Multiple Gold, Silver and Bronze Honours for Media Design School at the 2024 Best Awards

Bachelor of Media Design, Graduate Diploma of Creative Technologies (GDCT) and Master of Design students claimed Gold, Silver, Bronze, and Finalist Awards in Moving Image, Digital, Social Good, Toitanga, and Graphic categories. 

The awards successes highlight the commitment and talent of Media Design School students, demonstrating the real-world readiness and industry relevance that students gain from studying here.

Mario Golfari’s animated short film, Puma, took home a Gold Award in the Student Moving Image category. Inspired by Mario’s personal journey with Generalised Anxiety Disorder, Puma uses editorial-style illustrations to tell the fictional story of Valentina, a young writer facing her own anxieties in her professional journey. This narrative, symbolised by a puma intruding into her safe space, explores themes of vulnerability, resilience, and the importance of self-awareness. The carefully curated visuals and powerful symbolism resonate deeply with those grappling with mental health challenges, providing an evocative depiction of anxiety and personal growth.

Beyond Puma, other innovative projects developed by Media Design School students also received accolades at the Best Awards. Hanga tō Ara, a collaborative live brief with Spark New Zealand, claimed Silver Awards for its creative approach in the Student Digital and Social Good categories, while Sanctuary, Girls Like Me: A Guide to Female Reproductive Wellness, and Kaya Mo Yan! each received awards for their contributions to social impact and digital innovation. These projects, created by passionate student teams, reflect Media Design School’s emphasis on industry engagement and real-world application, equipping students to take on meaningful projects in their future careers.

This year’s achievements also underscore the dedication and guidance of Media Design School’s faculty, whose expertise supports students in reaching international benchmarks in creative and technical excellence. For students, these awards demonstrate that Media Design School’s programmes offer a unique opportunity to be part of an innovative, industry-connected learning environment where student outcomes are consistently celebrated on a national and global stage.