Purpose:

The purpose of the Advanced Diploma in Interior Design is to provide qualifying learners with knowledge, skills and competences that will enable entry in an advanced level of practice in the field of study as well as meet the competencies specified by the African Institute of Interior Design (IID) professions/ South African Council for the Architectural Profession (SACAP), to enable registration as a candidate professional interior designer. Qualifying learners are expected to meet the requirements as set out by the IID and future SACAP registration categories, enter the design industry and be able to execute design through all stages from definition of brief to design development and documentation through to completion and handover. The qualification aims to equip learners to function effectively as Senior Interior Designers which is comparable to that of a Professional Senior Architectural Technologists. The scope of work required from senior interior designers include complex interior fit-out and adaptive reuse projects in the categories of: 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. Qualifying learners will be independent thinkers that can assimilate broad aspects of information, analyse complex problems well and compile findings into coherent relevant and appropriate interior design solutions. Learners are aware of environmental and social sustainability and understand their responsibility in this regard. They are able to make decisions in the built environment and reflect this awareness. 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. The qualification consists of five subject streams which progress vertically from the Diploma in Interior Design into this qualification with a deepening of knowledge and skills and broadening of the scope of work required. A strong emphasis is place 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 is project-based in nature allowing integration and synthesis of knowledge, skills and competencies across the various aspects of the qualification, hence simulating the work flow in an architectural or design practice. Group work is encouraged, building learner's ability and confidence in communicating and negotiating design ideas within a team. Similarly, a variety of digital media is utilised across various platforms, this develops digital competence required in the workplace, but also contributes a degree of flexibility in the qualification as learners are able to participate from the workplace if they are registered for the part-time qualification.

Rationale:

The aim of this qualification is to provide qualifying learners 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 voluntary association, Completion of the Advanced Diploma will allow progression into a Postgraduate Diploma or a Bachelor Honours Degree. Although currently not regulated by national legislation, there are on-going discussions between the IID and SACAP to possibly create interior design categories as part of the architecturally legislated professional registration categories regulated by SACAP. The IID currently allows for four professional registration categories which include Interior Decorator, Interior Designer, Senior Interior Designer and Interior Architect. Different tertiary qualifications and related work experience can lead to being accepted as a candidate for one of these categories. Stakeholders consulted in conceptualising the qualification include curriculum developers in programs 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 students and full and part-time academic staff of the institution. Working and building within communities as part of the architectural qualification puts it firmly in line with the 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 and finally, the infusion of Work Integrated Learning in the qualification. The Interior Design and Architectural profession have much to offer the development of a better life for all in South Africa. The curriculum for the professions, including this qualification, is geared to make learners aware of how they can contribute.