Bachelor of Applied Arts (Visual Arts and Design) Course Details

Module Outlines - Year 1

 Core modules year 1

Contextual Studies 1 (10 credits):

Students study context by exploring their relationship to their own artistic whakapapa or influences, their local environment (New Zealand and the Pacific) and current global theories and concepts.

Creative Enterprise 1 (10 credits):

Students develop the skills and attitudes required to turn their ideas into a successful commercial reality. They learn about the basics of setting up a business, marketing, legal issues and financial management.

Drawing and Design 1 (20 credits):

Drawing at this level works beyond developing basic skills. Students begin building professional level skills and knowledge in applied drawing and design practice though project work to briefs. They produce major workbooks.

Exhibition 1 (Visual Art) (20 credits):

This module leads to a concept-based exhibition of both finished work and workbook research completed in the investigation of Origins or personal whakapapa. Students complete all the processes involved in professional exhibition and presentation: this may include statements, press releases, brochures, catalogues, floor talks, interviews and critical writing. They work in professional exhibition venues with people who may include directors, curators, installation designers, security specialists and others.

OR

Publication Design 1 (Design) (20 credits):

This module introduces digital publishing tools and techniques, together with typography and design principles for application in print and electronic publishing. Students explore typographic form and function to produce professional quality publications, ready for prepress and print.

Body of Work Year 1 Overview

Body of Work modules extend art, craft and design skills and knowledge through intensive studio work. Students work in specific media, to a plan that includes research, experiment, consolidation, revision, completion and evaluation of resolved studio work. They work to a brief in both individual and group projects. They learn to generate concepts, develop ideas and respond by making artworks or developing design solutions.

Students have the opportunity to consolidate ideas, drawing on contextual and design/drawing studies. They manufacture objects, images and/or alter space for selected audiences, supported by design processes and research. Individual approaches are encouraged, and research into cultural origins helps to form each student's unique position within the Whitireia Faculty of Arts and Communication philosophy.

Body of Work Year 1 - Visual Arts

Body of Work 2D (20 credits)

This refers to any two-dimensional surface, support or screen that displays qualities and concepts relating to image or surface. The media range includes drawing, painting, printmaking, mixed media, photo techniques, papermaking, and a range of digital media (see below).

Body of Work 3D (20 credits)

This refers to making objects to express a concept in three-dimensional space. Media possibilities include soft stone, hard stone, wood, bone, mixed-media, paper, wire, or textiles. There is significant research and studio project work as part of a work-group practising in the same media. Students work to a negotiated plan that includes consultation and critique as well as the development of new advanced skills. In each year there are specialist workshops, tutored by the visiting artists of that year.

Origins Body of Work (20 credits)

This module focuses on the investigation of personal cultural origins and histories, which leads to the making of a body of work. Origins takes the student through the process of making conceptual work, drawing on research and design experience, and experience in various media.

Body of Work Year 1 - Digital Design

Digital Illustration (20 credits):

This course explores the tools and techniques of digital media to create illustrations for a range of requirements. It focuses on developing and extending drawing skills through exploration of design history and genres, utilising new tools to extend individual style. Colour systems, digital terminology and prepress file formats are also covered.

Photography and Digital Imaging (20 credits)

This course provides an introduction to photography for the artist or designer. It explores the creation and manipulation of photographic images. It includes scanning, principles of photography, and practical tuition in the use of SLR manual or digital cameras. Students investigate a range of genres to build a body of work.

Package Design (20 credits)

This course explores practical design form and function, develops research techniques, and explores 2D and 3D design principles. Students gain confidence in working with a range of materials, styles, and genres, and develop strong conceptual process and thinking. They create design solutions to specific problems through the exploration of the three-dimensional form, image and text.

Motion Graphics (20 credits)

This course examines the design and motion principles which affect how we perceive motion graphics. Starting with analysis of work, the course then explores the processes and technologies involved in creating quality motion graphics.

3D Modelling and Animation 1 (20 credits)

Students investigate the principles of animation as a means to bring a character to life. Using Maya, students complete tutorials in 3D modelling, animation, texturing and rendering and are introduced to a range of resources to expand their knowledge.

Module Outlines - Year 2

Core modules Year 2

Contextual Studies 2 (10 credits)

This module focuses on the evolution of national and international art through the Modernist Movement. What does the catchphrase Post-Modernism mean? Its complexity and multiple layers are explored through discussion, and a variety of approaches and practices.

Creative Enterprise 2 (10 credits)

This module draws on the business skills concepts in Creative Enterprise 1. It focusses on the application of interpersonal and business management skills to arts projects including gigs, exhibitions and performances.

Drawing and Design 2 (20 credits)

Students learn to solve problems with flair, applying vigorous professional skills and knowledge in drawing and design to briefs requiring innovation, experimentation, and exploration. Students now use their drawing as a design tool to develop their work.

Exhibition 2 (Visual Art specialists only) (20 credits)

This module (with specialisation in practices such as jewellery, carving, textiles, paint and print) leads to the exhibition of resolved studio work, and of the results of the Multiples Body of Work (see below).

OR

Publication Design 2 (Design specialists only) (20 credits)

Through exploration of the history, form and application of typography, students learn how to sensitively integrate word and image. They investigate historical and contemporary references to develop new ideas for poster and cover design, and gain practical experience in magazine design and production using professional tools.

Body of Work Year 2 Overview

All studio work at this level features continuing development of advanced skills, knowledge of tools and refinement of techniques, leading to a cohesive body of work with supporting documentation. Outcomes from the body of work modules at level 6 may be presented for curated inclusion in one or more exhibitions over the academic year (visual artists) or may involve working on design projects for a client or an internship (designers).

Body of Work Year 2 - Visual Arts

Body of Work (2A) (20 credits)

This module is concerned with contemporary issues in applied art and design, and is linked closely with Contextual Studies. (Textile surface design, paint, printmaking)

Body of Work (2B) (20 credits)

This module focuses on the investigation of personal style and personal content. It may include sculpture, body adornment, wearable art, carving (bone, stone, wood)

Body of Work (2C with multiples) (20 credits)

Students create a set of multiples from a well-conceived and researched prototype. The prototype is put forward for feedback from high-end retail distribution centres (ie fine gifts and gallery shops) for comment. A packaging, promotion and selling plan for the Multiples is part of the applied business content of the module.

Body of Work Year 2 - Digital Design

Branding and Identity (20 credits)

This module examines the concepts of branding and identity, and the processes involved in developing a brand and a corporate identity system. Students investigate production in a range of media including print, signage, web. They work on both individual and team projects to develop brands for a range of clients.

Web Interface Design (20 credits)

This module explores the technology, design methodology and processes involved in interface design and construction. Students analyse and deconstruct websites to learn how to design and construct websites that work well. They develop user-profiles, and learn how to conceptualise a site, then test it for usability.

Major project (20 credits)

Students must develop a proposal for a major project and present it for approval before progressing with the project, which is expected to be conducted to professional standard. They produce a management plan and schedule, then demonstrate that they are following agreed procedures. They are supported by tutors and a mentor.

Multimedia Interactive Design (20 credits)

Students explore imagery, sound, animation, and interactivity to understand the potential and constraints in developing an interactive multimedia project. They create imagery, plan and design a project to a brief.

3D Modelling & Animation 2 (20 credits)

Students continue to develop their aesthetic skills by analysing work of artists they respect. At this level there is more room to specialise in areas such as character rigging, texturing or pure animation. There is a strong emphasis on quality of work rather than quantity.

Module Outlines - Year 3

Core modules Year 3

Creative Enterprise 3 (20 credits)

Students further develop and apply their business skills to a project of their own choice. They investigate potential resources and support, and develop a plan for the commercial development of their idea. They develop a career plan as an arts or design professional.

Research and Presentation (20 credits)

In this module, artists and designers consolidate research into high-level technical skills and conceptual frameworks, and present the results in appropriate professional formats as required for qualification.

Elective from Level 5 or 6 (20 credits)

Body of Work Year 3

Body of Work (60 credits)

This module consolidates all the student's learning in the Bachelor of Applied Arts into a public presentation, performance, publication, or exhibition of a major body of work to an appropriate external audience. This is achieved through professional contemporary studio practice in the student's selected applied arts discipline. Projects are self-generated or generated by others, and creatively developed through collaboration and consultation.