NATIONAL OCCUPATIONAL CERTIFICATE
Graphic Design & Media
National Occupational Certificate: Graphic Media Designer
NQF Level 4: 160 Credits (SAQA ID: 122663)
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per year
Part 1 Theory Modules
Runs with Part 2
Theory Exam
Part 2 Practical Training
Runs with Part 1
Workbook, Observation & Assessment
Part 3 Workplace Modules
External or Onsite
Observation & Logbook
External Integrated Summative Assessment
EISA
Admission Requirements
Qualification Structure
Built from three core pillars aligned with the QCTO framework — 160 credits total.
1. Knowledge Modules (85 Credits)
The foundations of visual design, extended with Zaio Theory (ZTGMD) modules for the modern content designer.
Standard QCTO Modules
- Basic Elements and Principles of Design (10 Credits)
- Principles of Visual Content Development (25 Credits)
- Principles of Photography & Videography for Visual Content Developers (15 Credits)
- Principles of Design Technology used by Visual Content Developers (25 Credits)
- Business Communication and Administration (10 Credits)
Zaio Theory Modules (ZTGMD) – Market-Ready Design Skills
- Adobe Creative Suite Fundamentals (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Premiere, After Effects)
- Figma for UI and Web Design
- Canva Pro for Fast Content Production
- Motion Design Essentials
- CapCut and Premiere for Short-Form Video
- AI-Powered Design: Midjourney, Claude Design
- AI Video Generation for Content Creators
- Brand Systems: Building a scalable visual identity
- Design for Social: Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, X
- Portfolio Design and Self-Promotion for Designers
What Makes Zaio Different?
Most design programmes teach you to use Photoshop. We teach you to make things people scroll back to see.
Portfolio from Day 1
You'll build a real portfolio throughout the qualification — brand identities, motion posts, video edits, UI screens. Employers hire from portfolios, not certificates.
Beyond the Curriculum
Where standard QCTO programmes stop at design principles, you'll master the full modern toolstack — Adobe CC, Figma, Canva, CapCut, plus the AI tools reshaping the industry.
AI-Native Design
Learn how to use Midjourney, Firefly, Runway and Sora to produce professional creative in a fraction of the time. Not to replace design taste — to amplify it.
Motion-First
Modern content is motion content. You'll graduate comfortable in After Effects, Premiere and CapCut — the skills every brand and agency is scrambling to hire.
Start your journey as a designer or content creator
Our graduates become versatile visual professionals, ready for agency work, in-house design roles, or freelance careers.
Career paths
- Graphic Media Designer
- Motion Graphics Designer
- Social Media Designer
- Visual Content Creator
- Junior Brand Designer
- Freelance Designer
- Junior UI Designer
Progression paths
- Senior Designer
- Art Director
- Creative Director
- Brand Lead
- Studio Founder
- Content Studio Owner
Universal skills that enhance any role
- Visual literacy
- Storytelling
- Attention to detail
- Client presentation
- Creative problem-solving
- Rapid iteration
Our Flexible Tuition Options
We provide a direct path to a high-paying career, with less risk. We designed our tuition options to ensure more people can access the education needed to launch a career in tech.
Finance up to 100% of your qualification
Finance up to 100% of your qualification with our funding partnerships
Starting from
- 24/7 Support
- Certificate upon completion
Upfront Payment
Pay upfront and get started immediately
- 24/7 Support
- Certificate upon completion
Note: EISA exam fee not included (R6000). Financing terms: Same as first year. Speak to a consultant for more information.
Our Alumni work at companies like Amazon, Takealot, and Vodacom
Our alumni of students means everything to us and we're grateful to have placed designers in Entelect, FNB, Yoyo and more amazing teams around the world
Prestige + Practicality
The Zaio National Occupational Certificate: Graphic Media Designer (160 Credits) combines national accreditation with the modern design toolstack creative employers expect.
Regulatory Information
Zaio Institute of Technology has been accredited, and quality assured by the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO), Accreditation Number: 07-QCTO/SDP220925101328 valid for 5 years.
Assessment Quality Partner (AQP): MICT SETA
Integrated Formative Assessment:
The skills development provider will use the curriculum to guide them on the stipulated internal assessment criteria and weighting. They will also apply the scope of practical skills and applied knowledge as stipulated by the internal assessment criteria. This formative assessment together with work experience leads to entrance in the integrated external summative assessment.
Integrated summative assessment:
An external integrated summative assessment, conducted through the relevant QCTO Assessment Quality partner is required for the issuing of this qualification. The external integrated summative assessment will focus on the exit level outcomes and associated assessment criteria.
The external integrated summative assessment will be conducted through a theoretical assessment and the evaluation of practical tasks at decentralised approved assessment sites in a simulated environment and conducted by an assessor(s) registered with the relevant AQP.