New Zealand Diploma in Animation (Level 5)
New Zealand Diploma in Animation (Level 5)

New Zealand Diploma in Animation (Level 5)

New Zealand Diploma in Animation (Level 5)

Thinking animation? This qualification is your first step in becoming the backbone of any studio animation environment. Become an assistant animator and support animators at some of the biggest studio doing: 2D Computer Animation, 2D Hand Drawn Animation, 3D Computer Animation and Stop Motion Animation.

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Key Details
Invercargill
Qualification:
Diploma
Level:
5
Credits:
120
Duration:

One year full-time

Study Modes:
On Campus
Dates:

February to November

Fees:

This programme is eligible for the Zero Fees Scheme.

  • NO tuition fees
  • Direct material costs of $1710 incl GST

International Fees can be found here.

Thinking animation? This qualification is your first step in becoming the backbone of any studio animation environment. Become an assistant animator and support animators at some of the biggest studio doing: 2D Computer Animation, 2D Hand Drawn Animation, 3D Computer Animation and Stop Motion Animation.
Learn how to create animation and visual effects using tools such as Autodesk Maya, Blender, Toon Boom Harmony, Adobe Animate and DragonFrame. ( Please check to see if the SIT uses these tools)
This one-year course will familiarise you with the principles of animation and arm you with the specialist skills required in the animation industry
Thinking animation? This qualification is your first step in becoming the backbone of any studio animation environment. Become an assistant animator and support animators at some of the biggest studio doing: 2D Computer Animation, 2D Hand Drawn Animation, 3D Computer Animation and Stop Motion Animation.
Learn how to create animation and visual effects using tools such as Maya, Toon Boom Harmony, Adobe Suite, Nuke, Vue, Houdini, Zbrush, mudbox, substance painter and more.
This one-year course will familiarise you with the principles of animation and arm you with the specialist skills required in the animation industry.

Learn about:
  • Stop Motion animation, 2D animation, Storyboarding for animation.
  • Create animated works.
  • Work collaboratively within a multi-disciplined animation production team.

BVA103 Research-Led Industry Practice 1 (Level 5) 30 Credits

Students will be introduced to practice-based research. Students will gain practical experience and a theoretical understanding of discipline specific practice-based methodologies. Students will also gain the academic research, writing and presentation skills to articulate the theoretical and contextual framing relevant to exploratory and developmental practice, and present findings to an audience.

Students will gain an awareness of the business and legal issues confronting visual practitioners in visual and screen arts. Students will be made aware of the implications of copyright and how to claim and obtain the rights to copyright material. Students will develop the organisational and administrative skills associated with the creation and implementation of a project proposal for a modest production.

BSA106 Screen Arts 1 (Level 5) 15 Credits

Students will be introduced to the history and theory of the screen arts. Students will gain a basic understanding of the development of genres and traditions in their cultural and historical context. Students will be able to critically discuss the origins of the screen arts and how this has shaped contemporary practice. Students will also be introduced to the fundamental methodologies and practices of academic enquiry, research techniques and critical thinking. 

BVA142 Studio Digital Media 1 (Level 5) 10 Credits

Students will be introduced to the processes, standards and requirements of the contemporary digital design industry. Students will complete projects to meet the requirements of design specifications implementing various software solutions to develop an understanding of how to read and use graphic imagery. Students will also explore and create digital artworks developing the basic technical ability towards the realisation of ideas and gain knowledge of the field through the investigation and analysis of a diversity of historic and contemporary digital art practices.

BSA124 Stop-Motion Animation (Level 5) 15 Credits

Students will build the skills and understanding required to produce a small stop-motion animation project, developing conceptual and technical proficiency within a team environment. Students will apply the principles of animation to a stop-motion production pipeline. 

BSA125 Storyboarding for Animation (Level 5) 10 Credits

Students will acquire the knowledge to describe the structure of and write a short film. Students will develop this into a visual narrative demonstrating the ability to optimise visual composition for storytelling. Students will also be introduced to non-narrative alternatives to conventional storytelling. Students will gain an understanding of the creative process from idea generation through to completion and what role storyboarding plays in this process.

BSA126 Principles of Animation (Level 5) 15 Credits

Students will be introduced to the principles of animation. Students will develop an understanding of the origins and purpose of the traditional 12 principles of animation including practical implementation within their animation practices. Students will develop skills and knowledge which will assist them in the creation of appeal and form in animated characters. Students will also demonstrate an understanding of motion studies and how to apply these to various characters to produce realistic movement and the illusion of life. 

BSA127 2D Animation (Level 5) 15 Credits

Students will build on knowledge and skills gained in BDM124 including critical evaluation of target audience, communication objectives and technical tools to effectively develop 2D animated narratives with supporting interactive content. Students will prepare and target content for simultaneous launch over multiple platforms.  

BVA115 Studio Drawing 1 (Level 5) 10 Credits

Students will develop the fundamental drawing skills essential as an analytical, descriptive, and creative tool. Students will gain a range of observational and conceptual skills, and be introduced to analytical aspects of drawing as an aid to visualising and interrogating ideas and recording practice using a variety of drawing approaches. Students will also be introduced to the human figure as a source to explore form, tone and composition. Students will be introduced to the history and theory of drawing and discuss its relevance and use in contemporary practice. 

Graduates of this qualification will be equipped to work as assistant animators or creatives in a studio environment with the basic animation skills and knowledge required for entry level positions in 2D animation.

All applicants must submit a portfolio and attend an interview to be considered for entry. 

School Leavers

University Entrance - NCEA Level 3.  Three subjects – at Level 3, made up of 14 credits each, in three NZQA University Entrance approved subjects, and

Literacy – 10 credits at Level 2 or above, made up of five credits in reading and five credits in writing, and

Numeracy – 10 credits at Level 1 or above, made up of specified achievement standards through a range of subjects, or package of three numeracy unit standards (26623, 26626, 26627 – all three required).

Mature Applicants
Must be at least 20 years of age when the programme begins and provide evidence of aptitude or appropriate work or other experience.  

Preference will be given to those mature aged applicants who can demonstrate evidence of successful completion of a programme of study to NZQA Level 3 or higher.

Portfolio Requirements

Applicants are required to submit a portfolio of their work with their application as follows:

  • Portfolio: examples of free-hand drawing (x10)
  • Elective portfolio/show reel: examples (images) of your latest artwork, (anything from painting to animation). We also look for potential in drawing and the ability to adapt between traditional methods and computer based work.
  • Prior Learning: evidence of prior learning e.g. academic transcripts.
  • Statement: hand written statement, one A4 page outlining your interests and goals within the programme (e.g. why are you choosing animation as a career?).
  • Referees: contact details for two people who know you well e.g. teacher or employer.
  • Interview: a time will be arranged for you to meet with the programme manager or appropriate staff member following the assessment of your application.
  • Innovation and Imagination: We are also looking for maturity, originality and the ability to develop interesting and engaging storytelling.

(Please do not include any original material in your portfolio)

English Language Requirements

Applicants, whose first language is not English, or who come from a country where the language of instruction in schools is not English, are required to provide evidence of having achieved one of the following

NCEA Level 3 with University Entrance, or

an International Baccalaureate Diploma or Cambridge A- level qualification for which the teaching and assessment was conducted in English; or

Cambridge Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (CELTA),or Trinity College London Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (CertTESOL);or

Successful completion of all primary education (being the equivalent of New Zealand primary school years 1 to 8) and at least three years of secondary education (being the equivalent of three years from New Zealand secondary school years 9 to 13) at schools in either New Zealand,,Australia,Canada, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States one of the countries listed in Rule 18.5 where the student was taught using English as the language of instruction; or

Successful completion of at least five years of secondary education (being the equivalent of New Zealand secondary school years 9 to 13) at schools in either New Zealand, Australia, Canada, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States where the student was taught using English as the language of instruction; or

Successful completion of a Bachelor's Degree, Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma, Bachelor Honours degree, Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma, Masters' Degree or Doctoral Degree, the language of instruction of which must be in English and which must be from a tertiary education provider from New Zealand, Australia, Canada, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, the United Kingdom or the United States or

Successful completion of one of the following internationally recognised proficiency tests listed below to the level required of the programme of study and with all scores achieved in a single test during the two years preceding the proposed date of enrolment


IELTS test - Academic score of 5.5 with no band score lower than 5
TOEFL Paper based test (pBT) - Score of 550 (with an essay score of 5 TWE)
TOEFL Internet based test (iBT) - Score of 46 (with a writing score of 14)
Cambridge English Examination - B2 First or B2 First for schools with a score of 162. No less than 154 in each skill
OET - Minimum of Grade C or 200 in all sub-tests
NZCEL - a) Expiring Level b) Current: a) Level 4 (General) or (Workplace) b) Level 4 (General) or (Employment)
Pearson Test of English (Academic) - PTE (Academic) score of 42 with no band score lower than 36
Language Cert - B2 Communicator IESOL (LRWS) with HIGH PASS and no less than Pass in each skill
Trinity ISE - ISE II with no less than merit in any band

* New versions of some NZCEL qualifications, and in some cases new qualifications, were published on 13 June 2017. These are intended to replace pre-existing versions and qualifications, which have been given expiring status until discontinued on 31 December 2019. (a) denotes expiring (b) denotes current

To satisfactorily complete the New Zealand Diploma in Animation (Level 5), and be awarded this qualification the student must successfully achieve: 

  • A minimum of 120 credits in accordance with the Programme schedule for the New Zealand Diploma in Animation (Level 5).
  • The student will normally be expected to complete the New Zealand Diploma in Animation (Level 5) full-time over one year or part-time over two years.

(Please Note: students failing to attend for 80% of timetabled programme hours may forfeit zero fees entitlement)

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