Whakaahua
Design
Be creative every day
Dreaming of a creative career? Make it a reality with a design qualification from Ara Institute of Canterbury. Options include visual communication, applied visual arts and motion design. Certificates and degrees start in February so explore the options today.
Bachelor of Design (Applied Visual Art)
Prepare yourself for independent art practice in a studio environment.
Bachelor of Design (Visual Communication Design)
Hone your creative talents to become a versatile design professional.
New Zealand Certificate in Creativity
Gain foundational hands-on experience for employment or further studies in the creative industries.
Qualifications & Info Sessions
Bachelor of Design (Applied Visual Art)
Prepare yourself for independent art practice in a studio environment.
Bachelor of Design (Visual Communication Design)
Hone your creative talents to become a versatile design professional.
New Zealand Certificate in Creativity
Gain foundational hands-on experience for employment or further studies in the creative industries.
New Zealand Certificate in Digital Media and Design
Gain foundational digital experience for employment or further studies in the creative industries.
About Studying Design
The PITCH Exhibition is an annual graduation showcase of talent and innovation from Ara Institute of Canterbury students in various design courses, including fashion, motion design, and applied visual arts.
A career in the field of design covers a broad spectrum of activities. Design is everywhere around us, and successful artists have the ability to think outside of the conventional, and conceptualise their ideas into reality.
Depending on your specialisation, you could build a career either in companies or independently as an artist, designer or craftsperson, across areas like jewellery, ceramics, sculpture, illustration or fabric design and printing. Your understanding of design principles could see you take on design studio roles in a range of related industries including galleries, museums and theatres, or in art departments for film and television productions.
Ara's Art and Design programmes offer you the opportunity to become a part of a creative hub of design education, teaching you to develop your personal, creative and technical abilities in a wide range of areas.
Depending on your area of interest, you can study aspects of design in:
- Fashion
- Photography
- Applied Visual Art
- Visual Communication
- Motion Design
In your first year you will be based in a studio with 15-20 students. Theory classes will be delivered in lectures as well as tutorials. You'll have access to a wide range of specialist facilities, including; computer labs (Mac-based labs); printmaking and photographic studios; fully-equipped fashion workrooms, and specialist art workshops.