Media Design School's Story begins in 1998

We were founded in response to the global industry demand for highly trained graduates in the fields of digital design and creative tech.

Our faculty and students have cemented Media Design School’s reputation as New Zealand’s most awarded tertiary provider for digital and creative technology qualifications by creating work that is consistently regarded among the very best in the world.

This has led to the growth of a robust network of industry partnerships which allows our students to not only benefit from genuine feedback and industry insights, but make connections to not only get their foot in the door, but to bust it wide open.

With our eyes set on the future, we will continue improving our school in as many ways as we can. 

Early film crew at MDS

Our History

25 years young, Media Design School already has a history of global success.

Media Design School was founded in 1998

1998

Media Design School was founded in 1998 by Liz Valintine, and was the first to offer a dedicated programme of study in 3D Animation in the Southern Hemisphere.
We introduced our Diploma in Game Development

1999

We introduced our Diploma in Game Development, making us the first school in Aotearoa New Zealand to provide a specialised games course.
We adopted a VFX studio approach to the third year of our Animation course

2009

We adopted a VFX studio approach to the third year of our Animation course, including pipeline and professional set ups, which we still adhere to today, allowing our films to be shown at festivals around the world.
The first Girls in Games event

2013

The first Girls in Games workshop was held to engage and empower young women to pursue a career in STEAM subjects and promoting the video game industry as a viable career.
Over the Moon shown at Comic Con

2013

Over the Moon was produced and became the first of our films to be shown at Comic-Con in San Diego, and winning a collection of international film awards. Subsequent film Prickly Jam also received this same honour in 2022.
We partnered with Sony Playstation in 2014

2014

We partnered with Sony, becoming the first and only institution in Aotearoa New Zealand to offer PlayStation development as part of our degree programme.
Games studios start interviewing MDS students

2014

In 2014, Game developers including Pikpok and Grinding Gear Games interview third year students on campus before they graduate. This has since expanded to include A44, Outerdawn and BuildMedia, with more on the horizon.
Student game Reverie is released on the PS4 and PlayStation Vita

2018

Student game Reverie is released on PlayStation Vita, and Sky Noon is released on Steam. More recently, Falsepine in 2022, and Bronzebeard’s Tavern in 2023 were also released on Steam to amazing success.
Creative Advertising students win their first D&AD pencil

2019

AdSchool students win their first D&AD pencil. Since then, AdSchool students have won three more, including two Yellows (the top award available).
Our new campus at Wynyard Quarter

2021

Media Design School shifts locations from Albert Street to a newly built campus in Wynyard Quarter.
Rose Norgrove wins the prestigious International Red Dot Award for design

2021

Rose Norgrove, student of the Bachelor of Media Design wins the prestigious International Red Dot Award for design with project Dual.
We became a Houdini Certified School

2022

We became a certified Houdini partner, which has been renewed every year based on our performance.
We're ranked number 1 in NZ by Animation Career Review

2023

Ranked 1st in New Zealand and 12th in the world for Animation Colleges by Animation Career Review.

MDS XXV

We turned 25 and celebrated with our students and staff at the end of the year in hitting such an exciting and impressive milestone. During the event combined with our annual End of Year Show, we recognized not only our graduating students, but the students whom graduated before them, showcasing a selection of work from the past to show how high the standards have been set, and continue to be raised. 

We invited our alumni back, many of them as industry guests, to revisit where their career journeys began, and allow our fledgling alumni to network and connect with their future mentors, employers and colleagues.

Satellite Learning Centres

Many passionate students find accessibility to play a major factor in deciding their future. In hopes of reducing this struggle, we’ve established several Satellite Learning Centres across the country, with plans to raise more.

Satellite Learning Centres have been set up in partnership with education facilities across the country to help cut the cost of travel while preserving the social learning style that we value. Our aim with this initiative is to provide students the same opportunities as those who live close to Media Design School, regardless of background. With Satellite Learning Centres, you can do the things you need to do to make it through, without sacrificing your dreams. 

NGEN Room

Whangarei, Northland

The NGEN Room prides themselves on holding high standards for their tutors to deliver leading tech industry skills, professionalism and ethics.

NGEN Room

The Cause Collective

Wiri, Auckland

The Cause Collective is a community organisation that aims to create the conditions for communities to thrive from this generation to the next.

The Cause Collective

Digital Natives Academy (DNA)

Rotorua

DNA’s mission is to create career pathways for whānau wanting to be part of digital tech industries. They wish to inspire makers and innovators of technology, rather than users and consumers of it.

DNA