Photographic Design

Photography is a dynamic discipline with a multiplicity of exciting career options and outcomes. At The College of Creative Arts, Massey, Photography is taught by some of New Zealand’s leading photographic practitioners. Our staff have significant research profiles and represent New Zealand’s leading teaching nexus for photographic design. Our facilities include professional photographic studios, state of the art digital suites and printers with expert technical support, and in addition many alternative and historical wet-based photographic processes are supported. Graduates are performing at the top of their fields in the worlds of commercial, fashion and portraiture photography.

The objective of the Photographic Design major is to provide a broad-based platform of photographic practice and theory from which ethical, conceptual and creative solutions can be made in response to personal and client communication needs. The Photographic Design major develops the skills needed to apply the practice and production of photographs in diverse fields with a strong research base. Wherever visual documentation and communication are needed there are roles for photographers.

Graduates are employed in a number of areas such as advertising, the photographic arts, writing on photography, photographic conservation, the film industry, research facilities, fashion, corporate promotion, illustration, photographing products from food to buildings and for publications such as newspapers and magazines. Graduates are also employed to apply the documentation aspects of photography in such disciplines as medicine, science, forensic science, archaeology and anthropology.

First year students across the BFA (Hons) and BDes (Hons) share a core suite of papers in their first year.

Second Year: During the second year students will explore different approaches to photography and are encouraged to pursue and articulate concepts which relate to their ideas. Second year themes include "The Society of the Spectacle", media and consumer imagery.

Third Year: In the third year students build on and develop their visual communication skills and ability to articulate ideas. Themes include place and site within photographic practice.

Fourth Year: During the fourth and final year, BDes(Hons) students will pursue research topics in photography. Significant emphasis is also placed upon research skills and procedures and the development and completion of an individual research project. BDes students pursue studio-based projects. All students will engage with issues relating to presentation and installation for photographers.

Throughout the BDes(Hons) and BDes, students' understanding of photographs will be extended and augmented by their studies in History and Criticism. These studies will contribute to their understanding of contemporary and historical practice and critical thinking in relation to photographic work.

Within each year there is an opportunity for students to study elective papers, enabling them to make connections across disciplines and theoretical principles.

Staff
Ann Shelton (Subject Leader)
Jennifer Gillam (Programme Leader)