Which Adobe software is most in demand in South Africa?

Adobe Photoshop is the most widely used graphic design software in South Africa — required in virtually every design role. Adobe Illustrator is the standard for logo design, branding and vector work. Adobe InDesign is essential for print, publishing and editorial design. Adobe Premiere Pro is the leading video editing tool. Adobe After Effects is used for motion graphics and VFX. All are taught at School of IT with live 1-on-1 lecturing from R13,900.

Graphic Design Courses South Africa

Q: What graphic design courses are available in South Africa?

School of IT offers graphic design courses in South Africa including: Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InDesign, Adobe After Effects, Adobe Premiere Pro, Adobe Animate, Adobe Dreamweaver, CorelDraw, Blender, GIMP and Sketch. All delivered online with a live 1-on-1 lecturer from R13,900. Adobe ACA (Adobe Certified Associate) certification preparation is included — exam fees are additional in price.

Q: How much do graphic design courses cost in South Africa?

Graphic design courses at School of IT start from R13,900. This includes live 1-on-1 lecturing and courseware. Adobe ACA certification exam fees are additional in price and paid directly to Certiport/Pearson VUE. Pixel Craft charges R24,900 for group-based graphic design courses. School of IT delivers 1-on-1 training from R13,900 — significantly more affordable with dedicated attention.

Q: Do I need experience to study graphic design?

No prior design or software experience is required. All graphic design courses at School of IT are beginner friendly. Basic computer literacy is all you need to start. Your 1-on-1 lecturer teaches you from scratch and adapts completely to your pace and creative background.

Q: What is Adobe ACA certification?

ACA stands for Adobe Certified Associate — an internationally recognised certification from Adobe, administered through Certiport and Pearson VUE. School of IT prepares students for ACA exams in Photoshop (Visual Design), Illustrator (Graphic Design), InDesign (Print and Digital Media), After Effects (VFX and Motion), Premiere Pro (Digital Video), Animate (Animation) and Dreamweaver (Web Authoring). ACA exam fees are additional in price and paid directly to Certiport.

Q: What is the salary of a graphic designer in South Africa?

Graphic designers in South Africa earn between R150,000 and R650,000+ per year depending on experience, specialisation and sector. Junior graphic designers earn R150,000–R250,000. Mid-level designers earn R250,000–R420,000. Senior designers and creative directors earn R420,000–R700,000+. Digital and UX/UI designers, motion graphics artists and 3D designers command higher salaries, particularly in Johannesburg and Cape Town agency and corporate environments.

Q: How long does a graphic design course take in South Africa?

At School of IT, individual Adobe courses (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) are flexible in duration — typically 4–8 weeks part-time. The full Graphic Design Masterclass covering multiple Adobe applications takes 3–6 months depending on your pace and how many tools you study. All sessions are scheduled around your existing work or study commitments. No fixed class dates.

September 24, 2026 No Comments

Graphic Design Courses South Africa

Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, After Effects, Premiere Pro & more — delivered online with a live 1-on-1 lecturer. Adobe ACA certification preparation included. No fixed dates. Commence anytime. From R13,900.

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🎨

11 CoursesAdobe · CorelDraw · Blender · More

👨‍💻

Live 1-on-1 LecturerNot pre-recorded

🏆

Adobe ACA CertifiedInternationally recognised

💳

From R13,900Courseware included

📅

Commence AnytimeNo fixed dates

Graphic Design Courses South Africa 2026 — The Complete Guide

Graphic design is one of South Africa's most versatile and in-demand creative careers — and in 2026, the lines between graphic design, digital marketing, video production and UI/UX design have blurred significantly. Every South African business needs visual content: social media graphics, brand identities, marketing materials, video content, web assets and print collateral. Trained graphic designers who hold internationally recognised Adobe certifications are in demand across advertising agencies, corporate in-house teams, digital marketing companies, publishers, broadcasters and as freelancers.

School of IT is South Africa's specialist online graphic design training provider — delivering all courses with a real live 1-on-1 lecturer, not pre-recorded video tutorials or self-study modules. Your lecturer teaches you directly in the Adobe software, guides you through real design projects and adapts entirely to your creative background and pace. Pixel Craft charges R24,900 for fixed-schedule group classes. School of IT delivers dedicated 1-on-1 graphic design training from R13,900 — with sessions scheduled around your work or studies, mornings, evenings or weekends, from anywhere in South Africa.

Graphic Design Courses South Africa — Full Catalogue

Adobe Photoshop — Visual Design

From R13,900 · flexible duration

🎯 No experience required💻 Adobe Photoshop🏆 ACA Visual Design certification🌍 100% online · live 1-on-1

Adobe Photoshop is the world's leading image editing software and the most widely used graphic design tool in South Africa. From photo retouching to digital art, social media graphics to print-ready assets — Photoshop is the foundation of every professional graphic designer's toolkit. ACA Visual Design certification preparation included.

Photoshop interface, workspace and essential tools
Layers, masks, blending modes and smart objects
Photo retouching and restoration techniques
Photo compositing and manipulation
Typography and text effects in Photoshop
Digital painting and illustration basics
Social media graphics — sizing and optimisation
Print-ready file export — CMYK, bleed and resolution
ACA Visual Design using Photoshop exam preparation

⚠ Adobe ACA Photoshop exam fee additional in price — paid directly to Certiport/Pearson VUE

Logo & Branding

Adobe Illustrator — Graphic Design & Vector Art

From R13,900 · flexible duration

🎯 No experience required💻 Adobe Illustrator🏆 ACA Graphic Design certification🌍 100% online · live 1-on-1

Adobe Illustrator is the industry standard for logo design, branding, vector illustration and typography — the tool every South African graphic designer must master. Illustrator creates infinitely scalable vector artwork used for logos, icons, packaging, signage and print. ACA Graphic Design using Illustrator certification preparation included.

Vector vs raster — understanding the fundamental difference
Pen tool mastery — paths, anchor points and curves
Shapes, pathfinder and boolean operations
Typography — typefaces, kerning, leading, text on a path
Logo design workflow — concept to final vector file
Colour theory and brand colour systems
Packaging and label design
Icon design and illustration techniques
ACA Graphic Design using Illustrator exam preparation

⚠ Adobe ACA Illustrator exam fee additional in price — paid directly to Certiport/Pearson VUE

Print & Layout

Adobe InDesign — Print & Digital Publishing

From R13,900 · flexible duration

🎯 No experience required💻 Adobe InDesign🏆 ACA Print & Digital certification🌍 100% online · live 1-on-1

Adobe InDesign is the standard for multi-page print and digital layout — brochures, catalogues, magazines, annual reports, books and interactive PDFs. Essential for South African designers working in publishing, corporate communications and marketing. ACA Print and Digital Media using InDesign certification preparation included.

InDesign interface — pages, spreads, master pages
Text frames, paragraph and character styles
Image placement, linking and image management
Brochure and flyer layout design
Multi-page document design — catalogues and reports
Tables and data-driven design
Interactive PDF creation — buttons, hyperlinks, forms
Preflight and print-ready PDF export
ACA Print and Digital Media using InDesign exam preparation

⚠ Adobe ACA InDesign exam fee additional in price — paid directly to Certiport/Pearson VUE

Motion Graphics

Adobe After Effects — VFX & Motion Graphics

From R13,900 · flexible duration

🎯 Basic design knowledge recommended💻 Adobe After Effects🏆 ACA VFX & Motion certification🌍 100% online · live 1-on-1

Adobe After Effects is the industry-standard tool for motion graphics, visual effects, animated titles and compositing — used by South African broadcasters, video production companies, advertising agencies and content creators. ACA VFX and Motion using After Effects certification preparation included.

After Effects interface — compositions, timeline and layers
Keyframe animation — position, scale, rotation, opacity
Text animation and kinetic typography
Shape layer animation and motion graphics
Masking, track mattes and compositing techniques
Effects and presets — colour grading and visual treatments
Motion tracking and stabilisation
Rendering and export for broadcast and social media
ACA VFX and Motion using After Effects exam preparation

⚠ Adobe ACA After Effects exam fee additional in price — paid directly to Certiport/Pearson VUE

Video Editing

Adobe Premiere Pro — Digital Video Editing

From R13,900 · flexible duration

🎯 No experience required💻 Adobe Premiere Pro🏆 ACA Digital Video certification🌍 100% online · live 1-on-1

Adobe Premiere Pro is South Africa's leading professional video editing software — used by broadcasters, content creators, corporate video teams, advertising agencies and YouTube creators. ACA Digital Video using Premiere Pro certification preparation included.

Premiere interface — project setup, sequences and timeline
Import, organise and manage footage
Editing techniques — cuts, transitions, trimming
Audio editing — levels, mixing, music and voiceover
Colour correction and colour grading
Titles and graphics — using Essential Graphics panel
Effects and transitions
Export for YouTube, social media, broadcast and web
ACA Digital Video using Premiere Pro exam preparation

⚠ Adobe ACA Premiere Pro exam fee additional in price — paid directly to Certiport/Pearson VUE

Also Available

Additional Graphic Design Courses

From R13,900 each · flexible duration

🌍 100% online · live 1-on-1

Adobe Animate — 2D animation, interactive content and web animation · ACA Animation certification preparation · exam fee additional in price
Adobe Dreamweaver — web page design and HTML/CSS authoring · ACA Web Authoring certification preparation · exam fee additional in price
CorelDraw — vector design alternative to Illustrator, widely used in SA print and signage industries
Blender — 3D modelling, animation and rendering using the free open-source industry standard
GIMP — free open-source image editing — ideal for budget-conscious designers
Sketch — UI/UX design tool for web and app interface design

⚠ All Adobe ACA exam fees are additional in price and paid directly to Certiport/Pearson VUE at the time of booking. School of IT assists with exam registration. Exams can be written via online proctoring or at an approved Certiport centre worldwide. School of IT course fees cover live 1-on-1 training and courseware only.

Adobe ACA Certifications — What You Can Achieve

School of IT prepares students for the full suite of Adobe Certified Associate (ACA) exams — internationally recognised by Adobe, Certiport and Pearson VUE:

🖼️ Visual DesignUsing Photoshop — exam additional

🎨 Graphic DesignUsing Illustrator — exam additional

📄 Print & Digital MediaUsing InDesign — exam additional

🎬 VFX & MotionUsing After Effects — exam additional

🎥 Digital VideoUsing Premiere Pro — exam additional

✨ AnimationUsing Animate CC — exam additional

🌐 Web AuthoringUsing Dreamweaver — exam additional

Graphic Design Course Prices — South Africa 2026

Course	Software	Price	Certification
Photoshop — Visual Design	Adobe Photoshop	From R13,900	ACA — exam additional
Illustrator — Graphic Design	Adobe Illustrator	From R13,900	ACA — exam additional
InDesign — Print & Digital	Adobe InDesign	From R13,900	ACA — exam additional
After Effects — VFX & Motion	Adobe After Effects	From R13,900	ACA — exam additional
Premiere Pro — Digital Video	Adobe Premiere Pro	From R13,900	ACA — exam additional
Animate — Animation	Adobe Animate	From R13,900	ACA — exam additional
Dreamweaver — Web Authoring	Adobe Dreamweaver	From R13,900	ACA — exam additional
CorelDraw	CorelDraw	From R13,900	School of IT Certificate
Blender — 3D Design	Blender	From R13,900	School of IT Certificate
GIMP	GIMP	From R13,900	School of IT Certificate
Sketch — UI/UX Design	Sketch	From R13,900	School of IT Certificate

Why Study Graphic Design at School of IT South Africa?

✔

Live 1-on-1 LecturerA real graphic designer teaches you — not YouTube tutorials or pre-recorded videos

✔

Adobe ACA CertificationInternationally recognised Adobe credentials — exam fees additional in price

✔

Commence AnytimeNo fixed cohort dates — start within days of enrolling

✔

Flexible SchedulingMornings, evenings, weekends — sessions fit around your work or studies

✔

Real Design ProjectsBuild an actual portfolio every session — logos, brochures, social media, video

✔

Study Anywhere in SAJohannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, Pretoria, Port Elizabeth or internationally

✔

All Levels WelcomeComplete beginner to professional — your lecturer adapts to your level

✔

From R13,900Significantly more affordable than Pixel Craft's R24,900 group classes

School of IT vs Pixel Craft — Graphic Design Training South Africa

❌ Pixel Craft / Group Providers

Fixed schedule — set days and times
Group classes — limited 1-on-1 time
R24,900 for group graphic design course
Fixed pace — move at the class speed
Set intake dates — wait to start
Physical or fixed virtual location

✔ School of IT

Flexible scheduling — your times
Dedicated 1-on-1 graphic design lecturer
From R13,900 — 1-on-1 training
Your pace — go faster or slower
Commence any day — no waiting
100% online — study anywhere in SA

Graphic Design Career Paths in South Africa

🎨 Graphic DesignerCreate visual content for SA brands, agencies and publishers. The core role — requires Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign proficiency.

🎬 Motion Graphics ArtistAnimate logos, titles and graphics for South African broadcasters, streaming platforms, advertising agencies and content creators.

🎥 Video EditorEdit corporate videos, advertisements, social media content and documentary footage. Premiere Pro is the standard across SA production companies.

📱 Social Media DesignerCreate visual content for SA brands' social media — one of the most actively recruited design roles across digital marketing agencies.

🏢 Brand DesignerDevelop and maintain visual identity systems — logos, colour palettes, typography — for SA corporations and growing brands.

🌐 UI/UX DesignerDesign digital interfaces for apps and websites. Sketch, Figma and Adobe XD are the primary tools — growing demand across SA tech companies.

✏️ Freelance DesignerWork independently for multiple SA clients — offering logo design, branding, social media, print and video services. The most flexible creative career path.

📦 Packaging DesignerDesign product packaging for SA FMCG, food and retail brands — requires Illustrator and InDesign expertise combined with print knowledge.

Graphic Designer Salary Guide — South Africa 2026

Role	Entry Level	Mid-Level	Senior
Junior Graphic Designer	R120,000 – R200,000	R200,000 – R320,000	R340,000+
Graphic Designer	R200,000 – R320,000	R320,000 – R480,000	R520,000+
Motion Graphics Artist	R220,000 – R360,000	R360,000 – R560,000	R600,000+
Video Editor	R180,000 – R320,000	R320,000 – R520,000	R560,000+
Brand / Visual Identity Designer	R280,000 – R420,000	R420,000 – R620,000	R680,000+
UI/UX Designer	R320,000 – R500,000	R500,000 – R780,000	R840,000+
Creative Director	R480,000 – R700,000	R700,000 – R1,000,000	R1,100,000+

What Our Students Say

★★★★★

"Had the most wonderful experience here! I learnt so much with my graphic design masterclass course — Carmel is wonderful and is an amazing teacher. 100% recommend!!!!!"

— Danyella Camarena · Google Review · January 2026

★★★★★

"Having everything online was a huge pro as you can have a lecture anywhere and at a time that's convenient. There's no set schedule so you can choose a time and place that suits you. I had a wonderful lecturer who was always patient and understanding. I learned a lot and it was an amazing experience!"

— Mia Lion-Cachet · Student Review

★★★★★

"Had an excellent experience with School of IT. My lecturer was friendly, professional, and always willing to help. Communication was clear, classes were well organised, and I learned a lot throughout the course. Highly recommend."

— Johandri Rossouw · Google Review

Graphic Design Courses Available Across South Africa

All courses 100% online — study from anywhere with a live 1-on-1 lecturer:

🎨 JohannesburgGraphic Design Courses Johannesburg — study from home in Gauteng

🎨 Cape TownGraphic Design Courses Cape Town — study from home in the Western Cape

🎨 DurbanGraphic Design Courses Durban — study from home in KwaZulu-Natal

🎨 PretoriaGraphic Design Courses Pretoria — study from home in Tshwane

🎨 Port ElizabethGraphic Design Courses Gqeberha — study from home in the Eastern Cape

🎨 InternationalStudy from anywhere in the world — same live 1-on-1 experience

Frequently Asked Questions — Graphic Design Courses South Africa

What graphic design courses are available in South Africa?

School of IT offers Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InDesign, Adobe After Effects, Adobe Premiere Pro, Adobe Animate, Adobe Dreamweaver, CorelDraw, Blender, GIMP and Sketch — all delivered online with a live 1-on-1 lecturer from R13,900. Adobe ACA certification preparation is included in all Adobe courses. ACA exam fees are additional in price.

How much do graphic design courses cost in South Africa?

Graphic design courses at School of IT start from R13,900 — including live 1-on-1 lecturing and courseware. Adobe ACA exam fees are additional in price and paid directly to Certiport/Pearson VUE. Pixel Craft charges R24,900 for group-based courses. School of IT delivers dedicated 1-on-1 training at a significantly lower price.

Do I need experience to study graphic design?

No — all graphic design courses at School of IT are beginner friendly. No prior design, art or software experience is required. Basic computer literacy is all you need. Your 1-on-1 lecturer teaches you from scratch and adapts completely to your pace and background.

What is Adobe ACA certification?

ACA (Adobe Certified Associate) is Adobe's internationally recognised certification administered through Certiport and Pearson VUE. School of IT prepares students for ACA exams in Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, After Effects, Premiere Pro, Animate and Dreamweaver. ACA exam fees are additional in price and can be written via online proctoring or at an approved Certiport centre worldwide.

Can I study graphic design online in South Africa?

Yes. School of IT delivers all graphic design courses fully online with a real live 1-on-1 lecturer. Students from Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, Pretoria, Port Elizabeth and internationally can study from home at times that suit them — including evenings and weekends. No fixed class dates.

Which Adobe software should I learn first?

Photoshop is the recommended starting point — it is the most widely used tool in SA graphic design roles and builds core skills (layers, masks, colour) that apply across all Adobe software. Illustrator is the next step for logo and vector work. InDesign follows for print layout and multi-page documents. Your 1-on-1 lecturer can advise the best learning path for your specific career goals.

What is the salary of a graphic designer in South Africa?

Graphic designers in South Africa earn R120,000–R700,000+ depending on experience, specialisation and location. Junior designers earn R120,000–R200,000. Mid-level designers earn R200,000–R480,000. Senior designers and creative directors earn R480,000–R1,100,000+. Motion graphics artists and UI/UX designers command higher salaries, particularly in Johannesburg and Cape Town.

How long does a graphic design course take?

Individual Adobe courses (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) are flexible in duration — typically 4–8 weeks part-time. The full Graphic Design Masterclass covering multiple Adobe applications takes 3–6 months depending on your pace and how many tools you study. All sessions are scheduled around your work or study commitments. No fixed class dates.

Related Courses South Africa

Start Your Graphic Design Course in South Africa Today

Adobe Photoshop · Illustrator · InDesign · After Effects · Premiere Pro · ACA Certified · From R13,900 · Live 1-on-1 lecturer · Commence anytime · Exam fees additional in price.

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Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign & more

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User experience & interface design

Visual Design using Photoshop

Graphic Design using Illustrator

Print & Digital using InDesign

VFX & Motion using After Effects

Animation using Adobe Animate CC

Digital Video using Premiere Pro

Web Authoring using Dreamweaver

All Adobe ACA exams are additional in price (dependent on exchange rate when booked). We assist you booking online — write via online proctoring or at an approved Certiport centre worldwide.

    
 
 
         
   Cayden Godsell 
 15 September 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I just finished the Web and Software Engineer Master course, and its been a great experience. The online learning worked much better than i previously thought it would and the lessons with James were easy to understand, well structured and engaging. Would definitely recommend!
  
 
        
   Johandri Rossouw 
 23 July 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. had an excellent experience with the School of IT. My lecturer was friendly, professional, and always willing to help. Communication was clear, classes were well organized, and I learned a lot throughout the course. I highly recommend the School of IT to anyone looking for quality online training. Thank you for a great learning experience!
  
 
        
   Tlotlego Lehabe 
 30 April 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I've had a wonderful lesson with full 1 on 1 lessons which gave me confidence in my career
  
 
        
   Nandipha Mpongoshe 
 22 April 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I had a great experience studying the Microsoft Azure Data Analysis course at School of IT. The course was well-structured and practical, with a strong focus on real-world application using tools like Power BI and Azure. The instructors were knowledgeable and supportive, making complex concepts easy to understand. This course has significantly strengthened my data analysis skills and confidence in working with cloud-based solutions. Highly recommended for anyone looking to upskill in data analytics.
  
 
        
   Mikhe Bezuidenhout 
 23 January 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I found the content and course material very useful and user friendly. My lecturer did an outstanding presentation of the course contents. Can definitely highly recommend School of IT
  
 
        
   Michael Duvenhage 
 21 January 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. The first Cybersecurity course was an excellent introduction to Cybersecurity and was explained properly.
  
 
        
   Danyella Camarena 
 4 January 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Had the most wonderful experience here! I learnt so much with my graphic design masterclass course - Carmel is wonderful and is an amazing teacher. 100% recommend!!!!!!!!!!!
  
 
        
   Chantal Hamman 
 27 November 2025
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I did the SQL Administrator Master Course through The School of IT in August 2025 and successfully completed my Microsoft Certified: Azure Database Administrator Associate exam with the help of the incredible team. Online sessions were scheduled to fit in with my available hours, as I’m working full time and the lecturers were amazing. Always available to assist and answer questions. Shaun assisted me with the preparation of the exam with the all the online learning material and manuals that I needed. I can definitely recommend School of IT! Chantal Hamman
  
 
        
   Christof Van Niekerk 
 26 September 2025
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I completed the Solid Works CAD design associate course, the course was well structured and able to accommodate my schedule.
  
 
  
  
 
 
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School of IT

Graphic Design Courses South Africa

Graphic Design Courses South Africa

Graphic Design Courses South Africa

Graphic Design Courses South Africa 2026 — The Complete Guide

Graphic Design Courses South Africa — Full Catalogue

Adobe Photoshop — Visual Design

Adobe Illustrator — Graphic Design & Vector Art

Adobe InDesign — Print & Digital Publishing

Adobe After Effects — VFX & Motion Graphics

Adobe Premiere Pro — Digital Video Editing

Additional Graphic Design Courses

Adobe ACA Certifications — What You Can Achieve

Graphic Design Course Prices — South Africa 2026

Why Study Graphic Design at School of IT South Africa?

School of IT vs Pixel Craft — Graphic Design Training South Africa

❌ Pixel Craft / Group Providers

✔ School of IT

Graphic Design Career Paths in South Africa

Graphic Designer Salary Guide — South Africa 2026

What Our Students Say

Graphic Design Courses Available Across South Africa

Frequently Asked Questions — Graphic Design Courses South Africa

Related Courses South Africa

Start Your Graphic Design Course in South Africa Today

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