Malawi college of media designing: Walking the talk of youth and  entrepreneurship

Duncan Mlanjira – Nyasa Times

Two young graphic designers Gift Sitima and Funsani Scander formed their own media and graphic designing school in Blantyre called ACE College of Media and Design to prepare all their students for entrepreneurship and self-employment.

Scander
Scander
Sitima
Sitima

Formed in 2013, the college, which is all about career and result oriented, is situated in Avalon Complex first floor along Browns Road, opposite Pacific Mall in Blantyre, ACE College

“We believe in art as an area of great exposure that requires great passion, creativity and a heart for innovation,” Sitima said. “Students also gain hands-on and relevant competencies and skills from experienced, well qualified and practicing lecturers.

“We prepare all our students for entrepreneurship and self-employment. In additional to that we also offer an affordable tuition fees payable in installments and one can chose to study at his/her own convinience (weekend, mid-week, evening classes and distance learning).

On 21 May, 2016, 13 students graduated in different courses; two in computer basics, two in professional multimedia arts and nine in professional graphic design.

“Most of our courses mainly focus on media (print, TV production and online). We cannot talk of media without designers and copy writers. These are the people behind any quality media production,” Sitima said.

The duration for professional certificate courses is six months while a diploma is 12-18 months and these courses are accredited by Animaster Academy, one of the best Animation and Design training institutions in India.

The college invited MISA Malawi Chapter chairman Thom Khanje to preside over the graduation and he said it was a privilege and an eye opener.

“During presentations at the graduation I learned that graphic designing is more than just about media and print, Khanje said. “It’s actually a wider field covering everything, from media to general business.

“It includes motion design, visual design, environment design, animation, packaging, product design etc.

“Their students include children of Malawians of Asian origin as young as 10 who send them there to learn graphic designs during school holidays. Other Malawian parents can do the same for their children too during holidays,” he said.

Since establishment in 2013 we have successfully trained many students at certificate and diploma level.

“We are proud that our students are now working in several companies and some have started their own businesses,” Sitima said.

According to its website, www.acecollegemw.com and also on Facebook acecollegemw, the college offers visual arts training and career development institution. It develops and offers flexible range of learning solutions to meet specific needs of individuals, creative professionals, advertising agencies, media houses and other creative companies.

The website says: “Our programs are attended by a cross-section of creative people among them visual artists, designers, screen writers, copy and business writers and printing specialists among others. The college promotes the advancement of creative art and design knowledge, both in creation and dissemination, by providing successful graduates a creative platform to unlock their inner creative self and become better creative design professionals.”

On offer is graphic design like colour, typography, layout and navigating Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign.

Then there is multimedia arts in which the students gain a foundation in visual design, motion graphics, and digital video to be used in Web-based media projects.

There is also website designing which teaches Web standards HTML, CSS, and JavaScript — gaining command of Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and Dreamweaver.

Motion graphics explores fundamental concepts in art and design, including digital video editing and production and 3D modeling.

Thyolo-based student Matthews Matemba testified that he has been exposed to a new world of opportunities.

“Ace College has been a great fit for me,” he said. “I wasn’t sure what to expect when I made the decision to come. Studying Graphic Design has been well worth the hardwork.

“The people at the college are so suppotive and welcoming. If I had the chance to do it over, I would definitely be right back at Ace College,” he said.

Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV :

Sharing is caring!

Follow us in Twitter
Read previous post:
Malawi Police arrests diplomat Doreen Kapanga over Ethiopia embassy fraud

Maurice Nkawihe – Nyasa Times Malawi Police in Lilongwe have arrested the suspended Deputy Ambassador to Ethiopia, Doreen Kapanga, in...

Close