New Zealand Diploma in Arts and Design

This hands-on programme is the ideal starting point to explore and grow your skills across visual arts, fashion and textiles, glass arts, and digital design.

You’ll develop a strong foundation in art and design media, history, and practical technique - preparing you for higher-level study or a career in the creative industries.

Compulsory courses include drawing, art and design history, and applying your skills to meet real-world briefs, all designed to complement and extend your chosen elective practice.

Learn from our talented team of lecturers, who are active designers and exhibitors both nationally and internationally. Plus, benefit from UCOL’s unique collaborative partnerships within the community to enrich your learning experience.

Here are some snapshots of the class of 2017 making glass objects and Senior Lecturer - Glass and Visual Arts, Kathryn Wightman demonstrating how to polish glass:

This programme comprises 120 credits.

COMPULSORY COURSES

Visual Language (15 Credits)

Become familiar with the language of art and design. Formal art/design elements will be considered alongside key theoretical ideas which inform contemporary practices of visual and oral culture. You will be required to evaluate and critique visual culture, research theoretical texts and apply your research to the writing of an academic essay and oral presentation.

Art/Design LAB 1 (15 Credits)

Learn a hands-on approach to creative design process and problem-solving and become familiar with the process of responding to a given brief. The course focuses on research and exploration and the development of a conceptually driven and personalised visual language, and will cover:

• Experimentation and exploration of materials and processes

• The vocabulary of 2D and 3D visual language

• An introduction to the methods of evaluating creative practices (critique)

• The work of applicable artists and designers

• Research skills

• Resourcing materials

• Social context of art/design practice in Aotearoa

• Introduction to Tikanga and Taha Māori/Noho Marae

• Introduction to Raranga practices

• Health and safety

Art/Design LAB 2 (15 Credits)

Extend conceptual and practice-based design processes.

The course will cover:

• Experimentation and exploration of 2D and 3D materials and processes

• Visual language, formal art/design elements

• The work of applicable artists and designers

• The application of research to practice

• Health and safety

Design Practical 1 (15 Credits)

Learn to utilise a range of processes and technologies to produce art and design works.

The course will cover:

• Technologies for the production of art and design work

• Art and design processes

• Industry-standard software to create art and design works

• Industry-standard printing technologies for print publication

• Appropriate production techniques and methods for printing, e.g., print resolution, font management and art file preparation

• Project management

Art/Design History 1 (15 Credits)

Gain an introduction to the significance of art, design and fashion throughout history, and in relation to different cultural and social structures, including local indigenous culture.

Drawing 1 (15 Credits)

Develop perceptual and technical drawing skills and knowledge about historical and contemporary trends in drawing, including specific aspects relating to Aotearoa New Zealand, and the Whanganui region.

ELECTIVE COURSES

All learners must complete 30 Credits from one of the following elective areas:

GLASS ELECTIVES

Glass Arts 1 (15 Credits)

An introduction to contemporary visual arts in Aotearoa/New Zealand will provide a theoretical and historical discourse relevant to contemporary glass practice. Opportunities to explore a range of 2-dimensional glass processes through studio-based projects will be a focus. Teaching content will include:

• Creating structure through colour, surface and composition

• Material qualities, surfaces and space in 2D art making

• Technical instruction related to 2D glass media

• Exploring visual aesthetics through art making

• Research methods and practical application

• Applied research methodology to develop personal concepts

• Health and safety relevant to glass studio practices

Glass Arts 2 (15 Credits)

Opportunities to explore a range of 3-dimensional glass processes through studio-based projects will be a focus. Teaching content will include:

• Creating form through colour, surface and composition

• Material qualities, surfaces and space in 3D art making

• Technical instruction related to 3D glass media

• Exploring visual aesthetics through art making

• Research methods and practical application

• Applied research methodology to develop personal concepts

• Health and safety relevant to glass studio practices

DESIGN MEDIA ELECTIVES

Design Media 1 (15 Credits)

Learners are introduced to styles of type, within a historic continuum, and the history of type and typographers. Teaching content will include:

• Historical origins and evolution of typography and its various styles

• Anatomy of letterform and its function in readability and legibility

• Various font families of the major typographic classifications

• Text with attention to the grid, hierarchy, leading, kerning and visual style

• Typography and design elements, diagrams and image

• Publication design and page layout in editorial design

• Information design using text, tables and various graphic elements using industry-standard software

• History of typographic styles, type and typographers

• Analyse the evolution of socially and culturally inspired NZ font

Design Media 2 (15 Credits)

An introduction to contemporary design in Aotearoa/New Zealand will provide a theoretical and historical discourse relevant to contemporary design media practice. Teaching content will include:

• Industry-standard time-based software to create design work

• Technologies in relation to the production of time-based media

• Industry-standard workflow practices and production

• Motion graphics and special effects editing

• Production techniques and methods for time-based media

VISUAL ARTS ELECTIVES

Visual Arts 1 (15 Credits)

An introduction to contemporary visual arts in Aotearoa/New Zealand will provide a theoretical and historical discourse relevant to contemporary art practice. Opportunities to explore a range of 2-dimensional art media through studio-based projects will be a focus. Teaching content will include:

• Creating pictorial structure through colour, surface and composition

• Material qualities, surfaces and space in 2D art making

• Technical instruction related to 2D media

• Exploring visual aesthetics through art making

• Research methods and practical application

• Applied research methodology to develop personal concepts

• Health and safety

Visual Arts 2 (15 Credits)

Contextualised study of contemporary visual arts in Aotearoa/New Zealand will provide the theoretical and historical discourse relevant to contemporary art practice. Opportunities to explore a range of 3-dimensional art media through studio-based projects will be a focus. Teaching content will include:

• Exploration of the contemporary parameters of 3-dimensional art-making

• Technical instruction related to 3-dimensional media

• Exploring visual aesthetics through 3-dimensional art-making

• Research methods and practical application

• Applied research methodology to develop personal concept

• Health and safety.

TEXTILES/FASHION ELECTIVES

Textiles/Fashion 1 (15 Credits)

An introduction to contemporary design practice in Aotearoa/New Zealand will provide a theoretical and historical discourse relevant to contemporary textiles/fashion practice. Teaching content will include:

• Basic design processes used in fashion design

• Two-dimension and three dimension design techniques and approaches

• Problem-solving and concept development in the generation of design ideas

• The elements of a fashion design image

• Applied research methodology to develop personal concepts

• Awareness and understanding of fibre, fabric and textiles composition in relation to specific garment/object suitability

• Exposure to Raranga as a textiles/fashion element

• Health and Safety

Textiles/Fashion 2 (15 Credits)

The course is intended to provide students with opportunities to apply their skills to practical textiles/ fashion design tasks. Contextualised study of contemporary visual arts in Aotearoa/New Zealand will provide the theoretical and historical discourse relevant to contemporary design practice. Teaching content will include:

• Basic pattern processes used in fashion design may include flat drape or alternative approaches

• Problem-solving and concept development in the generation of design ideas

• Fabrics and other materials used in garments

• Technical instruction on machines and equipment

• Research methods and practical application

• Applied research methodology to develop a personal concept

• Health and Safety

UCOL is home to a New Zealand Institute of Architects (NZIA) heritage award winning building located on Taupō Quay and features modern spacious studio suites with industry leading technology and equipment.

To be eligible for entry to the programme, applicants must hold at least one of the following:

A Level 3 qualification in a related field.

OR

University Entrance

OR

equivalent academic achievement

OR

on a case-by-case basis at the discretion of the Executive Dean

OR

provisional enrolment.

English language proficiency

International learner applicants whose first language is not English must have an IELTS Academic score of 5.5 with no band score lower than 5 (or equivalent including TOEFL). IELTS scores used must be taken from a single IELTS Test Report Form (i.e. combining scores from more than one test is not permissible).

Under 20 years of age

In addition to this, international applicants under 20 years of age must have NCEA equivalency.

The programme is approved by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority under the provisions of the Education and Training Act 2020, and Universal College of Learning is accredited to teach it.

Career opportunities include:

• Object design

• Visual arts practice

• Gallery practice

• Commercial glass studios

• Craft production

To find out more about possible job prospects and salaries for Designers and Artists, visit tahatu.govt.nz 

Education pathway

• Bachelor of Design and Arts

• Postgraduate Diploma of Design

• Master of Design

• NZ Glassworks

• The UCOL School of Creative Industries (includes programmes and expertise from Wanganui School of Design) is a Corporate Member of the Designers Institute of NZ (DINZ)

• Our students and graduates have taken out top prizes in the DINZ BEST Awards many times over the years.

• UCOL has an impressive range of industry stakeholders in the fields of fine arts, fashion and graphic design

The programme can be studied full-time or part-time, and may require students to engage with evening classes and activities.

From time to time study may include field trips of one or more days in length, and in those instances there may be additional costs incurred by the student. In these instances students will be informed of the schedule and associated costs well ahead of time and the programme lecturers will endeavour to ensure the costs and arrangements are appropriate.

Learners need to be aware of the physical requirements for operating in professional glass studio environments. Learners will be advised to put any special needs or requirements in writing and advise the Programme Leader before the programme begins.

Pathway

Upon successful completion of the UCOL NZ Diploma in Arts and Design (level 5), graduates will be eligible to apply by cross-credit to year 2 of the UCOL Bachelor of Design and Arts (level 7).

Work experience

There are no work experience hours for this programme.

Recognition of prior learning

Applications for Recognition of Prior Learning, including Cross Credit, Credit Transfer and Assessment of Prior Learning may be made on the Recognition of Prior Learning Form where a learner believes all learning outcomes for a course have already been met. Applications will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis in accordance with the UCOL Academic Statute and other relevant policies and procedures.

Application checklist

It will make the process easier if you prepare the following before you apply:

• National Student Number (NSN) (If you don't have a NSN, you may request one from NZQA, or you can supply a verified copy of your birth certificate, passport or Whakapapa statement.)

• Evidence of your highest level of academic achievement (and evidence of prior learning, if applicable)

• Evidence that you meet the entry requirements of the programme

• Check if you're eligible for additional support or a scholarship. If you're 19 years or younger, you may be eligible to enrol in one of our free Youth Transition programmes.

Note that you will need to provide any verified documents in person, via post or email (not via the online application form).

Please note that there are additional costs associated with the New Zealand Diploma in Arts and Design as follows:

• Allow approximately $200.00 for drawing and stationery supplies (dependent on personal preference)

• USB flash drive - Approximately $15.00 from Warehouse Stationery

• Allow up to $300.00 for glass (media) supplies (dependent on personal preference)