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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Bachelor of Creative Technologies 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
118189  Bachelor of Creative Technologies 
ORIGINATOR
The Open Window (Pty) Ltd 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
National First Degree  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 07  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
2028-06-30   2033-06-30  

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 purpose of the Bachelor of Interaction Design is to equip graduates with professional training in the fields of Interaction Design and other relevant applied areas. The qualification offers areas of specialisation in different interaction related fields including Interaction Design, Frontend Development and Three Dimensional Design.

The qualification is designed to provide the graduate with skills to think critically and solve problems and the ability to conceptualise creative ideas and relevant knowledge of different technologies and processes. Added to this, the qualification also aims to equip graduates with practical skills through a multidisciplinary approach coupled with an aptitude in professional practice, entrepreneurship and industry knowledge in order to rear graduates to be able to successfully navigate through both local and global creative markets by participating and creating new work opportunities for local communities.

Rationale:
Local and global approaches to technology and design have undergone vast changes and an emphasis has been placed on contemporary design production with a key understanding of the interaction between humans, technology and design. It has become necessary to enable graduates with excellent problem solving abilities to devise solutions and designs that reflect a kind of forward thinking and unique approach to various contexts, societies, cultures and technology.

Research has been conducted regarding the job offerings and job requirement status from the industry and it shows an increase in the demand for qualified interaction and digital designers especially in the fields of multi-skilled creative production focused on technology, products and systems. Designing these technologies and products consists of many layers and is far more complex than traditional visual design/communication. Many of these job offerings stipulate a need for a three year Degree qualification in the field of interaction design or related fields. Tertiary education in South Africa has yet to respond completely to this technological phenomenon.

Interaction Design is a multidisciplinary field, employing methods and practices from various disciplines including Visual Communication, Psychology and Computer Science when considering design problems with a holistic approach. Interaction design seeks the most effective ways of shaping technology. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
Prior studies, life experience and work experience of learners who apply for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) are measured against the exit level outcomes and the minimum admission requirements for the qualification.

The following will be considered:
The learner may be exempt from some qualification modules based on the assessment of his/her prior experience:
  • The learner will also be required to submit:
    > A Letter of motivation.
    > A Portfolio of evidence.
    > Demonstration of skill or competence.
    > Reflective documentation, marks, qualification, that relate to past learning.
    > Testimonials of knowledge and skills.
    > Assessment task.

    Entry Requirements:
    The minimum entrance requirements are:
  • Senior Certificate with endorsement.
    Or
  • National Senior Certificate allowing entry to Bachelors' Degree studies.
    Or
  • National Certificate Vocational (NCV) at Level 4 allowing entry to Bachelors' Degree studies. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of compulsory and elective modules at Levels 5, 6 and 7 totalling 360 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules at Level 5, 120 Credits:
  • Digital Production Theory, 5 Credits.
  • Material Production Theory, 5 Credits.
  • Visual Culture, 10 Credits.
  • Concept Development, 10 Credits.
  • Academic Skills, 10 Credits.
  • Essential Software, 5 Credits.
  • Drawing, 15 Credits.
  • Interaction Design, 15 Credits.
  • Front-End Development, 15 Credits.
  • Three-dimensional Design, 15 Credits.
  • Own Choice Elective, 15 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules at Level 6, 50 Credits:
  • Visual Culture, 10 Credits.
  • Digital Production Theory, 10 Credits.
  • Material Production Theory, 10 Credits.
  • 3D Visualisation, 20 Credits.

    Elective Modules at Level 6 (Select modules for a minimum total of 70 Credits):
  • Interaction Design Major, 40 Credits.
  • Front-end Development Major, 40 Credits.
  • Three Dimensional Design Major, 40 Credits.
  • Physical Computing, 5 Credits.
  • Intelligent Packaging, 5 Credits.
  • 3D for Web, 5 Credits.
  • SEO and Analytics, 5 Credits.
  • Social Media Strategy, 5 Credits.
  • Mark-up Language (HTML and CSS), 5 Credits.
  • Content Management Systems (CMS), 5 Credits.
  • Introduction to Solidworks, 5 Credits.
  • Rapid Prototyping, 5 Credits.
  • Wireframing, 5 Credits.
  • Prototyping for Usability, 5 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules at Level 7, 65 Credits:
  • Visual Culture, 20 Credits.
  • Digital Production Theory, 10 Credits.
  • Material Production Theory, 10 Credits.
  • 3D Visualisation, 20 Credits.
  • Experiential Learning, 5 Credits.

    Elective Modules at Level 7 (Select modules for a minimum total of 55 Credits):
  • Interaction Design Major, 40 Credits.
  • Front-end Development Major, 40 Credits.
  • Three Dimensional Design Major, 40 Credits.
  • Smart Objects, 5 Credits.
  • Wearable Technology, 5 Credits.
  • Interactive Data Visualisation, 5 Credits.
  • Digital Branding, 5 Credits.
  • Web and Digital Design Workflow, 5 Credits.
  • Client side Scripting, 5 Credits.
  • Web Frameworks, 5 Credits.
  • Brandscaping, 5 Credits.
  • UX Research and Documentation, 5 Credits.
  • Information Architecture, 5 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Identify and solve technical and conceptual problems related to digital and technological environments.
    2. Utilise multiple platforms (digital, visual, written) for visual communication and design within the learner's related field of specialisation.
    3. Communicate ideas professionally and creatively using visual, oral, and written/drawn presentation skills relevant to their field.
    4. Explain, evaluate and apply contemporary research based theory pertaining to local and global culture. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • The ability to solving 3D design problems is displayed.
  • The impact of programmatic issues on form are adequately identified and resolved.
  • Form, function and material qualities are adequately resolved.
  • Observational, concept drawings, 3D sketches, development models and scaled orthographic projection drawings are used to resolve a design.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • A single page site, which uses javascript to quickly change views without page reloads is created.
  • A responsive site, with elements that resize and reposition based on the screen size of the device used to access the page is created.
  • Multiple frameworks are combined to produce professional, dynamic, interactive, responsive, single page sites.
  • Visual concepts and designs are successfully transferred to various digital mediums.
  • The latest technologies are used for the creation of rich interactive interfaces.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Verbal presentations outlining personal views about packaging and pack structures are made.
  • An argument is generated and presented in a manner appropriate to the situation and audience.
  • Language skills in the modes of oral and written presentation are used to effectively communicate.
  • Knowledge of academic vocabulary is demonstrated.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • The ability to source applicable information, critically analyse it and apply it successfully is demonstrated.
  • Appropriate research strategies are applied.
  • The logical steps in the research process are identified and applied.
  • The appropriate research design is developed.
  • Research problems are explored.
  • Qualitative and quantitative research designs are analysed and reviewed.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Summative assessments are moderated internally and all exit level assessments externally moderated at the end of the year. This ensure that the institution offers qualifications equal to industry demands with a high academic standard. The examination committee comprises industry professionals and academics invited from universities offering similar qualifications.

    Formative assessments are used to assess the learners' ongoing competencies in both their major subject and electives. Learners are assessed during the year through:
  • Practical projects supported by applied research assignments.
  • Workshops with technical requirements.
  • Tests and theoretical assignments.
  • Applied research assignments.
  • Academic research assignments.
  • Presentations.
  • Group projects.
  • End of module revision and feedback sessions. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The Bachelor of Interaction Design was thoroughly researched and compared with international qualifications to ensure the relevance of the material and course content. Qualifications from the United States of America and Switzerland were used in this comparability study.

    Carnegie Mellon University in the United States offers a Bachelor of Design Degree specialising in communications. The qualification enables learners to design effective communications across a wide variety of media that always exist within complex webs of interactions between people, products, and environments. Learners develop the ability to identify specific audiences and communicate to them through effective visual, verbal and aural communications that educate, inform and delight.

    Zurich University of the Arts in Switzerland offers a Bachelor of Arts in Interaction Design. The qualification enables learners to acquire basics of designing different 2D and 3D media and the fundamentals of Sonic Interaction and video scenarios. Graduates have opportunities to work as Interaction Designers, User Experience Designers, Interface Designers, Information Architects or Project Managers in industry, agencies, institutes, research or as entrepreneurs.

    Conclusion:
    The two qualifications cited above share a lot of similarities with this qualification in terms of purpose. The curriculum of both these qualifications displays some Degree of content overlap when compared with the curriculum of this Bachelor of Interaction Design. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification articulates specifically with the following qualifications offered by the Open Window Institute:

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Bachelor of Arts in Visual Communication Design (ID: 60470), Level 7.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Bachelor of Arts Honours in Visual Communication (ID 62991), Level 8.

    This qualification also offers systemic articulation opportunities with qualifications offered by other institutions provided the learner meets the minimum entry requirements:

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Bachelor of Architectural Studies in Interior Design, Level 7.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Bachelor of Arts Honours in Interior Design, Level 8.
  • Bachelor of Arts Honours in Graphic Design, Level 8. 
    		•

    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. The Open Window (Pty) Ltd 


    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.