Unitec Institute of Technology

Master of Creative Practice

The Masters of Creative Practice enables graphic designers, contemporary artists, photographers, product designers, animators, game designers, performing artists, UX designers, directors, actors, dancers, filmmakers, costume and technical artists, producers, and digital creatives to learn independently and collaboratively in studio and classroom environments. This programme supports and challenges you to question ideas, explore new professional practices and develop research and creative practice capabilities at an advanced level in your chosen discipline. 

This 180 credit programme will allow you to immerse yourself in a dynamic community of diverse creative practices including dance, theatre, music, film, digital media, animation, raranga (Maori weaving), visual art, craft, costume design, graphic design, product design, experience design, game design and service design. Work on exciting and innovative projects in our creative studios and learn from industry-leading arts and design staff. 

A typical first-semester experience provides you with foundation knowledge in areas including: locating your creative practice within a wider body of knowledge, considering indigenous research methodologies, reading and thinking critically, experimenting with, and critiquing, approaches to collaborative and creative industry practice and applying artistic and design research methods.

Negotiated studies courses give you the option of undertaking industry placements with leading creative organizations and agencies in Auckland, while supervised studios provide possibilities for developing and enhancing your creative practice. 

The second and third semesters of study consist of the capstone project, which involves conceiving, proposing and carrying out a creative research project to completion (90 or 120 credits), during which time you will be supervised and mentored by academic staff and/or industry professionals. An example of this final project might be a performance, exhibition, design prototype or publication.

Highlights

• Dynamic studio environments that facilitate independent and collaborative working practices;
• Build your own Masters degree as a stair-cased qualification;
• Create a body of new work, build a portfolio, advance your practice and refresh or reorient your career;
• Learn about and apply Kaupapa Maori and Pacific approaches to creative practice;
• Gain industry experience through negotiated placements or work on live projects;
• Work in an evolving multi-disciplinary environment with exposure to a wide range of approaches, practices, and theories;
• Improve your communication skills through studio critiques and written activities;
• Learn from supervisors that include notable educators and creative practitioners;
• Get feedback on your developing work from specialists in your field;
• Develop highly specialised creative research and critical thinking skills through a significant project.