Diploma in Interior Design

The purpose of the Diploma in Interior Design is to enable learners to

• Develop interior design documentation for complex interior fit-outs.
• Demonstrate an ability to develop simple interior design solutions.
• Apply a range of interior design literacy skills to effectively communicate interior design ideas and details.
• Demonstrate an awareness of environmental issues and the interior designers role in the creation of a sustainable built environment.

Rationale

The achievement of this qualification provides entry into the practice of interior design, through the accumulation of knowledge, skills and attributes aligned with the competencies specified by the African Institute for the Interior Design Professions and the South African Council for the Architectural Professions. This qualification enables future learners to register with the abovementioned governing bodies in the category of Candidate Interior Designer.

Consultation has taken place with the Institute for the Interior Design Professions and the South African Council for the architectural professions, curriculum developers at other Universities and Universities of Technology, the interior design profession through stakeholder meetings and informal discussions, alumni through formal surveys and informal interviews, discussions with our student body and academic staff. The academic literature in the field of education has also been consulted.

Typical learners would include school leavers with a National Higher Certificate or National Vocational Certificate wishing to pursue a career in interior design. Draughts persons and other interested parties currently employed in design or architectural practices wishing to improve their academic qualifications for professional registration with the governing bodies for the interior design professions.

The qualification is succeeded by the Advanced Diploma, which qualifies learners at the IID/SACAP level of Senior Interior Designer. Thereafter, the learners could enter a Postgraduate Diploma that prepares them for entry into a Master's Degree. The Master's degree would qualify graduates at the IID/SACAP level of interior Architect.

Learners could be employed in interior design practices servicing the retail, hospitality, corporate, residential or other specialised sectors, in architectural firms, in facilities management for large corporations, in television, film and theatre design, working for suppliers and manufacturers of custom-designed furniture and joinery and as consultants for retailers of products for the build environment. The qualification provides successful learner access to a profession which contributes substantially to the national economy. It is anticipated that as the need to increase the density and efficiency of existing buildings in cities, qualified interior designer will be sought after. Interior Designers and Interior Architects can help to design and improve working and living conditions for all South Africans.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The RPL process is multi-dimensional and multi-contextual in nature, aimed at the individual needs of learners 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. RPL in this qualification will relate to gaining access to the qualification and/or credits/advanced standing as described in institutional guidelines.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement 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.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at NQF Levels 5, 6 and 7 totalling 375 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 5, 120 Credits

• Interior Design 1, 35 Credits
• Interior Technology 1, 30 Credits
• Interior Practice 1, 10 Credits
• Interior Literacy 1, 30 Credits
• Environmental Design 1, 15 Credits

Compulsory Modules, Level 6, 225 Credits

• Interior Design 2, 25 Credits
• Interior Technology 2, 35 Credits
• Interior Practice 2, 30 Credits
• Interior Literacy 2, 25 Credits
• Environmental Design 2, 15 Credits
• Interior Design 3, 30 Credits
• Interior Practice 3, 50 Credits
• Interior Literacy 3, 7 Credits
• Environmental Design 3, 8 Credits

Compulsory Modules, Level 7, 30 Credits

• Interior Technology 3, 30 Credits.

1. Demonstrate knowledge of the technology for non-load bearing interior fit-outs or equivalent and the ability to develop effective construction solutions.
2. Demonstrate a working knowledge of interior design practice and the ability to develop interior design documentation for a complex interior, including non-load bearing interior fit-outs.
3. Demonstrate knowledge of theory and history in interior design and the ability to develop simple interior design solutions.
4. Demonstrate the competent application of a range of interior design literacy skills.
5. Demonstrate an awareness of environmental issues in the creation of a sustainable built environment.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Demonstrate knowledge and application of construction principles pertaining to interior construction detailing in the form of technical drawings and three-dimensional models.
• Demonstrate knowledge and application of appropriate technologies pertaining to building services in the detailing of interior design fit-outs.
• Demonstrate knowledge and application of appropriate application of materials pertaining to the built environment.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Demonstrate appropriate documentation for each of the IID/SACAP work stages.
• Demonstrate a working knowledge of interior design practice in accordance with IID / SACAP interior design scope of works.
• Participate in a socio technical, collaborative service learning studio.
• Present an assessment that covers business and entrepreneurship skills.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Apply theory and knowledge of interior design history in order to motivate and substantiate design proposals.
• Discuss and evaluate existing examples of architecture and interior design using theoretical concepts.
• Demonstrate the application of organisational and spatial design principles.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Present a portfolio of two-dimensional and three-dimensional representations of various scales and complexities.
• Communicate effectively verbally and in writing and across a range of digital media in order to execute interior design work.
• Display competence in a variety of software programmes commonly utilised in design practices to document and communicate design intention.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Incorporate passive design principles in interior designs proposals.
• Demonstrate knowledge and application of responsible and appropriate technologies pertaining to environmental principles.
• Present evidence of an awareness of lifespan cycle of material in interior design from cradle to cradle or cradle to grave.

Integrated Assessment

Formative assessment aims at enhancing the learning and provides the learners with an opportunity to reflect critically on their learning and to improve their 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 group assignments and projects, case studies, portfolio development, class discussions, quizzes, field trip reports and others. Formative assessment for project work is formalised in a project work rubric and is predominantly intended to give feedback and guidance as well as to follow and document the progress of the student in the process of accumulating knowledge and skills.

Summative assessment will take place at the end of a section of work/quarter or semester and is aimed at assessing the learner's attainment against the Exit Level Outcomes. Summative assessments are internally and externally moderated based on institutional policy and requirements.

In this qualification summative assessments will consist of a variety of formal assessment tasks relevant to the field of study, including written reports and assignments and tests as well as the development of a portfolio of work through projects executed during the academic year.

Integrated assessment is aimed at the holistic development of learners and contributes to their 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 in the third year of study and learners will be assessed holistically with project reports and a portfolio of evidence related to the needs and requirements of the industry and field of study.