Qualifications Framework level

EQF level

European Qualifications Framework (EQF) has 8 levels (1 – the lowest, 8 – the highest).

Levels reflect the complexity level of acquired knowledge, skills and competences (learning outcomes).


Go to the Glossary section
?

6

LQF level

Latvian Qualifications Framework (LQF) has 8 levels (1 – the lowest, 8 – the highest).

Levels reflect the complexity level of acquired knowledge, skills and competences (learning outcomes).

LQF covers stages of education starting from the basic education (level 1 – special basic education) to the highest education (level 8 – doctoral studies).


Go to the Glossary section
?

6

Level of professional qualification
Latvia has a system of five professional qualifications levels (PQL, 1 – the lowest, 5 – the highest).

PQL system covers only professional qualifications (basic education, secondary and higher education stages).

PQL reflects readiness of a person to perform work of certain stage of complexity and responsibility.
?

5

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are knowledge, skills and competences acquired during a certain period of learning.

In Latvia, learning outcomes are stipulated by state education standards and occupational standards (for the professional qualifications).

Learning outcomes of higher education are defined by higher education institutions.


Go to the Glossary section
?

The purpose of the study program shall be to provide such conditions which allow for acquisition of qualitative and competitive education higher professional intersectoral education in design, by preparing such specialists, who are able to realize such innovative ideas of the particular sphere of specialization, which are rooted in research and artistic creativity.

Attainable Study Results:
The Students shall be motivated for professional planning and organization of design activities on an individual level and in co-operation with the counterparties and customers;
– they shall be capable of designing and elaborating the necessary technological documentation to ensure production in the course of design elaboration;
– the students shall be competent in the design research methodology, and able to apply acquired knowledge to create independent results;
– the students shall be able to analyze, synthesize and apply their theoretical and practical knowledge in the course of implementation of innovative ideas by applying modern data collection, processing and systematization technologies;
– based on the experience, which has been acquired during the research practice, the students shall be able to draw independent conclusions for further professional activity;
– the students shall acquire the second level professional higher education in design and shall be competitive in the chosen branch of design;
– the new specialists shall be motivated for further education and systematic perfection of their qualification, treating education in design as a lifelong education.

 

Product designer

  • Knowledge

    1. The KNOWLEDGE at the level of notion:
    1.1. philosophy;
    1.2. sociology;
    1.3. macroeconomics.
    2. The KNOWLEDGE at the level of understanding :
    2.1. basics of business;
    2.2. economics;
    2.3. professional pedagogy;
    2.4. painting;
    2.5. basics of product management;
    2.6. materials, structures and methods of analysis;
    2.7. applied mathematics in research planning, description, analysis, modelling, forecasting of results;
    2.8. marketing;
    2.9. project management;
    2.10. quality assurance and management;
    2.11. professional terminology in the official language and at least two foreign languages.
    3. The KNOWLEDGE at the level of use:
    3.1. drawing and styling;
    3.2. plane and spatial composition – tectonics;
    3.3. history of design, craft, art, fashion and style;
    3.4. style, image making methods and tools;
    3.5. graphics software, specialized automated design systems, automated design and manufacturing control systems;
    3.6. graphical analysis and display (development of idea sketches, preparation of detailed drawings-plans, three-dimensional (3D) visualization of objects, drawings of unrolling wall papers (2D));
    3.7. object modelling and development of samples/work models and design testing;
    3.8. colour theory, psychology, colour scheme;
    3.9. ergonomic principles and compliance therewith;
    3.10. product design (exclusive design in a limited number, serial (collection) type of production, mass production, custom made, adjusted/adapted (clothing, home textiles, wood, metal, composite and leather goods, furniture, etc.)) modelling, design and project execution;
    3.11. presentation skills;
    3.12. materials science (wood materials, leather, textiles and more modern materials);
    3.13. advanced technology, product and process design within a specialized automated design and automated production control system environment;
    3.14. material finishing and processing technologies (painting, printing, laser cutting, etc.);
    3.15 first sample and limited edition production technology and equipment (production technology design);
    3.16. product and service pricing calculation;
    3.17. inter-communication (cooperation with trends experts, engineers, model makers, logistics specialists and marketing managers);
    3.18. professional ethics (communication in work groups, with the client, with higher-level staff, the public);
    3.19. official language;
    3.20. at least two foreign languages at the communication level.
    3.21. document management;
    3.22. labour protection;
    3.23. legal employment relationship;
    3.24. environmental protection.

  • Skills
    1. To develop the conceptual solution of products, collections or series thereof in accordance with project requirements.
    2. To visualize the sketches, drawings, models and samples of the conceptual solution of products, collections or series thereof and carry out three-dimensional visualization.
    3. To analyse industry-leading technology, follow new technological developments and trends.
    4. To use information technologies, apply them to improve technologies of the industry.
    5. To utilize advanced design technology – general-purpose and specialized CAD systems, automated design and manufacturing control systems, computer-mediated communication (CMC).
    6. To manage product development, enter into contracts and monitor implementation thereof, carry out author’s supervision over the execution of the project.
    7. To understand the interrelated work processes, to think creatively and analytically (holistically), adopt decisions according to one’s competence and take responsibility thereof.
    8. To use industry standards and technical regulations.
    9. To have a good knowledge of the industry’s quality systems, be able to apply them at work.
    10. To know and use professional terminology in the official language and at least two foreign languages.
    11. To build positive communication, adhere to the principles of professional and general ethics.
    12. To copyright developed brands, intellectual property.
    13. To carry out research work, reflect research results in products, reports and scientific publications.
    14. To interpret research results, draw conclusions, prepare summaries.
    15. To analyse and predict fashion trends of industrial design products.
    16. To read and develop drawings.
    17. To plan, conduct and manage material compliance, technology, market and other necessary research.
    18. To carry out product aesthetic, material and technical, functional and economic analysis.
    19. To be able to carry out development of product technological regimes and necessary documentation.
    20. To coordinate the results of the work with customers, partners and the necessary institutions.
    21. To plan product promotion campaign, organize the transfer of order to the customer.
    22. To draw up business documents in accordance with document management requirements.
    23. To work individually or in a group.
    24. To plan work and manage work groups, projects in the field of industrial design.
    25. To plan and organize design management.
    26. To know the official language.
    27. To know at least two foreign languages at the communication level.
    28. To regularly improve one’s professional qualification.
    29. To comply with the labour protection, fire safety and hygiene requirements.
    30. To provide the first aid.
    31. To comply with the environmental protection requirements.
    32. To meet the requirements of the legal employment relationship.
  • Competences/ autonomy

    1. Ability to think creatively and independently, conduct research to develop product ideas, studying the needs of end-users and anticipating all experience-based design aspects – technology, material and fashion trends.
    2. Ability to create a long-term product – new, functional, rational, cheaper to produce, easy and convenient to use, aesthetically high-quality in forms, colours and textures.
    3. Ability to define design objectives and plan artistic design and construction work.
    4. Ability to analyse and define the set of material, technical, functional, aesthetic and ergonomic characteristics of a product.
    5. Ability to define requirements and necessary resources related to product design and implementation.
    6. Ability to study supply and demand in the market, research and analyse usage options, select market segment/niche and establish characterization thereof.
    7. Ability to use and understand materials of the sector, analyse their improvement and development trends, be able to use them at work.
    8. Ability to understand the specifics of various manufacturers and complexity levels of product series design, be able to use necessary machines, equipment, tools and facilities.
    9. Ability to determine product manufacturing (production) limits and select the optimal set of solutions (possible material usage and compatibility, as well as possible constructive solution variants).
    10. Ability to develop sketches and digital three-dimensional visualization of conceptual solutions of products or product collection or series, as well as organize and carry out the development of models and samples.
    11. Ability to present a project and coordinate it with the client (employer) and services responsible for the various stages of product development, prepare and conduct presentations, shows and exhibitions.
    12. Ability to carry out physical, analogue or mathematical modelling of products or certain assemblies.
    13. Ability to develop constructive product solutions and make necessary adjustments.
    14. Ability to develop material cutting maps and other documents of rational material usage.
    15. Ability to select materials, accessories or components required for the production of products, complete orders.
    16. Ability to organize the development of the first product sample and necessary tests.
    17. Ability to document and analyse the results of product design work, as well as necessary adjustment and harmonization of documents.
    18. Ability to develop product manufacturing technological regimes and governing technological documentation.
    19. Ability to organize the development of product industrial samples (series) and comprehensive tests thereof, including required testing of usage properties.
    20. Ability to accept and execute orders and plan for product manufacture.
    21. Ability to plan and predict product manufacturing (sales) costs, develop cost estimates and establish product pricing policy.
    22. Ability to carry out author’s supervision during manufacturing, monitor compliance of the implementation with the project concept and safety requirements, aesthetic and technical qualities.
    23. Ability to find, within one’s competence, the best solution to issues arising during the implementation of a product.
    24. Ability to identify the optimal supplier, customer and subcontractor base and cooperate with them.
    25. Ability to communicate in the official language and at least two foreign languages.
    26. Ability to meet the requirements of employment relationship.
    27. Ability to ensure compliance with the requirements of labour protection, fire safety and environmental protection.
    28. Ability to utilize modern information technologies in one’s work.
    29. Ability to observe professional ethics and copyright regulatory documents.

Qualification acquisition requirements

Previous education
Certificate of general secondary education or Diploma of vocational secondary education
Ways to acquire 
Qualifications can be acquired in the framework of education programs or in the evaluation and recognition of non-formal knowledge, skills and competences acquired (in vocational education LKI Levels 2-4).
?
Formal (through education programmes)
ECTS credit points 
The unit of the volume of Latvian higher education studies - 1 credit point corresponds to one week of study work in full-time studies (40 credit points per study year).

1 The credit point of Latvia corresponds to 1,5 ECTS (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System) credit point.
?
240
Duration of study 
Duration of qualification in full-time studies
?
4 years

Qualification document

Awarding body

Higher education institution:

Collapse

Qualifications Framework level

EQF level

European Qualifications Framework (EQF) has 8 levels (1 – the lowest, 8 – the highest).

Levels reflect the complexity level of acquired knowledge, skills and competences (learning outcomes).


Go to the Glossary section
?

6

LQF level

Latvian Qualifications Framework (LQF) has 8 levels (1 – the lowest, 8 – the highest).

Levels reflect the complexity level of acquired knowledge, skills and competences (learning outcomes).

LQF covers stages of education starting from the basic education (level 1 – special basic education) to the highest education (level 8 – doctoral studies).


Go to the Glossary section
?

6

Level of professional qualification

Latvia has a system of five professional qualifications levels (PQL, 1 – the lowest, 5 – the highest).

PQL system covers only professional qualifications (basic education, secondary and higher education stages).

PQL reflects readiness of a person to perform work of certain stage of complexity and responsibility.


Go to the Glossary section
?

5

Qualification field, stage and type

Thematic field (ISCED 2013)
International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED) developed by UNESCO.
?

Arts (021)

Detailed field: (ISCED 2013)

Fashion, interior and industrial design (0212)

Education
Stages of Latvian education system included in the LQF:
- basic education
- secondary education
- higher education
?

Higher education

Qualification type
ITypes of Latvian education:
-General education
-Professional education
-Academic education
?

Vocational

Full or partial

Full qualification

Sector Qualifications Structure: Design and creative industries branch of arts sector

Kvalifikācijas tips:
Base qualification:

Link to the descriptions of the Sector Qualifications Structure levels

Other information

National Education Information System

National Database of Education Opportunities

Historical qualification

Period for issuing qualification: 2013-2023

Last changes: 15.09.2021

Posted: 07.05.2016