SAQA All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Diploma in Graphic Design 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
101157  Diploma in Graphic Design 
ORIGINATOR
Vaal University of Technology 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Diploma (Min 360)  Field 02 - Culture and Arts  Design Studies 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  360  Not Applicable  NQF Level 06  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Registered-data under construction  EXCO 0324/24  2024-07-01  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2027-06-30   2029-06-30  

Registered-data under construction

The qualification content is currently being updated for the qualifications with the status “Registered-data under construction” or showing “DETAILS UNDER CONSTRUCTION” to ensure compliance with SAQA’S Policy and Criteria for the registration of qualifications and part-qualifications on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) (As amended, 2022). These qualifications are re-registered until 30 June 2027 and can legitimately be offered by the institutions to which they are registered.

 

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
The intended purpose of this Diploma is to give the successful student a professional, vocational and sound understanding of the general theoretical principles and their applications in the field of visual communication design.

Rationale:
A qualifying learner will be competent to design and produce visual communication to professional level relevant to the formal market sector. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).
The Institutional Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) policy and procedures are followed. Learners who do not meet entry requirements can apply for access to the qualification through RPL against a module, or part/full qualification for learning obtained through formal, informal and non-formal learning. Learners need to submit a Portfolio of Evidence which will be internally assessed. Credits may be awarded based on the assessment results and learners have the opportunity to appeal Against the Assessment Result Where Credits Were Not Awarded.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum requirement is:
  • National Senior Certificate National Qualifications Framework(NQF) Level 4. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification comprises of compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework(NQF) Level 5 and 6 totalling 384 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules, Level 5, 130 Credits:
  • Entrepreneurship for Design 1, 6 Credits.
  • Drawing for Design 1, 16 Credits.
  • Visual Communication 1: History of Design, 12 Credits.
  • Graphic Processes 1, 6 Credits.
  • Visual Communication 1: Human Perspectives, 8 Credits.
  • Visual Communication 1: Photography, 8 Credits.
  • Applied Communication Skills 1.2, 8 Credits.
  • Digital Literacy 1, 6 Credits.
  • Illustration 1, 16 Credits.
  • Applied Communication Skills 1.1, 8 Credits.
  • Visual Communication 1: Communication Design, 30 Credits.
  • Research Methods 1, 6 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules, Level 6, 254 Credits:
  • Illustration 2, 20 Credits.
  • Drawing for Design 2, 10 Credits.
  • Digital Literacy 2, 8 Credits.
  • Applied Communication Skills 2.1, 8 Credits.
  • Applied Communication Skills 2.2, 8 Credits.
  • Advertising and Brand Development 2, 6 Credits.
  • Entrepreneurship 1 (Graph), 6 Credits.
  • Graphic Processes 2, 6 Credits.
  • Visual Communication 2: Communication Design, 28 Credits.
  • Visual Communication 2: History and Theory of Design, 6 Credits.
  • Visual Communication 2: Human Perspectives, 12 Credits.
  • Entrepreneurship for Design 3, 6 Credits.
  • Visual Communication 3: Human Perspectives, 16 Credits.
  • Drawing for Design 3, 6 Credits.
  • Graphic Processes 3, 6 Credits.
  • Visual Communication 3: History and Theory of Design, 6 Credits.
  • Illustration 3, 24 Credits.
  • Research Methods 2, 6 Credits.
  • Visual Communication 3: Communication Design, 60 Credits.
  • Advertising and Brand Development 3, 6 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Research and develop a creative brief, which meets a client's visual communication needs in the marketing of a formal business.
    2. Visualise original ideas, which meet the requirements of a creative brief.
    3. Design the components of a visual communication campaign to give expression to the original concept.
    4. Direct and prepare the production of the design in accordance with professional technical requirements and media specifications.
    5. Apply professional ethics and practice in business finance and communication. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • The key subject is stated, problems are identified, targets and objectives are clearly identified and stated within the context of marketing and advertising principles.
  • Appropriate information sources are located, appointments and interviews are set up, and outcomes are accurately recorded.
  • Research is carried out and findings are analysed using appropriate research methodology.
  • Data is synthesised in a clearly written report and a creative brief containing a work plan and strategy is prepared for client approval.
  • Costs are reasonably estimated taking into account creative and production expenses.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Relevant historical and theoretical models are assessed and contextualised.
  • A variety of visual ideas which answer the brief are drawn using creative methods based on historically appropriate contexts and workable theoretical models.
  • Visual ideas are grouped and evaluated and the most effective ideas are selected.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Letterforms are chosen in keeping with the visual concept and words are arranged for optimal expression and clarity of meaning.
  • Pictorial and/or symbolic imagery is originated which will effectively convey the concept.
  • The original images are combined with the chosen letterforms to give an accurate presentation of the finally produced communication.
  • The effectiveness of the design presentation is tested on the target group.
  • The design is refined in accordance with the feedback received.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • The final design is prepared for production in accordance with the technical requirements of the media.
  • Production components are specified.
  • Specialist suppliers of components are sourced, selected, briefed and directed in accordance with the production requirements.
  • The quality of the production of the final design is checked against the specifications.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • Client-presentations are made clearly and confidently.
  • Invoicing and receipting are correctly carried out and income and expenditure are clearly stated to determine profitability of project.
  • Physical studio aspects are planned and managed effectively.
  • Project records are kept and maintained in orderly manner for future access.


    Integrated Assessment:
  • Both formative and summative assessments are integral components of all modules within the qualification and have application to both traditional summative and continuous assessment, ensuring overall applied competence.
  • All teaching and learning activities in the qualifications are aligned to the assessment approach of the individual modules indicating a constructive alignment approach in the design of the qualification.
  • The assessment activities form an integral part of the teaching and learning process and are systematically and purposefully used to generate data for grading.
  • Timely feedback to learners' forms part of the assessment strategy of the institution and is used to inform teaching and learning and to improve the curriculum.
  • Learning outcomes in all modules give an indication as to what will be assessed in the module and thus ensures constructive alignment of the modules within the qualification. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    There are similar international qualifications, but individual institutions have unique offerings which may/may not articulate with this qualification entirely. There is undoubtedly synergy in courses with variations ranging from slight to extreme synergy-depending on the institution. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows for horizontal and vertical articulation:
    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Diploma in Fine Art, Level 6.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Advanced Diploma in Graphic Design, Level 7. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    When qualifications are replaced, some (but not all) of their learning programmes are moved to the replacement qualifications. If a learning programme appears to be missing from here, please check the replaced qualification.
     
    NONE 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    1. Vaal University of Technology 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.