Note: As a subsidiary of Te Pūkenga - New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology, UCOL Te Pūkenga is committed to providing the best learning outcome for you. As part of this, all programmes are currently being reviewed to make them portable, consistent, and closely aligned with the needs of the industry. When published, this course information is correct, but the courses offered may change over time. If you have any questions call an Enrolment Advisor on 0800 468 265.

From 2023, UCOL Te Pūkenga and the programme you have enrolled in will become part of Te Pūkenga. So, if you join UCOL Te Pūkenga in 2023, you will be awarded Te Pūkenga certification. And, if you are a current learner graduating in 2023, you will be awarded a co-branded certificate.

This programme consists of 120 credits. The courses include;

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

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, see careers.govt.nz

Education pathway
Bachelor of Design and Arts
Postgraduate Diploma of Design
Master of Design