Bachelor of Creative Technologies

Purpose

The purpose of the Bachelor of Interaction Design is to equip graduates with professional training in the fields of Interaction Design and other relevant applied areas. The qualification offers areas of specialisation in different interaction related fields including Interaction Design, Front�end Development and Three Dimensional Design.

The qualification is designed to provide the graduate with skills to think critically and solve problems and the ability to conceptualise creative ideas and relevant knowledge of different technologies and processes. Added to this, the qualification also aims to equip graduates with practical skills through a multidisciplinary approach coupled with an aptitude in professional practice, entrepreneurship and industry knowledge in order to rear graduates to be able to successfully navigate through both local and global creative markets by participating and creating new work opportunities for local communities.

Rationale

Local and global approaches to technology and design have undergone vast changes and an emphasis has been placed on contemporary design production with a key understanding of the interaction between humans, technology and design. It has become necessary to enable graduates with excellent problem solving abilities to devise solutions and designs that reflect a kind of forward thinking and unique approach to various contexts, societies, cultures and technology.

Research has been conducted regarding the job offerings and job requirement status from the industry and it shows an increase in the demand for qualified interaction and digital designers especially in the fields of multi-skilled creative production focused on technology, products and systems. Designing these technologies and products consists of many layers and is far more complex than traditional visual design/communication. Many of these job offerings stipulate a need for a three year Degree qualification in the field of interaction design or related fields. Tertiary education in South Africa has yet to respond completely to this technological phenomenon.

Interaction Design is a multidisciplinary field, employing methods and practices from various disciplines including Visual Communication, Psychology and Computer Science when considering design problems with a holistic approach. Interaction design seeks the most effective ways of shaping technology.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Prior studies, life experience and work experience of learners who apply for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) are measured against the exit level outcomes and the minimum admission requirements for the qualification.

The following will be considered

The learner may be exempt from some qualification modules based on the assessment of his/her prior experience

- The learner will also be required to submit

> A Letter of motivation.

> A Portfolio of evidence.

> Demonstration of skill or competence.

> Reflective documentation, marks, qualification, that relate to past learning.

> Testimonials of knowledge and skills.

> Assessment task.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entrance requirements are

• Senior Certificate with endorsement.

Or

• National Senior Certificate allowing entry to Bachelors' Degree studies.

Or

• National Certificate Vocational (NCV) at Level 4 allowing entry to Bachelors' Degree studies.

This qualification consists of compulsory and elective modules at Levels 5, 6 and 7 totalling 360 Credits.

Compulsory Modules at Level 5, 120 Credits

• Digital Production Theory, 5 Credits.
• Material Production Theory, 5 Credits.
• Visual Culture, 10 Credits.
• Concept Development, 10 Credits.
• Academic Skills, 10 Credits.
• Essential Software, 5 Credits.
• Drawing, 15 Credits.
• Interaction Design, 15 Credits.
• Front-End Development, 15 Credits.
• Three-dimensional Design, 15 Credits.
• Own Choice Elective, 15 Credits.

Compulsory Modules at Level 6, 50 Credits

• Visual Culture, 10 Credits.
• Digital Production Theory, 10 Credits.
• Material Production Theory, 10 Credits.
• 3D Visualisation, 20 Credits.

Elective Modules at Level 6 (Select modules for a minimum total of 70 Credits)

• Interaction Design Major, 40 Credits.
• Front-end Development Major, 40 Credits.
• Three Dimensional Design Major, 40 Credits.
• Physical Computing, 5 Credits.
• Intelligent Packaging, 5 Credits.
• 3D for Web, 5 Credits.
• SEO and Analytics, 5 Credits.
• Social Media Strategy, 5 Credits.
• Mark-up Language (HTML and CSS), 5 Credits.
• Content Management Systems (CMS), 5 Credits.
• Introduction to Solidworks, 5 Credits.
• Rapid Prototyping, 5 Credits.
• Wireframing, 5 Credits.
• Prototyping for Usability, 5 Credits.

Compulsory Modules at Level 7, 65 Credits

• Visual Culture, 20 Credits.
• Digital Production Theory, 10 Credits.
• Material Production Theory, 10 Credits.
• 3D Visualisation, 20 Credits.
• Experiential Learning, 5 Credits.

Elective Modules at Level 7 (Select modules for a minimum total of 55 Credits)

• Interaction Design Major, 40 Credits.
• Front-end Development Major, 40 Credits.
• Three Dimensional Design Major, 40 Credits.
• Smart Objects, 5 Credits.
• Wearable Technology, 5 Credits.
• Interactive Data Visualisation, 5 Credits.
• Digital Branding, 5 Credits.
• Web and Digital Design Workflow, 5 Credits.
• Client side Scripting, 5 Credits.
• Web Frameworks, 5 Credits.
• Brandscaping, 5 Credits.
• UX Research and Documentation, 5 Credits.
• Information Architecture, 5 Credits.

1. Identify and solve technical and conceptual problems related to digital and technological environments.
2. Utilise multiple platforms (digital, visual, written) for visual communication and design within the learner's related field of specialisation.
3. Communicate ideas professionally and creatively using visual, oral, and written/drawn presentation skills relevant to their field.
4. Explain, evaluate and apply contemporary research based theory pertaining to local and global culture.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• The ability to solving 3D design problems is displayed.
• The impact of programmatic issues on form are adequately identified and resolved.
• Form, function and material qualities are adequately resolved.
• Observational, concept drawings, 3D sketches, development models and scaled orthographic projection drawings are used to resolve a design.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• A single page site, which uses javascript to quickly change views without page reloads is created.
• A responsive site, with elements that resize and reposition based on the screen size of the device used to access the page is created.
• Multiple frameworks are combined to produce professional, dynamic, interactive, responsive, single page sites.
• Visual concepts and designs are successfully transferred to various digital mediums.
• The latest technologies are used for the creation of rich interactive interfaces.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Verbal presentations outlining personal views about packaging and pack structures are made.
• An argument is generated and presented in a manner appropriate to the situation and audience.
• Language skills in the modes of oral and written presentation are used to effectively communicate.
• Knowledge of academic vocabulary is demonstrated.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• The ability to source applicable information, critically analyse it and apply it successfully is demonstrated.
• Appropriate research strategies are applied.
• The logical steps in the research process are identified and applied.
• The appropriate research design is developed.
• Research problems are explored.
• Qualitative and quantitative research designs are analysed and reviewed.

Integrated Assessment

Summative assessments are moderated internally and all exit level assessments externally moderated at the end of the year. This ensure that the institution offers qualifications equal to industry demands with a high academic standard. The examination committee comprises industry professionals and academics invited from universities offering similar qualifications.

Formative assessments are used to assess the learners' ongoing competencies in both their major subject and electives. Learners are assessed during the year through:

• Practical projects supported by applied research assignments.
• Workshops with technical requirements.
• Tests and theoretical assignments.
• Applied research assignments.
• Academic research assignments.
• Presentations.
• Group projects.
• End of module revision and feedback sessions.