Higher Certificate in Design: Interior Design & Decor, NQF5

SAQA ID: 97900, 120 Credits, NQF 5, Higher Certificate in Design Thinking
GDC offers a Higher Certificate in Design Thinking with a focus on Interior Decorating and Design Principles.
The programme equips learners with the fundamental toolkit to problem solve and develop 2D and 3D design solutions to a variety of problems within the Interior Design and Decorating fields. Students are introduced to the principles used in non-structural Interior Decorating and Design, to achieve a healthier and more aesthetically pleasing environment for those engaging in the space.
In addition, students will be learning the necessary software, graphic communication, prototyping and academic writing skills required for future study.
Skill sets acquired in this higher certificate programme seamlessly transitions the students into one of our BA Degree programmes. Another plus is, that students graduate with a standalone qualification at NQF level 5.
Features and Benefits
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Greenside Design Center is an authorised Autodesk training centre.
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Learn critical industry-required software and technology platforms such as Unity, V-Ray, Autodesk Maya, Adobe Photoshop and After Effects and more to the value of thousands of Rands, a critically advantageous consideration for any employer when considering.
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Get access to the full software suites of Adobe (for 1 year), Unity3D (for 1 year), Autodesk (for 1 year) with no limitations and restriction to any functionality, all included in the price.
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Learn how to sell your skills with our “Freelancing for Creatives, Designers and Digital Artists, Making Money in the Gig Economy” module
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During the program, students will prepare and write the Autodesk Maya User and Autodesk Maya Professional certification.
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Get a free Office 365 Education A1 license, valid for the duration of your studies.
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Online students, get support by our technology and our support and lecturing staff. The focus is on a blended learning approach. It is a combination of flexible Virtual Class online, at home exercises, activities and project-based.
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Job placement assistance through our industry network and online recruitment portal, exclusively available to The Greenside Design Center.
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Shared industry skills such as Project Management was added to further maximum employment success.
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Involvement in our institution-wide community engagement project known as 10 percent. Our students across all levels of study and all disciplines, come together to form new multidisciplinary teams, and apply their design expertise to work with a real community.
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Showcase of student work at our annual design showcase and annual Date Night where potential industry partners are invited.
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Access to local and international student award entries
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Industry exposure from top industry key players
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Access to our on-campus specialised labs. This programme incorporates our MakersLab and VRLab
- Specialized LabMakersLab
- Specialized LabVRLab

The MakersLab gives students the chance to see their designs, ideas and innovations become a reality.
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An interactive space that helps students explore the use of Virtual and Augmented Reality in the visualizing and presentation of data.
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Admission Requirements
- NQF4 (Competency in the English language)
- No matric? You still have an option to do our FET Certificate: Design Foundation NQF4
Articulation Options
On successful completion of this qualification, you can articulate into the following:
- Direct entry into the Greenside Design Center’s Interior Design BA Degree in Interior Design.
- Direct entry into the National Certificate in Architectural Technology
- 2D Animation, Illustration and Storyboard design with Toon Boom
- 3D Design Visualisation and Animation with 3DS Max and V-Ray
- Games Design and Development with Unity 3D
Hardware Requirements
Please note that you are required to have your own computer for this qualification. GDC, in partnership with Dell and TripleH committed to supplying every student with a Dell laptop to support our DigitalCampus initiative. Available exclusively to GDC students, devices can now be financed with your tuition fees. We provide three models:
- MEDIUMMedium Spec, Dell Latitude 5510, i7, 16GB
- HIGHHigh Spec, Dell Latitude 5510, i7, 32GB
R19 000.00 (OUT OF STOCK)Learn More
The foundation for intense graphic and processor heavy tasks.
11th Generation Intel Core i7-11370H(12M cache, up to 4.8GHz), 15.6-inch FHD (1920 x 1080) Anti-Glare LED-Backlit Non-touch Narrow Border WVA Display, Camera & Microphone, Power Button without Touch Fingerprint Reader, 16GB (2x8GB) DDR4 Non-ECC RAM, M.2 256GB PCIe NVMe Class 35 Solid State Drive, Nvidia GeForce MX450 w/2GB GDDR6 Graphics Memory, 4 Cell 54Whr Express Charge Capable Battery, Windows 10 Pro (64 Bit), 1Y Collect and Return Service
R21 500.00 (OUT OF STOCK)Learn More
Same foundation, more memory...for those who want to get a little more serious.
11th Generation Intel Core i7-11370H (15.6" FHD (1920 x 1080) Anti-Glare LED Backlight Non-Touch Narrow Border WVA Display, Camera & Microphone, Power Button without Touch Fingerprint Reader, 32GB (2x16GB) DDR4 Non-ECC RAM, WLAN, M.2 256GB PCIe NVMe Class 35 Solid State Drive, Nvidia GeForce MX450 w/2GB GDDR6 Graphics Memory, Windows 10 Pro (64 Bit), 1Y Collect and Return Service
Salaries & Skills
* All statistics are derived from www.payscale.com
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Pricing & Payment Options
NEW SECTION -
Duration
Full Time
- Full Time, Contact Learning (Hybrid), 12 Months
- Full Time, Online Learning ,12 Months
- Classes from Monday to Friday, +- 20 hours/week
Part-Time
- Part Time, Flexi Online Learning, min 12 Months, Max 24 Months
- Classes conducted after hours over 2-3 sessions/week (on selective Saturdays)
* Class structures are subject to change without notification.
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Career Options
- Interior Decorating
- Exhibition Design
- Space Planner
- Rendering/Visualization
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Study Kit
Your Teacher and Learning Material is included in your fees and will contain:
- Free Unlimited WIFI (Unlimited, On Campus only)
- Autodesk student license valid for 1 year
- Adobe student license valid for 1 year.
- Orientation kit
- ENROL NOW
What you get
On completion the student will earn:
- NQF level 5 Higher Certificate in Design Thinking
- Specialized Certificates: Certification in Project Management from Learnfast
- International Certificate: AutoCAD Essentials and Autodesk Fusion
Additionally you also get
- Portfolio of Work (worldclass portfolio that can be used for job applications)
Our Learning Methods
Our learning methods is a technology mediated delivery model, focused on flexibility, accessibility, and academic support to provide the ultimate learning experience without compromising teaching time and quality.

#Flexibility

#AnywhereAnytime

#Accessibility

#StudentSupport

Full Time - Contact/Hybrid
Learning
A modern twist on traditional face-to-face, full-time learning. Our contact classes are delivered via Hybrid learning, providing students with the flexibility to attend on campus, virtually, or both.

Full Time, Online
Learning
Extending our reach with online only, full time learning. Our progressive technology platform and people-supported academic journey giving students access to our classes from anywhere in the world.

Part Time, Flexi Online
Learning
Designed for the working professional, our part time programmes provide you with the flexibility to manger your own schedule and pace of learning. Sessions are conducted after hours on selected weekdays, and on alternate Saturdays.

Career Video
Interior Decorator
Throughout the year, the Higher Certificate Programme equips students with the fundamental design skills necessary to progress in any design discipline. But the final twelve weeks of the programme allows students to complete elective projects where they get the opportunity to focus on interior design and decorating.
- Design Thinking and the Design Process
- The Design Elements and Principles
- Visual Communication Methods, Tools and Techniques
- Drawings and Design Presentations for Interior Design
- Materials and Fabrics
- Freelance Working Environment
- Workplace Readiness
Design Application and Computer Aided Drawing:
- Graphic Manipulation (Photoshop)
- Presentation Page Design & Layout Tools (Adobe InDesign and Illustrator)
- Using software in 3D (Autodesk Fusion)
- Using 2D Draughting software (AutoCAD)
Essentials of Project Management Module
This module will prepare students to write their Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)® Exam. (Note: CAPM Exam to be arranged by the student)
This course is accredited with Services SETA to the following unit standards:
- SAQA ID 120372: Explain Fundamentals of Project Management | NQF Level 4, 5 Credits
- SAQA ID 120379: Work as a project team member | NQF Level 4, 8 Credits
The person credited with these unit standards is able to begin operating in a project environment by understanding the terminology used and interpreting and explaining fundamental concepts of project management. These unit standards will also add value to learners who are running their own business and recognise that project management forms an integral component of any business.
WORE: Workplace Readiness Program through a self-paced assembly
- Compiling a Portfolio
- Creating a Curriculum Vitae
- Creating & Maintaining your social media
- Seeking Employment
- Preparing for an Interview
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CampusRegistration Close DateStart DateType
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11 July 2022
Late Registration In Progress18 July 2022Full Time, Contact -
13 February 202320 February 2023Full Time, Contact
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11 July 2022
Late Registration In Progress18 July 2022Full Time, Online -
13 February 202320 February 2023Full Time, Online
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11 July 2022
Late Registration In Progress18 July 2022Part Time, Online -
13 February 202320 February 2023Part Time, Online