Media Design School

When you study at MDS, you study with industry professionals.

VFX specialist Cameron Chittock has joined the Media Design School at Strayer (MDS) team as Programme Director for the Bachelor of Art & Design (3D Animation & VFX).

With a huge back catalogue spanning film, television, animation and visual effects production across New Zealand and internationally, as well as being an Award-winning animation director, producer and VFX specialist, you'll be well on your way to following in his footsteps when you study with us.

Read more about our newest staff member here: https://www.mediadesignschool.com/news/award-winning-animation-director-cameron-chittock-joins-mds

Game developers, creators, students, and industry professionals all under one roof 🎮✨

Recently, we had the pleasure of hosting Auckland Makes Games at MDS, bringing together members of Auckland's game development community for an evening of networking, showcasing projects, sharing ideas, and making new connections.

Auckland Makes Games plays an important role in supporting the local industry and we're proud to provide a space where those conversations can happen. A special shoutout to the organisers, including several MDS alumni, for making the event possible.

Studying online with us from Wellington to working as a Junior Animator at Wētā FX, Jacynta’s journey shows that learning and career paths aren’t limited by location.

Find out how the Bachelor of Art & Design (3D Animation & VFX) programme at Media Design School at Strayer helped Jacynta craft award-winning projects and pave the path for her career!

Read more here: https://www.mediadesignschool.com/news/wellington-weta-fx-how-online-study-helped-jacynta-scurfield-launch-her-animation-career

Massive thanks to everyone who made it to MDS Unleashed 2026! From epic student showcases and live demos to meeting future creatives, the campus was absolutely buzzing.

We loved seeing so many new faces exploring the world of games, animation, AI, design and more. We can't wait to see many of those friendly faces again at our upcoming July orientation!

If you'd like to be one of them - you've still got until the 20th July 2026 to join!

MDS Unleashed is happening this Saturday!

Explore interactive student projects, playable games, animation and VFX showcases, creative tech experiences, and connect directly with MDS faculty and current students.

See what your life could be at MDS before applications close for the next intake!

RSVP here: https://www.mediadesignschool.com/events/mds-unleashed

Congratulations to all the MDS students that celebrated their graduation with us yesterday at the ASB Waterfront Theatre!

As always, it was an amazing event to experience with friends, family and whānau and marks one of the most important milestones in your academic journey.

We wish you the all best for the next chapter and look forward to all the incredible things you achieve in the future.

MDS has been ranked #4 in the world in the World Brand Design Society Best Design Education Rankings 2025-26 - a major global recognition of the creative talent coming out of New Zealand.

Our Bachelor of Media Design students also picked up one Gold, three Silvers and a Bronze, with projects spanning capstones and live briefs with Sony Music Entertainment and Spark New Zealand.

Read more here: https://www.mediadesignschool.com/news/mds-ranked-4-world-design-education

We've kicked off the year with a bang 💥

8 new clubs, over 10 social events held and welcomed one of our largest intakes yet. To wrap up our event calendar for o-week, we hosted our annual Big Fat MDS Quiz Night which saw 13 teams compete head to head for huge prizes. Congrats to our winning teams, in particular, a group of solo students who braved coming along not knowing anyone and left as winners, taking first place! 🥇

Shout out to for fuelling the quiz with their shared passion for building community and having responsible fun without the social pressures of traditional drinking.