Graphic Design

Program Overview

From magazine ads and interactive graphics to book covers and digital signage, graphic designers have the power to express emotions, influence decisions and bring ideas to life. Students learn to create functional design in a multitude of contexts including advertisements, logos, brochures, magazine layouts, annual reports and more. Graduates of this program can find employment creating advertising and branding campaigns, corporate identity systems, packaging and integrated content for media networks and the web.

NOTE: Students enrolling in this program are required to purchase their own laptop. For specific laptop and software requirements for this program click here.

Admission Requirements

Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or Mature Student Status
Grade 12 English (C or U)
Grade 11 mathematics (C, M or U)
Senior-level visual or media arts credits or portfolio of work

Note: this program has additional admission requirements. Please visit the VIEW ALL REQUIREMENTS tab (below) for further information.”

View All Requirements

Tuition

Year one domestic: $3,188 (CAD)
Year one international: $13,788 (CAD)

View Full Costs

Semester 1 Courses

View All Courses

Laptop Program

Design

Field Placement

Intakes and Availability

Date	Domestic Availability	International Availability
September 2021	Open	Open

Career Options

WHAT YOU COULD BE:

Graphic designer
Art director
Creative director
Freelance graphic designer
Digital production designer
Marketing coordinator
Production artist
Prepress technician
Web designer
Motion graphic designer
Agency studio artist

View all Career Options

Program Details

NOTE: Students enrolling in this program are required to purchase their own laptop. For specific laptop and software requirements for this program click here.

This program prepares graduates for work as entry-level designers. Students learn skills required to solve specific visual problems through practical work that covers a broad spectrum of visual communication in corporate, editorial, advertising and package design. The program of studies in first year includes:

Design concepts
Digital technology
Illustration and photography
Fundamentals of design
Typography

Your second and third year will give you an opportunity to apply these principles to a variety of design problems.

Other areas of study include:

Advertising
Branding and campaigns
Editorial and corporate design
Packaging
The business of graphic design

You will spend your sixth semester off campus as an intern at a design or in-house studio. As a graduating student, you will have the opportunity to display design projects from your Portfolio Studies course at an annual student design exhibition.

In The News

Program Learning Outcomes

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.

Admission Requirements

Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or Mature Student Status
Grade 12 English (C or U)
Grade 11 mathematics (C, M or U)
Senior-level visual or media arts credits or portfolio of work

Please note: For applicants who have a senior-level visual arts or media arts credit (C, M or U levels) on their high school transcript, a portfolio submission is not required. For those without a senior-level visual arts or media arts credit, applicants are required to submit a portfolio of work to be considered for admission. Please submit your portfolio as a digital pdf file or include a website address with your application.

Additional requirements

In addition to the academic requirements, admission to this program MAY require the submission of a portfolio of artwork. The purpose of the portfolio is to allow students to demonstrate their creative ability.

There are several (optional) free portfolio information sessions, which are designed to help applicants develop a portfolio.

Courses

The courses listed below are for incoming students. If you are a current student, please refer to your program of study for the year you began your program. Your program of study can be found on MyCampus.

Semester 1

Semester 2

Semester 3

Semester 4

Semester 5

Semester 6

Field Placement - Graphics (FWK 6303)

Courses and course descriptions are subject to change. Please note that as a result of COVID-19 the 2020-21 program of study may be modified to accommodate program delivery changes. Students should refer to their timetable for the most up-to-date course information.

Costs

Career Options

WHAT YOU COULD BE:

Graphic designer
Art director
Creative director
Freelance graphic designer
Digital production designer
Marketing coordinator
Production artist
Prepress technician
Web designer
Motion graphic designer
Agency studio artist

WHERE YOU COULD WORK:

Advertising agencies
Graphic design studios
In-house corporate design studios
Interactive design studios
Package design studios
Printing companies
Publishing companies
Self-employment (freelance)
Web development studio
Media networks

Field Placement

Your learning experience will be complemented by a 14-week field placement in the last semester of your program, which provides the opportunity to integrate theory with practice at an agency or studio under the supervision of an industry professional. The placement must be approved by faculty, and your progress will be monitored. Many students are offered employment at the end of their field placement.

Program Transfer, Degree Completion and Additional Credentials

Durham College also offers degree completion opportunities with a number of Canadian and international institutions. Sample diploma-to-degree opportunities include:

Please visit our pathways page to learn more about how you can transfer your credits towards a degree.

Laptop Requirements

Laptop requirements

A Mac notebook computer is recommended. Please see the hardware requirements document for details.

Software requirements

Operating System (bundled with new notebook computer purchase)
Membership in Adobe Creative Cloud™ is included in your Student Fees and will be made available during your first week. There is no need to purchase a subscription.
Microsoft Office (Available for free for students from Microsoft through your DC Mail account. Please do not buy it.)

Creative Cloud brings together everything you need to create your greatest work. One simple membership gives you and your classmates to the very latest versions of all the Adobe professional creative desktop applications like Photoshop®, Illustrator®, Premiere Pro® and more — plus new features and upgrades as soon as they're available. And that's just the beginning. With Creative Cloud™, everything you need to create intuitively and collaboratively is included.

Free downloadable software (please download and install prior to the start of classes. Caution: To avoid malware, only download from the actual developer or using the links below):

OTHER RECOMMENDED HARDWARE

USB flash drive for storing smaller amounts of data
External hard disk 1 TB or larger for storing larger files
Wacom or iPad Tablet [optional]

NOTE: These requirements were accurate at the time of posting and are subject to change. Please be aware that hardware and software versions are subject to change and will be updated as needed. For further information and FAQ click here.

Program Overview

Admission Requirements

Tuition

Semester 1 Courses

Intakes and Availability

Career Options

WHAT YOU COULD BE:

Program Details

In The News

Program Learning Outcomes

Admission Requirements

Additional requirements

Courses

Semester 1

Semester 2

Semester 3

Semester 4

Semester 5

Semester 6

Costs

Career Options

WHAT YOU COULD BE:

WHERE YOU COULD WORK:

Field Placement

Program Transfer, Degree Completion and Additional Credentials

Laptop Requirements

Laptop requirements

Software requirements

OTHER RECOMMENDED HARDWARE

Graphic Design in the news

Helpful Resources

Have a Question? Attend a Program Information Webinar

Financial Aid Information

Graduate Employment Report [PDF]

Have a Question?
Attend a Program Information Webinar