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: 

Advanced Diploma in Graphic Design 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
109316  Advanced 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
Advanced Diploma  Field 02 - Culture and Arts  Design Studies 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  120  Not Applicable  NQF Level 07  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Reregistered  EXCO 0821/24  2019-03-08  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30   2031-06-30  

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.  

This qualification does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification. 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
The purpose of this qualification is to strengthen advanced knowledge of Graphic and Communication Design of an exploration of contemporary practise, critical thinking and applying research methods in this specialised are of study.

This would further give the learners the opportunity to develop the abilities and expertise required in the necessary fields within the design industry. This qualification will enable the student to re-align and address a human-centred approach to graphic design in order to keep up with international trends in communication design practice, the qualification retains a vocational, professional and industry specific focus. The qualification aims to develop graduates who can demonstrate an industry-specific knowledge and focus in order to apply their learning to become successful contributors to the graphic design industry. This qualification will also expose the student to research and practice-based research in graphic and communication design.

The curriculum design is aligned with the Higher Education Qualifications Framework (HEQF) requirements determined by Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) and aims to minimise the gap between the old and new programme and module offerings. This qualification provides vertical and horizontal articulation pathways to prospective learners. Vertical articulation will be possible into a relevant Postgraduate Diploma or Honours Degree on Level 8. Horizontal articulation will be possible into a relevant Bachelors professional Degree. This qualification enhances and re-enforces the basic research methodologies relevant to graphic visual communication design introduced in the Diploma in Graphic Design.

Rationale:
This qualification will engage learners with current developments in graphic, visual communication design practice with key concepts and processes underpinning this constantly evolving sector. Thus the curriculum design of this qualification aims to give the student enhanced skills and specialised knowledge within the field of graphic visual communication design. This specialist qualification addresses the present-day needs in the design industry that resulted from technological advances and a reconsideration of the social and sustainable methods of production. These advances require specialists that are capable to deliver visual communication products that are inclusive of a consideration of the human, sustainable and participatory context in the design industry. Advice from advisory board meetings as well as bench marking done with national and international institutions identified this course as a niche within the South African context.

A focus on entrepreneurship within the programme meets contemporary socio economic demands from the broader creative and media industries that require entrepreneurial service suppliers that can operate in any geographic region. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
The details of the Faculty RPL policy are as follows, presuming no prior accredited learning has taken place:
  • Candidate applies for RPL against module, or part/full qualification at the relevant department (Head of Department-HOD).
  • RPL officer is appointed from within subject heads (Subject experts) within the department.
  • The subject expert meets with the candidate to conduct pre-screening (evaluation) to ascertain viability of application based on programme requirements (Exit Level Outcomes and Assessment Criteria).
  • Candidate prepares evidence of work (portfolio of evidence) and/or any other relevant proof of evidence (practical work, assignments and or assessments). The evidence needs to be submitted to the RPL officer for RPL evaluation process.
  • Candidate pays an initial fee to be RPL-ed.
  • The candidate then completes a RPL form and submits it to RPL officer.
  • An assessor from within the department is then appointed.
  • Evidence submitted by the candidate is assessed by the assessor. However, additional evidence may be requested.
  • A moderator from the department's advisory board and from within the candidate's industry is appointed.
  • The moderator moderates the candidate's evidence.
  • The moderator reports on the assessor's judgment.
  • RPL outcome is presented to faculty board by RPL officer.
  • If the credit is not awarded, an appeals application to independently appointed moderator or institution's registrar can be done. The process of moderation will then resume.
  • If the RPL is awarded, an exemption form is completed and the candidate may continue with full registration.

    Entry Requirements:
    The minimum entry requirements are:
  • Diploma in Graphic Design or equivalent relevant qualification at Level 6 with a minimum of 60%. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of compulsory modules Module at Level 7, totalling 120 Credits.
  • Advanced Visual Communication Design, 10 Credits.
  • Research Methods in Graphic and Communication Design, 15 Credits.
  • Visual Communication Human Perspectives, 10 Credits.
  • Advanced Theory of Communication Design, 10 Credits.
  • Graphic Design Media and Technology, 10 Credits.
  • Advanced Theory of Communication Design, 10 Credits.
  • Advanced Visual Communication Design, 10 Credits.
  • Graphic Design Advanced Production, 20 Credits.
  • Graphic Design Portfolio Project, 25 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Create appropriate solutions to design problems, for commercial and human-centred clients.
    2. Create effective illustration, advertising, publishing and editorial design, packaging, corporate and information design.
    3. Investigate necessary and pertinent information involved with the project, and then apply the relevant information as a design solution.
    4. Communicate effectively on an advanced level to various and diverse audiences.
    5. Implement of professional and ethical technical requirements in the development of design solutions.
    6. Work effectively with others as a member of a diverse design team and independently, organise and add to the creative platform. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria are applied in an integrated manner to the Exit Level Outcomes:
  • Understanding of advanced visual graphic communication.
  • Applying advanced problem solving skills in visual and graphic communication.
  • Implementing exploratory and experimental approaches in emerging media and technologies.
  • Applying advanced graphic and visual communication design methods and processes.
  • Evaluating advanced graphic and visual communication design methods and processes.
  • Developing of critical and conceptual thinking skills to communicate visual and graphic communication ideas effectively.
  • Understanding effective graphic and visual communication design principles to diverse audiences.
  • Applying effective graphic and visual communication design principles to diverse audiences.
  • Familiarity with the advanced concept of reciprocal dialogue and effective listening.
  • Conceptualising and suggesting design solutions with a variety of stakeholders.
  • Understanding and applying relevant social contexts to create appropriate solutions.
  • Understanding and applying relevant historical contexts to create appropriate solutions.
  • Developing optimal design solutions whilst considering cultural and social contexts.
  • Applying technical and professional media specifications in a human-centred context.
  • Demonstrating an understanding and engagement in human and participatory practice and co-design.
  • Applying appropriate ethical guidelines.
  • Applying professionalism and ethical considerations in human context.
  • Demonstrating the ability to engage with appropriate historical and theoretical contexts.
  • Identifying a design problem based on history and theory of communication design.
  • Applying research informed solutions to identified design challenges.
  • Demonstrating and applying knowledge and insight into contemporary graphic design discourse and theory.
  • Applying and evaluating advanced graphic and visual communication design methods and processes.
  • Applying appropriate historical and theoretical contexts.
  • Implementing a design problem based on history and theory of communication design.
  • Creating research informed solutions to identified design challenges.
  • Demonstrating insight and knowledge into contemporary graphic design discourse and theories.
  • Evaluating advanced graphic and visual communication design methods and processes.
  • Demonstrating an ability to work individually and within a group.
  • Applying professionalism and ethics based on the history and theories of graphic visual communication design.
  • Understanding the principles of research, such as validity, transferability, rigour, integrity and repeatability.
  • Apply an intermediate understanding of various research paradigms, including practice-based research.
  • Demonstrating appropriate knowledge of a variety of research methodologies.
  • Establish more detailed knowledge and understanding of methods relevant to graphic visual communication design practices such as human-centred and participatory design, auto-ethnography and practice-based research.
  • Applying a structured reflection model to investigate the student's own practice.
  • Collecting data and applying sampling techniques.
  • Applying investigative techniques.
  • Developing/writing a conclusion.
  • Understanding the processes implicit in developing visual graphic communication outcomes.
  • Implementing the processes implicit in developing visual graphic communication outcomes to a project.
  • Applying advanced technological problem solving skills in visual and graphic communication pre-and post-production.
  • Implementing exploratory and experimental approaches and strategies in emerging media and technologies.
  • Demonstrating knowledge of advanced graphic and visual communication design methods and processes and its application within design industry.
  • Developing graphic visual communication design projects.
  • Understanding of technologies and media in visual graphic communication.
  • Applying appropriate technologies in solving problems in visual and graphic communication.
  • Analysing media in advanced graphic and visual communication design.
  • Implementing ethics in the application of appropriate technologies and media.
  • Analysing media and technology.
  • Understanding and applying media and technology ethics.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of professionalism within the media communication design environment.
  • Applying visual communication application processes and strategies.
  • Applying production principles and methods.
  • Implementing graphic visual communication human-perspectives.
  • Applying and utilising appropriate research strategies and methods.
  • Utilising visual communication design, graphic design advanced production and human perspectives.
  • Considering and presenting ethical and professional principles within the project.
  • Presenting a graphic design portfolio project.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Formative Assessment: A combination of assessment tools (tests, individual and group assignments, presentations, case studies and projects) are utilised to monitor learner progress on a continuous basis. Feedback is provided within seven working days and underperforming learners are provided with an opportunity to be re-assessed after receiving detailed feedback and recommendations for improvement.

    Summative Assessment: An integrated portfolio is used at the end of a semester to evaluate the achievement of learning outcomes. Unsuccessful learners have a second opportunity to submit the portfolio. All summative assessments are moderated externally. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The Advanced Diploma in Graphic Design is benchmarked against the following international institutions:
    Loughborough University in the United Kingdom offers a four-year undergraduate programme in Graphic Communication and Illustration (http://www.lboro.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/courses/graphic-communication-illustration/).
  • Bachelor Arts (BA) Honours (Hons) DIntS/DPS, 4 years' full-time sandwich.
  • BA (Hons), 3 years full-time.

    According to the University's website the course Graphic Communication and Illustration is a flexible course that can be tailored to your interests, whether those are in computer-aided design, hand-drawn illustrations, app development, computer game development, or visual branding. The potential is vast, with final projects having previously included; corporate advertisement campaigns, children's book illustrations, websites, smart phone and tablet apps, brochures, computer games, illustrated comics, puppet animations, and animated films, amongst others.

    Modules include:
    Visual Research in Practice, Visual Methods in Practice, drawing: Discourses and Debates, Introduction to Modern and Contemporary Art and Design, Content and Context: Society, Culture and Economy, Visual Culture: Histories and Theories, Locating Practice: Interpreting Environment and Audiences and Directions in Graphic Communication and Illustration Practice, Art and Design Dissertation, Destinations in Graphic Communication and Illustration Practice. The course is assessed through coursework, using significant methods to encourage learners to develop a broadly relevant set of skills and competencies for both industrial practice or further study.

    Methods include: practical projects, industrial and self-generated project work for defined user groups, technical demonstrations and training, elicitation tools, development drawing, visual research skills, essays/reflective work, seminar participation, in-class presentations, contextual research projects, workbook/log books, group work and peer assessments, an industrial report or dissertation.

    Exposure to a range of visual and contextual methods of communication builds effective and professional skill-sets for maximum employability.

    As in the Advanced Diploma in Graphic Design (AD GD) a mini-dissertation/research report as well as a focus on societal issues (in AD GD: seen in Human Perspectives) are included. As with the Advanced Diploma in Graphic Design is a 120 Credits qualification. (In order to progress from Part A to Part B and from Part B to C and to be eligible for the award of an Honours Degree, candidates must not only satisfy the minimum credit requirements set out in Regulation XX but also: to progress from Part A to Part B, candidates must have accumulated 120 Credits and successfully completed and passed the 10% assessment component in Academic Guidance and Professional Development in the module SAA921 and SAA922; to progress from Part B to Part C, candidates must have accumulated 120 Credits at part B; to qualify for the award of a Degree, candidates must have accumulated 120 Credits in part C.).

    Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) in Melbourne, Australia offers an undergraduate Bachelor's programme in Graphic and Communication Design as well as a vocational programme entitled Advanced Diploma in Graphic Design (https://www.rmit.edu.au/study-with-us/levels-of-study/vocational-study/diplomas/c5359).

    Diploma of Graphic Design C6127 | Advanced Diploma of Graphic Design National Curriculum Code: CUV50311 (Diploma), CUV60411 (Advanced Diploma) is a one-year Diploma that combines communication, design, technology and business to develop strong technical expertise in finished art and design concept development, as well as in-depth knowledge of the design process. This diploma explores many forms of visual and graphic communication, including: illustration, digital design, typography, calligraphy and lettering, packaging design, books, advertising and publicity material.

    Learners become competent in industry standard software including in Design, Illustrator and Photoshop. The learning and teaching approach of this program is modelled on how one would work in a commercial design studio. Through lectures, workshops, presentation and group discussions, learners will learn from experienced staff that will treat you as a junior designer. Teachers are globally connected and divide their time between teaching and working in industry. Learners interact with key people from Australian and international companies on commercially related projects during the program, as well as undertaking work experience. Full-time learners are expected to attend approximately 20 hours of classes over four days and undertake approximately 15 hours of extra study and research per week. Most classes are held in computer labs to simulate industry processes. There are often concentrated periods of out-of-class work when assessments are due. It is recommended that potential learners own a computer, preferably an Apple Mac, which is the industry standard. Please note that this is a recommendation but is not a requirement, as learners have access to computer labs on campus.

    Bachelor of Design (Communication Design) Focusing on print, packaging, book, digital and screen-based design, this Degree brings together visual communication and strategy to develop a sophisticated practice suited to creative and business professions. Additional duration to complete degree Associate Degree in Graphic Design 2 years / 1 year' Advanced Diploma of Graphic Design 1 year / 2 years.

    As in the Advanced Diploma in Graphic Design qualification learners engage with various aspects of graphic, visual communication design including typography and packaging. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    The qualification offers the following horizontal and vertical articulation opportunities.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design at Level 7.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Graphic Design at Level 8.
  • Bachelor of Arts Honours in Graphic Design at Level 8. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS 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.