Postgraduate Diploma in Interior Design

Purpose

The Postgraduate Diploma in Interior Design aims to equip learners to function effectively as a Professional Senior Interior Designer. The scope of work required from senior interior designers includes design development and technical documentation for complex interior fit-outs and adaptive reuse projects in the categories of:

• Place of assembly, for example, the interior design development of community halls, conference centres, schools, and places of worship
• Exhibition facilities, for example, the interior design development of museums, art galleries, national exhibitions, libraries, and pop-up structures.
• Institutional facility, for example, the interior design development for, police stations, hospitals, research facilities and crematorium.
• Retail facilities, for example, the interior design development of small shopping centres and retail stores.
• Office facilities, for example, the interior design development of small office buildings and the fit-out of the respective offices.
• Residential facilities, for example, large hotel groups and small hotel groups (hospitality), as well as apartment building fit-outs.
• Transportation facilities, for example, the interior design development of small airports, bus stations and railway stations.
• Specialist retail design; corporate design; hospitality design; institutional design; the design of places of assembly and residential alterations. In consultation with professional engineers, senior interior designers may execute load-bearing interior construction systems.

The purpose of the qualification is to provide graduates with the knowledge, skills and competencies that will enable entry into an advanced level of practice in the field of study as well as meet the competencies specified by the African Institute of Interior Design professions (AIID) and/or the South African Council for the Architectural Profession (SACAP), to enable registration as a Professional Senior Interior Designer. Graduates are expected to meet the requirements as set out by the IAID and future SACAP registration categories, enter the design industry and be able to execute design through all stages from the definition of the brief to design development and documentation through to completion and handover. Graduates will be independent thinkers that can assimilate broad aspects of information, analyse complex problems and compile findings into coherent relevant and appropriate interior design solutions. Graduates are aware of environmental and social sustainability and understand their responsibility in this regard. The qualifying learner will have the competence to apply creativity, problem-solving, specialised knowledge, and management principles to the practical implementation of interior design, after appropriate research, with the support of a well-informed theoretical underpinning.

The qualification is designed to equip learners with a deepening of knowledge and skills, and a broadening of the scope of work required and has a strong emphasis on the effective use of technology as the driver for the design process, supported by other aspects such as interior design practice, digital literacy, and environmental design. The teaching and learning strategy are project-based in nature allowing integration and synthesis of knowledge as well as the evaluation of current knowledge, which build skills and competencies across the various aspects of the qualification, hence simulating the workflow in interior design practice. Independent and remote work is encouraged, building learners' ability and confidence in conducting independent research, and communicating their design ideas effectively and succinctly. A variety of digital media is utilised across various platforms, this develops the digital competence required in the workplace, but also contributes a degree of flexibility in the qualification as learners can participate from the workplace if they are registered for the part-time qualification.

Qualifying learners will be able to

• Demonstrate ethical research abilities, innovative design solutions, advanced technical skills, responsible time management and working both collaboratively and independently.
• Collect, analyse, and critically evaluate visual and written information in a manner that develops feasible solutions to a broad range of identified problems using associated digital technologies whilst satisfying all national building regulations.
• Conduct independent research focused on the explorative detailing of load-bearing interior fit-out systems.

Rationale

The purpose of the qualification is to provide graduates with advanced entry into the professional practice of interior design through the accumulation of knowledge, skills, and attributes, aligned with the competencies specified by the AIID, The African Institute for the Interior Design Professions, to enable registration as a Professional Senior Interior Designer. Graduates will be independent thinkers that can assimilate broad aspects of information, analyse complex problems and compile findings into coherent, relevant, and appropriate interior design solutions. Graduates are aware of environmental and social sustainability and understand their responsibility in this regard. They can make decisions in the built environment that reflects this awareness. Completion of the qualification will allow progression into a Professional Masters Interior Architecture Degree.

Interior Design Professionals can currently register with the African Institute for the Interior Design Professions (AIID), the only professional body representing the Interior Design industry in South Africa The Institute is dedicated to establishing, promoting, and maintaining expertise, professionalism, sound business practice and high standards throughout the industry (IID, 2014). Membership of the IID declares the interior design professional's status as a qualified, experienced, and ethical practicing professional. The IID is a Member of IFI, the International Federation of Interior Architects/Designers and a Voluntary Association Member of SACAP. The AIID currently allows for four registration categories which include:

• Learner Member, with a minimum of two years of study.
• Candidate Interior Designer.
• Professional Interior Designer.
• Professional Senior Interior Designer.
• Professional Interior Architect.

The tertiary qualifications levels and related work experience is considered when registering a candidate for one of these categories. The qualification is recognised by the AIID as a level where a graduate may register as a Professional Senior Interior Designer (Advanced Diploma + work experience OR Postgraduate Diploma) and Professional Interior Architect (Professional Masters Interior Architecture). The qualification will benefit learners since the SACAP currently exempts 'interior architectural designers' to enable them to submit drawings and documentation to local authorities related to the interior design of buildings. An interior architectural designer is defined as, "a person who is qualified by education and has recognised experience and skills to design interior spaces, with knowledge of space planning, building and material technology, interior construction, building climate regulations, materials and furnishings and capable of preparing drawings and technical documentation relative to the design of interior spaces for submission to a local authority and purposes of construction."

Stakeholders consulted in conceptualising the qualification include curriculum developers in qualifications at other Interior Design/Architecture Learning Sites, specifically at Universities of Technology and comprehensive Universities; professional bodies, South African education researchers, the interior design profession through formal stakeholder meetings and informal discussions, alumni through formal surveys and informal interviews, current learners and full-time and contract academic staff of the Department. Discussions with the professional body AIID and SACAP centred on the professional recognition of the industry, the purpose of the qualification, the extent to which the competencies specified by AIID is embedded in either formal education or industry experience, and what is currently transpiring in the educational realm in interior design/architecture throughout the country and internationally.

The agreed formal legislation and the inclusion under the umbrella of SACAP will have a profound influence on the profession and the education of Interior Design/Architecture in South Africa. Postgraduate Diploma in Interior Design enables registration as a Professional Senior Interior Designer (two-year, blended learning, with the option to be full-time employment in interior design practice, or under the supervision of a mentor - registered professional) The strength of the qualification is in building research rigour and allowing a Diploma learner to bridge into a professional Master's degree. Master of Interior Architecture enables registration as a Professional Interior Architect (one year full-time or two years part-time). As part of the conceptualising process, the institution also conducted online questionnaires to obtain feedback from both practitioners and alumni. It was revealed that the Alumni, specifically those that want to study further, indicated that the option of a part-time course was preferred, to enable working learners to study further. 'Learn while you earn', was deemed to be crucial, in the current economic crisis faced by our country, post-COVID 19.

The qualification in which research and independent application will be the focus, enabling learners to make a comfortable transition into the Master's Degree. The new professional categories imply that learners can enter the profession as independent practitioners at several exit levels of study. Learners must be equipped with enough professional knowledge through formal studies to enable them to successfully start and manage their own practices. Along with a sense of social responsibility instilled through project work, aspects of entrepreneurship are introduced, through the Interior Practice subject. Learners are taught how to establish their own practices, that focus on work beyond the "traditional" practice. Working and building a continued awareness of the interior design profession within South African communities as part of the interior design curriculum, puts the qualification firmly in line with the innovation drive to find new solutions to the real issues in society; social transformation through advanced social responsiveness in the curriculum and the application of knowledge to solve real-life problems. The qualification is geared to make learners aware of how they can contribute to the country's social needs.

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 RPL process involves the identification, mediation, assessment and acknowledgement of knowledge and skills obtained through informal, non-formal and/ or formal learning. The RPL is multi-dimensional and multi-contextual in nature, aimed at the individual needs of applicants. The RPL process includes guidance and counselling, as well as the preparation of a body of evidence to be presented by the RPL candidate to meet institutional requirements. RPL in this qualification will relate to gaining access to the qualification and/or credits/ towards advanced standing as described in institutional guidelines 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

• Diploma in Interior Design at NQF level 6 consisting of 360 credits, plus Advanced Diploma in Interior Design, NQF level 7 consisting of 120 credits

or

• Bachelor's Degree in Interior Design, NQF level 7.

or

• Bachelor of Architectural Studies in Interior Design, NQF Level 7.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory and elective modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 8 totalling 120 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 8, 96 Credits

• Interior Technology, 25 Credits.
• Interior Design, 25 Credits.
• Environmental Design, 10 Credits.
• Interior Literacy, 15 Credits.
• Interior Practice, 6 Credits.
• Research, 15 Credits.

Elective Modules, Level 8, 24 Credits (Select any two from the following modules)

• Heritage Studies, 12 Credits.
• Social Studies, 12 Credits.
• Energy Studies, 12 Credits.
• Lighting Studies, 12 Credits.
• Interior Studies, 12 Credits.

1. Develop effective advanced and complex construction solutions for load-bearing interior fit-out systems.
2. Apply relevant contextual, social, cultural, political, aesthetic and environmentally appropriate aspects related to interior design.
3. Demonstrate a working knowledge of professional interior design practice and procedures.
4. Communicate with clients, relevant authorities, contractors, and other professionals, effectively using a variety of appropriate media.
5. Respond to environmental concerns through the application of sustainable building principles to all aspects of a design project.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Conduct independent research focused on the explorative detailing of load-bearing interior fit-out systems.
• Describe and explain the application of a wide range of building materials, systems, and technologies with regard to interior fit-outs.
• Appraise the environmental and social appropriateness of building technologies and materials within a specific interior design context.
• Resolve the technological aspects of a complex interior design fit-out.
• Prepare technical documentation relative to the design of interior spaces for submission to a local municipality.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Appraise contemporary theories applied to the South African context.
• Identify, analyse, and critically discuss selected, relevant precedent studies.
• Define and appraise a variety of interior design problems and/ client needs in various contexts.
• Independently develop project solutions for a variety of building typologies.
• Identify and research a problem related to Interior Design.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Develop complete documentation drawings for a complex interior, including load bearing fit-out systems
• Generate written specifications for a complex interior fit-out.
• Participate in and appraise office administration and business practice
• Explain the principles and application of building project management
• Understand the roles and responsibilities of the various building professional's in the South African context.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Produce clear and effective communication across a variety of modalities and platforms
• Prepare and present advanced graphic three-dimensional computer-generated models.
• Build and maintain effective channels of communication with the various role players in interior design practice.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Relate the interior to its surroundings as part of a bigger system.
• Identify adaptive reuse opportunities related to interior design projects.
• Identify landscape concerns related to the passive climatic impact on habitable interior spaces.
• Appraise, schedule and document building services for complex interiors.
• Compute and apply environmental calculations as stipulated in environmental legislation.