Postgraduate Diploma in User Experience Design

Purpose

The purpose of the Postgraduate Diploma in User Experience Design qualification is to meet a current and growing need for the knowledge, skills and capacity associated with the principles and processes of User Experience (UX) Design, among professionals working in interdisciplinary teams (systems and software development and design, computer engineering, product design, communication design and digital marketing), to create user-friendly products and services.

This qualification will equip learners with the knowledge and skills to plan, design and develop seamless, intuitive user experiences as members of a multi- or interdisciplinary product development team. The designed outcomes are situated in the broad context of product design and development within the corporate and public sectors. The theoretical foundations for User Experience Design are theories of human-computer interaction, design thinking and user-centred, experiential design approaches. Learners will learn to plan and design user experiences that are informed by user research, based on strategic design thinking, and supported by efficient interactions with usable interfaces.

Learners are exposed to selected technology and tools, theoretical frameworks, applied research methods and creative, project-based work in areas of their foci. Learners work collaboratively on projects and are further exposed to problem-solving skills, the design processes of research, strategic planning, ideation, prototyping, and testing of design outcomes.

Upon completion of this qualification, qualifying learners will be able to

• Investigate and evaluate user experience design problems, strategies, and solutions for a variety of users in different contexts.
• Design usable, efficient, and satisfying interactions with products and services using user-centred design theories and principles.
• Create meaningful user experiences by applying human- and user-centred design approaches, processes and practices that demonstrate design thinking and creative problem-solving skills.
• Integrate appropriate technologies and tools in the planning, design, and delivery of responsible and innovative User Experience Design solutions.

Rationale

Ease of use is a vital feature of an effective digital product and to holistically serve its purpose, it needs to offer a seamless, intuitive user experience. As a result of disruptive 4IR technologies and the interconnectedness of people globally, products are no longer simple physical artefacts, but a complex combination of physical, technological, social, and emotional attributes that collectively impact the experience of using them (Press and Cooper, 2016). Consequently, the design of most products requires the multi- or interdisciplinary collaboration of experts from a wide variety of fields such as programmers, software developers, engineers, designers, and communication experts. Designing a seamless, intuitive experience, requires a common consideration for how humans interact with products, content, and interfaces, what the cognitive, social, and emotional impact of these interactions are and how that affects their experience of a product.

The rapid uptake of 4IR technologies and the limited number of candidates possessing 4IRrelated skills have resulted in increased competition among employers for the few relevantly skilled candidates (Sector Skills Plan, MICT Seta, 2020). User Experience Design is a still growing field with an expected increase in User Experience Professionals from 1 million globally in 2017 to 100 million by 2050 (Nielsen Norman Group, 2017). The projected growth within the industry supports the need for the development of learning programmes that will equip current working professionals with the knowledge and skills to design intuitive, user-friendly products that meet the requirements of a range of users, within varied contexts to create meaningful user experiences.

This qualification is suited for the learning and development needs of Bachelor's Degree or Advanced Diploma learners seeking to upskill or acquire requisite knowledge and skills to explore career opportunities within the field of user experience design.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The institution has an approved Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) policy which is applicable with regard to equivalent qualifications for admission into the qualification. RPL will be applied to accommodate applicants who qualify. RPL thus provides alternative access and admission to qualifications, as well as advancement within qualifications. RPL may be applied for access, credits from modules and credits for or towards the qualification.

RPL for access

• Learners who do not meet the minimum entrance requirements or the required qualification that is at the same NQF level as the qualification required for admission may be considered for admission through RPL.
• To be considered for admission in the qualification based on RPL, applicants should provide evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates that they have acquired the relevant knowledge, skills, and competencies through formal, non-formal and/or informal learning to cope with the qualification expectations should they be allowed entrance into the qualification.

RPL for exemption of modules

• Learners may apply for RPL to be exempted from modules that form part of the qualification. For a learner to be exempted from a module, the learner needs to provide sufficient evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates that competency was achieved for the learning outcomes that are equivalent to the learning outcomes of the module.

RPL for credit

• Learners may also apply for RPL for credit for or towards the qualification, in which they must provide evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates prior learning through formal, non-formal and/or informal learning to obtain credits towards the qualification.
• Credit shall be appropriate to the context in which it is awarded and accepted.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Advanced Diploma in Design Technology, NQF Level 7.

Or

• Advanced Diploma in Graphic Design, NQF Level 7.

Or

• Advanced Diploma in Integrated Communication Design, NQF Level 7.

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

Compulsory Modules, Level 8, 120 Credits

• Principles of Interaction Design, 20 Credits.
• User Experience Design, 20 Credits.
• User Experience Project Management, 20 Credits.
• User Experience and Technology, 20 Credits.
• User Experience Research Methodology, 20 Credits.
• User Experience Design Project, 20 Credits.

1. Investigate and evaluate user experience design problems, strategies, and solutions for a variety of users in different contexts.
2. Design usable, efficient, and satisfying interactions with products and services using user-centred design theories and principles.
3. Demonstrate the ability to create meaningful user experiences by applying human- and user-centred design approaches, processes and practices that demonstrate design thinking and creative problem-solving skills.
4. Evaluate and apply appropriate technologies and tools in the planning, design, and delivery of responsible and innovative User Experience Design solutions.
5. Demonstrate the ability to manage User Experience Design processes and projects from research to evaluation, in a collaborative work environment.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Accurately collect, organize, analyze, and interpret information from primary and secondary sources.
• Employ appropriate research frameworks, methods, and tools to identify user needs and expectations and to inform a contextual understanding of a UX Design problem.
• Apply appropriate user-testing methods and tools to assess the usability of a design prototype.
• Conduct independent inquiry in a selected field of UX design.
• Integrate evidence and information using critical thinking skills.
• Communicate research findings, insights, and recommendations.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Appropriately apply knowledge of interaction design theories and cognitive models to evaluate and make informed decisions that support easy-to-use, efficient interactions with products.
• Effectively plan user journeys and interactions for different use cases and contexts that are intuitive and easy to use.
• Appropriately synthesise product content, interaction, and user journey to create a usable product or service.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Appropriately apply creative problem-solving approaches to design meaningful user experiences.
• Appropriately apply design-thinking processes and industry-standard practices to successfully plan, communicate, implement, and evaluate User Experience Design outcomes.
• Design User Experience solutions that demonstrate a concern for applicable sustainability, legal and ethical considerations.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Accurately interpret current thinking and practices related to the impact and use of technology on the user experience, society, and the environment.
• Critically evaluate current, emerging, and new tools and technologies available for User Experience Design.
• Select and apply appropriate technologies in the creation and delivery of innovative User Experience Design solutions for different users in different contexts.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Compile suitable project plans and briefs to guide the design and development process, the allocation and use of technological and multimodal resources and collaborators.
• Professionally manage self and team members in collaborative User Experience Design projects.
• Accurately develop monitoring and evaluation plans.
• Appropriately apply reflective processes to improve professional practice.