Diploma in Jewellery Design and Manufacture

Purpose

The purpose of this qualification is to equip learners with an understanding of the complexities and multi-disciplinary nature of design in the modern world. Learners will gain an understanding of the disciplinary knowledge rooted in historical and contemporary design trends and influences as well as ethics of the craft of jewellery design and manufacturing; yet to be competent in the use of rapidly evolving design and manufacturing technologies. The qualifying learner will be competent in the production of creative and mass-produced jewellery, using a variety of skills and materials. These skills and competencies will be achieved through the innovative application of technology and an understanding of aesthetic, economic and social issues within the field of jewellery. Learners will be able to contextualise their work against current trends and norms.

Rationale

This qualification has been established on demand of industry and has served the industry well over the years by equipping learners with knowledge and skills to be creative and competent jewellery designers who have been successfully employed in various sectors of this industry. Engagement with a range of stakeholders during the re-design of this qualification has confirmed the need to develop learners who will be able to draw on historical studies; communicate design intentions competently in terms of written, oral and visual communication skills and drawing techniques; have the required technical skills to design and manufacture jewellery; have excellent workshop practice skills with an understanding of health and safety regulations and ethical requirements as well as an awareness of the latest developments and trends in terms of design and technology.

The following stakeholders have been consulted during the re-circulation process: the regional and National Manufacturing Associations, the local goldsmiths of the Western Cape, serial production manufacturers, workshop managers and retailers, the Jewellery Union, the Jewellery Council of South Africa, Mining Houses such as Diamond Trading Company (De Beers SA), AngloGold and AngloPlat, past learners who now teach in the department or whose career paths have taken them into factories starting up their own businesses, gemmologists, other Higher Education institutions such as Durban University of Technology and University of Johannesburg, the Mining SETA in which the jewellery industry is lodged, engravers and laser cutters and setters as well as niche role players who own plating factories and large costume jewellery manufacturers in the Western Cape.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is a process of identifying the knowledge and skills of an learner against the admission requirements of the qualification and 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 formal learning. The RPL process is multi-dimensional and multi-contextual, aimed at the individual needs of learners and is handled by 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 learner 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 credits/advanced standing as described in institutional guidelines.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

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

Or

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

Or

• Senior Certificate, NQF Level 4.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at NQF Level 5 and 6 totalling 360 Credits.

Compulsory Modules NQF Level 5,120 Credits

• Jewellery Design 1, 25 Credits.
• Business Skills 1: Jewellery Design, 10 Credits.
• Jewellery Drawing 1, 25 Credits.
• Jewellery Theory and Materials 1, 20 Credits.
• Academic and Professional Literacies, 10 Credits.
• Jewellery Techniques, 30 Credits.

Compulsory Modules NQF Level 6, 120 Credits

• Business Skills 2: Jewellery Design, 10 Credits.
• Jewellery Theory and Materials 2, 25 Credits.
• Jewellery Techniques 2, 33 Credits.
• Jewellery Design 2, 27 Credits.
• Jewellery Drawing 2, 25 Credits.
• Jewellery Theory and Materials 3, 30 Credits.
• Jewellery Technique 3, 30 Credits.
• Business Skills 3: Jewellery Design, 10 Credits.
• Jewellery Drawing 3, 25 Credits.
• Jewellery Design 3, 25 Credits.

1. Demonstrates an understanding of the diverse roles of the contemporary jewellery designer, in a range of professional artist/client contexts while adhering to relevant health and safety regulations.
2. Design creative and innovative jewellery, ethical and fit for purpose, contextualised against global trends, popular culture and norms, using conventional design tools and computer-aided technologies.
3. Use drawing, both conventional and digitally aided, as a communication and design tool in the making, marketing and promotion of jewellery.
4. Produce commercial jewellery through serial production technologies from conventional casting to computer-aided manufacture while adhering to relevant health and safety regulations.
5. Demonstrate a proper contextual understanding of the history, professional practice, ethics, theory and discourse jewellery design and manufacture.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Select appropriate tools, machinery and materials to produce creative jewellery.
• Carry out all work without risk to anybody.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Utilise the investigative and analytical skills.
• Create design solutions using the appropriate technology.
• Communicate design solutions.
• Use Jewellery manufacturing technology creatively.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Develop and refine selected drawing techniques.
• Produce legible working drawings of jewellery.
• Communicate design concepts are in various media.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Analyse various aspects of design.
• Used effectively appropriate technologies.
• Identify Gemstones using previously gained knowledge and gemological equipment.
• Explore the commercial relationships between the learner's creative work and the industry.
• Produce a research proposal.

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 centred-learning and assessment, and the importance of feedback to enhance learner engagement. 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 aims at enhancing learner learning and provides learners with an opportunity to reflect critically on their learning and to improve their levels of personal accountability and time management. The 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.

Summative assessment will take place at the end of a section of work/quarter or semester and aim at assessing learner's attainment against the learning outcomes of the qualification 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, including written tests, reports and examination. 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 several subjects/modules of qualification and is aimed at the holistic development of learners and contributes to learner's 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 using project reports, a portfolio of evidence and an oral presentation related to the needs and requirements of the industry and field of study.