University of Cape Town
Graphic Design
Study Adobe Illustrator, image layout and composition, and typography in the UCT Graphic Design online short course. Over 10 weeks, you’ll foster the creative and business skills needed to launch your graphic design career.
Start date
11 August 2025
Course duration
10 weeks
Excluding orientation
Language
English
Access resources from start date
Effort
7–10 hours per week
Self-paced learning online
Course overview
Duration: 10 weeks (excluding orientation)
Graphic designers play a critical role in enhancing a brand's visual identity, and most organisations require their services at some point. They are highly valued for their ability to communicate meaning effectively through visual elements.
The University of Cape Town (UCT) offers an online short course in graphic design that prepares participants to start a career in this field by equipping them with technical skills and creative knowledge. With guidance from a media expert, the course covers Adobe Illustrator,* working with digital images, and selecting effective typefaces for both print and web platforms to create engaging content. As students gain design knowledge and software proficiency, they will also learn about the business side of graphic design and creating a professional portfolio.
*GetSmarter won’t provide the software needed for this course; you’ll be responsible for ensuring you have access to it.
Is the UCT Graphic Design online short course for you?
If you’re interested in becoming an expert in graphic design, UCT offers a foundational skill-building opportunity with this course. This UCT Graphic Design course provides an introduction to the subject matter and aims to establish a solid foundation in visual communications. Even those who wish to update their graphic design knowledge can benefit from this course. There are no specific requirements to enrol.
Course overview
Introduction
Duration: 10 weeks (excluding orientation)
Graphic designers play a critical role in enhancing a brand's visual identity, and most organisations require their services at some point. They are highly valued for their ability to communicate meaning effectively through visual elements.
The University of Cape Town (UCT) offers an online short course in graphic design that prepares participants to start a career in this field by equipping them with technical skills and creative knowledge. With guidance from a media expert, the course covers Adobe Illustrator,* working with digital images, and selecting effective typefaces for both print and web platforms to create engaging content. As students gain design knowledge and software proficiency, they will also learn about the business side of graphic design and creating a professional portfolio.
*GetSmarter won’t provide the software needed for this course; you’ll be responsible for ensuring you have access to it.
Is the UCT Graphic Design online short course for you?
If you’re interested in becoming an expert in graphic design, UCT offers a foundational skill-building opportunity with this course. This UCT Graphic Design course provides an introduction to the subject matter and aims to establish a solid foundation in visual communications. Even those who wish to update their graphic design knowledge can benefit from this course. There are no specific requirements to enrol.
Get this course for your team
Leading organisations recognise the value of this course and invest in it to enhance their employees' skills and expertise.
What will set you apart
An understanding of visual communication and aesthetic principles, including theories about layout and composition.
The creative and technical knowledge to produce designs for both print and digital mediums.
The knowledge to produce designs for both print and digital mediums.
Practical business skills that can be applied in a design-oriented career.
Unlimited access to 2U’s Career Engagement Network, offering you exclusive resources and events to support your professional journey and drive your career forward.Course curriculum
Orientation module
Welcome to your Online Campus
Module 1
What is graphic design?
Module 2
Introduction to Adobe Illustrator
Module 3
Understanding digital images
Module 4
Visual communication
Module 5
Layout and composition
Module 6
Idea generation and research
Module 7
Working with text (typography)
Module 8
Designing for print
Module 9
Creating designs for the web
Module 10
The business of graphic design
What past students
think
Ashley Sorrell
Graphic Designer, Designs Unlimited/Flatout Designs
The UCT Graphic Design online short course surpassed my expectations. I have learnt much more than I expected. The content is relevant and very well set out. I had never done an online course before and was hesitant. I would happily do another online course through UCT again. We touched on web design, which was a plus, as it is part of graphic design. I have gained so much knowledge in a short space of time, I now feel confident to tackle new and bigger tasks. The platform is very well set out and help is always a click away, from either your classmates or lecturers. A great course in the end, happy I chose to take it.
Course Convenor
Dr Martha Evans
Senior Lecturer, Media Studies and Media Production, UCT
About the certificate
Enhance your graphic-design skills and earn an official certificate of completion from the University of Cape Town.
Assessment is continuous and based on a series of practical assignments completed online. In order to be issued with a digital certificate, you’ll need to meet the requirements outlined in the course handbook. The handbook will be made available to you as soon as you begin the course.
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Want to know more?
Why choose GetSmarter?
GetSmarter operates as edX's partner for premium online short course products from the world's leading universities and institutions. With edX, we leverage our people, technology, and resources to power your education and your potential.
We deliver market-led courses that equip working professionals with the expertise required to upskill, reskill or kickstart a completely new career. Through a data-driven approach, we analyze future skills requirements and ensure all courses address this need. We ensure that leading universities and institutions are your expert guides and our people, technology, and resources are your engine – together we power more than just education, we power your potential.
Read more about GetSmarter here and edX here.
Find out more about GetSmarter’s approach to digital learning, course design, and online delivery here.
Payment options
You can pay your course fees before the course starts, or you may opt for a split payment plan on courses that are nine weeks and shorter. For courses 10 weeks and longer, there is a three-part payment plan available. To find out more about payment options please visit our Payment and Financing page, or contact an Enrollment Adviser, to find out which option you qualify for.
Manage your time
GetSmarter's learning model is designed to help you, as a working professional, improve your skills without compromising on work and family responsibilities. The course work is broken up into weekly, manageable bite-sized modules, with incremental deadlines, designed to help you pace yourself over the duration of the course and allow you the legroom to work when it suits you best.
At the beginning of each module you'll be presented with the course content and assignments necessary for completion. You also have access to your Success Adviser who will help you manage your time, and support you with any administrative or technical queries you might have.
Seek employer assistance
By improving your skills and industry knowledge, you'll have an influence on the success of your organization. Why wouldn't you ask your boss to help you fund your studies if it's going to have an impact on the way you do business?
Of our past students, 37 percent have received financial assistance from their employers. You can ask for help, too. Here is a guide to show you how to request financial assistance from your employer.
If you are a Learning & Development (L&D) manager, or involved in training and upskilling for an organization, you can request information regarding our corporate offering on our GetSmarter for business page.
How to change your start date
As part of our commitment to your professional development, GetSmarter offers you a two-week period to change your course start date or request your money back if you’re not fully satisfied.
To qualify for a deferral of your course start date, or to cancel your enrollment and receive a refund of your course fee, your request would need to reach our Success Advisers before the release of Module 2. For more information, please read our Terms and Conditions.
Discover the Online Campus
The Online Campus will be your virtual classroom for the duration of your course. Through its easy-to-use interface you'll have access to a diverse variety of course content formats including: interactive videos, module notes, practice quizzes, presentations, assignment briefs, and additional web resources.
On the Online Campus, you'll also be able to ask questions and interact with your fellow students and teaching team through the discussion forums. If you are looking for your Online Campus login, please visit your Account page here.
Financing options
We've recently partnered with financial services firm, FeverTree, to offer you another convenient way to finance your short course education. Find out how you can apply for a short-term loan below.
How do I apply?
- You have the option of applying for a full course-cost loan agreement with FeverTree (South African citizens and short courses only)
- FeverTree works with GetSmarter to ensure your studies are financed right away, giving you the chance to join the soonest presentation
- You can find out if you pre-qualify in seconds. Send an SMS with your “Name*Surname*ID Number*Gross Salary” to 30082
- FeverTree’s application process is simple and quick – expect a 15-minute turnaround to find out if you’ve been successful with your loan application
- Even if you aren’t successful in your FeverTree application, you’ll still be eligible for the payment plan options with GetSmarter
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