Advanced Diploma in Fashion

Purpose

The purpose of the qualification is to develop learners who can demonstrate focused knowledge and skills in the field of Fashion with a strong emphasis on entrepreneurship. The qualification is designed to meet the requirements of a specific niche in the labour market. The qualification is suitable for continuing professional development and provides an in-depth, systematic understanding of specialised theory and practice in fashion design.

The qualification aims to encourage fashion entrepreneurs by preparing learners to be problem finders and problem solvers, and who will be able to work independently as fashion design entrepreneurs. Learners will specialise in the field of fashion and demonstrate an understanding and application of crucial fashion terms and concepts. The qualification is developed to advance the knowledge literacy and problem-solving skills within the context of a fashion entrepreneurial rationale.

Qualifying learners will be able to identify research gaps in the market, apply design knowledge, skills and practice to an individually designed range, enhanced and gain skills enable learners to act professionally and ethically in the workplace.

Rationale

There is an increasing awareness that fashion designers need to adopt a thinking style that reflects an intellectual integrity when designing objects, services and systems. These interests should include sustainability (environmental), social development and social upliftment.

Therefore, industry insiders and educationalists alike acknowledge the importance of equipping designers with the appropriate competencies and qualifications. Designers must have the ability to develop a strong brand, market search for South African designer's clothes, and reliability of delivery on-time.

Stakeholders in the fashion industry, have indicated the need these qualifications to support the following areas of education and development:

• Grow the brand 'South Africa' in general in particular as a cultural and economic hub.
• Grow small businesses and fill employment vacancies in the manufacturing and retail sectors and grow small businesses.
• Promote entrepreneurial activities.
• Be part of a growing awareness of the unique nature of South African design through the inputs of a class of more specialised fashion designers.
• Ensure competitiveness against overseas imports by raising our graduate skills level in the field of computer aided design and manufacture.
• Be able to work with other design sectors such as jewellery, textile and the arts and crafts to raise the profile of our creative industries.
• Help beneficiate the countries fashion textile industry.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

In keeping with national policy frameworks and the institution's mission and vision, widening of access is promoted through Recognition of Prior Learning. Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is a process of identifying the knowledge and skills of an applicant against a qualification or part thereof.

The process involves the identification, mediation, assessment and acknowledgement of knowledge and skills obtained through informal, non-formal and/or formal learning. The RPL process also includes guidance and counselling, as well as the preparation of a body of evidence to be presented by the RPL candidate to meet institutional requirements. An appeal procedure is also in place to accommodate queries.

Entry Requirements.

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• National Diploma in Fashion.

Or

• A 360 Credits Diploma in Fashion.

Or

• An equivalent qualification in Fashion Design or related field of study.

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

Compulsory Modules: 120 Credits.

• Methodology for report writing, 20 Credits.
• Fashion Entrepreneurship, 25 Credits.
• Visual Research and Development, 25 Credits.
• Fashion Design, 25 Credits.
• Fashion product and development, 25 Credits.

1. Identify and solve complex design problems in an innovative manner through the application of integrated disciplinary knowledge and critical and conceptual thinking skills.
2. Apply advanced design process methodologies to solve complex fashion design problems.
3. Demonstrate appropriate integrated knowledge in the Fashion discipline in the application to research and design projects.
4. Display the ability to work and act in an ethical and professional manner in both design and research and take full accountability for her/his actions and work.
5. Demonstrate the ability to function as an independent individual who takes full responsibility for own decisions and actions and display an ability to self-direct own learning needs.
6. Display the ability to actively participate in collaborative activities through the use of communications skills, using appropriate academic, professional and occupational discourses.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Demonstrate an advanced understanding of the critical concepts, principles and theories of the practice of fashion design.
• Demonstrate innovative design conceptualisation and product development.
• Write reports that show awareness of historical and contemporary fashion influences and the ability to critically evaluate fashion related literature.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Display problem-solving ability and advanced design methods and competence in the use of advanced design applications, processes and technologies in solving complex fashion design problems.
• Produce a capstone project consisting of a professional portfolio and a collection of fashion products that displays the learner's personal style and fashion brand.
• Solve complex problems by applying 'evidence-based' solutions relevant to the field of study.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Demonstrate the ability to use design principles.
• Show an understanding of sophisticated product development practices such as fabric manipulation techniques, pattern and garment construction methods.
• Use technologies to create and produce a professional collection of fashion products that displays the learner's personal style and fashion brand.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Act ethically and professionally by creating and producing a professional portfolio.
• Display a collection of fashion products that shows an understanding of environmental and social requirements.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Demonstrate management skills and work effectively as an individual designer as well as a team member within a commercial design and/or retail context.
• Provide effective leadership in project work.
• Show initiative for own learning and development.
• Organise, delegate and coordinate activities towards achieving goals within allocated budget and time.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• Work collaboratively with peers through the execution of written and practical work.
• Critically reflect on own actions and decisions using appropriate standards of acceptable performance as a professional fashion designer.

Integrated Assessment

Integrated assessment forms part of continuous assessment at the institution and takes the form of an appropriate mix of both formative and summative assessment methods.

Formative assessment is aimed at enhancing student learning and provides students with an opportunity to reflect critically on their own learning and to improve their own levels of personal accountability and time management. Formative assessment usually consists of a variety of assessment tasks relevant to the field of study in this qualification, it will consist of a variety of tasks such as problem-solving individual and/or group assignments and projects, case studies, portfolio development, class discussions, field trip reports and studio work.

Summative assessment will take place at the end of a section of work/quarter or semester and is aimed at assessing learner's attainment against the learning outcomes of the programme and subject(s). Summative assessments usually consist of a variety of formal assessment tasks relevant to the field of study, including written tests, reports and examination. In this qualification, it will consist of written assessments in the form of written class tests and examination conducted during and at the end of the academic semester/year as well as portfolio assessments.

Learners will be assessed holistically using project reports, a portfolio of evidence and an oral presentation related to the needs and requirements of industry.