Advanced Diploma in Design Technology

Purpose

Qualifying learners from the Advanced Diploma in Design Technology stream of study will gain exposure to the skills with the aim to make them creative practitioners (whether in fashion, photographic, digital or communication design or visual arts practice) and allied professionals (technicians). They will also gain training on research methodology and conceptual development that will position them for further study opportunities.

Rationale

This qualification will promote a sound understanding of the selected process of creative production, and thereby enabling learners to have technical and/or technological mastery over production methods whether analogue, digital, and high or low tech. The qualification will provide career opportunities for learners who are likely to pursue careers as creative practitioners or support technicians and in manufacture within the creative industries whether in fashion, photography, illustration, filmmaking, gaming digital and graphic design or visual arts practice.

Furthermore, the qualification encourages learners coming from a broad conceptual understanding of design and studio arts to focus more specifically on a selection of technologies, materials and process the high and lows in which they will specialise. These technologies can be flexibly applied across a range of different creative media, as well as ensuring that that qualifying learners have solid professional practice skills to equip them to apply themselves effectively in their chosen fields. Learners require a year that builds on the structured approach of the undergraduate programmes, while introducing and deepening knowledge and skills required for further study to be adequately equipped for the more independent study and research as required by a Postgraduate Diploma, Masters and ultimately Doctoral programmes. Some learners lean toward creative production informed by stronger conceptual underpinnings while others have a strong inclination toward the technologies employed within the industry.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Will be conducted on an individual basis in accordance with the RPL policy of the institution.

Provision is made to achieve the qualification in part or as a whole through the recognition of prior learning. Selection of Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) learners will be conducted on an individual basis in accordance with the RPL policy.

RPL applications for the institution are received by the Centre for Assessments and Graduations. The learners are required to complete a RPL application document. Accompanying the RPL application must be certified copies of all previous qualifications and a comprehensive portfolio of evidence, reflecting on extensive work and/or learning. Once the institution's RPL coordinator has deemed the RPL application as being complete, the portfolio will be sent to the Faculty of Humanities for assessment. The faculty's RPL committee assesses the learner's portfolio thoroughly against the relevant learning outcomes.

This qualification may be achieved in part through the recognition of relevant prior learning and/or through prior experience as a practitioner in another field of Design and/or Studio Art.

Such procedures and the assessment of individual cases are subject to moderation by independent assessors. The RPL policy outlines that the holder of a institution qualification certificate must have:

• Complied with the admission requirements for the qualification, including the admission requirements of the courses/module prescribed for the qualification:
• Been assessed and found competent in all the competences and skills prescribed for the qualification.
• Completed more than 50 % of the credits of the prescribed courses/modules for the qualification with the institution; and.
• Completed more than 60 % of the credits of the exit or final academic year of the prescribed curriculum for the qualification with the institution".

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement is

• A 360 Credits Diploma in Design and Studio Art.

This qualification comprises of compulsory modules at Level 7 totalling 120 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 7, 120 Credits

• Research methods and Techniques, 12 Credits.
• Ideation and Collaborative Practice in Industry, 24 Credits.
• Materials and Methods Proficiency, 18 Credits.
• Techniques and Technology Studies, 18 Credits.
• Production and Project management, 48 Credits.

1. Demonstrate a well-rounded and integrated knowledge of the qualification and a detailed knowledge of a specialist area.
2. Ability to apply, understand, select, sequence and demonstrate content knowledge according to both the subject and the industry needs.
3. Ability to research and understand their target market and identify how they respond, understand their individual needs, and tailor their product accordingly by applying a range of methods.
4. Communicate effectively in relation to their product(s), in order to mediate design and studio art industry needs and an ability to take decisions and justify those decisions.
5. Ability to communicate with academic/professional discourse.
6. Access, process and manage knowledge of the design and studio art industry and the ability to unpack its applications and to use available resources appropriately, so as to plan and develop suitable products.
7. Evaluate and understand diversity in the South African context, in order to accommodate industry developments, and identify and solve social problems.
8. Manage processes across variable contexts in order to self-evaluate and solve sequenced real world visual problems with well-structured arguments.
9. Demonstrate sound entrepreneurial, administrative and managerial skills in diverse contexts in order to ensure a conducive working environment.
10. Exhibit a positive work ethic, display appropriate values, and conduct themselves in a manner which befits, enhances and develops the design and studio art profession.
11. Critically reflect on their own practice in liaison with their professional community of colleagues and industry in order to constantly improve and adapt to evolving circumstances, while taking accountability for processes used.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Apply well-rounded and integrated knowledge with regard to a specialist area related to visual communication is applied.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Describe concepts, principles and theories applicable to the needs of the subjects, specialist areas and industry.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Apply and develop tailored specialised products for an identified target market by a range of methods.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Apply effective written, verbal and non-verbal communication skills with the ability to take decisions and actions drawing on appropriate ethical values and approaches within a supported environment.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Demonstrate and apply a sound knowledge of communication skills in the form of proposals and projects.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• Access, process and manage knowledge of the design and studio art industry is in the unpacking, planning and development of suitable products.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7

• Critically evaluate and use diversity in South Africa is critically to solve social problems.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 8

• Demonstrate effective management of diverse processes through defining and solving of sequenced real world visual problems.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 9

• Apply sound entrepreneurial, administrative and managerial skills to adhere to a conducive working environment.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 10

• Recognise and apply positive work ethic and integrated into related activities in design and studio art profession.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 11

• Critically evaluate reflection of own practice through peer review by a professional community of colleagues and the learner demonstrates the ability to take full responsibility for own work.