Advanced Diploma in Graphic Design

Program Overview

The Graphic Design program is an ideal training ground for the design profession. The program provides a strong overall understanding of design while also allowing you to select a major in either Communication Design, which prepares you for a corporate design career, or Advertising Design, which prepares you for a career at an advertising agency. In addition, design electives allow you to gain skills in areas such as illustration, motion, interaction, web, book and environmental design.

The first three semesters provide you with a strong foundation in the core subjects of design, typography, production, digital applications, drawing for design and design culture. In the fourth semester, you choose a major while continuing to develop applied skills through intensive studio projects. In the final year, you become involved in a thesis or major project, which allows for synthesis of skills. You will also engage in professional practice classes that prepare you for the workplace.

You learn through working on real-life projects in state-of-the-art labs and through industry networking. Students with an overall grade point average of 2.5 or higher by the end of semester 4 will be eligible for field placement.

Membership in the Association of Registered Graphic Designers of Ontario is included in your tuition, giving you access to a network of Canada’s top design professionals and a head start in the process of becoming a Registered Graphic Designer. The best student work will be displayed in annual exhibitions and a publication distributed to industry and the general public.

Your Field Education Options

• Students with an overall grade point average of 2.5 or higher by the end of Semester 4 and a B+ on the portfolio assignment (Semester 5) will be eligible for the Field Placement course (GRAF3017) in Semester 6.

Program Learning Outcomes

• The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:
  • Conceptualize and develop design solutions using principles of design to create visual communications that meet the needs of the project.
  • Employ the design process to create design solutions that meet the project objectives and the needs of the client and/or user.
  • Plan, create and use photography, illustration and typography in design layouts to meet the requirements of the creative brief.
  • Design, develop and create a variety of media products using relevant, current and/or emerging technologies.
  • Communicate ideas, design concepts and opinions clearly and persuasively to others.
  • Use recognized industry practices throughout the design process and related business tasks.
  • Plan, implement, and evaluate graphic design projects using project management skills to deliver quality work to clients according to schedule and within budget.
  • Complete all work in a professional and ethical manner, and in accordance with all applicable legislation and regulations.
  • Keep current with visual media design trends, technologies and industry practices using strategies that enhance work performance and guide professional development.