Get your mind blown!

So, you love art, but you’ve been told over and over again by your family, your friends, your school teachers, perhaps even your significant other, that you can’t make a living out of it.

Does this sound familiar? If so, prepare to have your MIND BLOWN.

Labour statistics projects there will be over 123 000 new job openings for graphic designers by the year 2020. That is an amazing growth of over 13%! This means tons of exciting new job opportunities for artistically talented people like you.

Graphic design is an exciting, creative, professional field where you can put your passion for art to daily use. Employers of every shape and size need skilled graphic designers to help them communicate with their audience and convince people to take action – whether it is purchasing a product or service, or even joining an important social cause.

You may not know this, but graphic designers actually help influence almost everything you do on a day-to-day basis. From deciding whether or not to buy the shoes, to deciding on what you want for lunch.

It takes more than simply being artistically inclined to become a successful graphic designer. But then there are these questions, “what exactly is graphic design and how do I know that it is the right career for me?”. I have listed some reasons below, to help you decide:

·         You have a passion for communicating with others through powerful, compelling images

Many people can draw pretty pictures, but not everyone can connect with people and cause them to act upon what they saw. A graphic designer’s job is to help clients target specific audiences and “talk” to them directly. You need to know how to strike that chord with the images you create.

You work well with others

Graphic design can be more than just a solo effort. Not only do you have to work with clients and employers, but you may also need to collaborate with art directors, advertising managers, copywriters and other designers. Even if you are freelancing, you need to learn how to take criticism well, meet deadlines and change concepts as your project evolves. So, you are not always going to ride solo.

·      You are not afraid to learn new things

To become a successful graphic designer, our artistic talents will only get you so far. You need to get the graphic design education and training you need to be in demand.

·      You’re business minded

Graphic design entails much more than simply matching colours and choosing “fun” fonts. Especially if you intend to work as a freelancer, you need to learn the business aspects of your job too. This could mean working within a budget, handling invoices or managing multiple clients and tasks at once.

·       How do you get started?

As mentioned above, to become a successful graphic designer you have to have the right training, which means earning a qualification in graphic design, which Prestige Academy can offer you.

At Prestige Academy, we offer an Advanced Certificate in Graphic design.The Advanced Certificate in Graphic Design builds on the Higher Certificate in Desktop Publishing and Computer Art. This programme’s design facets will give you the leading-edge when entering the industry. You will develop an understanding of the skills and techniques needed to step into the shoes of a brand, advertising, packaging or typography designer. Through the use of software and design packages you will become familiar with design aspects including digital graphics, print, pre-press, packaging, drawing, technical, commercial illustration and typography.

Written by: Sami Edmonds

Is there a better way to spend your year?

If you had the opportunity to make a difference, would you take it?

Imagine this scenario, it is that time of the year again when the SRC candidates have to be nominated. You have been approached by 3 parties Mr Kasner, your lecturer, Bianca Finlay, the SRC chairperson and Mauro, a SRC member. Each of them wanting to nominate you, but you are so overwhelmed that you ask for some time to think it over.

You go and spread the word to your friends about your nominations. Half of them tell you not to do it, and the other half encourage you to go for it. So once again you are stuck at a crossroad. Whether to take up the challenge, to try out or give up even before trying. Like any life decision you have to consider what you are getting involved in. This means gathering all the facts from all the sources. There is no better place to start than with the people who nominated you.

Mr Kasner says,” Well I chose to nominate you because I can see that you are a hard worker and always go above and beyond with your work. I feel that such a trait is desperately needed on the SRC.” Next on your list is Bianca. She tells me, “My reason for nominating you is that I see a little of myself in you. You are someone who is focused and makes sure your work is always done. Not only that, you look out for others and care for their well-being. People of your kind are crucially needed on the SRC. Besides the SRC is more than just a group of people that work together, they are more than a mere team, more than simple friends, they are a family. But I will give it to you straight, working with your family can be difficult. Not only that, but SRC duties take up at least 70% of your life. This saying that the 70% can be loads and loads of fun, but fun can only e had after all the hard work is done. And believe me, there is a ton of work that needs to be done. Trust me that there is honestly no better feeling than knowing you were able to make a difference. Even if it is just with one person. This is something I hope you experience if you become a SRC member.”

And now for your final stop, Mauro. Although your Q&A session with Mauro is slightly different from all the others. Mauro heard that you went around asking whether or not you should take the nominators up on their offer or not to, and why they nominated you. So he leaves you with one simple question, “How do you want to spend your next year at Prestige Academy?”

That single question opens up a Pandora’s Box worth of questions and scenario’s that are continuously playing out in your head. Taking up the nomination and making it into the SRC could mean that you are finally able to receive the recognition you deserve, but also remembering what Bianca mentioned, “Most of the time the SRC do not get credit for their hard work, because no one sees the behind the scenes work, so if you are in it for the glory you need to be looking elsewhere.” On the other hand, if you are willing to give up your free time to maybe help a student or two with their problems which may or may not affect the outcome of their lives.

Now that you have a little insight about what it means to be a SRC. Are you ready to take up the challenge and hold a position that most see as a privilege?

What is 3D Animation?

What is 3D Animation?

The world of 3D Animation is rapidly growing industry. Animation may be defined as the process by which the illusion of motion is created through a speedy sequence of static images.

An animated scene starts with one picture, which is referred to a frame. The next frame is a picture that is slightly advanced a few milliseconds in time. After hundreds or thousands of these frames are flashed on a screen in rapid succession, they give the illusion of a moving picture.

What Does a 3D Animator Do?

A career in 3D animation involves creating 3D moving images using computer software. These images are made with the use of digital models. After the models have been created, details are added, e.g., hair, clothing, skin...

3D Animators create various animation. Some animators create long feature movies. Others create shorter animations, like short sketches, which can be used for advertisements or website animations. Some 3D animators specialise in creating animations for video games, and others create special effects for live action motion pictures.

What are the Education Requirements for a Career in 3D Animation?

3D animation is a technical career that requires specialised knowledge. Because of this, individuals looking to break into a career in 3D animation usually need to complete at a BA Degree in 3D Animation, which Prestige Academy can offer you.

What Can I do With a Degree in 3D Animation?

Students who have earned degrees in 3D animation are sometimes hired by large animation studios. These studios may create feature length movies or short animated scenes, which can be used for advertising or website design.

Individuals interested in a career in 3D animation may also want to consider aiding in the creation of video games. This rapidly growing industry uses 3D animation in order to create graphics and moving images while creating console or computer video games.

For more information visit our website www.prestigeacademy.co.za or contact us at info@prestigeacademy.co.za

Why study Marketing at Prestige Academy?

A degree in Marketing does not have to be solely based on just the one subject. The availability of joint honours at Prestige Academy, allows a student to develop marketing skills which clearly has benefits when it comes to businesses. The reality of a Marketing degree is that it is open-ended, and you can therefore tailor your career to what you are passionate about.

Marketing is a diverse field to work in. Your role as a marketing specialist can fall within several remits, whether it is data based research and analysis of consumer behaviour, or the more interactive task of selling and promoting a service or product to another. This provides a career in which personal preference is catered for, as for those who relish the challenge of networking and creating business relationships will be sure to thrive, and those who prefer a more behind the scenes role in the marketing process will be satisfied with data handling.

Despite the stereotype of marketing belonging in the competitive world of big business, there are many marketing roles on career-paths less trodden. For example, you could easily use your marketing skills in the third sector. Charities need to be marketed just as much as, If not more than, businesses. Marketing does anything but confine your career prospects.

As long as the concept of an economy exists, and as long as businesses within that economy exists, marketing is always going to be in demand. The marketing role in a business is such a vital component. It is the method by which a service’s quality and usefulness is transmitted to potential customers, and is therefore an indispensable to the business machine. A degree in marketing, especially from a top Private Higher Tertiary institution such as Prestige Academy, will provide you with the skills set which has no use-by date. 

For more info, visit our website - www.prestigeacademy.co.za or contact us at info@prestigeacademy.co.za