Diploma in Computer-Based Graphic Development

Purpose

The purpose of this programme is to qualify students to follow a successful career in Graphic Development. The skills required by students to enter the workplace, either as self-employed individuals or within an existing organisation, together with industry requirements have been considered within this qualification. A balanced combination of information technology theory and practical skills, with strong emphasis on visual communication, creativity and graphics development, has been embraced through strategic module and outcomes selection.

The Diploma in Information Technology in Graphic Development develops three different skills specialisations: creative thinking, visual communication and graphics development.

Creative thinking skills modules start with drawing and illustration techniques in the first year and are followed with art and design 1 and 2 in subsequent years. A variety of graphics development modules ensure a solid skills base over the three years by teaching students to use a variety of different industry standard software packages where they learn to generate their conventional art and drawing techniques on both physical media and digital media. A logical progression is followed to establish and build a knowledge base in visual communication to develop the principles of marketing, corporate and business communication and branding.

Students learn conceptual techniques in the first year and are required to frequently assess the relationship between the main disciplines. In further support of the main disciplines, are modules dealing with practical application and workplace learning - one in second year and another in third year. In second year, project management provides a foundation for the two workplace learning modules. These modules also aim to introduce students to management and real world business concepts and skills.

The curriculum will contribute to the achievement of the intended outcomes by introducing simple concepts that provide the foundation for progression within the programme such as knowledge in the effective use of computers and related software packages and business skills. Creative skills are developed to meet the required outcomes by allowing learners to project their creative flair on paper and other media, also into a digital format. The work integrated learning activities together with the graphic development project ensure that project and solution development skills are encompassed within the programme.

In the final year, a much stronger emphasis is placed on solution development with students given a larger degree of freedom to formulate development solutions for given problems, to promote a greater degree of innovative and creative solution design.

Rationale

Information Technology has been featuring on the DoL's scarce skills list for some time now, and was highlighted again on the IT Web's IT Skills conference last year.

This qualification considers a potential lack of significant computer experience at entry level and makes provision to lead students into this field of study, providing access to higher education in graphic development where such an opportunity might not otherwise exist. It introduces graphic development from a very basic level and progresses into more sophisticated concepts in the second and third year of study.

Students progress along three well defined specialisations, covering corporate and brand communication skills in the first, art and design concepts in the other and finally also creative concepts. These specialisations are supported by several modules which add progressive support in terms of creativity, design and development, and a set of management-related modules. This focus of the programme is computer based graphics development and this focus is further supported by several subjects aimed at providing students with the opportunity to carry their creative designs from a variety of other media, to a digital format on computer.

The Diploma in Information Technology in Graphic Development will help to meet the increased demand and present students with the opportunity to enter higher education and prepare them to take up positions as:

• Graphic developers.
• Graphic designers.
• Graphic artists.
• Graphic animators.

The qualification takes into consideration the need to improve the communication and computer literacy skills of students given the digital nature of the information age in which graduates need to operate.

It is assumed that the learner is competent in the language of instruction (English) at NQF Level 4 and Computer Literacy at NQF Level 3.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The IIE is committed to the principles of lifelong learning and opening access to higher education. A student who transfers from one to another programme within the IIE will be given credit at the discretion of the Senate for relevant modules successfully completed. Students can achieve this qualification in part or in whole through recognition of prior learning. The IIE RPL Policy (IIE010) and the IIE Academic Credit Policy (IIE004) guide this process.

Recognition of Prior Learning for formal learning: (Credit recognition)

Students may apply for credits or exemptions for subjects already passed in-house or at other recognized institutions.

Recognition of Prior Learning for informal and non-formal learning

Skills, knowledge and experience in respect of competences acquired through informal and non-formal learning are also assessed in the RPL process.

Access to the Qualification

Admission to the qualification is open to learners in possession of

• A Senior Certificate with an E in English (as the language of teaching and learning or first additional language) and an E or better in four or more subjects.

Or;

• A National Senior Certificate (NSC) granting admission to diploma studies with a minimum of 30% (rating of 2) in English (as the language of teaching and learning or first additional language) and a rating of 3 (40-50%) or better in four or more recognised NSC 20-credit subjects.

Or;

• A National Certificate (Vocational), NQF Level 4 (NC:V) with a minimum of 50% in English (as the language of teaching and learning or first additional language) and in two more fundamental subjects.

Or;

- A National Certificate (Vocational), NQF Level 4 (NC:V) with a minimum of 60% in the following vocational subjects

> Systems analysis and design. > Data communication and networking. > Computer programming. > Physical science.

Candidates over the age of 23 at registration with three years` work experience and proven ability relating to the proposed programme as well as adequate communication skills may be admitted without meeting the admission requirement.

Candidates having attained the age of 45 before or during the first year of registration may be admitted.

The qualification is made up of the following components

Modules at NQF Level 5

• End User Computing, 20 Credits.
• Business Communications, 10 Credits.
• Drawing and Illustration Techniques, 10 Credits.
• Introduction to Conceptual Techniques, 13 Credits.
• Desktop Publishing Fundamentals 7 Credits.
• Visual Communication, 15 Credits.
• Graphic Development, 12 Credits.
• Business Practice and Entrepreneurship, 5 Credits.
• Desktop Publishing, 10 Credits.

Total credits at NQF Level 5 = 102 Credits.

Modules at NQF Level 6

• Business Information Systems, 12 Credits.
• Art and Design, 20 Credits.
• 2D Animation, 15 Credits
• Graphic Development , 15 Credits.
• Web Development Introduction, 10 Credits.
• Project Management, 15 Credits.
• Experiential Learning, 10 Credits.
• Marketing, 15 Credits.
• Digital Photography, 15 Credits.
• Print Reproduction, 15 Credits.
• Art & Design, 20 Credits.
• Visual Communication 2, 20 Credits.
• Video Editing, 18 Credits.

Total credits at NQF Level 6 = 200 Credits.

Modules at NQF Level 7

• 3D Animation, 20 Credits
• Graphic Development , 15 Credits.
• Video Editing, 15 Credits.
• Project, 20 Credits.

Total credits at NQF Level 7 = 70 Credits.

All the modules are compulsory.

Total credits for the qualification = 372 Credits.

1. Demonstrate effective use of a personal computer in a business environment.
2. Apply the basic principles of business management in a business environment.
3. Communicate effectively and professionally in a business environment.
4. Interpret visual impressions and represent these again in and on a variety of different media.
5. Discuss the role and function of information systems within business organisations.
6. Explore creativity and creative thinking, and relate creativity to strategic brand communications and development concepts.
7. Design a variety of different publications in digital format, using popular software.
8. Discuss the role and scope of visual media as a communication medium in a commercial environment.
9. Design and produce digital graphics suitable for advertising and marketing purposes.
10. Identify and apply important design and development principles to produce high quality desktop publications using professional software.
11. Identify design theory elements, composition, creativity and related concepts, approaches, techniques, principles and practices and explore the application of these in digital art and design.
12. Produce a series of consecutive digital images which represent animation, using a popular software package.
13. Design and produce marketable digital vector images using industry-standard software.
14. Design and produce a working website to demonstrate a solid understanding of website technologies, architectures and acceptable practices.
15. Explain the principles of and apply the key functions of project management in an IT environment.
16. Design and develop a portfolio of graphic and web design work.
17. Define marketing and identify activities and success factors required to achieve an organisation's marketing objectives.
18. Discuss the techniques and skills required for good quality digital photos and explain the process of photo editing, using industry standard software.
19. Define the factors which determine the quality and usability of a digital image produced for commercial printing.
20. Identify the functions of industry standard video editing software and explain its application in the production of digital videos.
21. Discuss and analyse art and art forms to identify different techniques, approaches, objectives and design strategies and the application to achieve specific design goals.
22. Analyse, identify and apply effective visual communication approaches to meet corporate visual communication objectives.
23. Identify the design requirements for a professional project and develop a solution to meet the specific requirements of the project.
24. Develop and animate characters and use these in commercial advertising.
25. Analyse corporate graphic or web design needs and design solutions for it.
26. Plan and produce a professional quality commercial video with suitable footage and matching sound track, for a web-based advertisement.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• A personal computer is used appropriately and the use of relevant software packages in a business environment is demonstrated.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• The basic principles of business management and entrepreneurship are applied to establish and manage a business. Knowledge gained will be used to draw up a business plan for the establishment of a small business venture.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Information is communicated in a reliable and coherent format in a business environment using professional business communication discourse and formats.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• The ability to interpret visual impressions and represent these again in and on a variety of different media is demonstrated.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• The role and functions of Information systems within business organisations are discussed.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• Creativity and creative thinking are explored and creativity is related to strategic brand communications and development concepts.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7

• A variety of different publications is designed in digital format, using popular software for the purpose.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 8

• The role and scope of visual media as a communication medium in a commercial environment is discussed.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 9

• Digital graphics suitable for advertising and marketing purposes are designed and produced.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 10

• Important design and development principles are identified and applied to produce high quality desktop publications using professional software.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 11

• Design theory elements, composition, creativity and related concepts, approaches, techniques, principles and practices are identified and the application of these in digital art and design are explored.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 12

• A series of consecutive digital images which represents animation is produced, using a popular software package.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 13

• Marketable digital vector images using industry-standard software are designed and produced.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 14

• A working website is designed and produced to demonstrate a solid understanding of website technologies, architectures and acceptable practices.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 15

• The principles of project management are explained and key functions are applied in an IT environment.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 16

• A portfolio of graphic and web design work is designed and developed.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 17

• Marketing is defined and activities and factors which may contribute to achieve an organisation's marketing objectives are identified.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 18

• The techniques and skills required for good quality digital photos are discussed and the process of photo editing, using industry standard software is explained.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 19

• The factors which determine the quality and usability of a digital image produced for commercial printing are defined.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 20

• The functions of industry standard video editing software are identified and its application in the production of digital videos is explained.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 21

• Art and art forms are discussed and analysed to identify different techniques, approaches, objectives and design strategies and the application to achieve specific design goals.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 22

• Effective visual communication approaches are analysed, identified and applied to meet corporate visual communication objectives.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 23

• The design requirements for a professional project are identified and a solution that meet the specific requirements of the project are developed.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 24

• Graphical characters and scenes are developed and animated for a working 3D animation and incorporated into commercial advertising.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 25

• Corporate graphic or web design needs are analysed and solutions for them are designed.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 26

• A professional quality commercial video with suitable footage and matching sound track, for a web-based advertisement is planned and produced.

Integrated Assessment

This qualification makes use of integrated assessment methods and tools which include formative and assessment. Experiential learning and a project worth 20 credits form part of the integrated assessment practices.