Laura McPIke

The practical and technical skills Laura McPike gained at Natcoll enabled her to be accepted straight in to Year 3 of Waikato Institute of Technology’s (Wintec) Bachelor of Media Arts in 2010.  She is majoring in graphic design, and it was this passion for design that led her two years ago to enrol in Natcoll’s Certificate in Digital Media (iCreate). “It was a great place to start given I didn’t know much about design,” Laura explains “And the course had a more practical nature which appealed to me”.

After learning some new skills, and knowing Natcoll’s diploma courses could be completed in nine months Laura decided to further hew knowledge at Natcoll by going on to complete a Diploma of Computer Graphic Design and a Diploma of Digital Media (Advanced). This is when she decided to take advantage of the degree pathway set up between Natcoll and Wintec.

Additionally Laura is doing an internship with the Spark International Festival of Media, Arts and Design in Hamilton as the graphic designer. “I have a substantial amount of creative control over the project as I am not working with any other designers. Also the designs are for an arts and design festival so there is plenty of opportunity to create something different and innovative.” Laura works closely with a number of people including the festival project manager (meeting at least once a week), the print company (to ensure the most cost effective and sustainable way to print), and also the illustrator.

Laura says she would definitely recommend Natcoll. “There is a lot of value placed on technical skills which has become invaluable to me in my later learning and career.”