Search

This course offers an introduction to animated storytelling through the art of character animation. We survey a range of animated films in various genres and styles, from large scale studio features to experimental auteur films. In response students ...

This course introduces digital 2D and frame-by-frame techniques in modern animation practice. Historical and contemporary examples will be studied including classic feature films, independent shorts, music videos, and video games. Students will apply...

This course builds on Character Animation I and examines the art of character animation in depth. Students survey a range of animated film across genres and styles, with a focus on contemporary animation. Students will design, build, and rig characte...

This course expands upon the practice of digital 2D and frame-by-frame animation in digital workflow. Students will learn intermediate animation principles and techniques for digital 2D production and its effective synthesis with other forms of anima...

This course will allow students to practice traditional and contemporary approaches to both observational and imaginative drawing. In addition to building on skills and techniques developed in earlier courses, students will be encouraged to nurture t...

This course focuses on the structure and methods of effective storytelling, as expressed visually. Readings provide a broad survey of stories that employ visual narratives in innovative or instructive ways. Techniques are drawn from comics, books, gr...

Narrative is an important element in design. Design can tell stories, communicate information, and create meaning. This course looks at a range of tools and techniques for creatively constructing and deploying narratives in various contexts, includin...

This course focuses on the techniques for designing, building and analysing computer programs that deal with large collections of data. The course addresses techniques for programming with collections of data, and the data structures and algorithms n...

This course will use a range of visualisation methods to represent design concepts and elements. Methods used include hand drawing, photography, motion graphics, animation and video.

This course will introduce students to basic principles of game design, animation and motion design. Fundamental game design concepts, such as mechanics and loops, will be explored and analysed to enable students to conceptualise and develop playable...

This course introduces students to the role of visual and written communication in contemporary design practice. Students will be exposed to academic referencing, paragraph structure and paraphrasing, graphic representation and fabrication techniques...

In this course students engage with emerging technologies to visualise and create 3D forms, bodies and spaces. Students address the distinctive features of creating form and making digitally fabricated artefacts.

This course introduces students to, and develops their fluency in, design vocabularies and composition specific to the configuration of design elements. Analogue and digital techniques are used to explore body, space, form and movement.

This course introduces students to narratives and storytelling in the context of visual design. Students will be exposed to a range of traditional and contemporary examples including Māori storytelling practice and examples from film, animation, digi...

This course focuses on creative exploration of materials and processes. Students will learn various manual and digital techniques and apply these to the exploration and production of expressive forms.

This course introduces students to the concepts and fundamentals of interactive visual perception through creative coding and AI for interactive interfaces. Students will develop their own visual, animated, multimedia and interactive design solutions...

This course explores the basics of graphic design and photography through hands-on projects. Students are introduced to professional design practice through the use of a brief, design processes, and critique. Using design software, as well as sketchi...

In this introductory course students will learn the principles of wearable design by researching material properties and developing design models that lead to the production of forms that relate to a human body. Emphasis is placed on pattern design m...

By observing and analysing historical approaches and responses in and between cultures and design, students will explore design from a place-based perspective.

This course is deeply rooted in Māori culture. Whakapapa Design emphasises ethical behaviour and the consequences of our actions as designers. Whakapapa Design highlights interconnections between people, place, and all living entities and offers a pa...

This course introduces students to a diverse range of research practices that foster criticality, creativity and a deepening of our connection to whanaungatanga associated with a range of contemporary issues and emerging technologies. An emphasis wil...

This seminar-based course introduces postgraduate students to current qualitative methods in design research. It explores a range of creative and empirical methods, concentrating on the formulation of research questions, the identification of appropr...

FILM/DSDN/NZSM/THEA 590 is a creative research project, which is the capstone of the MFA (Creative Practice) degree. The project topic and approach is developed by the student under the guidance of an academic staff member in the relevant area.

Master of Design Research Portfolio.

Students are introduced to indie games, arcade games and early home console experiences as a pathway to understanding the fundamental requirements of game design. This course builds upon game mechanics and core loops, utilising these concepts to crea...

This course will allow students to explore and develop art and animation assets for game design with a focus on optimisation and working within the limitations that real time hardware can often impose. Students will learn the history of developing re...

This course uses game jams and hackathons as a learning environment where students work with commercial developers to learn how to develop new and innovative game prototypes. Design students will be collaborating with students from the Graphics and G...

This course focuses on the craft of writing fiction and narrative design for interactive media, including video games, interactive fiction, board games, and VR. No previous experience with Game Design and/or Script/Writing is required. Students play ...

In this course students will build on the knowledge gained in Game Design I to design within the expanded parameters of a 3D environment. Using games as a medium of exploration, including examples from the early transitional period of 2D to 3D gaming...

In this course students will develop and build large scale video game concepts in collaborative, interdisciplinary teams. Design students will be collaborating with students from the Graphics and Games major. Students will apply their respective skil...

Students are introduced to the histories and technical development of Virtual Reality both as a field of inquiry and as a creative platform for novel and engaging multimedia experiences. Topics include examples of VR from a variety of fields such as ...

This course focuses on working with simple algorithms to generate visuals, as well as compositing different media, such as photography. Inspired by real world phenomena, this course uses parameterised design and generative modelling to produce creati...

Students will investigate processes and strategies involved in the production of time-based media, including audio recording, editing and manipulation techniques. Revolving around the topic of audio-visual space, course projects will allow students t...

This course is an advanced investigation of ideation, diverse approaches to narrative design, pre-production, and professional practice through the lens of animation, visual effects, and technical art. Students will consider traditional and emergent ...

This advanced course offers an intensive, hands-on experience in compositing and visual effects (VFX) design. Students explore digital compositing techniques, advanced VFX tools, and VFX shot design, focusing on integrating CGI with live action foota...

In this course students will focus on developing a mastery of the skills relating to the creation of creature, human, and mechanical puppet rigs for digital characters, as well as creating digital simulations of physical phenomena.

In this course students will critique and analyse traditional applications of lighting such as portraiture, practical studio lighting, and cinematography. Projects will develop a mastery of digital lighting and rendering software while evidencing mas...

In this course, students master the technical skills required to create exceptional animations with Unreal Engine using a motion capture pipeline. We explore best practices and key concepts for crafting compelling visual narratives using real-time mo...

This course offers in-depth training in creative coding for visual effects using Houdini and its scripting language, VEX. Students dive into the world of procedural system development, learning to create sophisticated models and digital creatures. Th...