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Design For Africa

International student, Tyler Scott was the first student from South Africa who, as part of the Design For Africa International Entrepreneur Project, partly funded by The British Council, undertook study on the Graphic Design and Illustration programme at the University of Hertfordshire’s School of Creative Arts.

The University of Hertfordshire project in collaboration with South African partners, allowed the students to meet and be mentored by leading industry professionals. Tyler, alongside more than 300 other students, was able to develop his design and entrepreneurial skills throughout his time on the project and at the University.

Whilst attributing his continued success to his time at the University of Hertfordshire, Tyler continues to pass on the knowledge and experience he has gained to the students of the South African college he attended. He has also successfully completed his BA (Hons) Graphic Design at the University graduating with a First class degree and is now undertaking an MA in the School of Creative Arts.

The Idea

The improvement of secondary education in South Africa has seen an increased demand for education and training which colleges and universities in the country are struggling to meet as a result of limited resources.

With the help of the Education Partnership in Africa Programme, an initiative created by the British Council, the University of Hertfordshire worked with three Cape Town colleges: Ruth Prowse School of Art, Cape Peninsula University of Technology and The Design School, to offer students the opportunity to attend programmes at the University of Hertfordshire. These relationships continue to grow.

How the University of Hertfordshire helped

The University of Hertfordshire worked with Design for Africa to fast track design students into the international arena and develop their entrepreneurial skills.

The project, which offers young learners the opportunity to develop their creative skills through collaborative learning opportunities based in the School of Creative Arts at the University of Hertfordshire, mentors, nurtures and empowers emerging South African designers by providing international experience to help young learners achieve their entrepreneurial ambitions.

The Creative Entrepreneurs Challenge, which formed a part of the project, saw the University collaborate with industry professionals from high profile companies including Karen Millen UK, Big Active, Simon Harrison, The Cape Town Fashion Council, The Western Cape Provisional Government and L’Oreal South Africa. The challenge saw Tyler and more than 300 other students, from all disciplines, create and develop fictitious projects with the help of their industry mentors.

“The project exceeded all expectations and is considered an exemplary project by the British Council” says Shaun Borstrock, Associate Dean of the School of Creative Arts and Head of Design at the University of Hertfordshire. “We wanted the students to understand industry and the needs and wants of consumers. They needed to know how to put a business plan together and market themselves.”

The Results

Within just three weeks of graduating, Tyler Scott was offered employment as a designer in Cape Town. Despite the widespread unemployment there, Tyler found that he had a choice of jobs thanks to the experience he had gained at the summer school. Tyler regularly returns to his college, the Ruth Prowse School of Art, to share the knowledge and experience he gained at the University of Hertfordshire with other South African students. Tyler returned to the university to complete his degree and will undertake an MA this year. In addition he won The Virgin Atlantic Award for Graphic Design at The New Designers 2012.

Tyler says: “My studies were limited to lectures and textbooks until I visited the UK. Then for the first time I was able to see, in real life, awe-inspiring works in galleries. I had the opportunity to meet top designers and discuss my ideas with them. It was the greatest opportunity I have been privileged to have, and now I am doing what I can to share my experience with design students in South Africa.”