Diploma in Jewellery Design and Manufacture

Purpose

The purpose of the qualification is to produce learners who are proficient in a broad base of skills within the jewellery field of professional practice. The qualification will offer learners the opportunity to learn a number of skills in order to enable them to fit into any of a large number of niches within the jewellery industry, whether in a micro enterprise of their own, or a larger enterprise. The qualification will also introduce learning to the Computer Aided Design(CAD) or Computer Aided Manufacturing(CAM) technology increasingly used in the industry on all levels of enterprise (necessary for employment in an environment where technological advances are rapid).

The increasing Africanisation of the curriculum reflects the importance of exposure to African Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) and the subsequent ability to articulate a voice for African creative practices and theoretical studies within the context of the discipline of jewellery design and manufacture. To produce learners who can contribute to the economy of South Africa through the beneficiation of our natural resources, as both artists and craftspeople. They will be aided in the development of both visual and practical skills, as well as their professional abilities and their conceptual and critical thinking.

Rationale

Qualifying learners can design and produce creative jewellery using a variety of materials, methods, technologies and techniques; achieve personal and unique design solutions; use drawing as a visual communication, problem-solving and design tool; formulate an approach to entrepreneurship in the jewellery industry and demonstrate an appropriate contextual understanding of theoretical aspects of jewellery.

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 the following compulsory at National Qualifications Framework(NQF) Level 5 and 6 totalling at 360 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 5, 155 Credits

• Jewellery Rendering 1, 18 Credits.
• Communication for Academic Purposes 10 Credits.
• Life Skills I, 2 Credits.
• Jewellery Techniques 1, 32 Credits.
• Jewellery History Africa and the world 1, 20 Credits.
• Jewellery Design 1, 26 Credits.
• Information Literacy I, 2 Credits.
• Computer Literacy, 10 Credits.
• WIL in Jewellery Design, 25 Credits.
• Entrepreneurship 1,10 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 6, 205 Credits

• Jewellery Design 2, 28 Credits.
• Jewellery History Africa and the World 2, 18.
• Jewellery Techniques 2, 30 Credits.
• Jewellery Rendering 2, 19 Credits.
• Jewellery Techniques 3, 23 Credits.
• WIL in Jewellery Design, 35 Credits.
• Jewellery History 3, 17 Credits.
• Jewellery Design 3, 21 Credits.
• Jewellery Rendering 3, 14 Credits.

1.Function in an appropriate jewellery studio environment by demonstrating knowledge of theoretical and practical areas related to jewellery design and manufacture, as well as relevant history and theory.

2.Understand the key terms, concepts, facts, principles, rules and theories of fields related to jewellery and select and apply appropriate methods, procedures or techniques within the relevant field.

3.These fields will include the design and rendering of commercial and creative jewellery, practical techniques as well as the relevant Computer Aided Design(CAD) technology.

4.Demonstrate an ability to identify, evaluate and solve defined, routine and new problems within a familiar context, and apply solutions based on relevant techniques and procedures.

5.Demonstrate an ability to interpret and communicate information reliably, accurately and coherently, as well as to function efficiently in a range of familiar and new contexts.

6.Work effectively in a team, demonstrating the ability to identify, analyse and solve problems in manufacturing contexts.

7.Apply solutions based on procedures appropriate to the field, discipline or practice, under supervision, to produce a series of high-quality items according to specifications.

8.Communicate effectively with supervisors, colleagues or customers, by applying interpersonal communication skills, and taking responsibility for decisions and actions.

9.Manage resources in the jewellery studio in terms of how resources impact on the environment and health and safety aspects.

10.Formulate a personal approach to entrepreneurship within the context of the jewellery industry.

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

• Select appropriate tools, machinery and materials to produce creative jewellery.
• Utlise investigative and analytical skills. create and communicate design solutions using the appropriate technology. Utilise jewellery manufacturing technology creatively.
• A Develop and refine selected drawing techniques and produce legible working drawings. Communicate design concepts in various media.
• Analyse various aspects of design and use appropriate technologies effectively.
• Identify previously gained knowledge and gemmological equipment by utilising Gemstones.
• Explore the commercial relationships between the candidate's creative work and the industry. Produce a research proposal.

Integrated assessment

Learners completing this programme should be able to blend strong designing and manufacturing capabilities together with theoretical considerations. Integrated assessment will be achieved by including practical individual projects and assignments, written tests, practical examinations and a research report. Some of the criteria may be assessed through observation of learners during their classes by an external

assessor. Integrated assessment will be both formative and summative.

Formative assessment

Through continuous feedback, constructive critique and practical recommendations to improve their results, learners 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 evaluations are done of the years' work by a panel of internal and external assessors. Learners are also exposed to peer and industry-evaluations at international and national competitions which learners must enter as part of the qualification.