Greenside Design Center College of Design
As a specialist design college, GDC is geared to nurture creative and innovative thinkers and designers. Our graduates have what it takes to be leaders in the field, locally and internationally.
Why Choose Greenside Design Center
- Student work is benchmarked against local and international standards each year
- The curriculum is modelled on the practice of design as it happens in the workplace
- Programmes marry professional expertise with academic rigour
- GDC allocates time and resources to networking and collaborating with local and international stakeholders, both in education and industry
- Educators with relevant qualifications and teaching experience. GDC balances a profile of full-time lecturers with a small proportion of part-timers that run their own design agencies
- An open and compassionate environment, where staff and students know each other by their first names
- A superb library with over 4000 resources
- ICT infrastructure and computer labs with the latest software. Students do not need their own computers – everything is provided on campus
History
- First education provider in Africa to become members of Cumulus: International Association of Art, Design and Media Colleges and Universities (membership is by invitation only).
- First education provider in Africa to have a seat on the Executive Board of the International Council of Design
- First education provider in Africa to have a seat on the Executive Board of Cumulus International Association of Art, Design and Media, Colleges and Universities
- First education provider in the Southern Hemisphere to become members of the International Federations of Interior Architects/Designers
- First education provider in South Africa to become members of the International Council of Graphic Design Associations
- First education provider world-wide to receive the IFI’s Design For All Award
- First education provider to be a finalist in the South African Innovation Awards
- Founder of the African Institute of Interior Design Professions, now the professional body for Interior Design
- Co-founder of the IDEA Collective, Innovative Design Education Africa
Our Programmes
GDC specialises in design education. Degree and Honours Degrees are available in the fields of Interior, Multimedia, Visual Comm
Graphic Design
Graphic design is essentially concerned with the creation and manipulation of imagery and text to communicate a message and is sometimes referred to as Visual Communication. Whether a design encompasses a corporate identity design, an advertising campaign, or a complete magazine layout, a graphic designer needs to relate imagery and text in a creative and purposeful way.Graphic designers work with illustration, photography, typography, computer and hand-generated images in order to communicate the desired message. Graphic designers are creative, pay attention to detail, and lateral thinkers. Areas of employment for graphic designers include design consultancies, advertising agencies, exhibition design and signage companies, retail chains, large corporations and print, film, television and electronic media houses.
| Qualification Obtained | NQF Level | Credits | Years of full-time study | SAQA ID |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor of Arts Degree in Graphic Design | 7 | 360 | 3 | 62760 |
| Bachelor of Arts Honours Degree in Visual Communication Design | 8 | 120 | 1 | 93628 |
unication and Graphic Design. GDC also a one year Higher Certificate in Design Thinking.
Interior Design
Interior Design is a multifaceted discipline that deals with the design and construction of indoor environments. From inspired concepts through to detailing and project management, interior designers are responsible for creating spaces and places that are stimulating, functional, user-centred and sustainable. Interior Designers are creative people who enjoy solving problems and have a strong ability to visualise in three dimensions. Areas of employment include interior design and architectural practices, office furniture companies, kitchen companies and the design teams of large corporations, government departments, hotel and retail chains. The profession encompasses a wide range of fields including domestic and residential design, leisure and hospitality, corporate offices, retail environments and exhibition design. Potential employers include interior design and architectural practises, shopfitting and furniture manufacturers, exhibition/event companies and the design departments of large corporate institutions, hotel and retail chains.
Qualifications available through GDC:
| Qualification Obtained | NQF Level | credits | Years of full-time study | SAQA ID |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor of Arts Degree in Interior Design | 7 | 360 | 3 | 63009 |
| Bachelor of Arts Honours Degree in Interior Design | 8 | 120 | 1 | 93876 |
Multimedia Design
Whenever someone invents a new kind of digital display, multimedia designers have to think about how the public engage with it. Designers working in the field of multimedia design use imagery, typography, video, sound and computer-based interactive elements to communicate design messages. Design projects could include the creation of animated logos and identities for television broadcast, the animation of titles for movies, the interface for a new smart phone game or app, or the way a website looks and delivers its information. The field includes basic animation, computer graphics, storyboarding and interfaces for web design and mobile applications as well as design for interactivity. Multimedia designers are innovative, tech savvy and independently minded. Areas of employment include interactive design consultancies, advertising agencies, marketing and promotion companies, television, film and electronic media houses.
Qualifications available through GDC:
| Qualification Obtained | NQF Level | credits | Years of full-time study | SAQA ID |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor of Arts Degree in Multimedia Design | 7 | 360 | 3 | 71672 |
| Bachelor of Arts Honours Degree in Multimedia Design | 8 | 120 | 1 | 93875 |
Design Thinking
On an international level, the value of design thinking is embraced both within and outside of the design industries. Design Thinking is about being able explore problems, experiment with solutions and arrive at innovative and responsive designs. GDC brings this trend of thought to South Africa, delivering a course that focuses specifically on the creative and critical thinking that is design thinking.The programme caters for students who complete the National Senior Certificate with entry into certificate programmes. Graduates of the Higher Certificate are expected to enter the art or design industry in junior positions, or continue with further study in degree or diploma programmes, either at GDC or other providers.
What to expect while studying this course:
The purpose of the qualification is to lay a foundation in the broad principles and practices of design. The programme introduces learners to creative and visual thinking, design thinking and the design process, visual communication methods, professional practise and the analysis and critique of design solutions. It offers an integrated combination of conceptual and applied skills and prepares learners to become flexible, problem-solving thinkers outside the boundaries of a single design discipline. The knowledge and skills taught are fundamental to many visual and creative professions, and graduates will be able to transfer these to a variety of design specialisations, including visual communication design, interior design, product design and environmental design. Additionally, the programme focuses on learners’ command of the English language, particularly in academic reading and writing pertinent to visual culture and design theoryLearning Outcomes:On completion of the programme students should be able to:
- Apply design thinking and the design process;
- Utilise a variety of media, tools and techniques to express design ideas;
- Schedule and manage a simple design project;
- Interpret, analyse and critique design;
- Understand simple academic texts, formulate arguments and communicate in an academically acceptable manner
Apply to study @ GDC
The first step to becoming a fully qualified and sought-after designer is to let us know you’re interested in enrolling with us. Complete the short form on the left, and we will contact you to set up an individual interview at a time convenient to you. Apply today!
ADMISSIONS CRITERIA
For the degree programmes:
For the Higher Certificate
Then, simply:
On day of interview, bring along the following with you:
If you are accepted and want to register, you will need to
What if you are currently completing grade 12?
Contact us
Interested in studying Graphic design, Interior design or Multimedia design? Contact us today to arrange an interview.
If you have queries or comments in relation to our website, or are having technical difficulties, you can contact us or our webmaster directly at the following e-mail address info@designcenter.co.za.
ADDRESS
118 Greenway, Greenside,
Johannesburg, South Africa