The South African graphic design industry is growing rapidly. This is evident in the many new and exciting institutions for graphic design courses in Cape Town that have recently opened.
Cape Town is home to some of the most promising Graphic Design programs in the country, which makes it a great place for aspiring designers to start their careers. Read on to find out more about these institutions for graphic design courses in Cape Town and the reasons you should study graphic design.
Why should you study graphic design?
There are numerous benefits to studying graphic design but here are just a few:
Huge Demand: There is a huge demand for graphic designers around the world. There will always be businesses who are doing marketing or conducting seminars or creating logos and one thing or the other.
Mobility: As a graphic designer, you are not tied down to one spot. Your job offers you the opportunity to work remotely and also physically. With your portfolio, you can apply to any place you wish.
Good Pay: Graphic designers make quite good pay. On average, they make money entering tens of thousands of pounds per year.
Good Relationship With Clients: Most graphic designers tend to retain their clients after the first design. Since designs overlap, one design usually leads to another.
Easy To Learn: As a graphic designer, you will be able to learn the craft or at least perfect it when you must have grasped the basics.
Freedom: Since most graphic designers are freelancers, you will have the freedom to negotiate your pay, your work time, and other things you think you might need.
The Institutions for Graphic Design Courses in Cape Town
Here is the list of the institutions you should consider if you’re contemplating a career in Graphic Design:
1. Creative Academy
Creative Academy is a private tertiary institution in Capetown that teaches students the subject of art and design.
The school offers four bachelor’s degrees in contemporary art, communication design, interactive design, and motion design.
The school’s environment is made suitable for students’ creativity plus excellent facilities, great staff, and a helpful community.
Location: Silo 5, 2nd Floor, Silo Square, S Arm Rd, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, Cape Town, 8001, South Africa
Phone: +27 21 201 1150
2. Vega School – Capetown
Vega School founded in 1999 is a private, non-profit institution that offers a range of courses including Graphic Design and Illustration.
Vega is dedicated to its purpose and it graduates highly professional graphic designers every year.
The school offers several courses with a bachelor’s degree including but not limited to communication design, digital design, game design and development, and digital marketing.
Location: 130 Strand St, De Waterkant, Cape Town, 8001, South Africa
Phone: +27 21 461 8089
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3. CityVarsity Capetown Campus
CityVarsity is a private tertiary institution that offers various courses in Graphic Design.
One of its campuses is located in the heart of Cape Town’s CBD and another one is based in Johannesburg.
The school also offers some degree programs like directing, professional acting for cameras, film and television, and sound and music technology.
Students have the opportunity to learn full-time or part-time in any of the degree or diploma courses.
Location: 18 Roeland Street, Woodstock, Cape Town, South Africa
Tel: +27 21 421 0016
4. Red & Yellow – Creative School of Business
Red & Yellow – Creative School of Business is a top creative school in Capetown with numerous courses to catch your fancy.
They offer graphic design courses like the graphic design intermediate with adobe photoshop which is a 14-week online course.
They offer also a course titled designing for the metaverse, service design, user experience design, and many others.
Location: 97 Durham Ave, Salt River, Cape Town, 7925, South Africa
Phone: +27 87 227 3283
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5. Ruth Prowse School of Art
Ruth Prowse School of Art is a reputable art school offering courses in fine art, graphic design, and jewelry design.
The school offers a diploma in graphic design after three years.
At the end of the course, a student will be able to design the needed designs and work as part of a team in any professional studio he or she is found.
Tuition fees for this course cost about R68,200 including the R10,500 registration fee.
Location: Elson Road, 5 Birkdale Ave, Woodstock, Cape Town, 7925, South Africa
Phone: +27 21 447 2492
6. Inscape Education Cape Town Campus
Inscape Education Cape Town Campus is the first design institution of its kind in South Africa founded in 1981.
Inscape is a wonderful school that aims to raise a new generation of artists and designers.
The school teaches wonderful courses like graphic design, fashion design, interior design, digital marketing, and others.
Inscape Education offers courses in bachelors and higher certificates. A top school for any future graphic designer.
Location: 17 Salt River Rd, Salt River, Cape Town, 7925, South Africa
Phone: +27 861 467 2273
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7. Studio7 School of Photography & Design
Studio7 School of Photography & Design is another top choice of the institutions for graphic design courses in Capetown.
They equip and train their students in the courses photography and graphic design. They also offer a course as well in business management and marketing.
Of course, they don’t offer any bachelor’s degrees, since their courses are one year in duration, but you’ll get all the education you need.
Location: 7 Drake Rd, Strand, Cape Town, 7140, South Africa
Phone: +27 21 853 0019
8. School of IT
The School of IT has magnificent reviews from people who have taken a graphic design course there.
Being an IT school, they offer a whole number of courses like PC engineering, SQL, programming, web design, social media, data science, mobile app development, and others.
In its graphic design course, you can choose to learn adobe photoshop, adobe illustrator, adobe InDesign, Corel CorelDraw, adobe after effects, adobe animate, adobe premiere, and adobe Dreamweaver.
Location: 155 Main Rd, Somerset West, Cape Town, 7130, South Africa
Phone: +27 82 696 7749
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9. MasterGrade IT
MasterGrade IT is not just a graphic design school but an IT school offering wonderful IT courses.
In its graphic design course, there are options for CorelDraw, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, and Adobe InDesign.
Apart from graphic design, you can learn networking, Microsoft office, web design, data management, programming, and business skills.
Location: 2nd Floor, 18 Lower-Burg Street, Cape Town, 8001
Phone: +27 21 419 3213
10. Academy of Digital Arts
Academy of Digital Arts is a private university in Capetown that teaches graphic design, web design and development, game and interactive media development, and concept art.
At the end of the graphic design study, the academy promises its students they will be able to think conceptually, design elements and principles, learn software tools and technical skills, and stand prepared for the industry.
Location: 186A Bree St, Cape Town City Centre, Cape Town, 8000
Phone: +27 21 300 0298
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How much does studying graphic design in South Africa cost?
The fees vary depending on the school you are planning to attend. If it’s a private university, then you should expect about 100,000 rands per year, give or take.
But if it’s a public university, then it should be about 50,000 rands.
How long does it take to study graphic design in South Africa?
If you’re studying at a university, then it will last for four years. If it’s a school or institute, then you can expect it to be done in a few months to one year. Bootcamps take a few weeks to a few months.
How much do graphic designers make?
Graphic designers in South Africa make over 200,000 rands per year. That figure is even more generous in western countries.
No matter what level you are on, as a graphic designer, there’s always the possibility of earning more.
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Conclusion
If you want to start a career in graphic design, then these are some of the best institutions for you to study. We have looked at each one so that you can make an informed decision about which school is right for your needs and interests.