New Zealand Diploma in Screen Production (Game Design) (Level 5)

Creative Media

A course by

SIT

Develop creative and practical skills in 2D art, animation, and game design for immersive storytelling and collaborative game production. Delivered in a flexible HyFlex format, this NZQA Level 5 diploma prepares you for roles in game development and screen industries.

STUDY FREE
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Interested in this course? Enquire now for Domestic & International pricing

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Free study? Yep, it’s possible. Find out if you qualify.


This course starts anytime

NZQA Level 5 Certification (120 Credits)

Study Level

Advanced

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Blended study

This is a mix of online learning & face-to-face sessions

Invercargill / Hyflex, Invercargill

It will take a total of 1 year

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Develop practical skills in 2D game design and animation

Demonstrate ability to design and produce 2D games and animated experiences for a range of audiences using the latest techniques and technology.

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Apply storytelling and character development in screen production

Create engaging narratives, design compelling characters, and apply audience-centred interactive storytelling principles.

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Collaborate and communicate in creative teams

Work both individually and collaboratively, participating in cross-disciplinary creative teams and effective communication throughout the creative process.

What You're Signing Up For

Join a creative, collaborative community and learn to craft rich, immersive experiences for games and screen media. Over one year of full-time study, you’ll develop practical skills in 2D art, animation, digital design, storytelling, and game and level design. The programme emphasizes hands-on solo and team projects, interactive and audience-focused storytelling, and industry-relevant skills including communication, project management, and collaborative production processes. Graduates will be capable of producing compelling, user-driven games and animated narratives, with experience in both the creative and technical facets of screen production.

Course Content

  • Cross-disciplinary workshops (creative industry practice, communication, research)
  • Fundamentals of digital design in the creative industries
  • Studio-based digital art production
  • 2D game design: user experience, story and character-driven design, gameplay mechanics
  • Storyboarding and drafting for screen arts projects
  • Screenwriting for short form narratives
  • Principles of animation and 2D character creation
  • Production of 2D animated projects using industry-standard pipelines
  • Fundamental skills in physical and digital drawing (life drawing, mural, illustration)
  • Visual storytelling and narrative illustration
  • Project documentation and analysis

What you need to know first

University Entrance: NCEA Level 3 with three subjects at Level 3 (14 credits each)

Literacy: 10 credits at Level 2 or above (5 in reading, 5 in writing)

Numeracy: 10 credits at Level 1 or above (specified standards)

Portfolio of creative work with application (5-10 artworks/animation/game samples or equivalent)

Mature applicants: Age 20+, aptitude and evidence of Level 3 or higher study

May require interview with programme staff

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What sort of industry will this job lead to

  • Game Development

  • Screen Production

  • Creative Media

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Future employment opportunities might be

  • 2D artist

  • Game designer

  • Animator

  • UI artist/designer

  • Other multidisciplinary roles in game development and screen industries