Introduction
Want to tell interesting stories using time-based digital media?
If you are interested in pursuing both a creative and a technical career and are thinking about working in one of the many emerging technology industries in Wellington, or even globally, the Master of Design Technology (MDT) may be for you.
It’s an exciting one-year (full-time) 180-point professional Master’s degree that starts in March each year provides students with the skills needed to work in highly technical design professions like visual effects (VFX), game design, animation, 3D motion graphics, and multimedia design.
This programme is unique to New Zealand in providing students with the best expertise in both university research and industry practice to gain the skills they need for a future in the broad-based and rapidly growing technology sector.
This is a Wellington ICT Graduate School programme that’s delivered by Victoria University of Wellington’s School of Design, it’s supported by guest lectures and mentoring from Weta Digital and other leading digital organisations.
Classes are taught at the Miramar Creative Centre which contains the latest industry-standard technology and sits among the Weta group buildings on Park Road, offering unrivalled access to work experience and professional connections.
Source: Wellington ICT Graduate School
Students undertaking this Master’s degree will produce a professional portfolio based around their chosen focus of study. In Trimester 1, you’ll study Creative Coding for Digital Content and one of Character Animation or Compositing and Motion Graphics. In Trimester 2 you’ll study, Mātauranga Design and Design Ideation, and one of Lighting and Rendering or Effects and Simulation. In Trimester 3 you’ll study the Visual Effects Practicum, where you will work in a team to produce a short narrative work with the guidance of academic and industry mentors.
It’ll teach you industry-standard 3D software packages including Houdini from SideFX (which MDT is a Certified Partner of), Unreal Engine from Epic Games, the Vex programming language, Maya from Autodesk, and Nuke from The Foundry.
Our MDT graduates have gotten jobs at Weta Digital, Park Road Post Production, SideFX, Mill Film, Animal Logic, Technicolor Academy, and more.
Who should apply
People who hold a passion for creative technologies and are committed to learning the deep levels of skills required in the industry are ideal candidates for this programme.
All applicants for the Master of Design Technology should have:
completed a Bachelor's degree in a relevant subject with good grades.
been accepted by the Head of School of Design.
a proven aptitude with a 3D computer graphics application (such as but not limited to Maya, Houdini, or ZBrush).
Source: Wellington ICT Graduate School
