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SAQA 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: 

Diploma in 3D Animation 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
98031  Diploma in 3D Animation 
ORIGINATOR
Oakfields College (Head Office) 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Diploma (Min 360)  Field 02 - Culture and Arts  Film, Television and Video 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  365  Not Applicable  NQF Level 06  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 aim of this qualification is to equip the learners with the necessary skills and competencies on the various theoretical, practical and technological aspects of 3D Animation with focus on the animation process and production. This qualification also aims to equip the learners with the necessary skills and knowledge in the various areas of animation production related specifically to the animation industry both locally and internationally. The qualification is industry linked and will move the learner towards working in fields such as interactive media, advertising and marketing, video game design, animation and visual effects in feature films and television and architectural design.
Learners should be able to:
  • Demonstrate the ability to visually interpret an idea or design through the use of basic drawing skills and techniques. The elements of visual art and anatomy will be assessed.
  • Demonstrate a systematic and well-rounded knowledge and understanding of important theories, scholarly positions and basic methodologies of the history of art and animation.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of character design and development and the role it plays in 3D Animation.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the animation production from concept to creation to animation and presenting.
  • Apply entrepreneurial and management skills in order to function as a professional animator in either a company or as a freelancer.
  • Establish the importance and relevance of visual culture in the Media and the way in which it impacts animation as a field.

    Rationale:
    The rationale of this qualification is not only to equip the learners with the necessary skills to produce high quality work and productions, but to produce qualified professionals in the field of 3D Animation that will be able to competently enter both the local and international animation market.
    The qualification seeks to produce competent, professional animators who contribute to the South African Visual Arts industry. It will equip qualifying learners with competencies in the visual arts in order to be employed in video game development, gaming, tourism, education, mobile telecommunications, television and video production (including digital special effects) as well as specialist 3D and visual effects production facilities. Areas of employment may also include multi-media production. Most employers are SMEs and freelancers, and some are in the advertising industry.

    The qualification aims to produce artists who are versatile, disciplined and professional in their approach to their work and who have a sound knowledge of the technical and artistic requirements of animation.

    Arts and culture are fundamental to human society. Artists reflect the strength and weaknesses of our society and are powerful instruments for creating change. The Institution fulfils a significant role by providing the competencies necessary to ensure employment in the visual arts and to encourage qualified learners to manage their own careers in ways so as to generate employment and to invigorate the visual arts in South Africa. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    This qualification can be achieved wholly, or in part, through Recognition of Prior Learning. Evidence can be presented in a variety of forms, including previous international or local qualifications, reports, testimonials, mentoring, functions performed, portfolios, work records and performance records. As such, evidence should be judged according to the general principles of assessment.
    Should equivalent competencies be demonstrated, learners may be advanced into a second or later year of study.

    Entry Requirements:
  • Senior Certificate (SC).
    Or
  • National Senior Certificate (NSC) passed with diploma studies.
    Or
  • National Certificate Vocational (NCV). 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    The qualification consists of compulsory modules at NQF Levels 5, 6 and 7 totalling 365 Credits.

    Modules at NQF Level 5:
  • Academic Literacy, 5 Credits.
  • Business Communication, 10 Credits.
  • Entrepreneurship, Level 5, 10 Credits.
  • Animation Practice 1, 25 Credits.
  • Art History 1, 10 Credits.
  • Media Studies 1, 10 Credits.
  • Drawing 1, 10 Credits.
  • Illustration 1, 10 Credits.
  • Visual Communication 1, 10 Credits.
  • Animation Discourse, 10 Credits.
  • Character Design, 10 Credits.
    Total credits for NQF Level 5, 120.

    Modules at NQF Level 6:
  • Animation Practice 2, 30 Credits.
  • Stop Motion, 10 Credits.
  • Life Drawing, 10 Credits.
  • Drawing 2, 10 Credits.
  • Media Studies 2, 10 Credits.
  • Art History 2, 10 Credits.
  • Visual Communication 2, 10 Credits.
  • Film Studies, 30 Credits.
  • Pre-Production Project, 20 Credits.
  • Art Direction, 20 Credits.
  • Professional Development, 5 Credits.
  • Visual Communication 3, 10 Credits.
    Total credits for NQF Level 6, 175.

    Modules at NQF Level 7:
  • Animation Practice 3, 30 Credits.
  • Final Production Project, 30 Credits.
  • Work Integrated Learning, 10 Credits.
    Total Credits for NQF Level 7, 70. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Communicate and visually interpret an idea or design through the use of basic drawing skills and techniques.
    2. Demonstrate a systematic and well-rounded knowledge and understanding of important theories, scholarly positions and basic methodologies of the history of art and animation.
    3. Demonstrate an understanding of character design and development and the role it plays in 3D Animation.
    4. Demonstrate an understanding of the animation production from concept to creation to animation and presenting.
    5. Apply entrepreneurial and management skills in order to function as a professional animator in either a company or as a freelancer.
    6. Establish the importance and relevance of visual culture in the Media and the way in which it impacts animation as a field. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Reasons why business communication is important to individuals and organisations are explained.
  • The different patterns of internal and external business communication are discussed.
  • Communication barriers are identified and ways to minimise or remove them are described.
  • The concept of ethical communication is explained.
  • How codes of conduct help promote ethical behaviour in business communication is explained.
  • Key strategies for effective global business communication are described and applied.
  • How to develop interpersonal communication skills for building positive relationships is explained.
  • Cultural diversity in the workplace is discussed and an explanation on how it affects business communication is given.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • The importance of media and the role it plays in the various industries is demonstrated.
  • The influence and impact media has had on the country throughout the years is outlined.
  • The impact and role media plays in the present day is determined.
  • The various forms of art and the art movements of the past and how they evolved are analysed.
  • The relation of the art of painting, sculpture, architecture and theatre to the society in which they were from Pre-History to The Middle Ages is discussed.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • An understanding of the different approaches to digital drawing is demonstrated.
  • The differences in the creation and production process of traditional characters and 3D animated character is outlined.
  • Basic elements and theory of 3D animation and the production process are clearly outlined.
  • Different digital drawing techniques that can be used in illustration are applied.
  • Skills of planning, visualising and conceptualising to various illustration projects are applied.
  • Basic tools and techniques are used in Adobe Illustrator to show an understanding digital software used.
  • The Illustrator navigate workstation is confidently used to create various types of print pieces.
  • Knowledge of illustrator is applied to assist in their development and creation of various animation or animated pieces.
  • Various concepts and techniques of shooting with a digital video camera are identified and explained.
  • Stop motion as an art form and its growth over the past two decades is understood and explained.
  • Various types of stop motion techniques that are currently used in the field of film and animation are identified.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • An understanding of the dynamics of character design and development in both traditional and digital animation is demonstrated.
  • The differences in the dynamics of character design and development in both traditional and digital animation are highlighted.
  • The different types of media used in and around media industry are critically analysed with focus on the methods in which the media types can be used to convey a certain or specific message.
  • Various aspects of character creation for traditional and digital systems are outlined.
  • The understanding of characterisation and character design to the learners own story and characters for their animation productions is practically applied.
  • Basic technical (such as basic rigging, modelling, texture wrapping, lighting and rendering) and aesthetic skills is practically applied to simple animation content.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • The concept of what business entails, profit seeking and non-profit seeking is understood.
  • The different economic systems in which a business may operate are differentiated.
  • The different stakeholders that are influencing business are described.
  • Micro-environment and how various management functions impact on the success of a business is described.
  • The impact of the environment on an organisation using a SWOT analysis is analysed.
  • Planning task and organising task are grasped and understood.
  • Processes on how to deal with operations management where the goods or services are manufactured or generated are applied.
  • Logistics management by which the flow of inputs and outputs are managed.
  • The basic financial management principles are grasped.
  • Human resource management which deals with attracting, developing and retaining personnel is explained.
  • Marketing management, especially identifying a target market and how to market a goods or services to the customer is implemented.
  • The nature and development of entrepreneurship is understood.
  • Contribution of entrepreneurs to the economy is identified.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:
  • A firm knowledge and understanding of visual culture and the way in which it impacts on the chosen career path is demonstrated.
  • Various terms and concepts related to visual studies and the Media are understood, identified and explained.
  • Different types of media used in and around their industry are identified.
  • Different types of media used in and around their industry are critically analysed with focus on the methods in which the media types can be used to convey a certain or specific message.
  • Stereotypes and bias evident in various forms of visual communication are critically identified and analysed.

    Integrated Assessment:
    A combination of formative and summative methodologies is applied, integrating theory and practical demonstrations.
    An assessment policy and procedure must ensure that the assessment process complies with the principles of good assessment, namely fairness, validity, reliability and practicability. The assessment policy and procedure therefore also addresses the issues of review, so that the policies and procedures can be adapted for improvement and revision, so that assessments can be continuously improved, and any shortcomings addressed.

    The following minimum number of assessments is recommended by the Assessment Policy:
    Summative assessments:
  • 15 week Module (semester): 3 assessment opportunities, i.e. at least 2 semester tests and an exam.
  • 30 week Module (year): 5 assessment opportunities, i.e. at least 4 semester tests and an exam.

    Formative assessments:
  • No minimum figures are prescribed, but regular formative assessments must be considered.

    Exam papers:
  • Exam papers have a minimum length of 2 hours. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This qualification has the benefit of constantly being guided by the institution's international, academic partners Solent University (UK), thus ensuring that the qualification is on a par with international standards and dictates.
    Over and above, this qualification compares favourably with various other institutes in Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom.

    In the process of designing this qualification, comparison of different qualification elements with similar qualifications elsewhere was conducted. The best practice aspects of such benchmark cases were incorporated into this qualification. It is thus on par with similar education and training qualifications offered elsewhere, for example at.

    Canada: Durham College:
    The Animation - Digital Arts/Digital Production qualification was developed with input from veterans in the animation, film and games industry and continues to garner enthusiastic support from studios and professional artists across the country. All of our professors come from industry, ready to share their knowledge and experience with learners.

    This 3D and 2D digital animation program focuses on character animation, storytelling and performance supported by:
  • Compositing and film editing.
  • Modelling and rigging.
  • Pre-production art.
  • Production pipeline.
  • Texturing and lighting.

    America: New York Film Academy- Animation Qualification:
    An unparalleled animation institute, the animation school at the New York Film Academy provides learners with state-of-the-art facilities and hands-on experience with the industry standard Maya software and top-notch equipment.

    Learners interested in taking an animation course at the New York Film Academy's animation school can expect to take many of the below animation courses depending on which workshop or program they enrol in.

    England: City of Westminster College:
    This is an introductory level course for enthusiasts looking to learn 3D animation applications, or just to build a portfolio of work. Learners will work on PC's using 3D and 2D software applications, you will develop your understanding of this software to a good working standard. Learners will learn about narrative structures and begin to develop and experiment with the different animation styles and techniques within the application. They will then go on to create a fully realised animation. This qualification is designed for those who have little or no knowledge of this software.

    Conclusion:
    The qualification compares with the ones mentioned in terms of focus. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    With regard to vertical articulation, a learner who wishes to proceed to further studies at another institution, having completed the Diploma in 3D Animation at the institution, would be able to do so based on the knowledge and skills acquired during the course of the qualification, provided, of course, that his/her academic performance has been of the required standard.

    The qualifications that have been identified for vertical progression are:
  • Bachelor of Design, at NQF Level 7.
  • Bachelor of Visual Communications at NQF Level 6.
  • Advanced Diploma in Animation and New Media, at NQF Level 7, SAQA ID 62950, City Varsity.
  • Bachelor of Arts in Applied Arts in 3D Animation, at NQF Level 7, Prestige Academy.
  • Bachelor of Technology in Motion Picture Production in Animation NQF Level 7, Tshwane University of Technology (TUT).

    In terms of horizontal articulation, learners having completed certain modules in the Diploma in 3D Animation at the institution, wishing to transfer to another tertiary level institution, would be able to apply successfully for exemption from relevant modules on the basis of credits attained at the institution.

    The qualifications that have been identified for horizontal progression are:
  • Advanced Certificate in 3D Animation and Visual Effects at NQF Level 6, Midrand Graduate Institute.
  • Diploma in Digital Animation at NQF Level 6, The Animation School.
  • Diploma in 3D Design and Digital Animation NQF Level 6, Prestige Academy.
  • Diploma in Animation at NQF Level 6, City Varsity.
  • Diploma in Integrated Fine Art, Animation and Design (Multimedia) at NQF Level 6, Centre for Fine Art, Animation and Design. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    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. Oakfields College (Head Office) 


    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.