Henare Brooking – one of the EIT lecturers
delivering the NZ Certificate in Art & Design
Each person is creative in some way and expressing that creativity is easy – it’s finding the right artistic medium that can be the hard part.
EIT’s New Zealand Certificate in Art & Design is the ultimate programme for introductory knowledge and studio experience in creative practices.
Run over six months in four main project blocks, the certificate covers art and design, screen production, fashion and music.
Sarah Blair, Lynette Anderson and Henare Brooking are the lecturers delivering the programme. Between them, the trio possess a wide range or knowledge and industry skills in everything from fashion to Māori visual arts.
Henare has owned and successfully operated Mokoira Tā Moko Studio and is a graduate of Toihoukura’s
Bachelor of Māori Visual Arts. He now teaches moko and visual and studio design on the degree programme – skills he is excited to bring to EIT’s new qualification.
“I am looking forward to taking students through the design process, seeing them taking an idea from paper through to things like textiles, digital media and even further afield,” says Henare.
“There are many benefits to studying this programme. It’s an opportunity for students to dabble in different areas of design and identify what they are likely to head towards and refine their skills.
“I think the accessibility of a programme like this is great for the Tairāwhiti community.”
As well as helping students find or confirm the medium in which they would like to express themselves, the New Zealand Certificate in Art & Design will provide an insight into job opportunities in the wider creative industry and explain how modern creatives specialising in different media work together.
“There are so many pathways available now for art and design students,” says Henare.
“Everyone needs graphic designers, for example. This programme can provide the resources and skills
to open up career pathways into the arts.”
The programme’s design aligns with practices in the modern workforce and will be offered using iPads supplied by EIT. Students completing the programme will have built up a portfolio that prepares them for the next step – applying to study EIT’s diploma or bachelor degree visual arts and design programmes.