Qualification details
Title
New Zealand Diploma in Digital Media and Design (Level 6)
Version
1
Qualification type
Diploma
Level
6
Credits
120
NZSCED
100501
Creative Arts > Graphic and Design Studies > Graphic Arts and
Design Studies
Qualification developer
New Zealand Qualifications Authority
Next review
July 2018
Approval date
June 2015
Strategic purpose statement
This qualification is for people wanting to gain the specialised
skills and knowledge required to work as a junior Digital Media
and Design practitioner.
The digital media and design industry and creative and cultural
sector in Aotearoa New Zealand will benefit by having people
trained in specialised areas of digital media and design.
Graduates will be capable of applying skills and knowledge to
complex projects in specialised areas of the digital media and
design industry.
Graduate profile
Graduates of this qualification will be able to:
-
Outcome Statement
-
Education pathway
Apply problem-solving skills to complex digital media and
design challenges.
Apply and manage a design process to meet requirements
of complex project briefs independently.
Use specialised skills in the creation of complex design
solutions.
Synthesise theory and practical applications to produce a
body of work.
Demonstrate professional, ethical and business practices
in digital media and design environments.
The qualification provides a pathway from:
-
New Zealand Diploma in Digital Media and Design
(Level 5) [Ref: 2638]
New Zealand Diploma in Animation (Level 5) [Ref:
2634]
New Zealand Diploma in Graphic Design (Level 5)
[Ref: 2642]
Graduates of this qualification may wish to undertake further
tertiary study at diploma or degree level in the fields of creative
arts, design, media, or the field of business if pursuing selfemployment.
Employment pathway
Qualification Reference 2639
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
Graduates of this qualification will have the skills and knowledge
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required for self-employment, or for the role of junior practitioner
in digital media and design or web design.
Qualification specifications
Qualification award
This qualification may be awarded by any education
organisation accredited under section 250 of the Education Act
1989 to deliver a programme leading to the award of this
qualification.
The formal document certifying the award of this qualification
will display the New Zealand Qualifications Framework (NZQF)
logo and may also include the name or logo of the qualification
developer and/or the awarding body.
Evidence requirements for
assuring consistency
All tertiary education organisations (TEOs) either arranging
training or delivering programmes that lead to the award of the
qualification are required to participate with the qualification
developer in a scheduled consistency process, in accordance
with published national guidelines.
This will involve reviewing evidence associated with graduates’
achievement of outcomes, establishing a periodic cycle for a
review focus for the external consistency review, and agreeing
acceptable standards and/or benchmarks for qualification
outcome achievement, and areas for improvement.
Standard evidence for programme providers may include:
-
Minimum standard of
achievement and standards for
grade endorsements
assessment information leading to the achievement of the
graduate outcomes
a portfolio of student work relating to the qualification and
the annual review focus requirements
graduate and/or stakeholder/end-user feedback on outcome
achievement
TEO moderation outcomes which may include
moderation/benchmarking across common programmes
relevant External Evaluation and Review (EER) data
The minimum standard of achievement required for the award of
the qualification is the achievement of all graduate outcomes in
the graduate profile.
There are no grade endorsements for this qualification.
Other requirements for the
qualification (including regulatory
body or legislative requirements)
Nil.
General conditions for the programme leading to the qualification
General conditions for
programme
The programme design, including assessment, must reflect the
interconnectedness of graduate outcomes and the norms of
digital media and design industry practices.
Complex project briefs/problems/solutions have multiple
components each of which requires a range of specialised skills
and/or knowledge. There is a variety of ways to achieve the
Qualification Reference 2639
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
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objective.
Prior to enrolment, candidates must have completed a Level 5
qualification in the same or related field, or demonstrate
equivalent knowledge and skills.
Programmes may be developed based on Māori principles and
values, and are intended to enable Wānanga to meet obligations
under the Education Act (1989, section 162(4)(b)(iv)).
All TEOs offering programmes leading to this qualification must
maintain currency with amendments to, and replacement of,
relevant legislation, regulations, rules and Australian/New
Zealand Standards.
Conditions relating to the Graduate profile
Qualification outcomes
Conditions
1
Programmes must include selection and application of
appropriate problem-solving methods.
Apply problem-solving skills to
complex digital media and
design challenges.
Credits 20
2
Apply and manage a design
process to meet requirements
of complex project briefs
independently.
Programmes must include identification of target market and
purpose in relation to the stakeholder needs.
Credits 25
3
Use specialised skills in the
creation of complex design
solutions.
Programmes must include:
Credits 20
-
-
4
Synthesise theory and
practical applications to
produce a body of work.
Credits 25
5
Demonstrate professional,
ethical and business practices
in digital media and design
environments.
Credits 30
Programmes must include selection and use of multiple tools and
design principles informed by research and analysis.
Evidence may include theories such as colour, semiotics,
reception, film, deconstruction and gestalt.
Programmes must include:
-
-
Qualification Reference 2639
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
Ideation – research, analysis of research, incorporation of
feedback;
Development – initial and developed concepts, trials or
testing, critical thinking;
Final result that meets the brief;
Evaluation and reflection.
presentation of work for critique using a range of techniques
e.g. pitch, online, onscreen, mock up
leadership of a team within a dynamic environment
self-promotion through the development of a body of work
e.g. portfolio, online presence, show reels
knowledge of contracts, business planning, financial
obligations, marketing and legislative responsibilities e.g.
Health and Safety
practice with an understanding of the implications of the
Treaty of Waitangi for digital media and design in Aotearoa
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New Zealand
Qualification Reference 2639
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
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