Advanced Diploma in Design Technology
Culture and Arts - Design Studies
Purpose and Rationale
Qualification Overview
Purpose
The purpose of the Advanced Diploma in Design Technology is to equip learners with the necessary skills to become creative practitioners in various fields such as fashion, photography, digital or communication design, visual arts, or allied professionals like technicians. Additionally, learners will receive training in research methodology and conceptual development to prepare them for further study opportunities.
Rationale
This qualification aims to provide learners with a solid understanding of creative production processes, enabling them to master production methods across analog, digital, and various levels of technology. Graduates will have career opportunities in creative industries such as fashion, photography, illustration, filmmaking, gaming, digital and graphic design, or visual arts. By focusing on specific technologies, materials, and processes, learners will develop specialized skills that can be applied to different creative mediums.
The program encourages learners to deepen their knowledge in their chosen technology specialization while also developing professional practice skills necessary for success in their chosen fields. The curriculum is designed to build upon undergraduate programs, preparing learners for more independent study and research at the postgraduate level, including Postgraduate Diploma, Masters, and Doctoral programs.
Some learners may gravitate towards creative production with a strong conceptual foundation, while others may be more inclined towards mastering industry technologies. The program aims to cater to both preferences, ensuring that graduates are well-rounded and equipped to excel in their respective fields.
Outcomes
- Demonstrate a well-rounded and integrated knowledge of the qualification and a detailed knowledge of a specialist area.
- Ability to apply, understand, select, sequence and demonstrate content knowledge according to both the subject and the industry needs.
- Ability to research and understand their target market and identify how they respond, understand their individual needs, and tailor their product accordingly by applying a range of methods.
- Communicate effectively in relation to their product(s), in order to mediate design and studio art industry needs and an ability to take decisions and justify those decisions.
- Ability to communicate with academic/professional discourse.
- Access, process and manage knowledge of the design and studio art industry and the ability to unpack its applications and to use available resources appropriately, so as to plan and develop suitable products.
- Evaluate and understand diversity in the South African context, in order to accommodate industry developments, and identify and solve social problems.
- Manage processes across variable contexts in order to self-evaluate and solve sequenced real world visual problems with well-structured arguments.
- Demonstrate sound entrepreneurial, administrative and managerial skills in diverse contexts in order to ensure a conducive working environment.
- Exhibit a positive work ethic, display appropriate values, and conduct themselves in a manner which befits, enhances and develops the design and studio art profession.
- Critically reflect on their own practice in liaison with their professional community of colleagues and industry in order to constantly improve and adapt to evolving circumstances, while taking accountability for processes used.
Assessment Criteria
- Exit Level Outcome 1: Apply well-rounded and integrated knowledge with regard to a specialist area related to visual communication is applied.
- Exit Level Outcome 2: Describe concepts, principles and theories applicable to the needs of the subjects, specialist areas and industry.
- Exit Level Outcome 3: Apply and develop tailored specialised products for an identified target market by a range of methods.
- Exit Level Outcome 4: Apply effective written, verbal and non-verbal communication skills with the ability to take decisions and actions drawing on appropriate ethical values and approaches within a supported environment.
- Exit Level Outcome 5: Demonstrate and apply a sound knowledge of communication skills in the form of proposals and projects.
- Exit Level Outcome 6: Access, process and manage knowledge of the design and studio art industry is in the unpacking, planning and development of suitable products.
- Exit Level Outcome 7: Critically evaluate and use diversity in South Africa is critically to solve social problems.
- Exit Level Outcome 8: Demonstrate effective management of diverse processes through defining and solving of sequenced real-world visual problems.
- Exit Level Outcome 9: Apply sound entrepreneurial, administrative and managerial skills to adhere to a conducive working environment.
- Exit Level Outcome 10: Recognise and apply positive work ethic and integrated into related activities in design and studio art profession.
- Exit Level Outcome 11: Critically evaluate reflection of own practice through peer review by a professional community of colleagues and the learner demonstrates the ability to take full responsibility for own work.
Qualification Details
- Type
- Advanced Diploma
- NQF Level
- 07
- Min. Credits
- 120
- SAQA Source
- More Information
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This page includes information from the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) . Builtneat Pty Ltd trading as Study Start, has modified all or some of this information. SAQA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.