IIE Bachelor of Experience Design Degree

Overview

Experience Design is the field of choice for imagineers who are driven to combine their creativity with cutting-edge technology. Experience designers are passionate about designing memorable experiences of products and services that enrich users’ lives.

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

Students must choose between either User Experience (UX) Design or Motion Design

Year 2 (Learning Programme in UX Design):

• UX Design 2A & 2B
• UX Design Technology 2A & 2B
• Creative Collaboration 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 
• Motion Design Technology 2
• Creative Collaboration 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
• Creative Collaboration 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
• Creative Collaboration 3
• Introduction to Research
• Brand and Marketing 3A: Strategy
• Brand Challenge

Study further with IIE Pathways
The successful completion of the IIE Bachelor of Experience Design enables you to progress into the IIE BA Honours in Design Leadership delivered at IIE Vega, subject to meeting the admission requirements.

Timetables
This qualification is aimed at students who wish to complete full-time face-to-face studies for the duration of their qualification. This means that students are expected to be available throughout the day for class in the academic year depending on how the timetable is structured. Students may also be required to write assessments or submit coursework or assignments outside of normal class time. Students who would like to pursue part time employment opportunities outside of the academic programme must prioritise their studies and avoid committing to work schedules until after they have received their timetables and academic calendar from the institution. Students must also note that timetables remain subject to change throughout the academic year.

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.

Entry Requirements

Minimum Admission Requirements

• A National Senior Certificate (NSC) Degree pass with 30% for English; OR
• A National Certificate (Vocational) NC(V) Bachelor’s Degree Pass with 50% in English; OR
• A Senior Certificate (SC) Endorsement pass with 33.3% in English
• A Senior Certificate (Amended) SC(A) Degree pass
• A minimum of 30% in LOLT on NSC/ SC(a) OR with a min. of 33.3% on 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 Admission for applicants with SC with Endorsement, or NSC/NC(V)/SC(a) with Degree Admission

• Candidates 23 years and older at point of registration, with an endorsed Senior Certificate or a National Senior Certificate with Bachelor’s Degree pass or National Certificate (Vocational) with Bachelor’s degree Pass or Senior Certificate (amended) with Bachelor’s Degree pass can be accepted on a senate discretionary mature age admission if they do not meet the additional admission requirements. 
• Their academic progress will be tracked and reported at Senate. 
• A USAf Exemption Certificate is not required.

Mature Age Exemption - SC not endorsed

• 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.
• A USAf Exemption Certificate is required.

Mature Age Exemption - NSC/NC(V)/SC(a) with Diploma Admission

• Candidates having attained the age of 23 before or during the first year of registration with a Senior Certificate (Amended), National Senior Certificate or National Senior Certificate (Vocational) with a minimum of 40% in at least four higher or standard grade or 20-credit subjects (or equivalent), at least three of which shall have been passed simultaneously and in the case of a Senior Certificate (Amended), at least one of which shall be a recognised higher grade subject.
• A Diploma Pass on these certificates would imply that that the candidate qualifies.
• Senate Discretionary Admission - Mature Age NSC/NC(V)/SC(a) Hold must be selected so that the USAf Exemption Certificate may be applied for by the Office of the Registrar. 
• The USAf Exemption Certificate application may be facilitated by the Office of the Registrar.

Mature Age Exemption - 45 years and older

• Candidates must have attained the age of 45 before or during the first year of registration. 
• A USAf Exemption Certificate is 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).
• If applicant does not meet minimum admission requirements and there is no alternative (such as completion of NQP modules) but they have relevant experience, the following must be requested to consider admission via RPL:

1. Certificates for all formal (Accredited Higher Education qualifications) and/or informal qualifications/modules (SLP’s, Microcredentials etc). SAQA certificates must be provided for any international qualifications.
2. CV to determine whether the following are related to the qualification that the applicant is applying for:

1. Formal (Accredited Higher Education qualifications) and/or informal qualifications/modules (SLP’s, Microcredentials etc)
2. Relevant work experience

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.

One Module Outstanding

• Candidates who have one module outstanding to complete an IIE Higher Certificate which is appropriate for admission to a degree, may register for the degree on the condition that they will register for the outstanding Higher Certificate module along with the first year of the degree.
• If a student does not pass the module, they will be allowed to register again* for this module and any modules failed in the first year of the degree; however, they will NOT be allowed to register for the second year of the Degree, or any subsequent year, until they have passed the Higher Certificate module.

*Registration is also subject to the maximum completion times rule in IIE010.

IEB International Secondary Certificate

• Candidates must have achieved Bachelor's Degree pass and meet the additional admission criteria (where applicable).
• The OoR will apply to USAf for Exemption based on Senate Discretion.

Should you have any other school leaving qualification not mentioned above, please reach out to a contact navigator.