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Next weekend TEFL Course: 27/28 March
 


 

Graphic Design Work Experience

Learn about the business of Graphic Design in a small friendly South African firm based right on the water's edge of the Lagoon in one of South Africa’s most beautiful and popular tourist locations. You'll learn the basics of the business of graphics design. You'll work alongside the staff in your area of expertise. If you have more than one skill/interest area then you will most likely get the chance to be involved in several areas of the company. Whatever your area of expertise, you'll have a hands-on role, this may be as part of a group or you may be given some tasks to work on by yourself.
 

SUMMARY FACTFILE
Start Dates All year round - you choose your start and finish dates!
Duration 2 weeks and up to 1 year, subject to visa requirements
Requirements You don't need any specific experience or qualifications, but you must have an enthusiastic interest in graphics design.
Price From £895 for 2 weeks, ranging to £2,595 for 12 weeks. Full Price List
What's included Accommodation Food Meeting you at the Airport Transfer to your accommodation Full pre-departure support Local in-country team support and backup 24-hr emergency support
What's not included Flights, Insurance, Cost of Visas (if a visa is required, but we'll provide necessary documents and assistance), Return transfer to airport.
Who can do this Project? All our projects are open to all nationalities.
Unless otherwise stated, you need to be aged between 17 and 70+

PROJECT OVERVIEW:
WHY GET WORK EXPERIENCE?
In a world of competition where an army of graduates are lining up for the top jobs, what would set you apart from the crowd and make employees look twice? Education establishments and employees are looking for that little bit extra today.

Opening your mind and your horizons by living and working abroad is a huge personal and professional achievement that you will always be proud of. Nothing shows as much motivation, initiative and passion as arranging your own cultural experience abroad and gaining real life work experience.

ABOUT THE COMPANY:
The graphic design company that you will be working with is based in a small town called Knysna, situated in the famous Garden Route area of the Western Cape region. The company is located right down by the waterfront in a beautiful location, just outside of town. It’s a small and friendly firm. They also have an art gallery and picture framing business which will be opening at their premises very soon.

The company is involved in designing many different products such as; business cards, menus, flyers, posters, laminations, invitations, catalogues, postcards, stickers, perforated tickets, greeting cards… and much more.

WORK CONTENT:
You will learn the basics of the business of graphics design. You'll work alongside the staff in your area of expertise. If you have more than one skill/interest area then you will most likely get the chance to be involved in several areas of the company. Whatever your area of expertise, you'll have a hands-on role, this may be as part of a group or you may be given some tasks to work on by yourself.

You will be involved in projects that the company is currently working on and will usually work on several different projects during your time on the placement. You’ll usually assist a member of staff at first with more basic tasks and proceed to working alone on tasks once your confidence grows and the staff feels you are ready.

Your working hours may vary depending on the volume of work that is available at the time however your weekends will usually be free for relaxing and sightseeing with the other volunteers! If there is an approaching deadline, you may be asked to work some irregular hours. The staff at the firm are South African and their first language is English.

You do not need any specific qualifications to take part in this project, but an interest or experience in graphic design is essential. You must also be energetic, self motivated, confident working both alone and in a team and have a friendly disposition. You should also have an open mind and a flexible attitude. You may find that your assigned tasks differ depending on your skills and experience, so if you’re not confident in every area, don’t worry!

… I was taught how to use Corel Draw program which is like Photoshop so then I was allowed to play around with some of the designs and edit a few things giving my interpretation towards them, which lead to one of my designs being used in the final piece of work for a customer.

I also helped by making lampshades for a new business and went to the opening of the Art Gallery which was very interesting. For the last couple of weeks I have been given more designs to do and actually designed a logo the other day for a new business and the man was really happy with it and definitely wants to use it for his flyers and in the future. I am quite happy … that I am getting really involved and that the work I am doing is being noticed.” Carolyne Linsley

WHAT YOU'LL GAIN FROM DOING THIS PROJECT:

  • An exciting, never-to-be-forgotten adventure into Africa and the many diverse cultures in South Africa

  • New skills, more confidence, a greater understanding of a different culture, invaluable personal and professional development.

  • An entry on your CV or résumé that will put you head and shoulders above most others in the job market

  • And best of all ... an unforgettable experience!

ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES YOU CAN DO WHILE ON THIS PROJECT:

  • 5-DAY OR 7-DAY SAFARI from Cape Town up the renowned Garden Route: taking in Dolphin and Whale Spotting, visits to many tourist attractions, such as a visit to a brewery(!), the Bloukrantz Bungy Jump (reportedly the highest in the world), and a guided tour of the Cango Caves.
  • 1 WEEK WHALES, SHARKS AND DOLPHINS Project: This is an extraordinary and exciting project in a beautiful location, surrounded by white beaches and blue ocean. And two hours from the world's third favourite city - Cape Town. What more could anyone want?
  • SURFING COURSES: In the buzz city of Durban.
  • PARAGLIDING COURSE: Soar over the impressively beautiful Drakensburg Mountain. You'll get a licence at the end of the course which qualifies you to do solo paragliding around the world.
   

South Africa, Sun, Surf and Sea, where you can do voluntary projects in teaching, care work, work experience, conservation, sports, and much more!






ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Volunteer Feedback
Photo Galleries
Knysna Diary
Wildlife Rehabilitation Diary
eMakhosini Diary

OPTIONAL ADD-ONS
Safaris and Tours
1-Week Wildlife Rehabilitation
1-Week Zulu Culture Tour
1-Week Whales Sharks Dolphins
7-Day Surfing Course
7-Day Paragliding Course

ACCOMMODATION AND LIVING IN SOUTH AFRICA:



Volunteer house in Knysna

Monkey family with baby on the verandah of one of the volunteer houses
 

Knysna: You will more than likely live in one of our homely volunteer houses with other Travellers volunteers. One of the houses is situated in town and closer to the estuary (which is handy for short walks into town), and the other higher up above the town with beautiful views of Knysna Lagoon. Both houses are very comfortable with great facilities.

You may either have your own room or will share a room with one or more other volunteers. This depends on how many people are on placement at the time of yours. You will be provided with a food budget and will need to prepare and cook your own meals.

When accommodation is limited, we occasionally place volunteers in a local Guest House which is very comfortable and convenient for access into town.
** Please note that occasionally the houses that we use may change owing to availability, so the facilities you can expect may change accordingly.

There are several good, inexpensive steak houses and lots of good Chinese, Italian and other ethnic restaurants all over South Africa. Seafood, of course, is often fresh and plentiful.

With the current favourable exchange rate of about 14 Rands (R14) to the pound, your spending money goes quite a long way! (Prices and exchange rates are current at time writing, but please check rates regularly because they do fluctuate.)

To give you an idea of costs, a local beer will set you back around 70p and coca cola, roughly 30p (at time of writing), so you really can afford to spoil yourself with a good night from time to time.

On Arrival, your Introduction to the Country:
When you arrive you will be welcomed by a member of our South African staff who will take you to your accommodation and introduce you to everyone. During your first few days you'll be given an induction so that you can learn about the country and its culture, as well as other useful information, like how to use the transport system, banks, safety issues, tipping, and lots more.

"The area is beautiful and travelling is easy. The house we stay in is lovely and the Travellers workers are such kind, loving people which really makes it feel like a home away from home. What with all the other volunteers and the Travellers staff, it really does feel like our own little family ... well, our own very big family, I suppose!!!!" Luke Brennan

Be inspired by one volunteers story of her time in South Africa and the subsequent links she developed when she was back home. Sarah Cowan's heart warming story

TRAVEL:

You'll fly into George Airport, or Baz Bus into Knysna, where you'll be met by one of our staff. You'll be taken to your work and your accommodation and introduced to your hosts. You'd be well advised to prepare yourself for an almost overwhelmingly friendly welcome!

You have the option to arrange your own flights or we can assist you with your flight arrangements. If you would like us to do this for you, we will liaise with you regarding available flights and dates to suit you. All arrangements for your flight bookings/payments will be fulfilled by Murray Rogers Travel Limited, ATOL No. 6856. Where possible, we arrange for two or more people to travel on the same flight and we will let you have the names and telephone numbers of other volunteers on your flight, so that you can chat to each other or even meet up before leaving for your placement.

VISAS: For many nationalities, visas are not required for a stay of 90 days or less. If you’re not sure whether you need a visa or not, please visit http://www.home-affairs.gov.za/visa_schedule.asp to see whether your country is exempt. If you do need a visa, we will assist you and help make the visa process as easy as possible.  

Where possible, all flights we arrange for you have changeable return tickets because many of our volunteers choose to extend their stay once they are in their destination country. Changeable return tickets enable you to do so, within the limits of your visa and the level of your air ticket, of course. If you choose to book your own flights, you should endeavour to get a changeable ticket.

To read about the excellent Support & Backup we provide before you leave and during your programme, please click here.

We can also arrange your flight dates to give you additional time at the end of your project for travelling around and sightseeing - this is a fascinating and wondrous country!

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Last modified: February 15, 2010