Qualifications
The Open Window offers a three-year Degree, a two-year Diploma, and a postgraduate Honours Degree in Visual Communication.
Degree students have a wider choice of elective subjects, emphasizing a balance of academic, practical and technical proficiency while the outcomes for the Diploma will require less academic involvement, concentrating mostly on technical ability.
BA Visual Communication Design
The Degree is a professional qualification aimed to produce design experts who are also academically driven. The programme will ensure technical, academic and practice-related competencies in traditional and new media. The Degree may lead to postgraduate studies in Visual Communication.
1st Year: Foundation
Minimum duration: 1 year.
The foundation year is not an exit level and no qualification is offered at the end of the 1st year
The first year forms the foundation of the degree and the diploma, and courses are specifically structured to develop strong technical skills, encourage basic creative problem-solving abilities, and strengthen conceptual drive. At the end of the foundation year, students are selected to continue with either the degree or diploma level. Students may continue on diploma level if they choose to do so.
Students who wish to continue their studies on degree level must ensure that they pass the degree course work/projects. From the second semester onwards, the student may choose whether he/she wants to complete the degree or diploma course work/projects. Students who pass all the degree-orientated projects may continue their studies on degree level, while students who pass the majority of projects on diploma level, will continue on diploma level. By the end of November an instruction will be found on the first-year student’s academic report that will confirm whether the student should continue his/her studies on diploma or degree level. This decision is made based on the number of degree courses the student has passed.
Students must complete 120 credits before they may proceed to the 2nd year degree or diploma.
2nd Year: Degree
From the second year onwards the emphasis is on project execution and problem solving. Students must show insight into the creative process, which includes the formation of ideas and the activation of the imagination, originality, initiative, spontaneity and self-discipline. The course is devoted to more advanced conceptualising and technical skills. Building on the well-developed sense of technical knowledge, creative solutions are found through analytical and synthesising thought processes. Students deliver proof of artistic sensitivity and aesthetic ability.
At the end of the second year, another selection process determines admission to the degree. Should a student not be allowed into the degree level, he/she will qualify for a diploma and has to terminate his/her studies (even if such a student has been enrolled as a potential degree candidate).
3rd Year: BA Visual Communication Design (NQF Level 6)
In their third year, students integrate industry-based competencies with scholarly and applied research methodology. Entrepreneurial skills are developed, as students have to show their ability to plan, operate and manage a project. Work-based learning characterises the third year when students are given the opportunity to direct and execute projects commissioned by actual clients. The student receives a BA Visual Communication Design degree after successfully completing at least 120 credits on 3rd year degree level (including a research skills workshop and a work-based learning session).
4th Year: BA (Honours) Visual Communication (NQF level 7)
This programme of postgraduate study complements the degree by providing graduates the opportunity to specialize in their major. The course will consist of a 60% practical and a 40% theoretical component. The practical component consists of industry projects executed under the supervision of a recognized industry partner and one of the student’s choice. The theoretical component will consist of a dissertation, visual culture modules and business practice workshops.
Diploma in Visual Communication
The Diploma is a qualification of competence; a qualification providing students with the necessary technical and practical skills to enter the demanding design world. The programme will ensure industry-related skills in most new media sectors. The 1st year programme forms the foundation of both the Degree and Diploma.
2nd Year: Diploma in Visual Communication (NQF Level 5D)
Students who enrol for the Diploma or any second level subject must have successfully completed the foundation level. The application will be considered on a basis of continuing good standard, class attendance and general commitment.
The student receives a Diploma in Visual Communication after successfully completing at least 130 credits (including a Work-based learning session which is compulsory at exit level).