Graphic Design

Description

This program is designed provide students with an education in the principles and practices of visual communication design. Students learn the skills and knowledge necessary to create effective designs for a wide range of both traditional and digital applications, including branding, editorial, advertising, information design, user interfaces, web and social media, and motion graphics. Throughout the program, students explore a variety of design topics, including layout, typography, composition, colour theory, and production. They develop skills in industry-standard software and tools while working in a hands-on, project-based learning environment. The depth and breadth of instruction in design and technology is reflected in the portfolio developed in this three-year program, preparing students to take on more creative and independent roles once they enter the workplace.

Career Opportunities

At an entry-level of responsibility, graduates create and produce effective visual communications, in print and digital media, within constraints set by employers, clients, and the market. Graduates may find employment with design studios, advertising agencies, newspapers and magazines (online and print), web/interactive studios, corporations with in-house design departments, government agencies, or educational institutions. Graduates may also choose to work independently as freelance graphic designers.

Program Learning Outcomes

The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:

1. conceptualize and develop design solutions using principles of design to create visual communications that meet the needs of the project;
2. employ the design process to create design solutions that meet the project objectives and the needs of the client and/or user;
3. plan, create and use photography, illustration and typography in design layouts to meet the requirements of the creative brief;
4. design, develop and create a variety of media products using relevant, current and/or emerging technologies;
5. communicate ideas, design concepts and opinions clearly and persuasively to others;
6. use recognized industry practices throughout the design process and related business tasks;
7. plan, implement, and evaluate graphic design projects using project management skills to deliver quality work to clients according to schedule and within budget;
8. complete all work in a professional and ethical manner, and in accordance with all applicable legislation and regulations;
9. keep current with visual media design trends, technologies and industry practices using strategies that enhance work performance and guide professional development;
10. apply basic entrepreneurial strategies to identify and respond to new opportunities within graphic design;
11. employ environmentally sustainable design principles and practices to reduce the impact of the design process and final product on the environment.

External Recognition

Upon enrolment, students are registered as members of the Association of Registered Graphic Designers, providing them with opportunities and resources for professional development. Visit www.rgd.ca for more information.

Program Progression

The following reflects the planned progression for full-time offerings of the program.

Fall Intake

• Sem 1: Fall 2025
• Sem 2: Winter 2026
• Sem 3: Fall 2026
• Sem 4: Winter 2027
• Sem 5: Fall 2027
• Sem 6: Winter 2028

Articulation

A number of articulation agreements have been negotiated with universities and other institutions across Canada, North America and internationally. These agreements are assessed, revised and updated on a regular basis. Please contact the program co-ordinator for specific details if you are interested in pursuing such an option. Additional information can be found on our website at https://www.georgiancollege.ca/admissions/credit-transfer/

Admission Requirements

• Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent or mature student status

• Grade 12 English (C or U)

Mature students, non-secondary school applicants (19 years or older), and home school applicants may also be considered for admission. Eligibility may be met by applicants who have taken equivalent courses, upgrading, completed their GED, and equivalency testing. For complete details refer to: www.georgiancollege.ca/admissions/academic-regulations/

Applicants who have taken courses from a recognized and accredited post-secondary institution and/or have relevant life/learning experience may also be considered for admission; refer to the Credit for Prior Learning website for details:
www.georgiancollege.ca/admissions/credit-transfer/

Selection Process

All applicants must submit 3 to 5 samples of creative work that represents their interest in the field of Graphic Design. Samples may be created using digital or traditional media (ie; sketches, paintings, photography, graphic design work - print or digital, etc.). Work can be submitted in pdf or jpeg format, or you may provide a link to an online portfolio. We accept submissions by e-mail only. For email submissions, send to the Academic Program Assistant at portfolios@georgiancollege.ca. Please include your name, student number and OCAS number.

Please note, successful graduates of the Art and Design Fundamentals one-year Certificate program (Program Major: AADF) at Georgian College are exempt from this requirement.

Contact the program coordinator to obtain additional information.

Graduation Requirements

28 Program Courses
2 Communications Courses
4 General Education Courses
1 Field Training

Graduation Eligibility

To graduate from this program, the passing weighted average for promotion through each semester, from year to year, and to graduate is 60%. Additionally, a student must attain a minimum of 50% or a letter grade of P (Pass) or S (Satisfactory) in each course in each semester unless otherwise stated on the course outline.

Program Tracking

The following reflects the planned course sequence for full-time offerings of the Fall intake of the program. Where more  than one intake is offered  contact the program co-ordinator for the program tracking.

Plan of Study Grid

Semester 1		Hours
Program Courses
COMP 1020	Digital Page Layout 1	42
GRPH 1000	Typography	42
GRPH 1001	Graphic Design 1	42
PRNT 1002	Production Fundamentals	42
Communications Course
Select 1 course from the communications list during registration.		42
General Education Course
Select 1 course from the general education list during registration.		42
	Hours	252
Semester 2
Program Courses
COMP 1021	Adobe Photoshop	42
COMP 1076	Web Fundamentals	42
COMP 2035	Adobe Illustrator	42
GRPH 1002	Graphic Design 2	42
Communications Course
Select 1 course from the communications list during registration.		42
General Education Course
Select 1 course from the general education list during registration.		42
	Hours	252
Semester 3
Program Courses
COMP 2148	Digital Ad Design	42
GRPH 2000	Graphic Design 3	42
GRPH 2001	Production Studio 1	42
GRPH 2010	Drawing and Illustration for Graphic Designers	42
HSTY 2001	A History of Illustrative and Graphic Art	42
PHOT 1005	Photographic Communication	42
	Hours	252
Semester 4
Program Courses
BUSI 2004	Professional Practices for Designers 1	42
COMP 2111	Web: Content Management	42
COMP 2129	Motion Graphics	42
GRPH 2002	Production Studio 2	42
GRPH 2003	Graphic Design 4	42
GRPH 2011	User Interface Design	42
General Education Course
Select 1 course from the communications list during registration.		42
	Hours	294
Semester 5
Program Courses
GRPH 3000	Graphic Design 5	42
GRPH 3001	Portfolio Development	42
GRPH 3004	Professional Practices for Designers 2	42
GRPH 3009	Production Studio 3	42
GRPH 3010	Three-Dimensional Environmental Design	42
GRPH 3012	Package Design	42
	Hours	252
Semester 6
Program Courses
GRPH 3005	Trends and Issues in Graphic Design	42
GRPH 3008	Advanced Graphic Applications	42
General Education Course
Select 1 course from the general education list during registration.		42
Field Training
GRPH 3011	Field Training	160
	Hours	286
	Total Hours	1588

Graduation Window

Students unable to adhere to the program duration of three years (as stated above) may take a maximum of six years to complete their credential. After this time, students must be re-admitted into the program, and follow the curriculum in place at the time of re-admission. 

Disclaimer: The information in this document is correct at the time of publication. Academic content of programs and courses is revised on an ongoing basis to ensure relevance to changing educational objectives and employment market needs. 

Program outlines may be subject to change in response to emerging situations, in order to facilitate student achievement of the learning outcomes required for graduation. Components such as courses, progression, coop work terms, placements, internships and other requirements may be delivered differently than published.