Testimonials

Difference between the Academy and Universities

Its personal at the Academy, unlike the hundreds of no-name people at a university. You know all the faces and get a lot more time with your tutors. I’m much more design-oriented and more confident in my design thinking. Just passing is now not good enough for me – I want to be a good, great, fantastic designer.

Amanda James, B.A. (Graphic Design)

I attended a university before the Academy. I thought I knew plenty about design before I came here. I now know that I only had a basic understanding and some of that I had learned the wrong way. Relearning has been challenging and rewarding, and enjoyable.

Sarah Wilson, B.A. (Graphic Design)

I went to (a university) before the Academy. Things are different here. There is more emphasis on visual thinking and understanding design, complemented with a knowledge of the other computer-based design. I now have more understanding of how to meet clients’ needs and have become a more ambitious person.

Scott McAllester, B.A. (Graphic Design)

Teaching at the Academy

The greatest benefit for me at the Academy has been the faculty; they challenge us to think harder and expand our capabilities. I now look at the world with a more curious eye. We are limited only by what we fail to imagine.

Sam Lehman, Dip. Multimedia

Since being at the Academy I've become more creative, critical and technical about what I produce. The tutors strive to encourage the dreams and ambitions of the students.

Liam Wilson, B. A. (Graphic Design)

At university it was extremely hard to find tutors and seek help; here at the Academy tutors are available and willing to assist me. I have learned that the computer is only a tool - my knowledge, imagination and design ideas have expanded.

Martha Cosma, B.A. (Multimedia)

Cooperative Community

The supportive environment has been great for me. Studying at the Academy has forced us to be both competitive and co-operative – we compete in the sense that we are challenged to maximize our potential. I’ve made some very good friendships here.

Ruby Agles-Mathews, B.A. (Multimedia)

Everybody helps each other – it’s friendly competition – I learn from friends as well as my tutors.

Lisa Abbott, B.A. (Graphic Design)

I’ve benefited from the small class sizes and the good student-tutor contact. My design thinking has matured and I’ve gained knowledge not only from my tutors but also from other students. Working with great people with similar ambitions has been invaluable.

Rachel Stevens, B.A. (Graphic Design)

I now have a far greater personal need to push my ideas further. The Academy instils in students the essentials to be great designers in a manner that is a pleasure to digest. The small class sizes and friendly students have been good – we inspire each other and share a common goal to be the best.

Simon Guy, B.A. (Graphic Design)

Career Prospects

I'm currently in Sydney where I have just landed a job as digital artist with Animal Logic at Fox Studios. Animal Logic is a film visual effects company whose work includes the movies "The Matrix", "Mission Impossible" and "The Moulin Rouge" as well the up-coming sequels to "Matrix" 2 & 3. (And now “Happy Feet”).

As you may imagine, I am overjoyed that the effort of study and interview trials has paid off and I have been able to secure what is for me the "dream job".

Michael Halford, Dip. Multimedia

I have learnt to think more laterally and effectively. I now have many career paths in design to go down.

Jacqui Hine, B.A. (Graphic Design)

The friendly atmosphere and concern for fellow students is great. Studying at the Academy has widened my horizons and I now know I am capable of a much higher standard of work than I thought. I’ve learnt a lot about dealing with people and clients.

Anne Wallace, B.A. (Multimedia)