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: 

Higher Certificate in Graphic Design 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
110785  Higher Certificate in Graphic Design 
ORIGINATOR
CTU Training Solutions 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Higher Certificate  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 05  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Reregistered  EXCO 0821/24  2019-08-08  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 Higher Certificate in Graphic Design is designed to develop knowledge and skills required to enter a career in graphic design. The qualification further assists in the development of academic skills empowering learners to further their education in higher education. The qualification is focused on the development of knowledge and skills in design, drawing and software application that will provide a balanced set of skills required for entry level positions in the graphic design industry. The qualification further assists in the development of the learner's academic skills through engagement with theory that underpins the development of practical projects.

The qualification provides learners the opportunity to develop their skills in conceptual development, drawing, software application and research. The qualification further engages learners with relevant theory that underpins practical development and strengthens academic skills.

Rationale:
There are limited options for school leavers wanting to pursue a career in graphic design if they do not have the means or the desire to study towards a three-year qualification. The Higher Certificate in Graphic Design provides an option of completing a one-year qualification that will provide learners with the necessary knowledge and skill to access entry level positions or learner ships in the field of graphic design.

Higher Education Institutions offering a registered qualification in graphic design generally requires learners to demonstrate fundamental art skills as part of their acceptance criteria. School leavers interested to pursue a career in graphic design may not have been engaged in formal art tuition before and is at a distinct disadvantage in gaining access to these higher education qualifications.

Learners will be prepared to take up entry-level positions in the graphic design industry or enter into further tertiary studies in a related discipline. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) may be applied for by learners who do not possess the above admission criteria. Admission of learners per qualification through a RPL route will be considered for intake to the qualification. This qualification may be obtained in part through the Recognition of Prior Learning.

Selected learners may be granted access to the qualification without the pre-requisite academic learning through:
  • Examination of their curriculum vitae (CV).
  • Interviews to establish readiness, maturity and academic abilities.
  • Entrance test to establish whether prior learning is of a standard to manage with the academic requirements of the Higher Certificate.
  • Letters of recommendation from colleagues or peers.

    The RPL process may further be applied to award academic credits for learning successfully completed for accredited academic qualifications at other registered Higher Education Institutions. Academic credits may only be awarded if similarities between learning outcomes, levels and learning material are determined between learning completed and modules presented in this qualification.

    Learners applying for Recognition of Prior Learning must do so in accordance with the RPL policy of the organisation.

    Entry Requirements:
    The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • National Senior Certificate, NQF Level 4.
    Or
  • Senior Certificate, NQF Level 4.
    Or
  • National Certificate (Vocational), NQF Level 4. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at NQF Level 5 totalling 120 Credits.
  • Art History 1,15 Credits
  • Design Programs 1a,15 Credits.
  • Design Programs 1b,15 Credits.
  • English Communication,10 Credits.
  • Drawing Fundamentals,12 Credits.
  • Drawing Application,13 Credits.
  • Graphic Design Fundamentals, 20 Credits.
  • Graphic Design Application, 20 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Apply conventional artist media in drawing accurate representations of objects or subjects.
    2. Analyse and interpret visual stimuli.
    3. Develop appropriate visual solutions to design problems rooted in basic research.
    4. Execute design ideas in a professional manner using industry standard software.
    5. Communicate design solutions in a clearly articulated and academically acceptable manner through verbal as well as written modes. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Apply drawing principles and elements in the act of drawing.
  • Plan and draw an accurate representation of an object/subject.
  • Apply artist media in an expressive manner.
  • Apply a variety of making techniques.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Identify in chronological order key moments in the development of art from pre-history up to the end of the eighteenth century.
  • Identify thematic and stylistic features associated with specific time periods or art movements.
  • Analyse and interpret artwork in terms of context, content and form.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Conduct research and extrapolate key research findings.
  • Apply steps in the design process.
  • Develop innovative design solutions rooted in basic research.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Apply relevant tools, menus and processes correctly to achieve specific design requirements.
  • Create and manipulate digital images effectively.
  • Create final art for publishing purposes.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • Present design solutions in verbal as well as in written form.
  • Present design solutions in a professional manner.
  • Structure the presentation in a professional and academically acceptable manner.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Formative assessment refers to assessment that takes place during the teaching and learning process. It is designed to support the teaching and learning process and is developmental in nature. It is a learning opportunity that assists in planning future learning, which indicates the learners' strengths and weaknesses and provides feedback to the learners. The Formative assessments are made up of theoretical assignments, practical projects and tests. The credit value of each module determines the number of formative assessments to be completed. The average of these formative assessments constitutes the semester mark that counts 60% towards the final mark.

    Summative assessment refers to assessment that is used for making a judgement about the achievement of the Exit Level Outcomes. Such assessments are carried out at the end of a module. Summative assessment at the institution is normally in the form of traditional examination. The examination could be made up of a variety of assessment methods. This examination counts 40% towards the final mark. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The qualification compares favourably with the one-year Diploma in Visual communication offered at the New School Parsons in the United States of America presents a one-year Graphic and Digital Design Certificate. The content presented in modules for this qualification such as colour theory and Typography 1 is similar to the content for the module Graphic Design Fundamentals in the Higher Certificate in Graphic Design. The New School Parsons' Certificate further presents the module Graphic design 1 that allows learners to apply fundamental knowledge through the completion of practical projects. This approach is similar to the module in the Higher Certificate - Graphic Design Application. For the development of technical skills, the Parsons New School Certificate presents modules such as Digital graphics with Illustrator and Digital imaging with Photoshop. The content of these two modules compares favourably with the modules in the Higher Certificate in Graphic Design that is the Design Programs 1a and Design Programs 1b. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows possibilities for vertical articulation such as:

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Higher Certificate in Digital Marketing Practice, Level 5.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Advanced Certificate in Graphic Design, Level 6.
  • Diploma in Graphic Design, Level 6. 
    		•

    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.
     
    NONE 


    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.