Diploma in Jewellery Design

Purpose

The purpose of the qualification is to develop graduates who will be competent in the design, manufacture and production of jewellery in a commercial workshop. The students will achieve their own unique visual language based on a thorough knowledge of design principles, the design industry and appropriate technology; and will obtain a foundational knowledge of business, marketing and project management skills to facilitate self employment and freelance opportunities within the industry.

The graduates will have a sufficient understanding of the Jewellery industry to be employed, undertake entrepreneurial activities and function well at entry level into the relevant business environment.

Rationale

This qualification creates opportunities for individuals with an artistic and creative flair, who wish to apply their creative skills in the field of jewellery design and manufacture. The qualifying student will be competent in the design, manufacture and marketing of creative and commercial jewellery. The student will present a body of work that combines practical and theoretical skills.

A holistic approach to the combination of subjects is applied within this programme. This allows each student to enter the job market with a theoretical underpinning of their learnt skills which are relative to the requirements of the jewellery trade. Each subject is placed within 'real' work expectations which relate to time management, multiskilled knowledge and performance, lifelong learning, group/team work and business skills. This is developed by interlinking various subjects to one another, such as design, manufacture, illustration, photography and professional practice, where an item of jewellery is designed, illustrated, manufactured, photographed and priced. As each subject is taught, the interlinkage with the other subjects of the course is highlighted to place them all in a realistic realm.

The three-year programme will provide for creative individuals to acquire knowledge of design principles, the industry and the appropriate workshop and computer technology, to enhance employability in the growing Jewellery Design industry in South Africa.

The applicant must

• Be in possession of a Grade 12 Certificate which enables entry to a Diploma or a recognised equivalent.
• Be proficient in English, the language medium of instruction.
• Possess some manual dexterity.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Learners may provide evidence of prior learning for which they may receive credit towards the qualification by means of portfolios or other forms of appropriate evidence which may include, practical portfolios, written letters of motivation, a detailed Curriculum Vitae, written and practical exams, letters of recommendation and documentation of successful past learning, industry experience and an interview. In addition, consideration is given to students over the age of 23 years who have the maturity to embrace the challenges of higher study.

In the absence of a practical portfolio, students can register as part-time students in the prospective field to acquire and generate the practical portfolio for the purposes of assessment.

Cognisance is given to the fact that Recognition of Prior Learning applicants come from diverse backgrounds and a variety of educational, organisational, and professional backgrounds that have prepared them for academic work or there may be a gap in the content knowledge and the ability to express and utilise that knowledge in academic terms. Students will be assisted to apply their prior learning and orientated to academic practice.

Access to the Qualification

Students are required to have successfully graduated from Grade 12 with a National Senior Certificate (NSC) and a combination of recognised National Senior Certificate subjects, as well as certain levels of achievement in these subjects:

• At least 30% in the language of teaching which is English.
• At least 40% in 4 recognised National Senior Certificate 20 credit subjects.

All modules are compulsory.

Modules at NQF Level 5

• Design and Manufacture 1, 66 Credits
• Design 1, 12 Credits
• Drawing 1, 6 Credits
• Technical Drawing, 6 Credits
• Illustration 1, 6 Credits
• Jewellery Theory and Metallurgy, 6 Credits

Total Credits at Level 5: 102

Modules at NQF Level 6

• History of Art and Communication, 18 Credits
• Design and Manufacture 2, 68 Credits
• Design 2, 9 Credits
• Drawing 2, 5 Credits
• Illustration 2, 4 Credits
• Digital Photography 1, 5 Credits
• Digital Design - Rhino, Techgems and Flamingo 1, 5 Credits
• Gemology, 3 Credits
• Professional Practice, 3 Credits
• Design and Manufacture, 58 Credits
• Design 3, 6 Credits
• Professional Portfolio, 4 Credits
• Digital Photography 2 and Digital Imaging - Photoshop 2, 5 Credits
• Digital Design - Rhino, Techgems and Flamingo 2, 5 Credits

Total Credits at Level 6: 198

Modules at NQF Level 7

• Dissertation, 36 Credits
• History of Jewellery Design and Communication, 18 Credits
• Professional Practice, 6 Credits

Total Credits at Level 7: 60

Total Credits: 360.

1. Apply various techniques to design a range of jewellery pieces.
2. Utilise a range of materials and techniques to manufacture a collection of jewellery.
3. Utilise a variety of visual art and media techniques to illustrate a jewellery collection.
4. Apply knowledge of jewellery design, manufacturing and illustration techniques to produce a portfolio for use when entering the business environment.

Critical Cross-Field Outcomes

• Identifying and solving problems are demonstrated in the creative identification and solution of problems by the use of research, organisation and the evaluation of relevant information. Students are required to apply knowledge gained in practical scenarios linked to programme content in order to promote initiative and problem solving skills in the workplace.
• Team work is demonstrated in the developing of group interaction skills through the completion of assignments in group context. The practical exposure to group dynamics will be utilised effectively in the promotion of a culture of teamwork often expected in employment situations.
• Organising self is demonstrated in the management and execution of programme-related activities. Sound time-management skills and creative production on an individual basis as well as having the ability to work within a team will contribute to organising of self.
• Collating information is indicated in the demonstrating of foundational knowledge of business, marketing and project management skills to facilitate self-employment and freelancing opportunities within the industry.
• Effective communicating is demonstrated through the visual, oral and written contexts and in successful group interaction.
• Utilising science and technology is clearly indicated in the safe use of chemicals, tools, processes and digital photography within the milieu of jewellery design and production.
• Understanding the world as a set of related systems is indicated in the exposure to a wide variety of media and methodologies which are used as a base to promote critical and creative thinking processes, as well as through the integration and consolidation of varied visual media in a jewellery design context.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

1. Apply knowledge and understanding of a wide variety of visual art principles, media and methods in a jewellery design context.

• Range: Grid form and space, size, dimensions and perspective, colour theory and interpretation, drawing, 3D construction, structure, composition, technique, observation, mood, tone, texture and presentation and basics of digital photography.

1. Develop a creative process from concept to final execution of a 3-dimensional piece of jewellery.
2. Demonstrate the ability to master technical and creative challenges in the creation of jewellery pieces.
3. Demonstrate the ability to utilise new technology in the design and production of jewellery products and marketing material.

• Range: Rhino, Flamingo, Techgems, CAD and CAM, Digital Photography, Photoshop and DTP.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

1. Use a broad spectrum of jewellery methodologies in the creation of jewellery pieces.

• Range: Variety of jewellery types (ends, bails, earrings, pins and brooches, cuff links, clasps, basic chains, basic hinges, boxes, charms, pendants, rings and bracelets); drawing in perspective, illustration, research, design development and costings.

1. Use a variety of manufacturing methods to create pieces of jewellery.

• Range: Pattern and design transfer (carbon paper, glueing, metal scribe and permanent marker), smelting, sanding, annealing, forging, sawing, piercing, filing, soldering, polishing, sandblasting, burnishing, buffing, metal cleaning, oxidation, heat hardening, setting and casting.

1. Use a variety of jewellery connection methods in the manufacture of jewellery pieces.

• Range: Soldering principles, torches, fluxes, pickles, fire-scaling, fusing, rivets, adhesives and hinges.

1. Use a range of jewellery shaping methods in the creation of jewellery pieces.

• Range: Drawing, tube making, twisting, forging, bending, forming, repouss�, stretching, sinking, raising and crimping.

1. Use a range of jewellery surface enrichment methods in the manufacture of jewellery pieces.

• Range: Hammered and scratched textures, roller embossing, etching, engraving, reticulation, granulation, colouring, and mokume-gane.

1. Use a variety of jewellery casting methods in the manufacture of jewellery.

• Range: Charcoal, cuttlefish, soft/hard wax, sprues, preparations, investing, burn out, vacuum, hollow core and rubber moulds.

1. Describe and create a variety of stone settings for different pieces of jewellery.

• Range: Stone cuts, bezel settings, cabochons, channel setting, swia-setting, claw setting and millennium.

1. Describe and use jewellery manufacturing tools to create pieces of jewellery.

• Range: Specialised hammers, solders and soldering irons, picks, furnace, casts, files, saws, sandpaper, pendulum motors, buffing wheels, torches, punches, engravers, anvils, plating and tumblers.

1. Explain the properties of gemstones and combine a variety of gemstones and raw materials to manufacture jewellery pieces.

• Range of raw materials: Silver, gold, platinum, bone, shell, wood, copper, brass, Perspex, resin; the principles of gemstone setting based on cut, clarity, colour and hardness.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

1. Use a wide variety of media principles, integrated with various methods, styles and materials to create a complete visual concept of a jewellery collection.
2. Use a visual vocabulary and/or visual literacy which is based on an understanding of art and jewellery history, principles, methodologies and theories, to critique own and others` artworks.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

1. Explain the differences in origins, structures, chemical composition and hardness of various gemstones, both natural and synthetic, and describe how each type may be identified.

• Range includes but is not limited to: Diamond (cut, clarity, colour and carat), beryl, topaz, corundum, tourmaline, garnet, chalcedony, hematite, sodalite, lapis lazuli, fluorite, malachite, azurite, howalite, agate, feldspar, turquoise, peridot, iolite, zoisite, opal, jade, pearl, amber, shell, coral, jet and bone.

1. Discuss the History of Art and History of Jewellery Design and adornment knowledgeably to provide a structure and historical framework within which to place developments in art and the applied arts for use as a basis to advance evaluation and analysis skills.

• Range: History of Art and History of Jewellery Design from pre-historic to modern and contemporary, evaluation of patterns of development in response to culture (social, political, religious and gender), philosophical elements, music, literature comparisons and art movements.

1. Apply research methodology within the framework of jewellery design.

• Range of methodology includes but is not limited to: Performance of thematic and market research for a specified target market, experiential learning in industry, response to a brief to produce a specific product; research markets locally and internationally; entering own work in local competitions; data retrieval and referencing work.

1. Demonstrate good business practice in applying jewellery design for commercial and creative jewellery purposes.

• Range: Marketing of ideas; combining text and finished pieces to encourage saleability; researching South African target markets; creating saleable, wearable pieces, appropriate costing.

Integrated Assessment

Formative assessment

Integrated assessment of theoretical and practical work occurs throughout each year of learning, based on evaluation of student projects and theory submissions and includes:

• Written assignments.
• Tests (or examination equivalent tests).
• Evaluation of workshop practice.
• Interdisciplinary projects.
• Group Projects.

Summative assessment

This involves the final evaluation the body of work created during the training year. Can take the form of

• Written examinations.
• Controlled projects.
• Portfolio presentations.
• Panel assessment of the year's work.