Cape Peninsula University Of Technology Design
Cape Peninsula University Of Technology Design, there are various types of designs sectors at Cape Peninsula University Of Technology
Industrial Design
We are called Three-dimensional designers; Product designers and Industrial designers. Our graduates design anything and everything that is mass-produced – from BMWs to iPods; from couches to TVs. We turn good ideas into real products.
Our department is a vibrant and dynamic space where emphasis is always placed on our students and graduates to become designers who are conscious of the needs of communities around them. We provide the opportunity for our students to learn using state-of-the-art equipment and software. Our biggest resource however, is a team of dedicated lecturing staff who are experts in their respective fields and provide our students with a wealth of invaluable experience.
Where it fits in with our curriculum, we partner with industry to run projects with our students. The benefit for students is the “straight talking” response from industry. This approach enhances teaching and learning for both students and staff.
Some joint projects we have worked on include a Biomimicry and Design for Sustainability project, both focused within Cape Town’s East City known as ‘The Fringe’. Further, we are proud to say that we are very involved with Cape Town’s 2014 World Design Capital activities.
Surface Design
Surface design is an emerging curriculum embracing subjects within Product Design, Interaction Design, Fashion Design, Graphic Design, Textiles and Fine Art.
We encourage students to remain true to their unique capabilities and to develop their creative and innovative skills in order to develop an entrepreneurial business attitude, which considers mind, body and soul.
The Surface Design course is the only one of its kind in Africa. The focus of learning is based on creativity and problem-solving for sustainable design solutions with a strong consideration of Social design. The course is a three-year broad-based qualification to train students to be aware of, and to remain constantly in touch with the ever-changing pulse of the Surface design and lifestyle industries.
Architectural Technology
Architecture is the art and science of shaping the built environment, in order to support sustainable quality of life of its inhabitants. The National Diploma and BTech programmes focus on gaining strong creative, technical and practical problem-solving skills in construction methodology, materials and innovative detail building design.
Learning takes place through interaction, discussion and debate between students, studio assistants and lecturers. Theory subjects provide support and the necessary knowledge and skills to apply in solving design challenges in the studio. The department employs innovative teaching and learning methods including interactive digital and online tools and social media. Students are also exposed to real-life community design-build work where learning happens through doing.
The entire second year of the National Diploma course is devoted to experiential learning in architects’ offices. Diplomats and graduates are registerable with SACAP (the South African Council for the Architectural Profession). After completion of the National Diploma (3 years), the diplomat may become a candidate architectural technologist and after an additional year, BTech (Applied design) degree, the graduate may qualify as a candidate senior architectural technologist.
The qualified architectural technologist will be involved with translating architectural design into the technical drawings and specifications used for the construction of buildings. There is also the option to proceed with the BTech (Applied design) year which may provide access to University studies in order to become a candidate architect. Employment opportunities exist with architectural practices, government institutions, property developers and others.
Our courses are accredited by SACAP and the CAA (Commonwealth Association of Architects) which means that they are recognized both nationally and internationally (in commonwealth countries).
Fashion
At the CPUT Design Department we strive to create an environment where Fashion students are empowered and can develop to their fullest potential through the use of their creative talent.
Our Fashion students are creative and innovative thinkers that are fashion forward contributors to the industry with strong community awareness.
Qualified students excel as entrepreneurs and fashion achievers in a variety of career choices ranging from design, buying, merchandising, manufacturing, styling, fashion journalism, costume design and various other exciting careers.
The Fashion Unit is a hub of diverse cultures and personalities where successful students receive a nationally accredited and internationally recognized qualifications ranging for a National Diploma to pre-and post-graduate Degrees.
The Fashion Unit and its alumni have a proud history and track record since the late 70’s. Through strong industry partnerships students are continuously exposed to forward thinking ideas and fashion innovation, and so staying abreast of new developments.
Our students have achieved numerous local and international accolades and awards, exposing their talent to the spotlight of the fashion industry. Our collaboration with local industry and international universities further prepare and enhance student’s readiness for a career in fashion.
The consistent growth and achievements of the department can be largely attributed to a dedicated team of well-qualified staff who are committed to academic excellence with industry relevance. Fashion Unit and staff support an ethos of innovative thinking, respect and life long learning.
If you are passionate about fashion and seek a career in this dynamic industry, choosing to study and qualify at CPUT Fashion Unit will proof to be a rewarding experience.
Graphic Design
The communication industry is exciting and ever-changing. The Graphic Design Diploma course at CPUT prepares students a wide variety of skills necessary for communicating with very diverse target audiences. Techniques such as illustration, photography, printmaking and use of digital media allow the graphic designer to convey a client’s message in engaging ways. Finding great ways to deliver information through any combination of media such as magazines, online platforms, outdoor graphics, packaging and posters is the challenge. The design process is rigorously applied to all projects where skills in typography, image origination, drawing, paper mechanics and conceptual thinking are developed on a project-by-project basis.
We believe that what makes this course unique is how we work within the needs of our local context, in a city destined to be the World Design Capital in 2014.
Students have the incredible opportunity of collaborating with any of the 16 design-related disciplines within the Faculty, which enlivens their approach to any design brief. We find that this kind of environment is what stimulates the vibrant culture of innovation that the course is known for.
The course is geared towards making sure that each designer leaves with a strong sense of responsible, ethical and sustainable design practice. Deeper engagement is offered through the BTech Graphic Design, where a student can further discover and develop as a designer. The MTech in design offers the opportunity to specialize and develop a strong research and design portfolio. The Graphic Design department makes sure that individual talents are developed to their full potential. National and international competitions are entered and many awards won, reflecting the commitment of our talented students and dedicated staff.
Jewellery
Simply one of the best jewellery training facilities to be found. We offer a comprehensive training from traditional hand craftsmanship and lost wax casting to state of the Art CAD/ CAM reproduction. Most importantly the CPUT jewellery design diploma and degree unlocks an inner creativity that equips our graduates to take their place in the community of jewellers anywhere in the world.
We offer a national diploma that gives the student the basics of both the ancient art of jewellery making and the intellectual and technical capacities to survive in the modern world. Out BTech is the specialisation year, in which the students develop their own artistic selves in a unique and individual way.
Our students are empowered, highly employable and free thinking. They have permeated into every facet of the South Africa design world. They run their own businesses and are managers, artisans and designers for others. They teach and mentor and most importantly, are prepared to give back to this exciting world.
Photography
Our department has a proud tradition spread over the past 28 years of catering to the most ethnically diverse student group in South Africa and offers arguably the best course in professional and commercial photography in the Western Cape.
The department is equipped with state-of-the-art digital equipment and has one of very few studios in Cape Town with a two-sided infinity curve. Apart from the extensive experience of the full-time staff, we also call on the services of recognised professionals for specialised input. Teaching at the cutting edge of technology, we start with a foundation in traditional analogue photography and incorporate in-depth studies in theory of entrepreneurship, theory of equipment and materials and the theory and application of visual communication.
We enjoy full academic accreditation from the South African Qualification Authority (SAQA) and offer the full spectrum of academic qualifications up to doctoral level. We frequently enrol staff from diverse private photographic teaching institutions in order to improve their qualifications. Most of these private institutions also employ our ex-students as full- and part-time lecturers.
Our graduates, both with diplomas and degrees, are all taken up directly into the local and international professional industry in fields as diverse as news, fashion, advertising, medicine and editorial illustration photography. A select number of graduates further their academic careers by researching towards Masters Degrees.
Find our more about the National Diploma: Photography
Find our more about the BTech: Photography
Town and Regional Planning
The Department of Town and Regional Planning at CPUT is one of the three universities of technology in the country that offers an accredited National Diploma, B-Tech degree, however, we are the only university of technology that offers a research based M-Tech Degree in Town and Regional Planning.
The course equips the student with the skills and knowledge required to fulfil the tasks of a planning technician such as land appraisal, planning surveys, the analysis and presentation of data by means of maps, graphs, diagram’s and sketches as well as all work, including legal procedures, connected with planning processes in general.
The department boasts its increasing student registration for B-Tech and the M-Tech degree: this shows that we are in high demand. There is an exciting movement in the department in research; numerous publications have come to the fore.
The CPUT planning curriculum has undergone profound changes over the past years. There is a shift to promoting professional identity, value systems, critical skills and advanced computer skills.
Currently 46 percent of all planners employed in the Western Cape studied at CPUT and it is anticipated that this number will continue to grow as the popularity of our programme continues to increase.
Graduates from CPUT are in great demand from all employers across South Africa and even globally since most universities cannot keep up with the increasing demand for new planners.