Higher Certificate in Design: Graphic Design, NQF5

SAQA ID: 97900, 120 Credits, NQF 5, Higher Certificate in Design Thinking
GDC offers a Higher Certificate in Design Thinking with a focus on Graphic Design. The programme equips learners with the fundamental toolkit to problem solve and develop 2D and 3D design solutions in a print-based environment. Students get to explore designs that might incorporate the fields of corporate identity design and logo design, poster design, editorial design, packaging, typography and type design. Through a variety of problems, Students will learn the necessary software, graphic communication, prototyping and academic writing skills required for future study.
Skill sets acquired in this higher certificate programme seamlessly transitions the students into one of our BA Degree programmes. Another plus is, that students graduate with a standalone qualification at NQF level 5
Features and Benefits
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Learn critical industry-required skills plus complimentary advanced topics such as 3D digital design, rendering and animation, 2D motion animation and illustration and many more.
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Get internationally certified to increase job readiness by choosing two of the following ACA certifications: ACA (Adobe Certified Associate) Photoshop CC, ACA (Adobe Certified Associate) Illustrator CC, ACA (Adobe Certified Associate) Premiere Pro CC, ACA (Adobe Certified Associate) Dreamweaver CC, ACA (Adobe Certified Associate) Animate CC
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Get a free Office 365 Education A1 license, valid for the duration of your studies.
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Job placement assistance through our industry network and online recruitment portal, exclusively available to The Greenside Design Center
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Shared industry skills such as Project Management was added to further maximum employment success.
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Involvement in our institution-wide community engagement project known as 10 percent. Our students across all levels of study and all disciplines, come together to form new multidisciplinary teams, and apply their design expertise to work with a real community.
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Access to local and international student award entries
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Industry exposure from top industry key players
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Access to our on-campus specialised labs. This programme incorporates our MakersLab and VRLab
- Specialized LabMakersLab
- Specialized LabVRLab

The MakersLab gives students the chance to see their designs, ideas and innovations become a reality.
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An interactive space that helps students explore the use of Virtual and Augmented Reality in the visualizing and presentation of data.
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Admission Requirements
- NQF4 (Competency in the English language)
- No matric? You still have an option to do our FET Certificate: Design Foundation NQF4
Articulation Options
On successful completion of this qualification, you can articulate into the following:
- BA Graphic Design Programme
- Direct access into the National Certificate: Web and Interactive Media Design NQF5.
- 2D Concept Design and Animation using Toon Boom
- 3D Design Visualization and Animation using 3DS Max & V-Ray
- 3D Animation and Visual Effects using Maya & V-Ray
- Games Design and Development with C# & Unity
- Vertical articulation is possible for the Bachelor's Degree in Design (NQF Level 6). Horizontal articulation on the NQF is possible with the National Certificate in Craft Operational Management (NQF Level 5) and the National Certificate in Arts and Culture Management (NQF Level 5).
Hardware Requirements
Please note that you are required to have your own computer for this qualification. GDC, in partnership with Dell and TripleH committed to supplying every student with a Dell laptop to support our DigitalCampus initiative. Available exclusively to GDC students, devices can now be financed with your tuition fees. We provide two models:
- MEDIUMMedium Spec, Dell Latitude 5510, i7, 16GB
- HIGHHigh Spec, Dell Latitude 5510, i7, 32GB
R19 000.00 (OUT OF STOCK)Learn More
The foundation for intense graphic and processor heavy tasks.
11th Generation Intel Core i7-11370H(12M cache, up to 4.8GHz), 15.6-inch FHD (1920 x 1080) Anti-Glare LED-Backlit Non-touch Narrow Border WVA Display, Camera & Microphone, Power Button without Touch Fingerprint Reader, 16GB (2x8GB) DDR4 Non-ECC RAM, M.2 256GB PCIe NVMe Class 35 Solid State Drive, Nvidia GeForce MX450 w/2GB GDDR6 Graphics Memory, 4 Cell 54Whr Express Charge Capable Battery, Windows 10 Pro (64 Bit), 1Y Collect and Return Service
R21 500.00 (OUT OF STOCK)Learn More
Same foundation, more memory...for those who want to get a little more serious.
11th Generation Intel Core i7-11370H (15.6" FHD (1920 x 1080) Anti-Glare LED Backlight Non-Touch Narrow Border WVA Display, Camera & Microphone, Power Button without Touch Fingerprint Reader, 32GB (2x16GB) DDR4 Non-ECC RAM, WLAN, M.2 256GB PCIe NVMe Class 35 Solid State Drive, Nvidia GeForce MX450 w/2GB GDDR6 Graphics Memory, Windows 10 Pro (64 Bit), 1Y Collect and Return Service
Salaries & Skills
* All statistics are derived from www.payscale.com
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Pricing & Payment Options
NEW SECTION -
Duration
Full Time
- Full Time, Contact Learning (Hybrid), 12 Months
- Full Time, Online Learning ,12 Months
- Classes from Monday to Friday, +- 20 hours/week
Part-Time
- Part Time, Flexi Online Learning, min 12 Months, Max 24 Months
- Classes conducted after hours over 2-3 sessions/week (on selective Saturdays)
* Class structures are subject to change without notification.
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Career Options
- Graphic Designer
- Logo Designer
- Print Designer
- Web Designer
- Package Designer
- Advertising Designer
- Branding Designer
- Film and Video Editor
- Multimedia Artist/Animator
- Marketing Manager
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Study Kit
Your Teacher and Learning Material is included in your fees and will contain:
- Free Unlimited WIFI (Unlimited, On Campus only)
- Autodesk student license valid for 1 year
- Adobe student license valid for 1 year.
- Orientation kit
- ENROL NOW
What you get
On completion the student will earn:
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NQF level 5 Higher Certificate in Design Thinking
Additionally you also get
- Portfolio of Work (world-class portfolio that can be used for job applications)
- International certification: certified as either an ACA (Adobe Certified Associate) Photoshop CC or ACA (Adobe Certified Associate) Illustrator
Our Learning Methods
Our learning methods is a technology mediated delivery model, focused on flexibility, accessibility, and academic support to provide the ultimate learning experience without compromising teaching time and quality.

#Flexibility

#AnywhereAnytime

#Accessibility

#StudentSupport

Full Time - Contact/Hybrid
Learning
A modern twist on traditional face-to-face, full-time learning. Our contact classes are delivered via Hybrid learning, providing students with the flexibility to attend on campus, virtually, or both.

Full Time, Online
Learning
Extending our reach with online only, full time learning. Our progressive technology platform and people-supported academic journey giving students access to our classes from anywhere in the world.

Part Time, Flexi Online
Learning
Designed for the working professional, our part time programmes provide you with the flexibility to manger your own schedule and pace of learning. Sessions are conducted after hours on selected weekdays, and on alternate Saturdays.

Throughout the year, the Higher Certificate Programme equips students with the fundamental design skills necessary to progress in any design discipline. But the final 12 weeks long project is an ‘elective’ project where students get the opportunity to specialise in Graphic Design.
Graphic Design
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Students who elect to specialise in Graphic Design get the opportunity to focus on print-based visual communication. They get to explore designs that might incorporate the fields of corporate identity design and logo design, poster design, editorial design, packaging, typography and type design.
Essentials of Project Management Module
This module will prepare students to write their Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)® Exam. (Note: CAPM Exam to be arranged by the student)
This course is accredited with Services SETA to the following unit standards:
- SAQA ID 120372: Explain Fundamentals of Project Management | NQF Level 4, 5 Credits
- SAQA ID 120379: Work as a project team member | NQF Level 4, 8 Credits
The person credited with these unit standards is able to begin operating in a project environment by understanding the terminology used and interpreting and explaining fundamental concepts of project management. These unit standards will also add value to learners who are running their own business and recognise that project management forms an integral component of any business.
WORE: Workplace Readiness Program through a self-paced assembly
- Compiling a Portfolio
- Creating a Curriculum Vitae
- Creating & Maintaining your social media
- Seeking Employment
- Preparing for an Interview
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CampusRegistration Close DateStart DateType
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11 July 2022
Late Registration In Progress18 July 2022Full Time, Contact -
13 February 202320 February 2023Full Time, Contact
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11 July 2022
Late Registration In Progress18 July 2022Full Time, Online -
13 February 202320 February 2023Full Time, Online
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11 July 2022
Late Registration In Progress18 July 2022Part Time, Online -
13 February 202320 February 2023Part Time, Online