NCEA L3 Design

Level 3 Design - DES3 

This course is UE List A approved. There a 4 standards; 3 x INTERNAL each worth 4 credits and 1 x EXTERNAL worth 14 credits. 

This is a course designed for students keen to further develop their existing Design and general art skills. It is an advanced course where design skills in media, both digital and hand-drawn, are carefully honed towards Merit and Excellence. The main focus in 'Visual Art - Design' is the graphic design processes.

• Freehand and digital drawing skills
• Finishing tools including Adobe applications (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) 
• Graphic design processes 
• Basic photography
• Research & Design Principles
• Layout and composition

Students may also choose to upskill in a range of Adobe products including Photoshop, InDesign and Illustrator.

The design process is very structured and clear; concepts, developments, final. The design principles will appeal to the most creative student and also the most clinically minded. Design process will support the development of research and higher order thinking skills. Students will choose their own ideas, conceptual premise and theme to explore in this course. 

The EXTERNAL standard is a14 credit - 3 panel portfolio. 

The planning and successful production of the external folio will allow for possible 'course endorsement'.                                                                                  

With teacher guidance, every student will produce their own range of ideas and artworks. It will often reflect their interests and aspirations.

                                                                          Level 3 Design student researching and developing ideas in his workbook

Each folio is unique and the student programme is personalized to the suit the individual. It is their ideas and conceptual journey which must be supported by the kaiako / teacher.

Scholarship, an exam beyond Level 3, is available in this discipline; Design. Students will 'opt in' and gain regular support and guidance. 

This is available for anyone who is keen to do what it takes to succeed in a Visual Arts Scholarship submission. We have had many Excellences, Scholarships and Outstanding Scholarships over the recent years. The 'exam' is completed concurrently with the Level 3 years work. Essentially, all the gathered workbook information is distilled down to eight A3 pages of inter-connected essence which are submitted in November. (an example page is below)