Starting July, Cheryl will be delivering the Graphic Design Practice (MDDN413) course, as part of…
WellingtonICTJune 13, 2017
Be taught by some of New Zealand’s leading academics and creative practitioners,
as well as learning direct from industry specialists.
Programme Directors
Meet the leading academic staff of our Master programmes
Raqi Syed
Master of Design Technology
Raqi began her career in feature animation as an Assistant Technical Director for Disney Feature Animation on films such as Meet the Robinsons and later as a Lighting Artist on Tangled. She then went on to work as a Senior Technical Director with Weta Digital on films like Avatar, The Planet of the Apes films, and The Hobbit Trilogy. A full list of her film credits can be found over at IMDB. Her current XR research is supported by DevLab and the New Zealand Film Commission.
Dr Karsten Lundqvist
Master of Software Development
Karsten has over 13 years of computer science research and teaching experience, he’s passionate about exploring new tech (like artificial intelligence) to improve teaching and learning. Karsten is an avid gamer and uses game development in his research. One of his inspirations has been Lego (originating from his country of Denmark) which from an early age showed him the power of playful learning.
Dr Alexander Richter
Master of Professional Business Analysis
Alex is Professor of Information Systems at Victoria University of Wellington. Over the last 10 years, Alex was involved with more than 30 projects with leading companies and research institutes aiming to contribute to the design of digital workplaces. For example, he led the requirements analysis in the major European project “Worker-Centric Workplaces for Smart Factories” from 2014 to 2018 and facilitated industrial change projects for companies like Airbus, Allianz, Bayer, BMW and Bosch.
Dana Fridman
Master of User Experience Design
Dana has experience in digital product design, development and entrepreneurship. She completed a BA in Psychology, a Diploma in Graphic Design, and a Master in Design Innovation. Previously, Dana worked in mental health, graphic design, user experience (UX) design for the Web, native applications, and augmented reality, co-founded a GovTech product company, and developed a passion for UX design, design for health, and design for education. In her free time, she likes to make art, read academic papers, form collaborations, and co-organise local events for the UX community.
Lecturers
Meet the academic staff who teach courses in our programmes
Areito Echevarria
Master of Design Technology
Areito is an Academy Award winning visual effects artist and was Head of the FX Department at Weta Digital. He teaches Creative Coding for Digital Content (MDDN451) and Compositing and Motion Graphics (MDDN421).
Mark Stanger
Master of Design Technology
Mark is an award-winning animator with 20 years experience on ground-breaking productions at Weta Digital like Avatar, The Avengers, and The Hobbit Trilogy. He teaches Character Animation (MDDN432).
Kevin Romond
Master of Design Technology
Kevin is a supervisor at Weta Digital with 17 years experience in visual effects and his creative practice has recently revolved around VR content. He teaches Design Ideation (CCDN422).
Sunny Teich
Master of Design Technology
Sunny has years of experience in VFX working on feature films at major international studios including Disney Animation, Sony Imageworks and Weta Digital. She teaches Effects and Simulation (MDDN422).
Jessica Millar
Master of Design Technology
Jessica works in the Lighting Department at Weta Digital and teaches Lighting and Rendering (MDDN431).
David Hakaraia
Master of Design Technology and Master User Experience Design
David teaches Mātauranga Design (CCDN412).
Sarah Maxey
Master of User Experience Design
Sarah teaches Graphic Design Practice (MDDN413).
Ania Mastalerz
Master of User Experience Design
Ania is Lead UX Researcher at Optimal Workshop and teaches User Experience Design Practice (MDDN417).
Kah Chan
Master of User Experience Design
Kah is Lead Product Designer at Sailthru and was Head of Product Design at Flick Electric Co. He teaches User Experience Design (MDDN417).
Catherine Caudwell
Master of User Experience Design
Catherine teaches Advanced User Experience Studio (MDDN416).
Cathal Doyle
Master of Professional Business Analysis
Cathal teaches Business and Systems Analysis (MBUA510) and Process Design (MBUA511).
Markus Luczak-Roesch
Master of Professional Business Analysis
Markus teaches Databases and Analytics (MBUA512).
Michael Winikoff
Master of Professional Business Analysis
Michael teaches Databases and Analytics (MBUA512).
Lizzie Valentine
Master of Professional Business Analysis
Lizzie teaches Information Systems Consulting Practice (MBUA531).
Micheal Homer
Master of Software Development
Micheal teaches Professional Programming Skills (SWEN501) and Software Development Studio 1 (SWEN502).
Ali Ahmed
Master of Software Development
Ali teaches Professional Programming Skills (SWEN501), Software Development Studio 1 (SWEN502), and Software Development Studio 2 (SWEN504).
Craig Anslow
Master of Software Development
Craig teaches on Software Development Studio 1 (SWEN502).
Jennifer Ferreira
Master of Software Development
Jennifer teaches Software Development Studio I (SWEN502).
Our Staff Stories
Meet the staff, teaching fellows and guest lecturers sharing their expertise with the Wellington ICT Graduate School.
This Trimester, Dr Lizzie Valentine delivered the Information Systems Consulting Practice course as part of…
WellingtonICTJune 7, 2017
Starting Trimester 2, 17th July 2017, David will be delivering the Mātauranga Design course as…
WellingtonICTMay 4, 2017
