About design
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.
Studying design
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.
Programmes
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Master of Creative Practice
Programme code: Gain a qualification that recognises you as a leader in creative practice. |
level9 | ProgrammeIsOfTypeMaster’sDegree | sortOrder1030 | Art_and_design,Performing_arts,Media_and_broadcasting |
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Postgraduate Diploma in Creative Practice
Programme code: Take your professional creative career to a new level. |
level8 | ProgrammeIsOfTypePostgraduateDiploma | sortOrder1030 | Art_and_design,Media_and_broadcasting |
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Bachelor of Design (Applied Visual Art)
Programme code: Learn how to frame and develop creative ideas through hands-on interaction with a range of media and prepare yourself for independent art practice in a studio environment |
level7 | ProgrammeIsOfTypeDegree | sortOrder1030 | Art_and_design |
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Bachelor of Design (Motion Design)
Programme code: Harness your imagination and creativity and channel towards a career in the dynamic field of motion design |
level7 | ProgrammeIsOfTypeDegree | sortOrder1030 | Art_and_design |
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Bachelor of Design (Visual Communication)
Programme code: Learn how to generate ideas, solve problems and design innovative solutions in advertising, marketing and communication design. |
level7 | ProgrammeIsOfTypeDegree | sortOrder1030 | Art_and_design |
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New Zealand Diploma in Digital Media and Design (Level 5)
Programme code: Start your career in design with a solid foundation of core skills. |
level5 | ProgrammeIsOfTypeDiploma | sortOrder1040 | Art_and_design |
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New Zealand Diploma in Arts and Design (Level 5)
Programme code: Enhance your creative skills to establish yourself as an arts practitioner. |
level5 | ProgrammeIsOfTypeDiploma | sortOrder1040 | Art_and_design |
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New Zealand Certificate in Digital Media and Design
Programme code: Learn how to use digital technology to express your creativity. |
level4 | ProgrammeIsOfTypeCertificate | sortOrder1050 | Art_and_design |
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New Zealand Certificate in Creativity
Programme code: Gain foundation skills for employment or further studies in creative environments. |
level4 | ProgrammeIsOfTypeCertificate | sortOrder1050 | Art_and_design |
Master of Creative Practice - Pending Approval

Programme Code: CH4077 Level: 9 Credits: 180 Starts: February
Postgraduate Diploma in Creative Practice - Pending Approval

Programme Code: CH4078 Level: 8 Credits: 120 Starts: February
Bachelor of Design (Applied Visual Art)

Programme Code: CH3756 Level: 7 Credits: 360 Starts: February
Bachelor of Design (Visual Communication Design)

Programme Code: CH3756 Level: 7 Credits: 360 Starts: February
New Zealand Diploma in Digital Media and Design (Level 5)

Programme Code: NZ2638 Level: 5 Credits: 120 Starts: February
New Zealand Diploma in Arts and Design (Level 5)

Programme Code: NZ2636 Level: 5 Credits: 120 Starts: February
New Zealand Certificate in Digital Media and Design

Programme Code: NZ2629 Level: 4 Credits: 60 Starts: July
New Zealand Certificate in Creativity

Programme Code: NZ2869 Level: 4 Credits: 60 Starts: February, July