“I feel a mixture of excitement, pride, and gratitude. This milestone represents years of hard work, resilience, and growth, and I am looking forward to stepping into the next chapter of both my academic and professional career with confidence,” said the jubilant Rory van As.
The Graphic Design lecturer and Programme Co-ordinator of the Graphic Design programme held within the Visual Communication Design Department at DUT was conferred with his Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Visual and Performing Arts.
The prestigious ceremony took place at the DUT 2025 Spring Graduation ceremony at the Olive Convention Centre on Friday, 19 September 2025.
The alumni of DUT, first received his Diploma in Graphic Design in 2004. He then returned to complete his BTech and Master degrees whilst working full time in industry. He then joined the DUT as a full time lecturer in 2021.
“This milestone represents years of hard work, resilience, and growth — and I now step into the next chapter of my academic and professional career with confidence.”
Dr Van As shared some insight into his thesis which explored the intersections of visual communication and cultural identity through the lens of Harry Ramesar’s work, a pioneering tattoo artist from KwaZulu-Natal.
“Using approaches from the visual digital humanities, visual methodologies and interviewing past clients that had a tattoo from Harry Ramesar, I created a digital archive of his original tattoo artifacts to preserve and share this important visual and cultural legacy,” he said.
He explained that the findings revealed that such digital archives, when informed by inclusive and community-driven design practices, can safeguard artistic heritage, amplify overlooked histories, and contribute to stronger cultural awareness and lasting social impact. As a valued DUT academic, Van As strongly associates with integrity and respect, which he says are essential in both academic and professional spaces, ensuring collaboration, fairness, and accountability. These values have guided him throughout his studies and will continue to shape how he works with others.
For Dr Van As, he divulged that there were challenges he had faced as a student. Balancing his responsibilities as a full time academic, his personal responsibilities and the responsibilities of a PhD student were the biggest challenges. “There were moments of self-doubt and fatigue, but perseverance, peer and family support, and guidance from colleagues helped me overcome these hurdles,” he penned.
The charismatic lecturer says his family were thrilled and incredibly proud of him achieving his PhD goal. “For them, my graduation is not just a personal achievement, but a shared accomplishment that reflects their unwavering support throughout my journey,” he emphasised.
In terms of his choice of study in the field of Visual and Performing Arts, he highlighted that this has always been his choice and he was extremely passionate about creativity, communication, and visual storytelling. Studying this field allowed him to combine his interests with meaningful work that can influence and inspire others.
“I am a tattoo collector myself and being able to tell the story of a pioneering South African tattoo artist, who in the past was known more internationally than locally in South Africa is a beautiful thing, thus elevating Harry Ramsar’s pioneering status,” he explained.
Going forward, Van As has shared that he would like to continue his academic journey, particularly in areas where design intersects with semiotics and culture.
“Continuous learning is vital in a rapidly changing world. I aim to continue building my career as a full-time lecturer who brings my valuable industry experience into the classroom. My goal is not only to equip students with the technical and creative skills needed to thrive in design but also to inspire them to see design as a tool for strategic, research based visual communication design. Ultimately, I want to contribute to both academia and industry in spaces where creativity, education, and community upliftment intersect,” he shared.
His creative advice to a first year who wants to embark on the same career is to be curious, disciplined, and have fun.
“Embrace experimentation, learn from critique, and never underestimate the value of networking. Most importantly, remember that design is not only about aesthetics, it’s about problem-solving and creating meaningful connections. A confident designer is a good designer,” he shared.
To learn more on Harry Ramesar, go to: tattooharry.co.za
Pictured: Dr Rory van As
Waheeda Peters
