Advanced Diploma in Art and Design

Purpose

The purpose of the Advanced Diploma in Art and Design is to empower learners with practical and critical thinking skills, through multi-disciplinary projects and discipline-specific applications, to aid thinking and problem solving through art and design. This qualification aims to equip learners with the knowledge, values and attitudes that contribute to various design professions and related disciplines to address pertinent issues through practice.

Rationale

The Advanced Diploma in Art and Design not only provides a learner with the opportunity to pursue postgraduate studies, but it also provides them with an opportunity for further learning. The qualification targets learners currently in the industry and who wish to broaden their knowledge and skills. Learners will get an opportunity to deepen their theoretical and practical understanding of the art, design and architecture environment through the exposure of new material, technology and techniques. Many researchers see art and design education as failing if it equips learners only with the skill to solve task-oriented problems. In an increasingly complex world, education should equip learners with the intellectual skills that allow them to integrate problem-solving across fields. Therefore, collaborative thinking enables new synergies between disciplines that enhance creativity and innovation towards deepened, more speculative and more responsive results.

Contemporary art, design and architecture education models look at generic art and design thinking as a process and apply this process to various disciplinary ends. Herein lies an opportunity to merge the collective applied design thinking skills of the Departments in the Faculty of Art, Design and Architecture. The teaching philosophy that drives the need for the Advanced Diploma in Art and Design is design processes. Design processes are the essential core of every design discipline; what varies is the scale and materials used to achieve the desired outcome.

The Advanced Diploma in Art and Design is a multi-disciplinary and discipline-specific and ensures continuous renewal and transformation.

The qualification will contribute to the national objectives regarding skills development and economic growth through

• Aiding thinking and problem-solving through art and design and thereby contributing to various art, design and architecture disciplines.
• Foundational, practical and critical thinking will empower learners to interact with private and business sector case studies, theories, policies and best practices.
• Addressing important current pertinent issues while being flexible enough to ensure that these influence the context for the content taught.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The Faculty accepts RPL as an integral part of education and academic practice. The Faculty will assess prior learning and award credits, as aligned to the Faculty's qualifications to promote lifelong learning. The purpose of the University's RPL Policy is to recognise prior learning. Also, to provide access to qualifications, grant advanced placement in qualifications and award credits for modules. The principles and processes will serve as a basis for faculty-specific RPL practices.

Recognition takes place in terms of requirements and procedures applied by the Faculty of Art, Design and Architecture.

RPL in the case of a learner not complying with the formal entry requirements

• Is based on other forms of formal, informal and non-formal learning and experience;
• Is considered only where prior learning corresponds to the required NQF-Level;
• Takes place where prior learning in terms of applied competencies is relevant to the content and Exit Level Outcomes of the qualification;
• Is considered in terms of an assessment procedure that includes a motivated recommendation by an assessment panel to the Dean's Committee of the Faculty of Art Design and Architecture and is finally decided upon by the Faculty of Art, Design and Architecture Academic Quality and Planning Committee.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• A 360-Credit Diploma in any art or design discipline, NQF Level 6.

This qualification consists of four compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 7 totalling 120 Credits:

• Advanced Art, Design and Architecture Design Theory, 20 Credits.
• Methods of Art, Design and Architecture Research, 20 Credits.
• Art, Design and Architecture Project, 20 Credits.
• Art and Design Project, 60 Credits.

1. Investigate a range of contemporary art, design and architecture theories and practices.
2. Integrate knowledge in the identification, development and presentation of an art, design or architecture solutions.
3. Identify and apply alternative design solutions to contribute to multi-disciplinary group work.
4. Present solutions of appropriate scope, scale and complexity within their own discipline.
5. Conduct research and compile a reflective research poster and essay on the identified design problem and solution under supervision.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Discuss contemporary art, design and architecture theories.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Identify, analyse and address complex problems by drawing on knowledge and methods of art, design and architecture.
• Generate multiple creative solutions to complex problems by using design thinking skills.
• Demonstrate solutions to the knowledge of art, design and architecture theory.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Produce creative solutions both independently and as members of multi-disciplinary teams.
• Develop various design iterations and present and communicate the art and design process clearly and incorporate the stages and design thinking processes to resolve the design problem.
• Identify relevant art and design criteria through a thorough investigative process.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Identify complexities within their discipline.
• Demonstrate integration of knowledge and creative thinking skills are evident in the development of solutions for own discipline.
• Integrate knowledge, findings and creative thinking into the discipline.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Identify a topic that is relevant to the profession and suitable for art, design and architecture exploration for the execution of the study.
• Use appropriate research methods in the chosen discipline.
• Prepare a research poster and literature review for communication of an identified art and design problem.
• Present and report findings according to prescribed academic conventions and offer creative insights and rigorous interpretations of identified problems.
• The research and studio project is displayed to take decisions and act ethically and professionally in the development and execution of the identified problem.

Integrated Assessment

There is the use of both formative and summative assessment strategies in this qualification.

• Module 1: Advanced Art, Design and Architecture Design Theory.

Formative Assessment: Individual discussions.

Summative Assessment: Group presentations, Literature reviews.

• Module 2: Methods of Research for Art, Design and Architecture.

Formative Assessment: Individual discussions.

Summative Assessment: Group presentations, Essays, Research poster.

• Module 3: Art, Design and Architecture Practice.

Formative Assessment: Individual discussions.

Summative Assessment: Two group projects, panel presentation, individual reflective essay (participation/personal growth).

• Module 4: Studio Project 4.

Formative: Individual discussions.

Summative: Artefact/system Development process, Portfolio, Presentation to the panel.