VSS Photo and Design College

Visual Art is an integral part of marketing in our society. Every television or print advertisement you watch, billboard you see, website you open, magazine you read, packaged product you buy, clothes that you wear, photographs or paintings against your wall, sculptures you admire . . . was created by a visual artist. Digital media and advertising, as well as the Internet, are powerful forces in society and have a strong influence on consumer behaviour. That is why there is such a need for skilled and creative visual artists.

Job prospects in the fields of Visual Arts are constantly increasing due to:

The explosion of eMedia and popular culture, as well as the revolution in electronic communications, multimedia and entertainment sectors
Producers of information, goods and services are putting increased emphasis on the visual appeal in advertising, marketing, product design, packaging and entertainment.

To this end, VSS offers:

National Qualifications in Photography and Design
Part qualifications in the form of modular skills programmes
Short Courses (non-credit bearing)
Masterclasses, and
Up-skilling Courses.

With VSS qualifications you can follow a career as:

Photographer, Designer or Layout Artist for newspapers and media agencies, for example advertising agencies, web site developers, publishers, to name but a few
Self-employed freelance Photographer or Designer and Entrepreneur in a multitude of disciplines and industry sectors.
Technical assistant providing support for laboratories and printing companies.
Digital operator in the Interactive Media Industry.
Enter the world of science and information photography.

Admission requirements are less stringent than for university studies, because all VSS courses are vocational (career-focused). A Grade II report with a pass mark in all subjects, competency in English (reading, writing and speaking), and computer literacy will serve as entrance to any of the qualifications or part qualifications.
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is also acknowledged and applied in line with the requirements laid down by SAQA. RPL is applied on an individual basis.
Registration takes place throughout the year.