Media Design School to offer Visual Effects and 3D Animation Degree
Shaping education for the 21st century
Auckland—December 12, 2011--With the announcement of a new degree qualification in visual effects and 3D animation, the burgeoning New Zealand screen industry can now look towards Media Design School for a constant source of highly skilled creative graduates.
Media Design School has received accreditation from the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) for its first screen
industry degree programme, the Bachelor of Art and Design (3D Animation and Visual Effects). The intensive three-year qualification makes Media Design School the only private tertiary institute in New Zealand to
offer a bachelor degree in art and design.
The need for comprehensive visual effects and 3D animation education in New Zealand has become strongly apparent over
the past five years as the screen industry continues to grow and the demand for highly skilled new talent increases.
Global attention continues to focus on New Zealand’s film production and post-production capabilities, driven by the
release of ground-breaking films like Avatar, The Lord of the Rings and Tintin.
Media Design School maintains strong industry relationships with prominent New Zealand film companies, and faculty have drawn on both
teaching experience and industry knowledge to formulate the curriculum of the Bachelor of Art and Design. The accreditation for its first specialist degree programme represents the culmination of more than two years of
intensive preparation by this award winning creative tertiary institute.
“Accreditation for this Bachelor Degree, specialising in 3D Animation and Visual Effects, is the result of providing
specialist tertiary education for careers within the film, television and computer game sector for over a decade,” said Frances Valintine, CEO of Media Design School. “This three year, bachelor qualification will provide students with the ability to hone their skills and talent
specifically for the 3D and visual effects industry, which is experiencing unprecedented global growth and demand.”
The Bachelor of Art and Design (3D Animation and Visual Effects) will provide a unique framework for students to learn the theory and practical elements of animation and visual
effects, from the earliest stages of design through to its implementation in various interactive entertainment
platforms. Applications for the February 2012 intake are being accepted now.
About Media Design School
Media Design School is New Zealand’s most-awarded private tertiary institution for digital and creative technologies.
The Auckland-based school offers degree and diploma qualifications in 3D animation and visual effects, interactive
gaming, digital and motion design and game development. Media Design School is part of Laureate International
Universities, the world’s largest private university group with over 55 universities in 28 countries, including
dedicated design schools in San Diego, California, and Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA and Milan, Italy. For more information,
visit www.mediadesignschool.com