GDC offers a Higher Certificate in Design Thinking with a focus on Interdisciplinary Design, NQF 5.

The purpose of the qualification is to lay a foundation in the broad principles and practices of design. The programme introduces learners to creative and visual thinking, design thinking and the design process, visual communication methods, professional practice and the analysis and critique of design solutions. It offers an integrated combination of conceptual and applied skills and prepares learners to become flexible, problem-solving thinkers outside the boundaries of a single design discipline. This Higher Certificate is an elective in Design Thinking with a focus on Interdisciplinary Design, in the second semester. 

The elective equips learners with the fundamental toolkit to problem solve and develop creative design solutions within the exciting field of Interdisciplinary Design. From concept to creation, students are introduced to the principles of design, drawing, materials and manufacturing processes used in the discipline, including the use of new and traditional methods and technologies such as rapid prototyping, 3D printing, laser cutting as well as traditional constructive, subtractive and additive sculpting mediums. In addition, students acquire the academic reading and writing skills required for further study and qualify with a standalone NQF level 5 qualification.  

Features and Benefits

• Greenside Design Center is an authorised Autodesk training centre.

• Learn leading software used in Interdisciplinary Design, and students can choose from the Autodesk suit, including programs like AutoCAD, Revit such as Autodesk Fusion 360. Additional access to the Autodesk Suite including AutoCAD, Autodesk Inventor, Autodesk 3Ds Max is also provided for independent learning.  

• Learn critical industry-required skills plus the industry-standard software for visual design including Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InDesign, with a 1-year student license.       

• Get a free Office 365 Education A1 license, valid for the duration of your studies. 

• 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.  

• Contact students get free access to our on-campus specialised labs including our Makers Lab with 3D Printing, CNC Machining and Laser Cutting facilities and the VRLab 

• Job placement assistance through our industry network and online recruitment portal, exclusively available to The Greenside Design Center

• Shared industry skills such as Project Management was added to further maximum employment success.

• 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.

• Access to local and international student award entries

• Industry exposure from top industry key players

• 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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