Concept design comp

CHARACTER DESIGN: Bachelor of design with honours student Josh Walker created this character to protect the earth. An Earth Guardian-themed concept design competition has been organised to mark the launch of Massey University's new concept design major course. Picture supplied

Earth Guardians is the theme of a design competition created in a partnership between Massey University's college of creative arts and Weta Workshop.

Aimed at high school students, the new concept design competition has been organised to help celebrate the launch of the University's new concept design major.

The Earth Guardians character design competition calls for entrants to create a character to defend the earth, and to use nature and the elements to inspire their designs. Entrants are asked to supply details about where the character lives, its special powers and links to specific places, myths, legends, customary Maori narratives and deities.

The Earth Guardians competition is the brainchild of multimedia artist, design and digital technology teacher, Astrid Visser.

Time spent at home in isolation is the perfect time for students to get creative, she says.

“We want to connect with all kinds of students for this competition, from those who are interested in hand-drawing characters to others who are able to create digital art by downloading the free software they can use.”

The competition also aims to raise awareness of creative career opportunities in New Zealand, says senior concept artist and Weta Workshop School co-supervisor, Paul Tobin.

Visser will judge the top school prize and the highly commended school prize.

Prizes range from a Wacom 16 inch Cintiq Pen Display to $1000 to go towards studying a Bachelor of Design at Massey University. There is also a day's experience at Weta Workshop and Pik Pok, Weta Workshop designers visiting your school and art supply packs for your school.

The competition has two age categories — one for senior students aged 15-19, and another for junior students aged 12-14.

For more information, visit creative.massey.ac.nz/earthguardians and creative.massey.ac.nz/earthguardiansjunior