Master of Arts in Industrial Design

Purpose

The purpose of this qualification is to develop researchers who can contribute to industrial design knowledge at an advanced level. This qualification by research will be earned by completing an advanced research project, which culminates in the production and acceptance of a dissertation. The research project may take the form of textual or art factual research but, regardless of the preferred form of research, a written dissertation is delivered as the final output of the qualification which complies with the generally accepted norms for research at this level.

Rationale

The domain of Industrial Design covers mainly the areas of product design, furniture and transportation design. The Master of Arts in Industrial Design (MA (Industrial Design)) give learners an opportunity to explore and meet the demands for innovation for a better living.

This qualification aligns graduates with the challenges facing South Africa's manufacturing industry; the national requirements for design thinkers and the changing student needs for greater theory and design knowledge. The qualification is beneficial for both recent graduates and current industry practitioners in advancing their design knowledge to a higher level. It is evident from the range of Industrial Design Masters' qualifications offered by members of the World Design Organization that Masters' qualifications that focus on specialised areas of design research have become the norm internationally. Such a qualification is therefore of particular benefit to learners who foresee careers as academics or researchers, but it also offers the opportunity to further develop advanced conceptual thinking skills, problem finding and problem solving skills, with which to innovatively address complex issues, thereby enhancing their employability in the industrial design industry, both locally and abroad. Learners who complete a Masters' qualification readily enter industry with well-defined commercial products, which can be of direct benefit to the South African economy and, based on the social focus of most industrial design Masters' research, also benefits society as a whole.

The qualification will also strengthen the Department's research capacity, enable increased research output and allow Industrial Design learners articulation into a Doctoral Degree.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The Faculty of Art, Design and Architecture (FADA) at the University of Johannesburg (UJ) accepts Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) as an integral part of education and academic practice. It is acknowledged that all learning has value and the Faculty will endeavour to assess prior learning and award credit where relevant.

FADA manages RPL according to the University of Johannesburg's RPL policy, and will be applied as follows for purposes of this programme as set out in the Faculty Qualifications and Regulations policy:

• Through recognition of prior learning, a student may gain access, or advanced placement, or recognition of status, on condition that he/she continues his/her studies at the UJ.
• Recognition takes place in terms of requirements and procedures applied by FADA.
• Recognition of prior learning in the case of a learner not complying with the formal entry requirements is:

> Conducted after payment of the prescribed fees in accordance with the policy and guidelines of the University.

> Based on other forms of formal, informal and non-formal learning and experience.

> Considered only where prior learning corresponds to the required National Qualification Framework (NQF)-level; and it takes place where prior learning in terms of applied competencies is relevant to the content and outcomes of the qualification.

> Considered in terms of an assessment procedure that includes a motivated recommendation by an assessment panel to the Dean's Committee of FADA; and finally decided upon by the FADA Dean's Committee.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirements are

• A relevant Bachelor Honours Degree, a "professional" Bachelor's Degree in Industrial Design (NQF Level 8).

Or

• Postgraduate Diploma, in Industrial Design.

Or

• An equivalent qualification at an equivalent standard as recommended by a Status Committee and approved by the Faculty Board with sufficient preparation to conduct research with a recommended minimum of 60% for all final-year modules.
• A relevant Baccalaureus Technologiae in Industrial Design, with an average mark of at least 65% combined with a research methodology short learning component.

This qualification consists of one compulsory module at Level 9, totalling 180 Credits.

• Dissertation, 180 Credits.

1. Apply specialist knowledge of industrial design.
2. Demonstrate a command of industrial design and research methods and procedures to address complex problems.
3. Access, process and manage information effectively.
4. Produce information for, and communicate it to a range of audiences.
5. Manage independent learning and act accountably.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Specialist industrial design knowledge is applied to engage with and critique current and historical design research.
• Advanced scholarship and research in industrial design are demonstrated.
• Current processes of knowledge production are evaluated and appropriate process of enquiry for industrial design are selected.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Appropriate and creative methods, techniques, processes or technologies are designed, selected and applied to complex practical and theoretical problems.
• A wide range of specialised skills are used to identify, conceptualise, design and implement methods of enquiry to address complex and challenging problems within industrial design.
• An understanding is demonstrated of the consequences of any solutions or insights generated within an industrial design context.
• Ethical decisions which affect knowledge production are made autonomously.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• A strategy for the processing and management of information is designed.
• The strategy is used to conduct a comprehensive review of leading and current research in industrial design in or to produce significant insights.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Substantial ideas are conceptualised through research in an area of industrial design.
• Academic discourses are used to communicate and defend substantial ideas.
• A range of advanced and specialised skills and discourses appropriate to industrial design are used to communicate to a range of audiences with different levels of knowledge.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Own learning strategies are developed which sustain independent learning and academic development.
• A learning group is interacted with effectively as a means of enhancing learning.
• An ability to operate independently is demonstrated.
• Full responsibility is taken for own work.
• Appropriate accountability is taken for leading and initiating processes and implementing systems.
• Good resource management and governance practices are ensured.

Integrated Assessment

Assessment procedures are in line with the institution's procedures. The qualification has Formative Assessment in the form on feedback from the supervisor to the student and one Summative Assessment, which consists of the examining of a dissertation.

Assessment is guided by the institution's Higher Degrees and Postgraduate Studies Policy.