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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 Game Graphics and Multimedia Entertainment |
SAQA QUAL ID | QUALIFICATION TITLE | |||
93930 | Higher Certificate in Game Graphics and Multimedia Entertainment | |||
ORIGINATOR | ||||
Friends of Design - Academy of Digital Arts | ||||
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 | SAQA 1141/23 | 2021-07-01 | 2024-06-30 | |
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT | LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT | |||
2025-06-30 | 2028-06-30 |
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:
This one-year practical qualification is designed for learners who want a thorough grounding in the knowledge and skills needed to work in the interactive media and computer game industries, or progress into an Advanced Certificate, Diploma or Degree programme. Learners will master the tools, practices and terminology required to work in the interactive media and computer game industry, and be confident to apply their skills from pre-press to post-press: Receiving a brief, conceptualising a visual solution; presenting the ideas professionally through the use of concept writing, prototyping and planning the digital content needed for the production; executing a concept digitally through the use of and integration of the wide range of industry standard application programs; testing and analysing existing parts of the game for improvement of fun and use ability, and finally presenting the final works in a professional manner. The qualification is intended for the learner to master the latest game creation technologies and develop and utilise skills in creating game concepts for specific target groups and purposes acquired on the course to produce professional and motivating interactive experiences that can be published worldwide or used by their clients to sell or use them. Learners will develop skills and knowledge in design and layout to produce properly working games, using industry-standard applications such as Unity 3D, Blender 3D, Adobe Photoshop, Java Script and Microsoft Office, together with all the essential skills needed to create a game from the first idea to the working and publishing-ready product. The qualification is intended to address the urgent skills shortage in the country and make further education more accessible to the masses. Rationale: This is an entry-level higher education qualification. The qualification is primarily vocational and oriented to the Interactive Media and Game industry. The qualification serves to provide learners with the basic introductory knowledge, cognitive and conceptual tools and practical techniques for further higher education studies in their chosen field of study. The knowledge emphasises general principles and application. This qualification signifies that the learners has attained a basic level of higher education knowledge and competence in Digital Design and is capable of applying such knowledge and competence in an occupation or role in the workplace. The qualification includes a simulated work experience or work integrated learning (WIL) component. Rapid advancements in technology and the presence of the digital entertainment area in which we personally live and professionally function has led to greater demands on the average creative professional to implement a broader set of skills to produce a wider range of material. The demand for game designers, 3D graphics artists and level designers, both locally and internationally, is also increasing because of the rapidly expanding market for Web-based, download and mobile games for the entertainment and advertising and educational sector and expansion of the video entertainment market, including television, movies, video and made-for-Internet outlets. Personnel with knowledge and experience in these areas will be in demand. Designers will especially be needed as demand for design projects increases due to the increasing number and complexity of projects in interactive media, web sites, video games, cellular phones, Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) and other technology. There is an important need in the digital entertainment market for skilled, and design competent graduates. The qualification aims to prepare talented, motivated young people for today's workforce. The qualification encompasses specific practical exercises and practical projects in the Game Design arena. It also pursues theoretical aspects of game design, as well as business practice studies in the area of digital entertainment. Learners engage in a fixed curriculum that emphasises technical skills, design and conceptual thinking. The qualification will equip the learners with the tools, to plan, analyse and create interactive games for different purposes and different media. They will be able to, independently, decide the most effective way of planning the game development, create the game contents (rules, needed graphics and animations), developing the user interface, create specific types of games for specific purposes, implementing a variety of methods such as use of colour, story-telling, illustration, and various other dramatisation and visual techniques. They will be able, as well, to set up a freelance interactive media development business. Learners advance through a series of lectures, demonstrations, practical work, exercises and critique in a group context. Our qualification will prepare learners to work professionally in a plethora of careers, such as: Game Design, Web Game Design, Graphic Design, Virtual Architecture Design, Advertisement Game Design, Edutainment Software Design, 3D Animation Design, Character Design and Presentation, and Education. |
LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING |
Recognition of Prior Learning:
This qualification may be achieved in part through the recognition of relevant prior learning and through prior experience as a practitioner in one of the sub-fields of Arts and Design. Providers are required to develop structured means for the assessment of individual learners against the Exit Level Outcomes of the qualification on a case-by-case basis. Such procedures, and the assessment of individual cases, are subject to moderation by independent-assessors. Entry Requirements: Or |
RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? |
Y |
QUALIFICATION RULES |
This qualification consists of compulsory modules at NQF Level 5, totalling 152 Credits.
Modules at NQF Level 5: Total number of Credits = 152. |
EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES |
1. Demonstrate understanding of the basics of game planning and game production.
2. Demonstrate understanding for the different parts of a game or an app. By Analyse a game idea and structure it into a document to show understand that a game or an interactive app is a sum of its parts. Apply skills acquired to create 3D models for interactive media or game development purposes. Demonstrate understanding of theory behind this technology and how it works in a real time 3D environment. 3. Apply knowledge in smaller game projects and learn how to structure scripts. Manage game play logic, Create interactivity and use game engines to their full potential. 4. Demonstrate understanding of how a Game Engine like Unity 3D can be used to create games and interactive entertainment. 5. Apply the rules of proper user interface design and layout. 6. Plan levels of Game Design Concepts and Game Design Theory properly and find obvious mistakes. 7. Apply artistic skills, planning and time management capabilities and the knowledge of tools to complete a project in a given time. 8. Apply artistic skills, planning and time management capabilities and knowledge of tools to complete a project in a given time. |
ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA |
Associated Assessment Criteria For Exit Level Outcome 1:
Associated Assessment Criteria For Exit Level Outcome 2: Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3: Associated Assessment Criteria For Exit Level Outcome 4: Associated Assessment Criteria For Exit Level Outcome 5: Associated Assessment Criteria For Exit Level Outcome 6: Associated Assessment Criteria For Exit Level Outcome 7: Associated Assessment Criteria For Exit Level Outcome 8: Integrated Assessment: The qualification entails a number of tests of ability and understanding throughout the year, including: Formative assessments: Formative assessments are most commonly delivered in the form of class exercises, of varying levels of difficulty, which not only facilitate the academy's "building block" style training method, but also test the learners' comprehension of the subject matter as the content of the module is taught. These smaller projects are issued on an ongoing basis throughout the learning period. Examples of such formative assessments would include demonstrating the use of particular software tools in the software module, such as Photoshop or demonstrations of application of programming tools within smaller controlled scenarios. Summative assessments: More detailed and complex practical projects are delivered at the end of each module to prove the learners' competency in each compulsory module. A further, final comprehensive project is required at the end of the qualification to prove the learners competence in order to obtain the overall qualification. An example of summative assessment required is the final digital portfolio of the years' web and motion graphic works, delivered at the end of the qualification on DVD, complete with packaging, CV and business card. Internal/External Moderation: The academy follows standard moderation procedures and has an external examiner system in place. |
INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY |
The Designschule Schwerin, Germany, offers an accredited three year work education in Game Design ('staatlich anerkannte Berufsausbildung').
The qualification includes: Marked courses are either obligatory for the accreditation and cover social studies, language or courses in general design. In Germany a work education has to be three years including internships and a semester for final exams in order to be accredited. Brunel University London, UK, offers a Bachelor's Degree in Game Design. Typical Modules: Level 1: Level 2: Level 3: The qualification has been compared to the two similar qualifications in game design in terms of the modules offered and what the work course entails. |
ARTICULATION OPTIONS |
Horizontal Articulation:
Learner can articulate horizontally into a Higher Certificate in Graphic Design or a Higher Certificate in Art Direction and Graphic Design. Vertical Articulation: Completion of the Higher Certificate meets the minimum entry requirement into a cognate Diploma or Bachelor's Degree. Accumulated credits may also be presented for admission into a cognate Diploma or Bachelor's Degree qualifications. |
MODERATION OPTIONS |
N/A |
CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS |
N/A |
REREGISTRATION HISTORY |
As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this qualification was Reregistered in 2015. |
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. | Friends of Design - Academy of Digital Arts |
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. |