Are you looking where to study graphic design in South Africa? Don’t know where to start? When I decided to study graphic design there weren’t many design schools to choose from. Today you have a choice of independent schools, colleges, universities and universities of technology and can do a short course, diploma or even a degree.
Graphic design is a great occupation so to help you begin, I have compiled a list of design schools in South Africa. To assist future students I have added a school rating system. Please give the schools listed a fair and honest rating.
Study Graphic Design at Independent Schools & Colleges
Bedfordview, Midrand, Tygervalley, Claremont, Pretoria, Nelson Mandela Bay, Mbombela, East London, Potchefstroom, Bloemfontein, Durban and Vanderbijlpark
Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design
3 years (Full Time)
4th Year Honours in Graphic Design at Midrand Campus
Thank you for another fantastic blog. Where else could I get this kind of information written in such an incite full way? I have a project that I am just now working on, and I have been looking for such information… Regards…
Very interesting!
How about the long debate "Do you really need a Diploma or Degree to become a Graphic Designer?" I see graphic designer CV's daily and I am thinking - perhaps not... any opinions?
Having a degree shows that you have higher academic and theoretical knowledge of your subject. True, a lot of attention stems from your portfolio, however of your chances of employment can only benefit from a higher ranked academic status. If you have the funds to do a degree, and the mental capacity then why not ? It can only help.
I don't think creativity can be taught, but to improve your technique and style, it does help to be educated in the field. Do you judge on CV or portfolio - that is the question?
hi, am trying to figure out what school to apply, as a beginner i want to do a fine art course precisely drawing am a graphic artist, but i want to concentrate more on illustration. what do you recommend and advise?
hi erica
what is the difference between Independent Schools & Colleges and universities, i live in Mauritius but i also own a south african citizen ship, I'm actually doing a BA in graphic design & advertising and own a diploma already, i just want to know the difference. i just call Greenside Design Center, i just want know some criticism about this university.
Hi Eric, thanks for your comment. Have a look at my post Study Graphic Design: Universities vs Independent Design Schools. It should help clarify the difference for you. I have not dealt with Greenside before, but if anyone would like to respond to Eric please reply here.
I'm glad i came across this blog searching on Google for school around South-Africa to study Graphic Design. I can't make up my mind yet, so if anybody has any advise, please let me know as i live in Poland and want to come study in Johannesburg. Thanks.
Have a great day!
Hi Jacus. I would recommend the Open Window School of Visual Communication - http://www.openwindow.co.za
They are in Centurion which is between Jo'burg and Pretoria. Otherwise the University of Johannesburg http://www.uj.ac.za
In SA the academic year runs from January to November, so you will have to apply for next year, 2012. Good luck!
Hi again Erica. I wanted to ask if you would recommend UJ for me to study graphic design. I want to concentrate more on like working with magazines and editing photos working on photoshop etc. Where would you recommend I study?
Thanks girl :)
Cheers Erica! Will have a look at the websites!
nice blog.but am looking for a scholarship in graphic design.i cameroonian and live in cameroon.can u help me pls?
How to decide between University and Independant schools? Please help.
Hi Pieter, thanks for the comment.
That's a tough one - I think it comes down to personal preference. But, one thing to consider is that independent schools are generally more specific in that you tend to specialise in one area, advertising, animation, Illustration etc. With universities you get a broader education which includes a few areas. I'll do more research and will try to post the results soon!
Hi please help me i need a scholer ship im 4rom mpumalanga province,i can design logos
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Brilliant. Thanks for the list.
Thank you for another fantastic blog. Where else could I get this kind of information written in such an incite full way? I have a project that I am just now working on, and I have been looking for such information… Regards…
Very interesting!
How about the long debate "Do you really need a Diploma or Degree to become a Graphic Designer?" I see graphic designer CV's daily and I am thinking - perhaps not... any opinions?
Having a degree shows that you have higher academic and theoretical knowledge of your subject. True, a lot of attention stems from your portfolio, however of your chances of employment can only benefit from a higher ranked academic status. If you have the funds to do a degree, and the mental capacity then why not ? It can only help.
I don't think creativity can be taught, but to improve your technique and style, it does help to be educated in the field. Do you judge on CV or portfolio - that is the question?
hi, am trying to figure out what school to apply, as a beginner i want to do a fine art course precisely drawing am a graphic artist, but i want to concentrate more on illustration. what do you recommend and advise?
hi erica
what is the difference between Independent Schools & Colleges and universities, i live in Mauritius but i also own a south african citizen ship, I'm actually doing a BA in graphic design & advertising and own a diploma already, i just want to know the difference. i just call Greenside Design Center, i just want know some criticism about this university.
Hi Eric, thanks for your comment. Have a look at my post Study Graphic Design: Universities vs Independent Design Schools. It should help clarify the difference for you. I have not dealt with Greenside before, but if anyone would like to respond to Eric please reply here.
I'm glad i came across this blog searching on Google for school around South-Africa to study Graphic Design. I can't make up my mind yet, so if anybody has any advise, please let me know as i live in Poland and want to come study in Johannesburg. Thanks.
Have a great day!
Hi Jacus. I would recommend the Open Window School of Visual Communication - http://www.openwindow.co.za
They are in Centurion which is between Jo'burg and Pretoria. Otherwise the University of Johannesburg http://www.uj.ac.za
In SA the academic year runs from January to November, so you will have to apply for next year, 2012. Good luck!
Hi again Erica. I wanted to ask if you would recommend UJ for me to study graphic design. I want to concentrate more on like working with magazines and editing photos working on photoshop etc. Where would you recommend I study?
Thanks girl :)
Cheers Erica! Will have a look at the websites!
nice blog.but am looking for a scholarship in graphic design.i cameroonian and live in cameroon.can u help me pls?
How to decide between University and Independant schools? Please help.
Hi Pieter, thanks for the comment.
That's a tough one - I think it comes down to personal preference. But, one thing to consider is that independent schools are generally more specific in that you tend to specialise in one area, advertising, animation, Illustration etc. With universities you get a broader education which includes a few areas. I'll do more research and will try to post the results soon!
Hi please help me i need a scholer ship im 4rom mpumalanga province,i can design logos
Thank you...