Diploma of Digital Media (Advanced)

Whether you're working in print, motion graphics or interactive media, our intensive hands-on Digital Media course will help you take the next step in your career.

In a supportive and creative studio environment, you'll extend your existing technical skills, learn how to further develop your ideas and produce a cutting-edge portfolio showcasing your digital design production work.

The Diploma of Digital Media (Advanced) is designed to build on your current education and experience. It lets you innovate, experiment, pursue your own project ideas and create some amazing work, enabling you to broaden your skills as a visual communicator.

It's challenging and rewarding. Successful graduates can explore a wide range of career opportunities. Alternatively, with links to Whitecliffe College of Arts and Design, Whitireia Community Polytechnic, Waikato Institute of Technology (Wintec), and Unitec, the Diploma of Digital Media (Advanced) course is also a great stepping stone to further university-level learning.

Class sizes are restricted with an average of 18 - 20 students per class.

Course Components

The course consists of four modules:

• Studio - the main module of the course. It comprises three phases, each containing multiple briefs: foundation studies - learn design skills to enhance your research, conceptual and communication abilities; group projects - work in teams to solve three briefs; industry projects - complete two projects for real clients
• Professional practice - prepares you for employment
• Design history - explore major design movements, figures and icons of twentieth-century design
• Art history - discover the major artists and their work, art movements and other topics of discussion in art

* Course content is subject to change to ensure continued industry relevance.

Note: classes run Monday to Friday.

Assessment

A project-based course - your work will be graded to standards reflecting those required in industry. The course emphasises professional behaviour, involves regular critiques, and requires presentations to peer, tutor and industry audiences.

Equipment & Software

Equipment

• Apple Macintosh computers
• Digital cameras
• Scanners
• Printers

Software

Industry standard software for your area of specialisation will be provided. This may include some of:

• Adobe Photoshop
• Adobe InDesign
• Adobe Illustrator
• Adobe Acrobat
• Adobe Dreamweaver
• Adobe Flash
• Adobe After Effects
• Autodesk Maya
• Apple Final Cut Pro
• NewTek LightWave 3D

Entry Requirements

To cope with the demands of this course students need to have digital design and production skills to at least a level 6 standard.

For those who have studied at Natcoll:

For those students who have not gained a level 6 Natcoll diploma:

• You must provide a portfolio of your creative work so that staff can check that you have the necessary background skills in digital design and production; and
• If you are in New Zealand, you will also be interviewed so that staff can check that the course is the best option for meeting your needs and aspirations.

If English is not your first language then an IELTS 5.5 (General Training) or equivalent is recommended.

Course Fees & Related Costs

Course fees

Domestic students: $6,650
International students: $19,250

Domestic course fees are GST inclusive. Course fees could be subject to change.

Course costs

For some items the cost will vary depending on the brand of item purchased or on the student’s individual needs. Students are encouraged to discuss the items, especially recommended textbooks, with their tutor before purchasing.

Items provided by the College

• 1 visual diary
• 10000 print credits
• Monthly internet quota

Essential items to purchase

• Passcard and/or key – up to $30 (refundable deposit)
• External hard drive 250GB (at least) –
  up to $200
• Special card, paper and sundry art supplies – up to $300

• Headphones – up to $60
• Storage media (CD/DVDs) – up to $180
• Extra print credits – up to $200 (if you exceed provided quota)
• Extra internet quota – up to $200 (if you exceed provided quota)
• Recommended texts – up to $700
• Replacement key – approx. $10
• Mouse – up to $120
• Keyboard – up to $80
• Laptop stand – up to $125
• Wacom drawing tablet and pen – up to $500
• Software manuals – up to $150
• Additional visual diaries – up to $100
• Portfolio or presentation folder – up to $200
• Additional stationery, art supplies or printing costs – up to $500

Industry Relevance

• YOOBEE @Natcoll liaises closely with the print, web, video, animation and interactive industries to ensure the latest commercial practices are taught.
• YOOBEE @Natcoll encourages students to work on real industry projects and invites industry representatives in to provide feedback on student work.

Our connections with industry mean you will have the skills needed to hit the ground running once you finish your course.

Career Opportunities

A range of career opportunities are available depending on your area of specialisation. Opportunities could exist in the fields of:

• print design
• advertising
• publishing (eg newspapers and magazines)
• in-house graphic design or marketing departments
• desktop publishing and pre-press
• copy and digital centres.

Further Learning

This Diploma of Digital Media (Advanced) provides a pathway for students wanting to pursue further study at a degree level.

Graduates are able to apply for entry into year 3 of the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree at Whitecliffe College of Arts and Design in Auckland (students are required to do one "catch up" module from year 2 instead of one of the optional year 3 modules). For graduates who have produced an exceptional standard of work at YOOBEE @Natcoll, Whitecliffe may even consider entry into year 4 of the degree. All applications to Whitecliffe are treated on a case-by-case basis.

Graduates can also apply for direct entry to the final year of the 3-year Bachelor of Applied Arts (Visual Arts & Design) at Whitireia Community Polytechnic in Porirua. Students have to submit a portfolio including visual diary research and evidence of writing ability.

Graduates can apply for direct entry to year 3 of Waikato Institute of Technology's (Wintec) 3-year Bachelor of Media Arts (Visual Arts) degree provided they attain an average grade of at least 60% in YOOBEE @Natcoll's Diploma of Digital Media (Advanced) programme:

• students are required to submit an application to study and undertake an interview
• to complete the requirements for the BMA (Visual Arts) students would be required to take 'BMA0D211 Audience Message Context' (level 6 , four Design core modules(level 7), two Intermedia modules (level 7) and one free choice module (level 5, 6 or 7)

Digital Media (Advanced) graduates can apply for direct entry to year 3 of Unitec's 3-year Bachelor of Design and Visual Arts (Graphic Design and Animation) degree. In gaining YOOBEE @Natcoll's DMA diploma, Unitec require you to have passed all three theory modules in the DMA course - Art History, Design History and Professional Practices (passing these is already a requirement to pass the diploma).

You will be required to submit a portfolio with your application.

You will be interviewed by Unitec staff and will be required to take to the interview evidence of your academic performance at both levels 6 and 7, this will usually mean copies of your YOOBEE @Natcoll transcripts.