A Designer Life

Graphic Design/Print Production

This is an extremely creative course where you as the student can bring your imagination to life as you see it in your mind’s eye. This program is developed to teach you all there is to know about the principles and aspects of graphic design and layouts and to present information in a visual manner.

You will receive extensive training in design, typography, composition, digital paint and illustration techniques. Training includes knowledge of pre-press production, photo manipulation and a comprehensive understanding of the overall business of a graphic design studio.

You will learn all aspects of design from a business card to a billboard next to the highway, designing of promotional articles and corporate branding.   Design and layout of magazines and newspapers form an integral part of this qualification. The program consists of the best and most well known software that is being used in the industry in SA and abroad. The job opportunities in this industry are vast especially because it reaches such a wide variety of industries from advertising to the print media.

We have asked Chani Coetzee, one of our graduates, some questions about the industry.

1.     How did you obtain a job as graphic designer so quickly after completion of your diploma?

Riaan, the Manager at Dreamsmiths phoned Prestige Academy, as they usually draws qualified graduates to fill positions as designers at Dreamsmiths.  I was one of the fortunate graduates that got an interview immediately.  The reason why I got the job immediately, is that my portfolio showed my outstanding  practical skills and knowledge I gained from studying at Prestige Academy.

2.   How do you find the industry?I was lucky enough to get a really great first job at a Marketing Company, Dreamsmiths, where I work in the studio as a junior graphic designer. I love being creative, so working with various different projects pushes me to improve my skills. I am still learning a lot, but thus far the industry has treated me quite kindly.

3.   What inspires your creativity?Creativity is something that becomes more obvious the more you use it. I find, the more I work, the more creative I get. I also love keeping up to date with creative trends on blogs like 10and5.com , behance.net , computerarts.co.uk to only name a few. As photography formed part of the course I took at Prestige Academy, I also like to draw and take photographs in my sparetime.

4.   What is the most important thing that you learnt at Prestige Academy (in your course)?

The obvious would be Adobe's Creative Suite, and I have to say the fact that the experiential learning at a company was compulsory to obtain your qualification, I have gained practical knowledge of what the industry is about. 

5.   In your opinion, what would you say is key personality traits for someone that wants to study graphic design?
Creativity, computer skills, a love for art, patience (technology can really work on your nerves), determination, and time management.

Take a look at the work of Chani Coetzee below and at Stokperdie on Facebook.

Prestige Academy offers a 3 year BA (Visual Arts) Visual Communication Degree, a 2 year Diploma in Print Production, a 2 year Advanced Certificate in Photography as well as a 1 year Certificate in Desktop Publishing.