AIE The School of Art & Design

17/09/2026

Some lecturers teach from textbooks.
Some teach from experience.

The difference?
You can hear it in every story, every lesson, every real-world insight.

"The way they incorporate their life skills and their skills inside the audio industry to help us and explain it through their own experiences is actually amazing."

When the people teaching you have lived the industry, learning becomes more than theory. It becomes preparation for where you want to go next.

Find your people.
Find your future.

YOU ARE ONE OF US.

15/09/2026

CAREER PATH TUESDAY

Meet Carla, a second-year student at the School of Music & Sound Production. Ever since Grade 8, she's had a passion for techno music and a dream of one day performing on some of the world's biggest stages. That passion inspired her to start creating her own tracks, and now she's building the skills to produce, mix, and shape her future in the music industry.

She knows big dreams start with small steps, which is why she's focused on learning from industry professionals and growing her craft every day.

If you've ever replayed a track just to hear that one perfect sound again, or dreamed of turning your passion into a career, maybe you're seeing more than just a student.

Maybe you're seeing yourself.

Find your people.
YOU ARE ONE OF US.

15/09/2026

NEW PODCAST ALERT | Episode 1: Edutainment Unleashed: Real Talk with Tomorrow's Audio Professionals

What makes a podcast worth listening to?

In the very first episode of the AIE School of Music & Sound Podcast, host Jonathan Shaw is joined by student co-hosts Chyler, Mogau, Black Tax, Kat, and online guest Trinesan for an honest conversation about creativity, the audio industry, and what it really takes to build a career in today's media landscape.

From podcasting and broadcasting to music production, artist development, audio editing, and content creation, the discussion explores the skills, challenges, and opportunities facing the next generation of audio professionals.

Topics include:
- What makes a great podcast
- The rise of "edutainment"
- Music production and audio engineering
- Building a career in modern media
- Why multi-skilling is essential for creatives
- Industry insights from future audio professionals

Whether you're passionate about music, sound, radio, podcasting, content creation, or digital media, this episode offers valuable insights from students already finding their place in the industry.

YOU ARE ONE OF US.
Listen to Episode 1 here: https://aiesomspodcast.wordpress.com/

14/09/2026

What started as a rough sketch years ago is now hanging on your lounge wall. That's the School of Art & Design in one sentence.​

Your gallery debut starts here. Applications for 2027 are officially open.

At AIE, The Academic Institute of Excellence, we are committed to supporting students to achieve their goals. Our Early Bird Offers seek to award students and parents who choose to register and pay in full. This applies to students starting a new course or students continuing their studies at AIE in...

14/09/2026

What happens when students take the stage and make the moment their own? A whole lot of talent, creativity and good vibes.

14/09/2026

Monday Motivation!

11/09/2026

From idea to prototype.

We're proud to showcase the first cohort of Product Design students in the MakersLab, bringing their concepts to life through hands-on design, problem-solving, and prototype development.

As the first higher education provider in South Africa to offer a dedicated Product Design qualification, AIE is helping shape the next generation of designers, innovators, and makers.

It's one thing to imagine a solution. It's another to build it.

YOU ARE ONE OF US.

11/09/2026

Big opportunities start with bold ideas.

The AIE School of Art & Design is proud to be participating in the PUBG Mobile Rising Designer Season 2 Competition, an exciting initiative connecting emerging creative talent from universities across Africa.

Our inaugural Bachelor of Arts in Digital Arts students, alongside our talented 2MM students, have entered the competition, showcasing their creativity, innovation, and design thinking on an international stage.

This partnership highlights the growing opportunities available to students pursuing careers in Game Design, Digital Arts, Animation, Visual Effects, and Creative Technologies. It also marks an exciting milestone as AIE prepares to launch the new Bachelor of Arts in Game Design and Development and expanded Bachelor of Arts in Digital Arts programmes across multiple campuses in 2027.

Because creativity isn't just something you enjoy. It's how you see the world.

YOU ARE ONE OF US.

10/09/2026

Behind the Scenes at AIE.

From classes and practicals to the conversations, creativity and little moments in between — there’s always something happening at AIE.

Take a look behind the scenes and get a feel for what campus life is really like.

This is where learning happens, ideas come to life and students find their people.

10/09/2026

The jobs of 2030 are coming - but is South Africa truly ready?

By 2030, the World Economic Forum expects a net gain of 78 million new jobs globally in AI, big data, and green energy.

Yet, SA face a critical paradox: employers are battling severe skills shortages while our youth unemployment remains tragically high.

According to Leon Smalberger (CEO of AIE), the issue starts long before university:
The Foundational Gap: In the recent matric results, only 34% of candidates wrote pure math. Opting for math literacy closes the door to high-demand STEM careers before school even ends.

Strategy vs. Ex*****on: We have the policy documents, but access to quality digital resources remains highly uneven.

The Practical Fix: Enrolment numbers aren’t enough. Higher education must shift focus entirely toward practical competence and job outcomes.

The learners who will fill the roles of 2030 are sitting in classrooms today. We have a very narrow window to fix the pipeline.

(Read full article and link below)
https://aie.ac/blog/the-jobs-of-2030-are-coming-but-are-south-africans-ready