History
Media Design School was founded in 1998 to provide trained graduates for creative, design, digital and technological companies so that they could respond to the opportunity of a rapidly expanding global industry.
Education
Media Design School is New Zealand's most awarded tertiary institution for creative and digital technology qualifications, offering a range of courses in Game Art, Game Programming, Graphic Design, Creative Advertising, Motion Graphics, Interactive Design, and 3D Animation and Visual Effects.
Home to New Zealand's longest running and most established 3D animation and game development programmes, we are the #1 animation school in Australasia and ranked within the top 5 in the world (Animation Career Review 2019).
Not only was our graphic design degree ranked #1 internationally (Rookies 2016), but MDS was ranked among the top 10 Motion Design schools in the world and #2 in the Southern Hemisphere (Rookies 2018).
Research
Media Design School has faculty research expertise in the following areas:
- Creative and emergent technologies
- Games design and development
- Interaction design and digital arts
- Transmedia storytelling
- Design methodologies
- Algorithms and computer programming
- Film-making and visual effects
- Graphic design, illustration and contextual studies
Career
Our students are employable
93% of our graduating class found work within 6 months (2017). Better still, alumni are headhunted by some of the world's most influential studios. Plus, their starting salaries are higher than average!
Business incubator for gaming and design students
The MDS Studios programme nurtures students to start their own production company and take their concepts to market. Bring your ideas to life!
Short Courses
Arts, Design & Architecture (1)
- Certificate Design Thinking
Business & Management (1)
- Certificate Design Thinking
Computer Science & IT (1)
- Certificate User Experience (UX) Design
Student services
Media Design School works closely with a number of international education agencies around the world. These accredited agents can advise and assist you with your application to Media Design School and may also be able to assist you with your student visa application.
Housing services
Media Design School does not have on campus accommodation, but our Student Services Facilitator can help you decide on the type of accommodation that’s right for you. There are generally 3 types of accommodation: student accommodation, homestay or boarding and a shared house (flatting). Flatting can be a good way of getting to know the culture of the city and to meet some local students, but we recommend that you only look at flats once you arrive in the country.
Library services
The Media Design School Library is a small, focused collection of books, magazines and journals, designed to support your studies and inspire your creative work. Come in anytime during School open hours to browse the library and use the computers. All library items are reference-only (not for loan), but there is a copier/scanner/printer available.
ICT services
Having technical troubles? Our friendly IT staff members are located on campus and are on hand to help.
Campus life
Media Design School is located on the top six levels of a high-rise building in the heart of Auckland. The purpose-built facilities are designed to be a collaborative, creative space where mature students, tutors and industry professionals are able to come together to work on interesting design projects.
Student clubs
Media Design School Studios enables students to develop their entrepreneurial skills by creating commercially viable start-up studios. Find out more about how we're encouraging our students to excel.