Fedisa: Preparatory Design Programme: Fashion

Contact

PREPARATORY DESIGN PROGRAMME: FASHION

The Preparatory Design Programme: Fashion is an internal academic arrangement of FEDISA (Pty) Ltd and is not registered on the South African Qualifications Authority. It therefore, holds no transferable credit value and is strictly devised for non-degree, bridging purposes.

GOALS

The Preparatory Design Programme is designed for the creative, business-minded student, who has a flair for fashion, style and a love of all aspects influencing clothing and fashion design and its related fields. It is devised to broaden access to the Bachelor of Arts Degree in Fashion Design currently offered by FEDISA (Pty) Ltd. It therefore, offers a route of access to the Degree programme for prospective students, who may not have obtained university exemption or endorsement during their grade 12 or equivalent studies.

It is also recommended as an option for prospective students, who although qualifying for Degree studies academically, may want to develop their practical understanding of the design industry prior to the rigours of the first year of Degree studies at FEDISA. Students attending the Preparatory Design Programme will receive a certificate of attendance, provided that a minimum attendance rate of 80% is achieved. Such students are still required to write the entrance evaluation for enrolment into the first year of the BA: Fashion Design Degree.

OBJECTIVES

To empower participants with the ability to cope more successfully with the rigours of Degree studies in the highly demanding design education environment.

To develop a focused awareness of the influences driving design and its consumption in the 21st Century.

To evolve the student’s technical skill to develop a concept into a three dimensional garment.

STRUCTURE

The Preparatory Design Programme is structured as a contracted version of the BA: Fashion Design Degree. The academic year is based on four modules of nine weeks each. Modules are made up of eight academic weeks, followed by a week of moderation to assess and overview each student’s progress.

The Preparatory Design Programme consists of four major courses:

VISUAL DEVELOPMENT

Elementary Design Theory, Media and Rendering Techniques, Two and Three Dimensional Drawing, Figure and Form Development

Develops the ability to master the various media and rendering techniques used in the presentation of design ideas for the design industry.

PRODUCTION SKILLS

Production Tools, Basic Pattern Technology, Basic Garment Technology, Technical Drawing and Draping

Develops the ability to construct both patterns and garments using appropriate production methodology in conjunction with the latest available production technology.

LIFE & BUSINESS ORIENTATION

Numeracy and Financial Literacy, Business Communication, Concepts of the Business Environment and Business Skills
Develops an understanding of the complex systems that inform lifestyles and business in the 21st Century.

DESIGN LITERACY

Research Methodology, Presentation Methodology, Visual and Written Communication
Develops an understanding of design trends through action research and visual presentation.

DURATION

The Preparatory Design Programme is a one-year full time programme, which is presented in tandem with the BA: Fashion Design Degree. Classes commence on the last Monday of January and continue until the last Friday of November each year. Scheduled class times are 09:00 – 13:00, Monday to Friday.

Holidays are in accordance with the BA Programmes of FEDISA (Pty) Ltd and all other major South African Universities.

METHOD OF ASSESSMENT

Student development, standard of work, etc. will be assessed continuously, with quarterly moderation by a panel of FEDISA academics. A 60% aggregate in each subject of the Preparatory Design Programme must be achieved in order for a student to qualify for entry into the first year of the BA: Fashion Design Degree Programme at FEDISA.

Should any element of the four courses of the Preparatory Design Programme not be successfully completed, the student will not be allowed to continue on to the first year of the BA: Fashion Design Degree at FEDISA.

In addition to a successful pass of the courses of the Preparatory Design Programme, a student must also have obtained the certificate of attendance to be considered for registration on the BA: Fashion Design Degree Programme at FEDISA.

PROGRESSION OPPORTUNITIES

Students that successfully complete the Preparatory Design Programme may continue their studies on the BA: Fashion Design Degree at FEDISA, should they successfully pass the selection process.

ADMISSIONS

Minimum Requirements.
In order for applicants to be considered for all Preparatory Design Programmes offered by FEDISA, prospective students must comply with certain minimum requirements.
Minimum Academic Requirements
The minimum academic requirements are:
National Senior Certificate
OR
An international equivalent

LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS

Pass in either of TWO of the official languages of South Africa, one of which must be English.
Applicants must keep in mind that English will be the primary medium of tuition at FEDISA and that students cannot be guaranteed that instruction will be in their language of choice. Applicants should further note that the above admission requirements are minimum requirements only.
Admission to all programmes is subject to an entrance evaluation and a rigorous selection process. Meeting the minimum academic and language requirements will not necessarily ensure admission to the programme.

REQUIRED SECONDARY SCHOOL SUBJECTS

No specific subjects are required at secondary school level for admission to FEDISA. While art, design and mathematics are an advantage they are not a requirement.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

Download Application Form

Application forms are available from the Admissions Office or may be downloaded from the above link. Please refer to the contacts page for the various contact options.
If you are requesting application forms via e-mail, please provide your name, postal address and telephone number and clearly indicate that you are requesting admission to the Preparatory Design Programme: Fashion.

Completed application forms, together with the following documentation, must be returned to the Head of Admissions before the closing date as indicated above:

Certified copy of ID Document / Passport

Certified copy of most recent exam results

One (X1) black and white ID photo

Application fee or proof of payment thereof

FEDISA will acknowledge receipt of applications and furnish the applicant with further information regarding the entrance evaluations. Incomplete application forms will not be processed.

Please note that such an acknowledgment in no way implies that the applicant has been accepted for studies at FEDISA.

ENTRANCE EVALUATION

Entrance evaluation sessions are scheduled by appointment. All students who live within 150km of Cape Town are required to attend an entrance evaluation session.

Applicants will receive confirmation of the date of their evaluation session or submission of portfolio, after their applications have been received and the relevant application fees have been paid.

REQUIREMENTS FOR PORTFOLIO SUBMISSIONS

Portfolio submission is only applicable to applicants who live further than 150km from Cape Town or who are residing outside of South Africa at the time of making application to FEDISA.

Applicants, residing within South Africa, are required to prepare portfolios within the prescribed format and mail these together with their application. Foreign applicants or South African residents living abroad will be allowed to submit electronic copies of their portfolios, provided that these can be substantiated with the originals if so required at a later stage.
Applicants are required to submit the following as part of the portfolio:

Written Submission
In your own words, write a critical review of “Fashion Today”.
The essay must offer information, constructive criticism and comments reflecting the positive contribution you would like to make to the world of fashion. The essay should not exceed 500 words.

Practical Portfolio
The portfolio should consist of the following specified work. The applicant should complete the work without help or guidance.
Identify a current fashion trend appropriate to your age group. Select images from media, drawings, fabric samples, trimmings and colour swatches and compile a collage that reflects your selected trend. Your collage should reflect both local and international trends. Paper size must be A4.

Using your collage as inspiration, design a collection of THREE (3) models in full colour, with both front and back views included for each. Explanatory notes, fabric swatches and presentation are important for this section of the portfolio. Any colouring or drawing technique may be used. Paper size per design must be A4.

CLOSING DATES FOR APPLICATIONS

The closing date for preliminary applications is 5 December each year.
Should you have missed this closing date, late applications will be considered until the 15 January, of the respective year for which you wish to enroll, provided that there are still seats available. A “late application fee” is payable. Please refer to the fees schedule.
The result of the application will be communicated once the selection committee has made its decision.

GENERAL INFORMATION

The intake for the Preparatory Design Programme is strictly limited to ensure optimal lecturer attention. Prospective students are urged to apply as early as possible, to enable them to attend an evaluation and selection session.

SEWING EQUIPMENT

FEDISA (Pty) Ltd will supply all production equipment for the use of students enrolled on the Preparatory Design Programme, viz: sewing machines, over-lockers and pressing equipment.

Please note - Should the student wish to continue to the Bachelor of Arts Fashion Design Degree programme after successfully completing the Preparatory Design Programme, such students will have to acquire their own sewing machines and over-lockers, in accordance with the stipulations of the BA Programmes at FEDISA.