes. This component will introduce you to texts, conversations and viewpoints drawn from assorted disciplinary contexts that are of relevance to design, including philosophy, sociology, anthropology, technology, history, and a range of media. Here, you’ll work in teams to engage with ideas that are (or have been) influential in shaping ways in which designers can ideate in order to unpack solutions to interdisciplinary real-world problems.
Level 8
PGD006
This course will be offered in Trimester 3
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Qualification Requirements
Qualifications you'll need for this course
To ensure optimal peer-to-peer learning, Media Design School determines each Postgraduate Design cohort by carefully managing the participant mix. Postgraduate Design participants typically have 6 plus years of professional experience, are recognised as having significant potential. Most applicants have a high degree of specific design knowledge. Others come from diverse backgrounds but have a strong interest in how Design can be applied to their specific field and interests.
We’re open to unusual applications and backgrounds!
Entry Requirements
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In order to be admitted to the Master of Design an applicant must have completed the following or equivalent:
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An Honours degree that is of relevance to design (such as Design - Graphic, Industrial, Product, Fine Arts, Cognitive Science/Psychology, Software Engineering, Computer Science, Computer Engineering); or
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An appropriate international equivalent design or allied professional qualification requiring at least three years full-time tertiary study at an appropriate level as approved by the Academic Board; or
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Relevant professional experience (considered to be equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree ~ six plus years experience in a design related field showing career progression and increasing responsibility) as approved by the Academic Board.
Domestic
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A New Zealand Bachelor's degree or Graduate Diploma from a recognised tertiary institution with an average grade of B- (65%) is required for entry into the Postgraduate Certificate in Design and the Postgraduate Diploma in Design.
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A New Zealand Honours degree from a recognised tertiary institution with an average grade of B- (65%) is required for entry to the Master of Design.
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Professional experience may be considered for entry to the Postgraduate Certificate in Design programme (see Recognition of prior learning).
International
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Qualifications awarded outside New Zealand can also be used for admission, but equivalencies and entry requirements are determined based on the country, institution and qualification.
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You'll need to prove you have sufficient English language skills in order to complete this course. We'll be looking for Academic IELTS overall score of 6.5 (minimum) with no band less than 6.0, or equivalent qualification if English is not your first language.
Application Materials
Media Design School requires the following items for an application to be considered:
- Completed application form
- Statement of intent
- Curriculum Vitae
- Digital Portfolio of relevant work from area(s) of expertise
- Two letters of recommendation
- Official undergraduate and graduate transcripts
- For non-native English speakers, IELTS 6.5 (with no score lower than 6) or a minimum TOEFL score of 100 with minimum sub-scores of 25.
Applicants are required to attend a selection interview (in person or via video call). Eligibility for admission does not guarantee an offer of a place.
Portfolio Requirements
Portfolio Requirements
Evidence of Creative Abilities
Applicants are required to submit creative portfolios in addition to their previous academic history.
The creative portfolio is a showcase of your previous design and creative works. It is very much like a visual resume. The aim of the portfolio is to showcase the breadth and depth of your skills, knowledge and experiences in design. It should highlight key projects you have worked on illustrating both the thinking and design processes and the final outcome.
Portfolios must show an applicant’s creative potential and ability. All applicants must submit a portfolio of representative samples even if they have not had formal training in art and design. A good portfolio may contain a variety of work; sketches, drawings, painting mixed media, multimedia, photography, design creations etc.
Portfolio Format:
In most cases the portfolio should be submitted as a single PDF file, with no more than 40 pages. If applicants wish to submit multimedia, animations, games or movies, ideally these are listed on a websites for viewing.
Please consider the following:
- Only submit work done within the last three years.
- Include an introductory slide with your name and contact details
- Where possible, provide a description of each project and your response to the project brief.
- Show your ability to meet technical and software skills relevant to your chosen discipline.
- Send an electronic copy of your portfolio – no original submissions will be returned.
BYOD Requirements
BYOD Requirements
Before you begin your study with us, you will need to have a suitable device that has the functionality to run the programmes required for your course.
Follow this link to find course-specific requirements and recommendations, along with links to more information about hardware specifications. We have prepared these recommendations to help our students equip for flexible, blended learning.
