New Zealand Diploma in Arts and Design (Level 6)

Summary

Enhance your technical and creative skills through independent studio work in your chosen field of photography, image, object, and digital design.

This Level 6 diploma builds on your creative experience from the Level 5 programme, allowing you to expand your technical expertise and develop an independent body of work. You’ll deepen your understanding of professional practice, refine your creative direction, and gain the confidence to exhibit, collaborate, and engage with industry professionals.

With opportunities for guest workshops, real-world projects, and end-of-year showcases, this programme supports your growth as a creative practitioner and prepares you for employment or further study in the Bachelor of Arts and Media.

What you'll learn

Upon successful completion of this programme, you will be able to:

• Apply a broad range of specialised technical skills and technologies to design, produce, and present creative work in a selected area of arts, craft, or design
• Apply knowledge of historical and contemporary arts, craft, or design movements to inform and strengthen your creative practice
• Apply professional business practices and creative processes - including discovery, conceptualisation, review, iteration, prototyping, and presentation - to independently manage projects in response to complex briefs
• Apply knowledge of the elements and principles of your chosen creative field to review and quality-assure creative work critically

Courses offered

After exploring all disciplines at Level 5, you’ll now have the opportunity to focus on the creative field that inspires you most.

You’ll study courses in:

• Photography
• Image
• Professional Practice
• Critical Studies
• Digital Art and Design
• Object Design
• Studio

This structure allows you to refine your creative direction and develop an independent body of work, preparing you for professional practice or further study in the Bachelor of Arts and Media.

What learning is like

Students engage in a range of creative and technical practices, including:

• Digital design, illustration, and typography
• Manual camera operation and photography
• Printmaking: lino cuts, monotype, and screen printing
• Digital drawing and graphic design
• Painting and clay work
• Laser cutting
• Art and design history: both historical and contemporary
• Professional practices: understanding industry standards and workflows
• Creating a body of work and portfolio
• Holding exhibitions
• Giving and receiving feedback and critique

You’ll have opportunities to apply for funding grants, write exhibition proposals, and showcase your work at public exhibitions and events such as the End of Year Showcase, Tā Ramaroa (Light Nelson), and the New Zealand Professional Photography Awards.

Career opportunities

Graduates will be prepared to work in:

• Intermediate-level roles in arts, craft and design industries (e.g. production or design positions)
• Arts administration (theatres, museums, art galleries)
• Advertising and creative agencies
• Freelance creative practice

You may also pathway directly into the third year of the Bachelor of Arts and Media.

Unleash your creativity and begin your artistic journey with a wide range of art and design programmes.