Advanced Diploma in Interior Design

Purpose

The Advanced Diploma in Interior Design will provide learners with a knowledge base of the Interior Design profession and the ability to apply this knowledge, skills and attributes as a Candidate Professional Senior Interior Designer.

About academic purpose, the Advanced Diploma in Interior Design aims to realise the fundamental requirements of an interior design education. In this regard, qualifying learners are equipped to:

• Identify an interior design problem in a chosen context and be able to resolve the design problem independently through a process of research, precedent analysis, theory applications and creativity.

The Advanced Diploma in Interior Designs qualification builds primarily on the theoretical and design skills of the NQF Level 6 Diploma in Interior Design. As such, the qualifying graduate will develop the competence to apply creativity, problem-solving, specialised knowledge, and management principles to the practical implementation of Interior Design at a more sophisticated level.

All modules in this qualification contribute in an integrated manner towards the achievement of the Exit Level Outcomes of the qualification by focusing on the specific outcomes of each of the module so that the Exit-Level Outcomes are reach in the end as a whole.

Rationale

The Advanced Diploma in Interior Design will enable graduates of the Diploma in Interior Design at National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 6 to continue with their studies at NQF Level 7. Qualified interior designers with an Advanced Diploma in Interior Design will be able to register as a Candidate Senior Professional Interior Designer with the South African Interior Design Professions (IID), allowing them to form part of the professional design team within the Interior Design/Architecture milieu. After three years of practical experience in the workforce, they will then qualify to register as Professional Senior Interior Designers.

The interior design/architecture profession was recently formalised under the South African Institute for the Interior Design Professions (IID), which is fully accepted as a Voluntary Association Member of the South African Council for the Architectural Professions (SACAP). The IID is also a member of the SACAP VA Forum, which ensures that the interior design/architecture industry is represented amongst the other built environment professions. These bodies have liaised regarding creating a category for professional registration as Interior Designers and Interior Architects within the SACAP structure. The IID is also a member of IFI, the International Federation of Interior Architects and Designers. The IID is the only professional body representing the Interior Design industry in South Africa.

The professional registration categories with the IID include Interior Decorator, Interior Designer, Professional Interior Designer and an Interior Architect.

Interior Designers registered as Candidate Professional Senior Interior Designers can work on medium complexity projects with a medium sensitivity level. As such, the graduate of the Advanced Diploma will be equipped to work on low to medium complexity designs including for example, exhibitions, shopping precincts and residential design. Some specialist interior spaces will be reserved for Senior Interior Designers - e.g. "Private art galleries", "Medical consulting rooms", "A la carte restaurants", "Night clubs", "funeral parlours", etc.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

RPL will be applied in line with the Report of the Admissions Committee (AC): Policy on Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).

As the qualification is Exit-Level Outcome -based, for access to qualifications will be evaluated for substantial similarity in terms of documented and verified achievement of specified Exit-Level Outcomes. RPL implementation will use a triangulated verification approach using academic records, portfolios and interviews. RPL will, when deemed appropriate, allow learners to gain access to the Advanced Diploma in Interior design.

Should the previous qualification not allow access to the qualification, however, the learner may gain credits towards fulfilling the exit-level of the qualification - allowing them to apply for the Advanced Diploma in Interior Design.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• A 360-Credit Diploma in Interior Design, NQF Level 6.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 8 totalling 120 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, 120 Credits

• Interior Design, 33 Credits.
• Design Technology, 32 Credits.
• Interior Design Research Methodology, 20 Credits.
• 3D Presentation Methods, 20 Credits.
• Architectural Theory,15, Credits.

1. Identify and research a design concept and local problem related to interior design.
2. Develop a brief in consultation with the client to enable the design process.
3. Apply the creative process to the practical application of interior design.
4. Document the creative and technological process.
5. Effectively communicate with clients, relevant authorities, contractors and other professionals using appropriate media.
6. Successfully manage an interior design project independently with minimal input from supervisor.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Complete a research project documenting the relevant information required for resolving the associated practical design project using research principles.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Complete a problem statement, and complete an interview sheet after interviews with relevant people.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Identify a local interior design problem and resolve the design successfully by following the design process using appropriate design drawings and technical documentation.

Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Complete a treatise document indicating the research, the design process and final design proposal.
• Set out construction drawings correctly and comply to the National Building Regulations (NBR) South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) 10400.

Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Present the project orally in a coherent and concise manner to external moderators.
• Present the project visually using appropriate imagery, 3D drawings and other 2D drawing conventions to external moderators.
• Set out construction drawings correctly and comply to the National building regulations (NBR) SABS 10400.

Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• Manage time successfully so that submission deadlines of all the modules are met.
• Successful design decisions are independently made based on research and knowledge of National Building Regulations (NBR).
• Successfully initiate and develop a hypothetical scheme into a feasible project that can practically be implemented on a professional level.

Integrated Assessment

Formative and Summative assessments will include among other things the following

Formative Assessment

• Individual and collaborative group and direct lecturer formative feedback.
• Individual and collaborative Assignments/Projects with direct discussions providing formative feedback.
• Class tests with direct formative feedback via memoranda and discussions.
• Computer-aided design renderings and simulations.
• Individual projects and assignments including feedback via assessment rubrics and scoring.
• Group projects - including scoring and feedback via assessment rubrics.
• Individual presentations including feedback via assessment rubrics, lecturer and peer scoring.
• Some of the formative assessments are developmental and do not count towards a class mark.

Summative Assessment

• Closed and open book tests including scoring and feedback towards the end of a module.
• Closed book examinations.
• Design and Technology portfolio examinations assessed by an external panel.

Integrated Assessment

Because the interior discipline is primarily studio based (formative assessment) supported by theoretical subject assessment, the sequence of formative and summative assessments is repeated throughout the academic year. The learners submit projects completed during each semester to an external and internal panel of examiners in the form of a portfolio examination. The institution makes an interim assessment and progress assessment in June, with the final summative studio practice assessment in November.