What to study to become a professional graphic designer

The rise of the digital age means people are bombarded with thousands of brand graphics on a daily basis.

Being the busiest, most impatient and easily-distracted society that has ever existed, effective design needs to be something special in order to make a lasting impact.

Although there are no hard and fast education requirements for designers, there are some general steps most individuals follow to become a graphic designer:

1. Earn an associate’s or a bachelor’s degree OR go down the self-taught path via online instruction;
2. Acquire the required software;
3. Build your portfolio.

There are a few things to consider when making the choice of where to study Graphic Design. To distinguish between Universities and Independent Design Schools, see below for information about a few selected institutions:

Universities of Technology:

Cost: ± R 30 000.00 per year (estimation for 2015)

Requirements:

A National Senior Certificate or an equivalent qualification.

First Year Subjects:

• Communication Design I
• Design Techniques I
• Graphic Design Drawing I
• History of Art and Design I
• Professional Graphic Design Practice I

Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT)

1. National Diploma: Graphic Design (3 Year Diploma)
2. Baccalaureus Technologiae: Graphic Design (4th Year Degree after National Diploma)

Central University of Technology, Free State

1. Diploma in Graphic Design KGNDGD (3 years)
2. BTech in Graphic Design (4th Year Degree after BA)

Durban University of Technology (DUT)

1. Diploma in Graphic Design (3 Year Diploma)
2. BTech in Graphic Design (4th Year Degree after BA)

Tshwane University of Technology

1. National Diploma: Graphic Design (3 Year Diploma)
2. Bachelor’s Degree in Technology: Graphic Design (4th Year Degree after National Diploma)
3. Masters Degree in Technology: Graphic Design (1 – 3 Years)
4. Doctorate in Technology: Graphic Design (2 – 5 Years)

Vaal University of Technology

1. Diploma in Graphic Design (3 years)
2. BTech: Graphic Design (4th Year Degree after BA)

Universities:

Cost: ± R 40 000.00 per year (estimation for 2020)

Requirements:

National Senior Certificate with full university exemption.

First Year Subjects:

• Information Design
• Imaging and Visualisation
• Visual Culture Studies
• Computer Literacy
• Academic Skills
• Academic Literacy

Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University

1. Diploma in Graphic Design (3 years)
2. BTech in Graphic Design (4th Year Degree after BA)

North West University

BA Graphic Design (4 Year Degree)

University of Johannesburg

1. BA (Design) (Communication Design) (3 Year Degree)
2. BTech: Graphic Design (4th Year Degree after BA)

University of Pretoria

BA Information Design (4 Year Degree)

University of Stellenbosch

BA in Visual Arts (4 Year Degree)

Independent Design Schools:

Cost: ± R 70 000.00 per year (estimation for 2020)

Requirements:

An appropriate combination of recognised National Senior Certificate subjects as well as certain levels of achievement in matric in these subjects.

First Year Subjects:

• History of Graphic Design and Advertising
• Drawing
• Rendering
• Illustration
• Typography
• Perceptual Studies
• 2D & 3D design
• Graphic Design
• Art Direction
• Introduction to DTP
• Principles of Marketing Communication

AAA School of Advertising

1. Diploma in Visual Communication (3 Year Diploma)
2. BA Degree in Creative Brand Communication (3 Year Degree)

Boston Media House

Creative Advertising & Graphics (3 Year Diploma)

Cape Town Creative Academy (CTCA)

1. BA Degree of Arts in Communication Design
2. BA Degree of Arts in Interaction Design

Inscape Design College

1. Diploma in Graphic Design (3 Year Diploma)
2. Degree in Design specialising in Graphic Design (3 Year Degree)

Prestige Academy

1. Diploma in Print Production and Design (2 Year Diploma)
2. BA Degree of Arts in Visual Art and Visual Communication Design (3 Year Degree)

Red and Yellow

Diploma in Graphic Design and Art Direction (3 Year Diploma)

Rosebank College Campus

Diploma in Computer-Based Graphic Development (3 Year Diploma)

Stellenbosch Academy of Design & Photography

BA Degree in Visual Communication (3 Year Degree

Vega School of Branding

1. Higher Certificate in Creative Development
2. BA Degree in Creative Brand Communications (3 Year Degree)

Requirements:

For the National Diploma Programme:

The minimum admission requirement is a National Senior Certificate (NSC) with a minimum of 30% in the language of teaching, coupled with an achievement rating of 3 (Moderate Achievement, 40-49%) or better in four recognised NSC 20-credit subjects (see recognised NSC 20-credit subjects below).

For the Bachelor’s Degree Programme:

The minimum admission requirement is a National Senior Certificate (NSC) with a minimum of 30% in the language of teaching, coupled with an achievement rating of 4 (Adequate Achievement, 50-59%) or better in four subjects chosen from the following designated subject list:

• Accounting
• Agricultural Sciences
• Business Studies
• Dramatic Arts
• Economics
• Engineering Graphics and Design
• Geography
• History
• Consumer Studies
• Information Technology
• Consumer Studies
• Information Technology
• Languages (one language of learning and teaching at a higher education institution and two other recognised language subjects)
• Life Sciences
• Mathematics
• Mathematical Literacy
• Music
• Physical Sciences
• Religion Studies
• Visual Arts