Higher Certificate in Animation and Visual Effects

Purpose

The Higher Certificate in Animation and Visual Effects provides learners with knowledge of fundamental research tools and encourages life-long learning through ongoing systematic enquiry into industry-related areas. The qualification has an emphasis on analytical and conceptual thinking and the development of academic abilities and practical problem-solving skills. Throughout the qualification, learners are exposed to a variety of industry-standard formats and computer systems covering a range of creative media. Industry based knowledge and skills will be developed through a study of historical practices and contemporary developments within key subject areas. Learners will learn professional practices and workflows that are commonly used within various areas of the industry.

Qualifying learners will obtain vocational and academic skills and abilities that will allow them to successfully enter a variety of areas within the specified industry and become valuable contributors within their selected field. Qualified learners can animate characters, model objects and characters, do texture, and light objects, characters, and backgrounds, draw characters and objects, storyboard scripts, manage their own projects, composite layers, manage electronic files, rig models, render files, formats, and outputting, design backgrounds.

Qualifying learners will also have the following skills after successful completion of this qualification

• Analytical writing and reporting skills and abilities.
• Basic data gathering techniques.
• Basic project management skills.
• Basic to intermediate production techniques and methods.
• Fundamental technical skills and processes.
• Professional production techniques and applications.

Rationale

The qualification has been developed to meet the high standards of the global media industry. The curriculum has been contextualised for the South African media sector and aims to contribute to the growth, quality and competitiveness of creative media and animation on the African continent.

This qualification provides an appropriate balance between academic rigour and practical skills. The qualification exposes learners to academic and practical skills with a strong focus on technology and creativity. It facilitates creative research and development and encourages learners to define, refine, and enhance their creative and technological skills and abilities

The qualification meets the minimum standards for learners wanting to enter the animation and visual effects in the film and media sector. By achieving this qualification, learners will be able to gain employment into junior positions at established animation and visual effects studios and the film industry and serves the purpose of application to further study for degree purposes.

Typical learners are those wishing to pursue a career in animation and visual effects, who have a proficiency in technical, creative and computer abilities. The learner should display the following attributes:

• Critical and conceptual thinking
• Ability to systematically analyse production methods and processes
• Effective oral and written communications skills
• Independent research skills and abilities
• Professional production skills
• Team orientated skills
• Creative expression

Qualifying learners will be able to access jobs for the following types of positions

• Intern or junior animator at animation, VFX and film studios
• Motion graphics career at junior capacity
• Junior animator
• Junior 30 generalist
• Junior VFX intern
• Junior Technical director
• Web-based technologies

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

This qualification may be achieved in part or completely through the Recognition of Prior Learning, which includes formal, informal, and non-formal learning and work experience. The Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) assessment process involves the identification, mediation, assessment and acknowledgement of knowledge and skills obtained through informal and non-formal learning. RPL is applied in terms of the policy and criteria of the institution. The necessary documentary evidence will have to be provided and a formal RPL process will be followed. The institution will apply in this qualification the RPL for both access and credits in line with the National Policy and Criteria for the Implementation of RPL (Amended in March 2019).

RPL for Access

Learners who do not meet the minimum entry requirements of the required qualification may be considered for RPL. There are two options:

• Advanced Standing, in which case the minimum entry requirements are waived by the admitting institution based on evidence of prior learning, work experience or any other relevant circumstances that may apply to an individual learner. No portfolio is required.

OR

• Applicants may provide evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates that the applicant has acquired sufficient relevant knowledge, skills, and competencies to be able to reasonably meet the expectations for learning demanded by the qualification for which they are seeking access.
• In instances where RPL is applied for access, no credits will be awarded for any previous learning. However, the candidate may choose the option of being assessed for credit.

RPL for credits

Learners who do meet the necessary entry requirements for admission to a qualification may be awarded some or all the credits towards the qualification. There are two possibilities:

• Learners may apply for RPL to be exempted from a module or some modules by providing sufficient evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates that a level of competency, equivalent to the learning outcomes of the module or modules, has been achieved. Credits will be awarded for such modules.

OR

• Learners may apply for RPL to be awarded all the credits required for the qualification. Sufficient evidence must be provided that demonstrates a level of competency equivalent to all the learning outcomes of the qualification.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Senior Certificate (SC), NQF Level 4.

Or

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

Or

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

This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 5 totalling 120 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 5,120 Credits

• Fundamentals of drawing, 10 Credits.
• 3D Character Performance,10 Credits.
• Digital Imaging and Motion Graphics,10 Credits.
• Basics of 3D Modelling,15 Credits.
• Principals of 2D Animation,15 Credits.
• Modelling Digital Environments,15 Credits.
• 3D Character Animation,15 Credits.
• Creative Project: Visual Effects,10 Credits.
• Storyboarding and Animatics,10 Credits.
• Business Communication and Project Design,10 Credits.

1. Demonstrate an in-depth understanding of the sector and use creative literacy in the context of animation.
2. Manage the planning and preparation of an animation project.
3. Demonstrate knowledge of and ability to apply the history and theory of animation and visual effects.
4. Analyse and apply animation software technologies appropriately and in the context of film, television, video, and web applications.
5. Demonstrate the ability to execute a final animation product according to industry standards.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Demonstrate thought processes and document them according to the given brief.
• Carry out an application of given techniques according to the developed concept.
• Conduct comparative research on existing products for analysis.
• Use analysed data to determine viability within industry requirements.
• Interpret the creative brief to establish and produce the drawing specifications and produce layout drawings for animated productions.
• Examine and apply concepts and methodologies of drawing using a variety of media and transform drawing from life into a character and/or landscape design.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Produce a script according to correct formatting and industry standards.
• Produce a storyboard according to the correct format and industry standards.
• Create/construct a schedule to determine the duration and requirements of the project.
• Character animation is choreographed according to recognised industry standards
• Explore and apply the relationship between characters, their environment, and their influence on animation and storytelling on product development.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Ability to apply the correct software according to industry standards.
• Analyse software packages currently available for their capabilities and limitations.
• Examine the history and development of animation technologies.
• Navigate the user interface of different animation software successfully
• Evaluate and apply cinematic elements according to specifications. (Range: lighting, composition, layout etc)
• Ability to analyse and apply the principles of animation.
• Access and explain knowledge of the film, television, audio, and multimedia industry, including the role of different industry sectors and the impacts of changing technology.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Apply software applications according to industry-accepted workflow and methods.
• Save source files and formats correctly according to industry standards.
• Apply production processes for successful completion of the specific stages within the workflow.
• Use digital animation techniques and industry-standard software to create animation for a range of media applications.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Apply creative adaptations in the execution of the animation product.
• Analyse and review the reflective logbook to show understanding of adaptations and changes.
• Create visual effects for screen productions.
• Implement the final product according to required processes for successful completion of animation project (modelling, texturing, rigging, compositing, rendering etc).