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  • Graphic Design

Graphic Design

Credential
Ontario College Advanced Diploma
Location
Oshawa
School
School of Media, Art & Design (MAD)
Length
Six semesters
OCAS Code
GDES
Next Intake
September 2021   +View all Intakes
Laptop
Learn more about laptop requirements
Featured image for program.
Apply Now
  • Overview
  • Program Details
  • Admission Requirements
  • Courses
  • Costs
  • Career Options
  • Field Placement
  • Transfer
  • Laptop

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

  • Design I (DEGN 1300)
  • Design Tools I (DEGN 1301)
  • General Education Elective (GNED 0000)
  • New Media Design I (NMED 1300)
  • Photography & Illustration (PHOT 1312)
  • Typography I (TYPO 1300)

View All Courses

Laptop Program
Laptop Program
Design
Design
Field Placement
Field Placement

Intakes and Availability

Date Domestic Availability International Availability
September 2021OpenOpen

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

  • The Value of Experience
  • Graphic Design students compete in PAC challenge
  • Toronto gallery hosts DC design show
  • Graphic Design grads' creativity awarded by RGD
  • Students win big at Ontario Technological Skills Competition
  • DC Student’s Pan Am Artwork Showcased
  • DC Grad Tops List of Most Beautiful Outdoor Pianos

Program Learning Outcomes

  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.

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

  • Design I (DEGN 1300)
  • Design Tools I (DEGN 1301)
  • General Education Elective (GNED 0000)
  • New Media Design I (NMED 1300)
  • Photography & Illustration (PHOT 1312)
  • Typography I (TYPO 1300)

Semester 2

  • Communication For Design (COMM 1312)
  • Design II (DEGN 2300)
  • Design Tools II (DEGN 2301)
  • 3D & Materials (DEGN 2303)
  • New Media Design II (NMED 2300)
  • Typography II (TYPO 2300)

Semester 3

  • Advertising & Campaigns (ADCM 1300)
  • Branding Identity (BRND 1300)
  • Design Tools III (DEGN 3301)
  • General Education Elective (GNED 0000)
  • New Media Design III (NMED 3300)
  • Typography III (TYPO 3300)

Semester 4

  • Design Studio (DEGN 4302)
  • Editorial Design (DESN 4302)
  • Packaging Design (DESN 4304)
  • Workflow Production (DESN 4305)
  • New Media Design IV (NMED 4300)
  • Portfolio Assessment (PORT 2300)
  • Visual Style (VISU 1300)

Semester 5

  • The Business Of Graphic Design (BGES 1300)
  • General Education Elective (GNED 0000)
  • Portfolio Studies (PORT 5300)

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:

  • Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) bridge – University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT)
  • Bachelor of Arts (Honours) – Educational Studies and Digital Technology – UOIT
  • Bachelor of Professional Arts – Communication Studies - Athabasca University
  • Bachelor of Business Administration – General Business - Davenport University
  • Bachelor of Arts and Science (Honours) - Media Studies – Lakehead University 
  • Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Graphic Design Communications – Limerick Insitute of Technology
  • Bachelor of Education - Technological Education - York University

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):

  • Mozilla Firefox web browser
  • Google Chrome web browser 
  • Brackets
  • Microsoft Teams

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.  

Graphic Design in the news

DC student leads the pack in design competition
The Value of Experience
Student competes in Packaging Consortium Design Contest
 View more News
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