Major Portfolio

Undergraduate (Year 3), Bachelor of Media Design — Level 7
Credits: 15 Duration: 16 weeks

The Major Portfolio component supports students in developing a professional design portfolio that reflects their creative and technical capabilities. The course brings together students from the Graphic (Digital Design), Interactive (UX/UI), and Motion (Animation and UI) majors to curate and refine a body of work that demonstrates their individual design identity and professional readiness.

I organised and facilitated an industry portfolio review, where students presented their draft portfolios to panels of industry professionals for feedback. This engagement provided students with real-world insights into current design practices and expectations, helping them strengthen their visual communication, critical reflection, and presentation skills in preparation for employment or postgraduate opportunities.

Student name: Ryen Muir Amy Wood Aston Gregory Matthew Jackson

Students: Mehmet Gultekin Jules Benedict G. Castillon Jayme Rose Ducommun Eilish Cecilia Neal Scarlett Nicole Kang

Student: Salem McKay, Gio Bumanlag, Solbi Ju, Jinwoo Park, Sam Oxford

Students: Dearna Smith Liam Bennett Matthew Jackson Rory Maddren

Students: Calum De Fanti Benjamin Walsham Monica Luu Cameron Loving

Interdisciplinary Group Project

Undergraduate (Year 3), Bachelor of Media Design — Level 7
Credits: 30 Duration: 16 weeks (two group projects)

The Interdisciplinary Group Project component brings together students from across Media Design majors to collaborate on live briefs from industry partners. The course emphasises studio-based, practice-led learning where students engage in co-learning and co-teaching environments supported through mentoring and supervision.

My role involves facilitating interdisciplinary teamwork, guiding students through research-led design processes, and mentoring them in project management, prototyping, and professional presentation. Students work collaboratively to generate and refine creative media strategies that respond to real-world briefs, developing artefacts and prototypes that integrate design theory, technical proficiency, and cultural awareness.

This project emulates a professional studio environment and provides students with authentic industry experience, enhancing their creative confidence, teamwork, and communication skills. It also supports the development of professional portfolios. It prepares students for employment or postgraduate study, reflecting practice-based education and lifelong learning in the creative industries.

Shaping Learning and Teaching with Eke Panuku.jpg

Professional and Academic Practice

Undergraduate (Year 3), Bachelor of Media Design — Level 7
Credits: 15 Duration: 16 weeks (two group projects)

The Professional and Academic Practice component prepares students for professional entry or postgraduate study by integrating research methods, academic writing, and industry-focused practice. It enables students to critically document and communicate their creative processes through practice-led research and artefact development.

My teaching focuses on guiding students in developing research proposals, applying appropriate design methodologies, and presenting their work effectively through pitches, reports, and written documentation. Students learn how to establish and manage a creative studio or freelance practice, maintain client relationships, and apply project management principles within real-world design contexts.

The course cultivates professional readiness by blending theoretical inquiry with practical application, ensuring students can position their creative work within broader cultural and industry frameworks. By the end of the paper, students demonstrate their ability to synthesise research, strategy, and design practice in a manner aligned with both academic standards and professional expectations.

Capstone Project: Practice-based Inquiry

Undergraduate (Year 3), Bachelor of Media Design — Level 7
Credits: 60 Duration: 16 weeks

The Capstone Project, I support students through a self-directed, practice-based inquiry that integrates creative, technical, and strategic design skills. Most projects focus on interactive UX/UI, motion design, animation, gamified interfaces, and 3D/VFX concept development. I encourage critical thinking, reflection, and experimentation as students refine ideas into original, industry-ready outcomes. Through iterative feedback and discussion, I help them articulate purpose, context, and audience, while promoting ethical, culturally grounded design practice. Emphasising Aotearoa New Zealand’s social and cultural contexts, I guide students to consolidate their learning into cohesive professional practices that demonstrate creativity, integrity, and independent inquiry.