The Academy’s ties with the broader community are vital and our community outreach programmes are instrumental in student social awareness development. The creative process thrives on the concept of multiple voices, therefore input from all kinds of South Africans and International participants are indispensable. Social relevance and responsibility not only nurture the creative process, but ensure that we produce well-rounded students with a global outlook.

The concept of multiple voices also drives our guest speaker programme. Speakers from the creative industries (such as top designers, photographers, artists and advertising creative’s) are introduced to students on a regular basis, so that they can benefit from the input from the real world experience. Through the guest speaker programme students are encouraged to make contact for future employment.

Cultural outings to relevant exhibitions, indaba’s, conferences, seminars, shows and events occur regularly. These outings encourage students to absorb information and practice their new-found skills in settings outside the lecture room. This gives the students the opportunity to be exposed to international design concepts and to rub shoulders with the foremost of creative minds.