Diploma in Fashion

Purpose

The purpose of the Diploma in Fashion is to equip learners with the required knowledge and skills associated with a range of career options in the field of Fashion Design such as Fashion Designer, Fashion Buyer, Fashion Illustrator, Stage Production Designer and Fashion Journalist.

This qualification has a generalist and career-oriented focus aimed at equipping learners with knowledge and skills that span the process of fashion design from concept to finished product including fashion related aspects such as:

• Drawing.
• Design.
• Business.
• Technology.
• Production.
• Materials.
• History and Theory with the emphasis on a craft-based education.

Learners will be exposed to a stimulating and creative learning environment aimed at enhancing their creative talents and intellectual abilities. Learners will also be equipped to work effectively in the manufacturing, retail, and small business development sectors of the fashion industry in terms of design and entrepreneurial skills.

Rational

The fashion industry in South Africa is in a constant state of flux, with both the manufacturing and retail sectors of the industry-changing in terms of employment patterns and job opportunities, there is still a demand for qualified, creative, and technically competent designers to enter the industry. The situation analysis conducted by the academic department and engagement with a range of stakeholders have revealed that qualifying learners should be equipped to function effectively in various fashion-related positions in industry, including the manufacturing and retail sectors; yet also be adaptable and flexible to operate as freelance designers and/or be able to start their small design or retail businesses. Although fewer employment opportunities might be available for learners in the formal manufacturing sector of the industry in the Province, these positions have mostly been relocated to design houses that are servicing manufacturing companies/factories.

In addition, qualifying learners are also able to take up a range of job opportunities in the retail and small business sectors of the industry. These sectors of the industry have shown a steady increase in job opportunities over the past few years. National and regional initiatives to sustain the fashion industry in South Africa are also delivering promising results, such as the establishment of the Cape Town Fashion Council, the 2014 World Design Capital initiative, and others. Several leader fashion designers and major fashion retail companies such as Woolworths, Truworths, Hip Hop, YDE, Sissy Boy, Foschini, Ackermans, Pep Stores, etc. also have their headquarters in the Province. The qualification aims to provide learners with a generalist fashion design education, equipping them to be innovative, adaptable, and flexible as designers in the changing world of fashion aimed at a range of career opportunities.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Recognition of Prior Learning is a process of identifying the knowledge and skills of the learner against the admission requirements of a qualification and/or for credits against a 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 is multi-dimensional and multi-contextual in nature, aimed at the individual needs of applicants and is handled in accordance with an institutional RPL policy by a unit dedicated to this activity. The RPL process includes guidance and counselling, as well as the preparation of a body of evidence to be presented by the RPL learners to meet institutional requirements. An appeal procedure is also in place to accommodate queries.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirements for this qualification is

• National Senior Certificate, NQF Level 4 granting access to Diploma studies.

Or

• National Certificate (Vocational), NQF Level 4 granting access to Diploma studies.

Or

• Senior Certificate, NQF Level 4.

This qualification consists of compulsory modules at Levels 5 and 6 totalling 390 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 5, 150 Credits

• History and Theory of Design 1, 10 Credits.
• Academic and Professional Literacies 1, 10 Credits.
• Business Skills for Design 1, 10 Credits.
• Fashion Drawing and Level, 30 Credits.
• Design 1, 30 Credits.
• Fashion Materials and Technology 1, 30 Credits.
• Fashion Product and Development 1, 30 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 6, 240 Credits

• History and Theory of Design 2, 20 Credits.
• Business Skills for Design 2, 10 Credits.
• Fashion Drawing and Design 2, 30 Credits.
• Fashion Product and Development 2, 30 Credits.
• Materials and Technology 2, 30 Credits.
• Fashion Drawing and Design 3, 40 Credits.
• History and Theory of Design 3, 20 Credits.
• Fashion Product and Development 3, 40 Credits.
• Business Skills for Design 3, 10 Credits.
• Fashion Materials and Technology 3, 10 Credits.

1. Research, develop, and answer a creative brief, which meets a client's needs in concepts, principles, and theories of the practice of fashion design in a broad variety of contexts.
2. Conceptualise and visualise innovative solutions, which meet the requirements of a creative brief.
3. Design the appropriate fashion pieces to give expression to the proposed concept.
4. Critically evaluate and respond to fashion design solutions and contexts.
5. Direct and prepare the production of the design per appropriate professional technical requirements and design specifications, both in design and manufacture.
6. Apply professional ethics and practice in business, finance, and communication with reference to the fashion design sector.
7. Research and engage with academic discourse relevant to the design field.
8. Respond and adapt to changing technology.
9. Identify and develop ego states of self-responsibility.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Conduct appropriate research into the context and objectives presented by the client brief through desk research, observations, and interviews.
• Conduct appropriate research into fashion trends and materials to convey the design needs of the client in relevant socio-cultural and technological contexts.
• Demonstrate the accurate understanding of the target audience/s in terms of demographics and psychographics.
• Consider ethical dimensions of a creative and cost-effective solution that meets the needs of the client.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Develop creative concepts through a process of sketching that visualises the development of possible solutions relevant to the requirements of the creative brief.
• Ensure the creative conceptual process is explicit in the use of the design thinking process in its iterative and productive phases.
• Explore solutions to the creative brief thoroughly for their innovative potential relating to the specified target audience.
• Use design principles and complex product development practices such as fabric manipulation techniques, pattern and garment construction methods, and technologies to create and produce a professional portfolio and collection of fashion products that display the learners' personal style and fashion brand.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Choose fashion design elements appropriately to deliver on the proposed creative concept guided by the brief.
• Create design principles of composition, form, and colour, and produce final design pieces that are cohesive and impactful.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Make critical reference to existing design solutions through a process of concept development.
• Demonstrate in innovative thinking and design the response to existing design solutions and contexts.
• Exhibit critical design thinking in the way that design solutions are evaluated against specific needs of the local context in the service of the client.
• Identify and solve unfamiliar design and production-related problems that demonstrate an understanding of the complexity of the situation yet an ability to respond effectively by means of creative and critical thinking and decision making skills.
• Display problem-solving ability and competence in the use of advanced design methods, processes and technologies in creating and producing a capstone project consisting of a professional portfolio and a collection of fashion products that displays the learners' personal style and fashion brand.
• Produce a coherently structured research report that demonstrates professional competence and readiness to function effectively within commercial fashion design and retail context with sensitivity to societal needs.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Adhere to industry processes whereby designed pieces are prepared appropriately for the production process to industry standards.
• Demonstrate good practice in the use of software applications appropriate to whatever media platform is chosen in the context of the brief, concept, and strategy.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• Use management and business knowledge and skills acquired to compile and present a business plan that demonstrates an entrepreneurial mindset, sound understanding of management and business principles, and an understanding of the complexity of the situational and commercial context.
• Identify and gather relevant evidence on problems within a commercial fashion environment and use evidence-based problem-solving ability within the execution of a capstone project.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the key concepts, principles, and theories of fashion design and production through the execution of theoretical and practical work while also reflecting critically on his/her actions and decisions using appropriate standards of acceptable performance as a professional fashion designer.
• Organise, delegate, and co-ordinate oneself and others towards achieving goals within allocated budget and time within a commercial fashion environment.
• Show how ethical considerations have been factored into both theoretical and practical outputs as they relate to business, finance, and communication in the communication design sector.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7

• Write reports and assignments and demonstrate how current academic discourse shapes design thinking and doing within the theoretical research component of the course.
• Design project work demonstrates how current academic discourse shapes fashion design thinking and doing within the practical component of the course.
• Demonstrate evidence of an 'integrated application' of academic discourse relevant to the fashion design field across both practical and theoretical components of the course.
• Manage and work effectively as an individual designer as well as a team member within a commercial design and/or retail context and provide effective leadership in project work by demonstrating understanding of human behaviour and people dynamics in the workplace.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 8

• Show initiative regarding the use and appropriation of new technology to further the objectives of effective fashion design.
• Use current design software and hardware technology and to widen the scope of technology use as it evolves pro-actively.
• Demonstrate technical specifications of fashion design elements that are comprehensive and appropriate to fashion industry standards.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 9

• Demonstrate self-directed learning and decision making through critical engagement with self-branding and exit portfolio preparation.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the culture of the fashion design field and how to engage with it to seek employment or self-employment pro-actively.

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. Assessment policy and practices at the institution promote constructive alignment of the curriculum, learner centered-learning, and assessment tasks pitched against the appropriate SAQA level descriptors of the NQF level associated with each subject in the curriculum. Assessment practices should be fair, reliable, and valid. It should also be in keeping with academic disciplinary and professional field norms and standards.

Formative assessment is aimed at enhancing learning and provides learners 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, quizzes, field trip reports and presentations.

Summative assessment will take place at the end of a section of work/quarter or semester and is aimed at assessing learners' attainment against the learning outcomes of the programme and subject(s). Summative assessments are internally and externally moderated based on institutional policy and requirements. Summative assessments usually consist of a variety of formal assessment tasks relevant to the field of study. 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. Integrated assessment often cuts across a number of subjects/modules.

Integrated assessment tasks are aimed at the holistic development of learners and contributes to learners ' personal and professional development in the field of study in terms of foundational, practical and reflexive competence.

Integrated assessment in this qualification will take place at the third year of study and learners will be assessed holistically by means of a capstone project(s), consisting of a portfolio of evidence and a range of clothing suitable to be exhibited at a fashion show/exhibition to be viewed by the general public.