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
Most Popular
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.
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
