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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Design backgrounds for 3D animation 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
242549  Design backgrounds for 3D animation 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Audio-visual Media Production 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 04 - Communication Studies and Language Media Studies 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  8 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2026-06-30   2029-06-30  

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 unit standard does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard. 

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
The purpose of the learning is to be able to design backgrounds from existing sources, or to create backgrounds for 3D animation. Backgrounds greatly enhance the aesthetic value of 3D animation, ensuring that the appropriate style is achieved. This impacts directly on audience satisfaction, and can improve the accessibility of communication messages and information for specific audiences.

Credited learners are capable of:
  • Analysing storyboard and rendering requirements in terms of backgrounds.
  • Planning scene layouts based on storyboard and rendering requirements.
  • Creating scene layouts using appropriate software effectively.
  • Evaluating quality of backgrounds against given criteria. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    The credits and level assigned to this unit standard is based on the assumption that learners have already attained the following competencies:
  • Describe, represent, analyse and explain changes in shape and motion in 2- and 3-dimensional space with justification (NLRD ID 7484).
  • Communication and language (NQF Level 4).
  • Computer literacy. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    Range statements are provided where relevant with specific outcomes and assessment criteria. Backgrounds can be sourced or created. 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Analyse storyboard and rendering requirements in terms of backgrounds. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Recording of analysis processes meets agreed organisational requirements for best practice. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Storyboards are analysed in terms of background requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Analysis takes into account animation, style, reference materials and rendering requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Reference materials are stylistically appropriate for specific contexts. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Choice of camera shots are justified in terms of storyboard requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Legal requirements are adhered to. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Legal requirements include legislation regarding copyright, intellectual property, etc.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Plan scene layouts based on storyboard and rendering requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Importing of information meets specified quality requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Planning takes account of animation stylistic and rendering requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Backgrounds meet requirements of storyboard. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Reference materials are used appropriately for specific contexts. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Solutions selected are appropriate for style and atmosphere of scenes. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Decisions are justified in terms of constraints, and cost and benefit comparison. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    Given deadlines and time frames are met and time is used efficiently. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Efficiency refers to time and costs.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 8 
    Relevant animation principles are adhered to at all times. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Create scene layouts using appropriate software effectively. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Software used is appropriate for specific purpose. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Software is used effectively for specific layouts. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Specified quality criteria are adhered to. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Layouts take into account reference materials, rendering requirements and stylistic requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Given deadlines and time frames are met and time is used efficiently. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Efficiency refers to time and costs.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Relevant animation principles are adhered to at all times. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Evaluate quality of backgrounds against given criteria. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Given criteria relate to storyboard and overall production requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Backgrounds are appropriate for the animation style of specific scenes. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Backgrounds are structured correctly in terms of camera angles specified by storyboards. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Given quality criteria are identified and described accurately. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Evaluation includes consultation with all relevant persons and feedback is obtained from all relevant persons. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Improvements are recommended where relevant. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Relevant animation principles are adhered to at all times. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Assessment of learner achievements takes place at providers accredited by a relevant ETQA (RSA, 1998b) for the provision of programs that result in the outcomes specified for this unit standard.
  • Anyone assessing a learner against this unit standard must be registered as an assessor with a relevant ETQA.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this unit standard must be accredited as a provider with a relevant ETQA.
  • The relevant ETQA according to the moderation guidelines and the agreed ETQA procedures will oversee moderation of assessment and is responsible for moderation of learner achievements of learners who meet the requirements of this unit standard. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    Credited learners understand and can explain:
  • Animation, storyboard, style, reference materials and rendering requirements in terms of backgrounds.
  • Camera shots and angles.
  • Scene layouts.
  • Importing of information.
  • Reference materials and sources for backgrounds.
  • Style and atmosphere of scenes.
  • Background structure.
  • Principles of animation. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identify and solve problems where responses to problems show that such critical and creative thinking has been used to make responsible decisions when choice of camera shots are justified in terms of storyboard requirements, and improvements are recommended where relevant. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others as a member of a team, group, organisation or community when evaluation includes consultation with all relevant persons and feedback is obtained from all relevant persons. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage oneself and one's activities responsibly and effectively when decisions are justified in terms of constraints, and cost and benefit comparison. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information to analyse storyboard and rendering requirements in terms of backgrounds. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively using visual, mathematic and/or language skills in the modes of oral and/or written presentation when recording of analysis processes meets agreed organisational requirements for best practice. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others to create scene layouts using appropriate software effectively. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that problem-solving contexts do not exist in isolation when analysis takes into account animation, style, reference materials and rendering requirements, and reference materials are stylistically appropriate for specific contexts. 

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    Notes to assessors:

    Assessors should keep the following principles in mind when designing and conducting assessments against this unit standard:
  • Focus the assessment activities on gathering evidence in terms of the main outcome expressed in the title to ensure assessment is integrated rather than fragmented. Remember we want to declare the person competent in terms of the title. Where assessment at title level is unmanageable, focus assessment around each specific outcome, or groups of specific outcomes.
  • Make sure evidence is gathered across the entire range, wherever it applies. Assessment activities should be as close to the real performance as possible, and where simulations or role-plays are used, there should be supporting evidence to show the learner is able to perform in the real situation.
  • Do not focus the assessment activities on each assessment criterion. Rather make sure the assessment activities focus on outcomes and are sufficient to enable evidence to be gathered around all the assessment criteria.
  • The assessment criteria provide the specifications against which assessment judgements should be made. In most cases, knowledge can be inferred from the quality of the performances, but in other cases, knowledge and understanding will have to be tested through questioning techniques. Where this is required, there will be assessment criteria to specify the standard required.
  • The task of the assessor is to gather sufficient evidence, of the prescribed type and quality, as specified in this unit standard, that the learner can achieve the outcomes again and again and again. This means assessors will have to judge how many repeat performances are required before they believe the performance is reproducible.
  • All assessments should be conducted in line with the following well documented principles of assessment: appropriateness, fairness, manageability, integration into work or learning, validity, direct, authentic, sufficient, systematic, open and consistent. 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  57607   National Certificate: 3D Animation and Visual Effects  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  MICTS 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    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. Mpande Technologies cc 
    2. QUARPHIX (PTY) LTD 
    3. VUTHLARI MARKETING CONSULTING 


    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.