SAQA ID: 85248 Operate a Windows System NQF Level 05 Credits 00

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION
Purpose:

This qualification is designed for individuals who seek a thorough grounding in the knowledge and skills needed to work in the print media industries. Successful completion of the qualification will enable progression into an Advanced Certificate, Diploma or Degree programme in the same or a similar field.

The course is intended for the individual to master the latest print-related technologies and develop and utilise design skills acquired on the course to produce professional and appropriate visual print and screen solutions to suit their client’s needs.

Learners will master the tools, practices and terminology required to work in the print media industry, and be confident to apply their skills from pre-press to post-press. Learners will develop skills and knowledge in design and layout to produce print-ready publications, using industry-standard applications such as Adobe InDesign, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Acrobat, together with all the essential skills needed to create documents for print and digital distribution.

On completion of the qualification, successful learners will be able to:
Receive a brief and conceptualise a visual solution.
Present the ideas professionally through the use of scamping, storyboarding and moodboards.
Execute a concept digitally through the use of and integration of the wide range of industry standard application programmes.
Apply finishing art techniques to take to press.
Present the final work in a professional manner.

The programme is intended to address the urgent skills shortage in the country and make further education more accessible to the masses.

Rationale:

The qualification is primarily vocational and oriented to the Print and Publishing industry. The qualification serves to provide students 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 learner has attained a basic level of higher education knowledge and competence in Print and Publishing and is capable of applying such knowledge and competence in an occupation or role in the workplace. The Higher Certificate includes a Work Integrated Learning (WIL) component.

Rapid advancements in technology and the presence of the pixel era in which we live and professionally function has led to a greater demands on the average creative professional to implement a broader set of skills to produce a wider range of material. The demand for designers, both locally and internationally, is also increasing because of the rapidly expanding market for Web-based information and expansion of the video entertainment market, including television, movies, video and made-for-Internet outlets. Designers with Website design and animation experience will especially be needed, as demand for design projects increases for interactive media, websites, video games, cellular phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs) and other technology.

There is an important need in the print design market for skilled, digital design-competent graduates. The qualification encompasses specific practical exercises and practical projects in print design, interactive design, interface design, motion graphic and dynamic web design. It also pursues theoretical aspects of design, as well as business practice studies in the area of digital media. A strongly studio-based working method maximises opportunities for group work, peer learning and the development of a strong team ethos. The qualification’s general approach is to equip the students with the tools and techniques to plan, analyse and create visual solutions to communication problems. They will be able to independently decide the most effective way of portraying a message in a print environment, using a variety of methods such as colour, type, illustration, and various print and layout techniques. Learners advance through a series of lectures, demonstrations, practical work, exercises and critique in a group context. We believe that this learning approach will make them more employable in the current market.

The qualification will prepare learners for a wide range of careers, such as: Game Design, Web Design, Graphic Design, Virtual Exhibit Design, Exhibit Design, Communication Design, Advertising, Medical Imaging and Presentation and Education.