ITI Articles

After 12 months of discussion, two ITI members have formed a strategic alliance that will allow design students to quickly upgrade a graduate diploma into a fine arts degree.

Under an articulation agreement signed recently between Natcoll Design Technology and Whitecliffe College of Arts and Design, Natcoll Graduate Diploma in Digital Media students will receive two years of credit towards a four-year Whitecliffe Bachelor of Fine Arts degree (graphic design). This programme is only available to suitably qualified Natcoll graduates.

The one-year level 7 Graduate Diploma prepares computer graphic design, web development and multimedia students to tackle commercial projects with a high level of skill in industry standard software. It also introduces the conceptual and theoretical knowledge required for successful media and advertising campaigns. Whitecliffe's degree course includes fine arts, fashion design, photography, film, video and an industry-linked internship.

"I am confident the additional two years of study will broaden the horizons of Natcoll graduates because of Whitecliffe's embedded cross-disciplinary focus," says Whitecliffe chief executive Dr John Shaw.

"We are also anticipating the strength of Natcoll's technical focus in digital media education and training will add value to the shared learning experiences of other students within our BFA programme."

Natcoll national principal Sue Allard says the collaboration should result in graduates with finely-honed thinking and business management skills.

"The capabilities that these students are likely to demonstrate are the type that New Zealand requires to develop its design industry into a powerful economic driver in the immediate future," says Allard.

L-R Val Gyde, Auckland Campus Principal - Natcoll Design Technology; Michelle Whitecliffe, President and Dr John Shaw, Chief Executive - Whitecliffe College of Design and Arts.