Johann Botha

Samantha Jones

First Year Students Flash Presentations 2010

Jaques Wessels

Liam Summers

Bongani Mbaile

Greg Docherty

Sanne van Hoof

What is SmartStart?

We at Friends of Design firmly believe that well-trained and nurtured employees bring innovation, flexibility and dedication necessary to build truly dynamic businesses. It is accepted across all industries that the best way to encourage and support individuals in a creative team is through professional development and training opportunities, amongst other things.

So whether you start from the basics and build from the ground up, or decide to upskill, Friends of Design has the training solution to suit you, with our newest range of courses built specifically to suit the otherwise busy aspirant or veteran creative professional.

One of these solutions is our “SmartStart” courses which are full time courses in nature. We have made available selected modules of our full time courses to the general public, giving you the opportunity learn new skills and gain insight into exciting new platforms and technologies on courses that run during the day. So, enjoy the classroom practical intensity of a full time course, but “hop on” and “hop off” as you need to throughout the year.

Featured Print SmartStart Course Raster Image Editing April 16 – May 25 Are you interested in Print Media? Excited by programs like Photoshop, InDesign and Illustrator, but don’t have the time to study in the evenings? Join our in depth daytime training in various Print Media software such as these and immerse yourself in an intense classroom environment from Mondays – Friday, 8.30 – 12.30. Each module will provide you with the tools you need to succeed in the Print Design Industry and give you a firm foundation with which to work. Projects are practical, exciting and relevant to the industry, with experienced trainers who are passionate about what they do. So, if you are just starting out or just want to learn a new skill set to complement your toolbox, there is no better time than right now to join! Upcoming Print SmartStart Course : Name : Raster Image Editing Dates : April 16 – May 25 Times : 8:30am – 12:30pm Description : This module shows you how to perform many different raster image processing techniques, essential skills and outputting to various formats. Single page layouts including book covers, post cards and movie posters. Projects include : Single page flyer and Movie Poster Project. Next Print SmartStart Course : Name : Layout Design Principles & Techniques 01 Dates : May 28 – June 29 Times : 8:30am – 12:30pm Description : This module covers the use of InDesign program to create typographic layouts which can be applied in books, magazines and brochures. Project: 3 Page Magazine Layouts with Cover page. See All Print SmartStart Courses for this year | Enrolment Form

Featured Interactive Media SmartStart Course Motion Graphics 01 May 28 – Jun 15 The Web Design and Motion Graphics industry is a huge one – from designing actual websites, to editing films and videos, creating animation effects and constructing a digital portfolio, the Web Publishing and Interactive Media course will have a module to suit every creative, aspirant or veteran. Learn to use popular Adobe Software like Adobe AfterEffects, Adobe Premiere and Adobe Dreamweaver, in course such as Film Production Processes, Video Editing Techniques and more. Classes are held Monday – Friday from 8:30am – 12:30am, facilitated by trainers who are experienced and knowledgable in their fields. So, if you are a creative who has studied or worked in the field of Print media already, and want to uplevel, check out our schedule for upcoming courses and get started! Upcoming Interactive Media SmartStart Course : Name : Motion Graphics 01 Dates : May 28 – Jun 15 Times : 8:30am – 12:30pm Description : This course introduces and develops student knowledge of digital video and compositing applications within a work-flow of digital image design, motion graphics and information design processes. Next Interactive Media SmartStart Course : Name : Motion Graphics 02 Dates : Jun 18 – Jun 29 Times : 8:30am – 12:30pm Description : Learners are taught the simple technical requirements around outputting visual content for mobile devices. Next Interactive Media SmartStart Course : Name : Web Technologies Dates : Oct 1 – Nov 2 Times : 8:30am – 12:30pm Description : Introduction to Social Platforms & using Content Management Systems (CMS), Setting up a WordPress Template, CMS. See All Interactive Media SmartStart Courses for this year | Enrolment Form

Featured Game SmartStart Course Game Production Theory May 07 – 25 The Game Design industry is far more versatile than most people imagine, and is booming, having surpassed the Movie and Music industries since 2009 in terms of generating revenue. Many organisations out there are producing games of some nature, be it for computers or consoles, and these types of organisations will require graphic artists or programmers with game technology know-how for many of their future projects. If you are passionate about Gaming, then the modules on this course will appeal to you – from learning foundational software such as Unity3D, to scripting basics and Level Design, the modules are comprehensive and geared towards experienced creatives who have already studied or worked in the fields of : IT & Programming, Graphics Design or Animation. Upcoming Game SmartStart Course : Name : Game Production Theory Dates : May 07 – 25 Times : 1:00pm – 5:00pm Description : Introduction to the gaming industry, the use of games in advertising, the budgets, the players and conceptualising and pitching a game concept. See All Game SmartStart Courses for this year | Enrolment Form

Introduction to Sound Design

School director Eva welcomes the guests

From the get go, we knew that we would be able to go beyond the standard that we reached last year. Having settled well into our new premises, we started looking at ways to improve the event. And did we fly high or what! Amazing presenters (more on that later), delicious food, among various other little but effective tweaks.

Our students and their guests started arriving at 6pm, dressed in their best and looking (astonishingly) presentable. Glasses of champagne were given upon arrival, and they were ushered through to the exhibition, organised beautifully by Print Lecturer, Rache Kitching. The work this year was of an incredibly high standard, even inviting remarks from the Department of Education moderator, Wayne Coughlan that the courses are “simply amazing!”. Even we were floored by the quality of work that came out this year – the students outdid themselves.

Alistair King talks to Friends of Design Students and guests

Without further ado, Eva Csernyanszky, school director, welcomed the guests to Friends of Design’s Graduation 2011 and in her usual, approachable manner, she charmed and regaled the audience and made sure they were well informed about the developments that are happened at Friends of Design (need to know – keep an eye on our Facebook page!). Eva then welcomed our first speaker, Zayd Minty, from Creative Cape Town to take the stage. Zayd gave a fantastic presentation and explained how our graduates were entering the industry at a particularly exciting time in which Cape Town would be taking centre stage and really becoming one of the creative hubs of the world. He went on to advise them to always be curious and to take risks in the industry that they love.

Zayd Minty impresses the guests and students with his views of the creative world

Zayd then gave the mic to Alistair King of King James, who we were extremely excited and honoured to be hosting. King James is one of the biggest advertising agencies around, with clients like Johnny Walker and Alexander Forbes on their( illustrious) list , they are a truly formidable force in the industry – they are also the powerhouse behind One Small Seed, South Africa’s most well known creative publication. Mr King gave a truly inspiring presentation, solely aimed at the new graduates entering the industry. He made us giggle, gasp, chuckle out loud and nod along at the wise words of industry acquired advice gleaned from 30 years in the business. We could go on and on about the many wonderful things he said, but we think you’d have had to be there.

Some of our top graduates (left) and the Friends of Design team with Alistair King (right)

It was then time for prize-giving and certificate handout – well done to our top students:

1 Year Higher Certificate in Print and Publishing:
Top Student: Kimberly Van Vuuren
Most Improved Student: Candice Acheson
Top Portfolio’s (3 this year): Iska Cate Rust, Candice Acheson and Elisabeth Jager

1 Year Web Design & Interactive Media (now the 1 Year Higher Certificate in Web Publishing and Interactive Media):
Top Student: Maya Leipaz
Most Improved Student: Tracey Miller
Top Portfolio: Maya Liepaz (again!)

Eran Eyal from Springleap and Alistair King browse student portfolios

Well, all we can say is that 2011 was all about Girl Power, as Eva so aptly put it! The night then progressed onto drinks, snacks and fabulous music – many thanks to Beyerskloof Wines for their kind donations of delicious white and red wine – where the students and staff let their hair down and celebrated all the hard work.

So with all of that said, Friends of Design is proud to have hosted another successful graduation and wishes each and every one of our students a successful career and we are confident that they will all succeed in finding their creative passions. In the words of Alistair King – “Even the moderately talented creative will succeed through hard work is better the massively talented creative who is lazy”.

2011 Alter Ego Poster Illustrations

First Year Students 2010

2011 Print Design and Publishing Showreel

Maya Liepaz

Jacques Wessels

Liam Summers

Tracy Miller

Rapael Segerman

Kyle Van Eck

Gwynne Tyrell

Henrik Alm

Alethia Erchen

Nicole Harding

Greg Docherty

Jaques Wessels
http://wordpress.friendsofdesign.net/jacqueswessels

Liam Summers
http://wordpress.friendsofdesign.net/liamsummers/

Friends of Design wants YOU to get involved. Join us in building a strong, local game design community through your input. Give us your input, endorse us or even give us your creative staff to train.

Friends of Design Design – Academy of Digital Arts is a buzzing Digital Design School in the centre of Cape Town offering full time, part time and corporate courses to creatives who wish to get an education in the industry, amp up their skills or simply follow their creative passion.

Recently, we have added Game Production to our extensive list of courses, the very first of its kind in South Africa. Offered on a Full Time or Part Time basis, and developed by experienced trainers and industry professionals, the courses facilitate a wide range of skills so that students can graduate with confidence that they are marketable and employable, be it as a Concept Artist, 3D animator, Level Designer or Game Designer among others.

The Game Industry is an industry that has surpassed the movie and music industry in terms of generating revenue. Game Production is gaining recognition as a serious industry worldwide and more and more companies are hopping on the bandwagon, learning to deliver content to consumers that is entertaining, educational, interactive and fun. In addition, it is not as expensive or as complicated as you may think, Game Production is like any other technology – with a bit of education and some practice, your imagination is the only limit.

We can say so much more about this course, but, in essence, we really want to work with you. We need mentors, industry speakers and extra lecturers, enthusiasts and potential employers. With your input, we are confident we can bring Game Design Technology to South Africa in a big way, cultivating game designers for you to employ ultimately, with relevant and up to date skills.

If this sounds like something you would like to get involved, we want to hear from you!
Contact us on +27 21 402 0303 or email us at info@friendsofdesign.net.

Yours in Design,
Eva Csernyanszky

Director of Friends of Design – Academy of Digital Arts