Schools That Offer Graphic Design Programs In Kenya 2021
Are you looking for the list of schools that offer Graphic Design in Kenya? If yes, then this informative article is for you. You will be given detailed information about the list of schools that offer Graphic Design Programs in Kenya.
The dictionary meaning of graphic design is the art or skill of combining text and pictures in the advertisement, books, and magazines to convey a message. I am trying to break down the vocabulary so all can understand and not be taken aback by the mountainous graphic design title.
In the contemporary world, graphic design is an art of visual communication using text, symbols, and images. It entails the planning and projecting ideas and concepts into either visual or textual content or both that have great aesthetics to attract before people can decode something out of it.
Everything around us consciously or subconsciously has some graphic work into it. Ideally, we begin from the clothing we wear; they got some print, text messages some have symbols, this is graphic design. The branding, labeling, and packaging of consumer goods, building of real estate properties, signage, and post on the roadside and book are just some of the natural applications of graphic design.
They may appear easy to do but a lot of the talent and eye has been factored in. without graphic design the world would be boring and most of what is cherished now would not be. This just worked silently to show the relevance of graphic and design schools in Kenya.
Technology and westernization similarly have a hand in the application of graphic designs. For instance, businesses have given online to market their products to the world. Their outlook should deplete a professional look for the prospective buyer to have confidence in the firm. This means packaging themselves formally and has some branding or thereabout.
Graphic designer then develop a visual content be it a video, text or images that are attractive and convincing. This is because the primary aim is to create awareness and stimulate sale where this information can only be conveyed if the post is alluring.
Other area where graphic design is applied is on printed materials; books, newspapers, magazines, flyers, brochures, banners, website creation, film and television visual, and album covers. When it comes to developing a corporate identity, graphic design is used to develop this.
These are among the few areas I have been able to pinpoint where graphic design is used. As the relevance of graphic design is cemented in this modern-day, it is in wisdom to ask where graphic design is taught. There are many schools offering graphic design in Kenya but I would like to highlight the industry leaders;
Top Best Graphic Design Schools In Kenya
The education system in Kenya is structured to teach students for employment in later days. However, graphic design schools in Kenya are not one of them. It recognizes that employment opportunities have become limited thanks to the ever-increasing graduates population and so shapes their students into getting in the entrepreneurial venture in their area of expertise.
Favorably, the industry is in high demand and has penetrating the market solely required not much effort. Here is a selection of the best graphic design schools in Kenya:
1. Technical University of Mombasa
The Technical University of Mombasa is one of the best graphic design schools in Kenya. Its main campus is situated in Mombasa although it has opened other subsidiary campuses in Kenya. It is worthwhile noting that the Technical University of Mombasa offers graphic design courses either at the certificate, diploma, and degree level.
When it was established in 1985, it was chiefly to teach on the hardware and software but has since diversified into other areas in response to the dynamic technological world. Among the many areas of specialty in graphic design, the Technical University of Mombasa has specialized in digital graphic design. Digital graphic design is a broad category considering it is the most widely used today. Over the years they have proved to the masses that they are the best, in fact, most of their students are behind some of the spectacular design online and offline.
Technical University of Mombasa has three intake in January, April – May and August – September. Certificate course runs for one year while the diploma course runs for two years and four years for the undergraduate course in graphic design. Signing up for any of their enrollment, one needs to make an online application and submit to them.
After they are reviewed successful applicants are then sent the letters and expected to report to school for studies. An admission requirement is a C plain for a diploma in a graphic design course. Technical University Mombasa does not only teach graphic design, there are many courses under other faculties.
2. African College of Aviation and Management
African College of Aviation and Management is based in Nairobi next to Afya Centre along Mfangango Street. The school was established as an aviation and management centre but has since then been offering other courses. It has several departments such as aeronautical engineering, aircraft operations, business, community development, and clearing and forwarding course. The business department is where graphic design is taught.
This institution has specialized in digital imaging, publishing, and visual art. This makes its studies relevant as all organizations are getting digital and even embracing social media platforms to help them push for their products in the market. They only offer diplomas and certificate courses on a full-time mode of study for two years in the case of a diploma.
Registration is done online at their home page, Africa College of Aviation and Management. Alternatively, hard copies of an application can be sent to; Africa College of Aviation and Management P.O BOX 68119 – 00200 Nairobi, Kenya. It is one of the schools that offer graphic design in Kenya.
3. Amboseli Institute of Hospitality and Technology, Thika
We know of Amboseli Institute of Hospitality and Technology as a hospitality training centre. However, just like most colleges and campuses that have to be relevant with changing times, Amboseli Institute has embraced technology.
It is a master of computer programming, graphic design, web design, accounting design, advertising among other Information Technology courses. It is best in teaching the above course, instilling the right skills and expertise practical in the corporate world. More so they do it ensuring excellence and quality is incorruptible.
The school is located in Thika town. Its mode of study closely follows the primary school setup with three terms yearly. Hand-delivered application is accepted at their offices before the commencement of the learning period. Their teaching is not only based on classwork, it has an emphasis on raising fully-fledged experts who can work independently and even in a team, under pressure, and even within strict deadlines and still deliver without compromising on quality.
4. Institute of Advanced Technology
If you are looking for a career in Information Communication Technology specifically in graphic design then the Institute of Advanced Technology is the place to go. Institute of Advanced Technology is among the leading ICT and business management privately held colleges. It offers certificates, professional courses, and even diploma courses. It has operations in several locations in Kenya but its head office is along Lita Street in close proximity to the Nairobi Arboretum.
Their instructors have unquestionable knowledge about the technical courses offered therein and ensure their pool of alumni is able to maximize the use of technology for the benefit of the economy. Other than the technology bit, the Institute of Advanced Technology is also a school offering graphic design in Kenya.
Among the many things taught are computerized illustrations, advanced illustration techniques, digital imaging, publishing fundamental, drawing for communication art of visual content development, web design, and motion graphics among other courses. These are some of the prime areas used in film and television production, advertising, ad development.
By the most notable thing about the Institute of Advanced Technology is that under the school of graphics and digital design is a new development which is android development and animation. You should be in search of an IAT professional, diploma, and certificate course in graphic design.
5. Kenya Institute of Software Engineering
Kenya Institute of Software Engineering is a software technologies school located in Thika. It is one of the top graphic design schools in Kenya. It offers graphic design in the fields of computer engineering, software engineering, mobile web application, development, and programming. Ideally, this school teaches its students how to develop software that ensures the safety of data, the confidence of an organization’s operation, and freedom from vulnerability through attacks.
The coursed are examined by the Applied Engineering Technology Examination Board – AETEB and ICM. Intakes are done in January, March, May, and July and in the September – October period. Besides Kenya Institute of Software Engineering offers flexible modes of study.
There is distance learning, weekend and evening learning, part-time for those with a fixed working schedule or those advancing but in employment already. Alternatively, the normal full-time learning is also there. This makes the course befit people of all walks of life. School fees can be made in a lump sum before the learning session begins alternatively local arrangements for installment mode of fees payment is also available.
6. Serein Education Centre, Nakuru
This is one of the reputable schools that offer graphic design in Kenya. Serein Education centre is in Nakuru, at the Mache Plaza building 3rd floor. This is a private institution of higher learning registered in 2007 under the CAP 486 of the companies’ acts in the Kenyan constitution. Although it is a leader in teaching graphic design it is also a powerhouse for other courses.
Other courses offered include; tours and travel operations, front office management, business administration, hotel management, business-related courses, security management, a forensic and criminal investigation, public relations, guidance and counseling, ICT, and languages just to highlight a few courses.
Their course duration range from three months up to 3 years depending on whether the student is taking a certificate course or a diploma course. School fees are payable every term. Mode of study includes full-time, part-time and distance learning.
This is a top graphic design school in Kenya that I can recommend to anyone who desires to have a career in graphics or seeking to develop their professional skills in the field. One can get on their website to just get what more Serein Education Centre has for you.
7. Nairobi Institute of Technology
Nairobi Institute of Technology was founded in 1997 as a mid-level education institution. Due to firm management, the schools have grown vertically – reputation, student population, and the number of courses offered and horizontally – structural development and space. It is registered under the Cap 2 Laws of Kenya and is therefore accredited by the Ministry of Education.
The Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority – TVETA also acknowledge this institution which make it easy for them to get student admission. Similarly, students benefit from the education fund that comes through TVETA as schools fees and also caters for other miscellaneous spending.
As a top Graphic design school in Kenya, Nairobi Institute of Technology has developed other network that has helped it propel. It offers some courses in partnership with Jomo Kenyatta University of Science and Technology with the approval of the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development and Kenya National Examination Council. This is an institution that has a name to itself; in 2011 the Board of Registration of Architects and Quantity Surveyors awarded it with recognition for its performance.
Nairobi Institute of Technology has a graphic design course in which we are interested. some of these courses include graphic design, motion graphics, animation, and digital design, interior design, 2D animation, 3D animation, and architecture.
The courses blend in well with Quantity surveying, building technology, and architecture courses which make a visual approach and this as per the day today’s demand has to be done in graphic form. Enroll now to join their team of students and later their highly sought-after professionals.
Comprehensively, these are some of the best graphic design schools in Kenya that have met the legal threshold to teach graphic design and with a good reputation of quality and excellence. Well, I may not have exhausted the list so this is not to say they are the only best but at least they are leading.
Besides who would mind being associated with the best of the best? Remember, if you study at a renowned school chances are you will get employment faster than those who went to upcoming little-known institutions. This is because employers are looking for proven performance, trust, quality of education among other things. Besides, the above-mentioned names have all the facilities so the student is well equipped.
Graphic Design
If you have been looking for a course that is not so prevalent yet relevant and you have interests in design then Graphic design schools are your place of settlement. Graphic design is one of those courses I would say is market-ready, allow me to expound on this. Here are my reasons;
- There is a wide area of application. Ideally, we have seen after looking around our lives we can only see elements of graphic design although other names such as pictures, print, and text are used to refer to it, it boils down to one thing visual representation – Graphic design. For instance prints, television commercials, film production, customization of utensils, billboards, posters, flyers, greeting cards and the like are some of the graphic design work of the day.
- The industry not clouded- although the graphic design schools in Kenya are not a monopoly, they are limited compared to the demand. This ideally means there are fewer professionals than the market requires. This deficiency means that once the successful graduates clear school they are readily absorbed into the market.
One of the trends I have observed is that other courses especially business-related have begun teaching units of graphic design here and there. This is just to familiarize their students with graphics use and how to develop them since the shifts in the technological world have a lot to do with this. They understand crystal clear that for one to befit in this age they have to sway with the tide even if it means continuous development.
Graphics Design Courses Include:
- Computer aided Design; ArchiCAD and AutoCAD
- Cartoon animation / rendering
- Oracle certifications
- Web engineering
- Soft ware engineering
- Computerized analysis
- Digital imaging and motion
- Visual communication
- Graphic design among other top courses.
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