IIE Bachelor of Experience Design Degree

Overview

Experience Design is the field of choice for imagineers who are driven to combine their creative capacity with cutting-edge technology and who are passionate about how people’s interactions and personal memories of interactions colour their experiences of the products and services they use.

The IIE Bachelors Degree in Experience Design introduces students to user-first design principles and digital product development strategies. At the start of their second year, students have the opportunity to select a learning programme (specialisation) in either User Experience (UX) Design or Motion Design that prepares them for a career path built around their creative strengths and personal area of interest.

The learning programme in UX Design equips students with the necessary skills to stand out in UX Design and students engage with traditional elements and principles of visual design, theories and principles of user-centered design, user interface (UI) and interaction design, information architecture and usability. They are introduced to the process, approaches, tools and methods of UX design such as agile, fast-prototyping, user flows and wire-framing. They learn to use industry-standard software and platforms and explore new and emerging technologies to produce user-friendly, interactive experiences for platforms such as web, mobile, social media, gaming and more.

The learning programme in Motion Design equips students with the necessary skills to stand out in the fast evolving field of interactive and immersive motion design. Students engage with the fundamental elements and principles of visual design, foundational drawing for character design and the theories and principles of user-centered design, animation and visual storytelling. They are introduced to processes, pipelines and tools of both 2D and 3D animation. They learn to use industry-standard software and platforms and explore new immersive technologies such as augmented and virtual reality to produce interactive and immersive visual narrative for platforms such as web, mobile, social media, digital displays, gaming and more.

The IIE Bachelor of Experience Design is a comprehensive three-year degree designed to meet international standards whilst remaining relevant in a South African context. Utilising an intensively hands-on approach, students learn how to develop and visualise concepts for various outputs, styles and client requirements. Each student is guided in the individual development of a professional design portfolio at the end of third year. IIE-Vega's unique fusion of critical thinking; complex problem-solving; creativity, branding and marketing sets our students apart as strategic and entrepreneurial thinkers and leaders in industry.

Our philosophy is to unleash the inherent creativity and confidence of our students whilst enhancing their design, business, research, and academic skills in an enriching and rewarding environment. As part of the experiential component of the qualification, students work in multidisciplinary teams engaging in real-world projects and brand challenges. Action learning is rounded off with an optional Industry Immersion.

All students have unlimited access to LinkedIn Learning, the world's foremost repository of interactive digital media training.

Modules:

Year 1:

• Experience Design 1A & 1B
• Experience Design Technology 1A & 1B
• Creative Development 1
• Design Studies 1
• Brand and Marketing 1
• Video and Photography

Year 2 (Learning Programme in UX Design):

• UX Design 2A & 2B
• UX Design Technology 2A & 2B
• Collaborative Design and Copywriting 2A and 2B
• Design Studies 2
• Brand and Marketing 2

Year 2 (Learning Programme in Motion Design):

• Motion Design 2A & 2B
• Drawing for Motion Design 2
• Motion Design Technology 2
• Collaborative Design and Copywriting 2A and 2B
• Design Studies 2
• Brand and Marketing 2

Year 3 (Learning Programme in UX Design):

• UX Design 3A & 3B
• UX Design Technology 3A & 3B
• Collaborative Design and Copywriting 3
• Introduction to Research
• Brand and Marketing 3A: Strategy
• Brand Challenge

Year 3 (Learning Programme in Motion Design):

• Motion Design 3A & 3B
• Motion Design Technology 3A & 3B
• Collaborative Design and Copywriting 3
• Introduction to Research
• Brand and Marketing 3A: Strategy
• Brand Challenge

Please note:

IIE-Vega does not require a portfolio as part of the application process to study design. Our primary focus is on how our students think and collaborate as creative solution seekers. The development of an industry-ready portfolio becomes a core focus once you enrol and engage hands-on with any of our creative programmes.

You are welcome to make an appointment with your campus Contact Navigator if you are not sure which creative course would suit you best. Ideally you should attend one of our GenV workshops at any of our IIE-Vega campuses to explore the different programmes on offer.

Tuition Fees

First year fee for new registrations starting in 2024
R122 600 Full Settlement Total Fee
R131 360 Instalment Total Fee (10 Monthly Instalments)
A *Pre-Registration Fee of R2 500 is included in the Total Fee
*Refundable if admission criteria for the qualification is not met.

Please note:

• Applications for the 2024 intake are subject to a non-refundable late application fee of R1750.
• You will be required to complete a new contract annually which will include fees for that year.
• Returning students can consult the bill of costs on the website to obtain their 2024 fees based on their basket of modules.

Entry Requirements

• A National Senior Certificate (NSC) with Degree admission- A minimum of 30% for English; OR
• A National Certificate (Vocational) NC(V) with Degree admission – A minimum of 50% in English ; OR
• A Senior Certificate (SC) (with endorsement) with 33.3% in English
• A Senior Certificate (Amended) SC(A) with degree admission- A minimum of 30% in LOLT in NSC/ SC(a) OR with a min. of 33.3% in SC; OR
• Alternatively, a cognate Higher Certificate or cognate 240 credit Diploma OR an Advanced Certificate OR 360 credit Diploma may satisfy the minimum admission requirements to degree studies. If discipline not cognate at least 20% of credits must be academic literacy or numeracy related.
• For international qualifications: An USAf Exemption Certificate is required and meeting the relevant English requirements.

Senate Discretionary Admission
Mature Age Exemption: A USAf Exemption Certificate is required

• Candidates having attained the age of 23 before or during the first year of registration with a Senior Certificate with a minimum of 40% in at least four higher or standard grade subjects, at least three of which shall have been passed simultaneously and one of which shall be a recognised higher grade subject; OR
• Candidates must have attained the age of 45 before or during the first year of registration.
• An USAf exemption Certificate is required.

Senate Discretionary Mature Age Admission for students with a Senior Certificate with endorsement

• Candidates 23 years and older at point of registration, with an endorsed Senior Certificate can be accepted on a Senate Discretionary mature age admission. Their academic progress will be tracked and reported at Senate. An USAf Exemption Certificate is not required.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

• Where candidates do not satisfy the formal admission requirements for this qualification, The IIE may consider an admission application in terms of the Credit Accumulation and Transfer, Recognition of Prior Learning and Qualification Completion Policy (IIE010).

USAf approved cognate foundation programme

• Candidates who have completed an USAf approved cognate foundation programme from a registered and accredited provider may be admitted.
• An USAf Exemption Certificate is required - the Office of the Registrar will facilitate, on behalf of the student, an application for degree admission to USAf, once the student has provided proof of payment to USAf.

Transfer students

• Candidates who have successfully completed at least 120 credits on the first year of a cognate degree may be admitted. However, if a student completed less than 120 credits, the admission criteria on the NSC or equivalent apply.

OQSF qualifications

• Candidates with an OQSF Level 5 cognate qualification may be admitted, provided the OQSF qualification has at least 120 credits at NQF Level 5. An USAf Exemption Certificate is required - the Office of the Registrar will facilitate, on behalf of the student, an application for degree admission to USAf, once the student has provided proof of payment to USAf.