Diploma in Fashion Design and Technology

Purpose

This qualification primarily has a vocational orientation which includes vocational industry specific knowledge, preparing individuals with knowledge, skills and applied competencies within the scope of Fashion Design and Technology. It aims to prepare learners for employment in the Fashion Design Industry. The qualification also provides the students with the knowledge and practical skills required for further higher education studies within the field of Fashion. Learners will be able to innovatively function in the field of fashion design; equipped with positive interpersonal relations and professional ethical behaviour. Additionally, graduates are empowered to implement and apply acquired knowledge in the development of designs and exclusive construction of garments for showcasing to possible future employers and business partners. Students must demonstrate competent skills of resource management, using appropriate technologies and entrepreneurial strategies. To include the technology, innovation, entrepreneurship and community engagement in its offerings. This qualification provides the students with a strong theoretical foundation in the principles of Fashion Design, Indigenous African Fashion, Merchandising, buying, trend analyses, and forecasting, conceptual development of designs, textiles, history of costume, and small business management. The students are required to apply acquired knowledge in critically analysing design problems and translating analyses into creative and exclusively constructed garments ranges that meets expected functional needs of the consumers. Students graduating from the programme will be equipped with Fashion Design, Fashion Business and Technological skills in which innovation and originality are nurtured within a range of different but closely related pathways.

Rationale

The qualification aims to train versatile career oriented entrepreneurs who can successfully fill their place in the highly competitive and challenging world of the clothing industry as fashion designers, pattern makers, manual and computerised pattern graders and costume design. Learners will also be prepared for a career that focuses on addressing the requirements of industry that include design innovation, quality control, fashion buying, fashion branding and marketing, fashion presenting, fashion editing, trend setting and fashion co-ordinating as well as the ethical and social issues within the clothing sector. The rapidly responsive nature of the Fashion industry will be reflected in the programme while still focusing on the essence of design in a commercial context. This qualification is primarily intended for application in the clothing design industry. It will give the learners the competencies required to progress in a career in clothing and Fashion design. Design is a fast changing industry that has established itself on a global level as a key contributor to national textile and clothing industries. Textiles and clothing design makes a significant annual contribution to the South African economy and industry. Learners who attain this qualification will be absorbed in the textile and clothing industry and can create employment opportunities for others by starting fashion related businesses.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

• As per institutional policy, credits towards this qualification may be obtained by means of Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• National Senior Certificate National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 4.

This qualification consists of compulsory and elective modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 5 and 6 totalling 360 Credits.

Compulsory Modules 1, Level 5, 160 Credits

• Communication for Academic Purposes, 10 Credits.
• Computer Literacy, 10 Credits.
• Garment Technology 1, 25 Credits.
• Pattern Technology 1, 25 Credits.
• Life Skills I, 2 Credits.
• Textiles 1, 7 Credits.
• History of African Fashion, 14 Credits.
• Information Literacy I, 2 Credits.
• Design Studies 1,25 Credits.
• Work Integrated Learning (WIL) in Fashion Design I, 20 Credits.
• Professional Practice in Fashion Design I, 10 Credits.
• Entrepreneurship 1,10 Credits.

Compulsory Modules 2, Level 6, 200 Credits

• Pattern Technology 2, 25 Credits.
• Design Studies 2, 25 Credits.
• Textiles 2, 10 Credits.
• Inter-cultural Fashion Trends 2, 15 Credits.
• Garment Technology 2, 25 Credits.
• WIL in Fashion Design II, 40 credits.
• Pattern Technology 3, 20 Credits.
• Design Studies 3, 20 Credits.
• Garment Technology 3, 20 Credits.

1. Demonstrate an ability to apply technological skills and design principles to the professional development of fashion and apparel.
2. Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of the main areas or practises in the discipline of fashion design, including an understanding of an ability to apply the rules and theories of the discipline to unfamiliar but relevant context and knowledge of an area or areas of specialisation and how that knowledge relates to other fields or practices.
3. Apply scientific and technological knowledge to analyse and develop a variety of textiles applicable to the fashion industry.
4. Relate principles, concepts and functions of business to the related fashion industry.
5. Solve problems related to pattern and garment development and manufacturing process.
6. Apply applied basic research methodology related to Fashion Industry.
7. Transform, design and apply business and research skills into entrepreneurial activities.
8. Evaluate own performance against given criteria, identify and address task specific learning opportunities in a project based context, in terms of a specified fields or practices.

The following Associated Assessment Criteria will be used in an integrated manner across the Exit Level Outcomes

• All technological considerations are integrated to achieve an optimal pattern.
• Appropriate machinery sewing and finishing techniques are selected to achieve structural and cost objectives of garment.
• Patterns and grading are developed using the latest technology.
• Appropriate materials and specifications are selected and incorporated to achieve design objectives for a range of garments.
• Design processes and market research are integrated to respond to the specific objective.
• Effective visual communication of design, structure and fabrication is integrated to achieve objective.
• Design concepts drawings and details are produced using the latest technology.
• The competent use of computer technology is achieved.
• All key considerations are integrated into the report.
• All key considerations are integrated into the report.
• All key aspects are demonstrated.
• All key elements are integrated into the report and oral presentation.
• The written proposal will integrate all key elements and concepts in the research proposal.

Integrated Assessment

The assessment of each subject is based on the fulfilment of the subject module as evidence by the learner's ability to demonstrate the learning outcomes. Assessment takes two forms viz: Formative and Summative. Students completing this programme should be able to blend strong designing; production and manufacturing capabilities together with theoretical considerations. Integrated assessment will be achieved by including practical individual projects and assignments, written tests, practical and examinations. Some of the criteria may be assessed through observation of learners during their classes by an external assessor. Formative Assessment: Through continuous feedback, constructive critique and practical recommendations to improve their results, students are constantly aware of their progress in achieving specific learning outcomes. This will be achieved by including assignments, practical projects, tests and class room presentations by learners in a peer-evaluation environment, as well as observation of student participation during theoretical and practical session. Summative Assessment: This will be done on an annual basis as well as at the end of the three-year study period. At the end of each year, practical evaluation is done of the years' work by a panel of internal and external assessors. Students are also exposed to peer and industry evaluations at international and national competitions which students must enter as part of the programme.