Qualification details
Title
New Zealand Diploma in Graphic Design (Level 5)
Version
1
Qualification type
Diploma
Level
5
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 general
graphic design skills and knowledge required to work in a junior
technical or assistant role in a graphic design studio
environment.
The graphic design industry and creative and cultural sector in
Aotearoa New Zealand will benefit by having people with
practical and conceptual skills that reflect current industry
practice in graphic design.
Graduates will be capable of creating graphic design work within
a team by applying the design process within project briefs.
Graduates may have some responsibility for leading aspects of a
graphic design project using basic leadership skills.
Graduate profile
Graduates of this qualification will be able to:
-
Outcome Statement
-
-
Education pathway
The qualification provides a pathway from the following:
-
Qualification Reference 2642
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
Apply problem solving skills to a range of design
challenges in a graphic design studio environment.
Apply practical and conceptual skills in visual
communication.
Apply the essential principles of graphic design and the
treatment of typography and its applications within project
briefs.
Create graphic design work using a range of graphic
design techniques and processes.
Analyse and evaluate own graphic design work and the
work of others.
Work collaboratively, and demonstrate basic leadership
skills within a graphic design team.
Demonstrate professional practices in a graphic design
work environment.
National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA)
(Level 3) [Ref: 1039]
New Zealand Certificate in Digital Media and Design
(Level 3) [Ref: 2628]
New Zealand Certificate in Digital Media and Design
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-
(Level 4) [Ref: 2629]
New Zealand Certificate in Arts and Design (Level 3) [Ref:
2626]
New Zealand Certificate in Arts and Design (Level 4) [Ref:
2627]
New Zealand Certificate in Creativity (Level 4) [Ref: 2869]
Graduates of this qualification may wish to undertake further
tertiary study at diploma or degree level in the field of creative
arts.
Employment pathway
Graduates of this qualification will have the skills and knowledge
for a junior technical or assistant role within a graphic design
environment.
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 other 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 the 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)
Qualification Reference 2642
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
Nil.
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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
graphic design industry practices.
Prior to enrolment, candidates must have completed a Level 3
qualification in a 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 such as design thinking
and user experience.
Apply problem solving skills
to a range of design
challenges in a graphic
design studio environment.
Credits 20
2
3
Apply practical and
conceptual skills in visual
communication.
Programmes must include:
Credits 20
-
Apply the essential principles
of graphic design and the
treatment of typography and
its applications within project
briefs.
Programmes must include gestalt.
Credits 15
-
-
Evidence must include
-
4
Create graphic design work
using a range of graphic
design techniques and
processes.
Exploration and development of a range of creative ideas
to resolve design problems.
Practical application of the skills must reflect current
industry standards.
Ideation – research, analysis of research, incorporate
feedback.
Development – initial and developed concepts, trials or
testing; final result that meets the brief.
Typography appropriate to the medium and purpose.
Programmes must include selection and use of multiple
techniques and design processes appropriate to the design
problem informed by research and analysis.
Credits 25
5
Analyse and evaluate own
graphic design work and the
work of others.
Programmes must include basic use of underpinning theory such
as semiotic theory and deconstruction.
Credits 15
6
Work collaboratively, and
Qualification Reference 2642
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
Programmes may include assignment and overseeing of roles
version 1
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demonstrate basic leadership
skills within a graphic design
team.
within a team project.
Credits 5
7
Demonstrate professional
practices in a graphic design
work environment.
Credits 20
Work environment may be real or simulated.
Programmes must include:
-
Qualification Reference 2642
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
Presentation of work for critique using a range of
techniques e.g. pitch, online, onscreen, and mock up.
Self-promotion through the development of a body of work
e.g. portfolio, online presence, and show reels.
Safe working practices.
Practise with an understanding of the implications of the
Treaty of Waitangi for graphic design in Aotearoa New
Zealand.
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