Art School - Graphic Design

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

These diploma programs focus on preparing the student to work in a variety of interior design positions. This program will give students theoretical knowledge and the hands-on skills necessary to be successful. Students will acquire industry-standard software and technical skills and the knowledge to apply current industry policies, practices, procedures, and tools. Students will create a portfolio that showcases their professional design talents. Interior Design Diploma has an optional co-op component that can be taken after the completion of the academic year.

Program Organization

Course No. Course Name Hours
IND100 Art & Design Foundation 40
GRD100 Drawing* 40
GRD110 Digital Imaging I 40
GRD120 Digital Illustration I 40
GRD130 Typography 40
GRD200 Drafting* 40
DFP200 Digital Photography 40
GRD210 Digital Illustration II 40
GRD220 Package Design I 40
GRD310 Advertising Design I 40
GRD340 Web Design 40
GRD400 Digital Imaging II 40
GRD300 Corporate Design 40
GRD320 Advertising Design Studio 40
GRD330 Mobile Media Design 40
GRD410 Publication Design I 40
GRD520 Senior Design Project 40
GRD600 Package Design Studio 40
GRD420 Motion Graphics 40
GRD610 Publication Design II 40
GRD620 Green Advertising Studio 40
GRD510 Portfolio 80
CAPI00 Career Preparation 40

Admission Requirements

  • Grade 12 Graduate or a mature student
  • Meet the Language proficiency requirements as listed below:

Prior to acceptance applicants must meet at least one of the following language proficiency requirements:

  • Provide verified results for one of the English language proficiency tests listed below.

    • Test results must be dated no more than two years before the start date of the program.

    1. International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic: overall score of 5.5 or higher.
    2. Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) IBT: overall score of 46 or higher
    3. Canadian Academic English Language (CAEL) Test: overall score of 40 or higher
    4. Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP): Listening 6, Speaking 6, Reading 5, and Writing 5
    5. Duolingo English Test: overall score of 95 or higher
    6. Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic: overall score of 43 or higher
    7. Cambridge English Qualifications: B2 First exam (FCE): overall score of 160 /"C" or higher
    8. Cambridge Linguaskill: overall: B2 level or higher
    9. LANGUAGECERT Academic: B2 level or higher
    10. The Michigan English Test (MET): B2 level or higher
    11. iTEP Academic: overall score of 3.5 or higher
    12. EIKEN: placement of Grade Pre-1 or higher

Mature student applicants:

  • Completion of 3 years of full-time secondary education (Grades 8-12) or 2 years of secondary education (including English 10 and 11 with a grade of 'C' or higher) from a country where English is one of the principal languages(This may be demonstrated by providing a high school transcript, completion of a BC Adult Graduation program or providing international education credentials recognized through WES, ICES, or IQAS.), or
  • Completion of 2 years of full-time post-secondary education at an accredited institution where English is the language of instruction (Language development courses (i.e., ELL courses) cannot be included in this calculation), or
  • Evidence that a language standard defined and accepted by a third-party regulator has been met. This may include minimum language standards or testing options set by a third-party regulator (e.g., Health Colleges, Public Registries, Transport Canada, etc.).
  • Applicant is 19 years or older at the start of the program and is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident who cannot access is their educational records or provide sufficient evidence of secondary or post-secondary education as outlined above:
    1. Reading: 235
    2. Writing: 235
    3. WritePlacer: 4

Language development courses (i.e., ELL courses) cannot be included in this calculation. Accuplacer may not be used to demonstrate that a student meets an admission requirement other than language proficiency. For example, Accuplacer may not be used to demonstrate that a student meets a Math 11 admission requirement.

IND100 Art & Design Foundation

This course introduces students to the fundamentals and application of color theory and design. The course includes a short history of design, the physics of color and the fundamentals of the principles of design. Through a wide variety of art and design exercises students will learn to apply theory to artistic practice, learning how to apply basic design principles and color creatively.

GRD100 Drawing

This course will teach students how to see the world, allowing them to sketch and accurately draw their environment. Students will learn the fundamental concepts of drawing, how to use basic shapes, forms, lines and patterns, perspective (2/3D), scaling, proportions and lighting in the creation of realistic drawings.

GRD110 Digital Imaging I

This course introduces students to industry standard digital imaging software – Photoshop. Students will learn the fundamentals of digital image manipulation and production, editing tools and techniques used in print and web production and will apply color and design principles in the creation of original compositions.

Topics will include; color correction, layers, selection tools, brushes, masks, blending, filters, and file formats and output.

GRD120 Digital Illustration I

This course introduces students to the industry standard vector-based software used in manipulating photographic and bitmapped imagery and in the production of original illustrations used in magazines, advertising publications, technical documentation, game and video industries. Students will apply the basics of color and design in the creative production of a selection of industry specific illustrations.

Topics will include; tools and functions, color palette applications, drawing and painting objects, using and creating masks and transparencies, type, effects, file formats and output.

GRD130 Typography

This course is an introduction to the importance and effective application of typography in all forms of communication. This course will cover type classifications (serif vs. sans serif, display type vs. text type), how type is measured, sized, and organized, and how spacing and alignment affect design, how to use kerning, tracking, leading, and line length, and covers the history and current trends in typography.

GRD200 Drafting

This course introduces students to the fundamentals of traditional conventional drafting, using paper and pencil to produce detailed technical drawings.

DFP200 Digital Photography

This course introduces students to the fundamental terminology, concepts, and techniques of digital photography. The content focuses on the principles of using color, composition, lighting, and other imaging techniques to capture a subject.

GRD210 Digital Illustration II

Adobe Illustrator is the choice of artists and designers to create drawings and illustrations (charts, graphs, logos, diagrams, cartoons) when precision and high resolution matters most. This course builds upon Illustrator I, introducing advanced illustrator techniques and lays out the production process, showing how to get work production ready.

GRD220 Package Design I

This course explores the basics of designing packages, with emphasis given to methods that are practical for manufacturing and shipping, while making the packaging visually appealing. The focus will be on folding cartons, which can be created with the tools available to most designers, Adobe InDesign and Illustrator.

Skills to create die-lines, artwork and text will be learned and practical experience in printing and cutting packaging prototypes and preparing the job for professional printing will be given.

GRD310 Advertising Design I

Students will be introduced to traditional and mobile and social media marketing and advertising theory and trends. Using this framework students will begin to examine the purpose of graphic design in the context of advertising and will explore design principles applied in the promotion of an idea or product.

GRD340 Web Design

In this course students will be introduced to current web design theory and practice. This course explores a variety of techniques, tools, and technologies associated with web development. Students will define, design, and develop an HTML based website using standard authoring tools. Through this hands-on course, the student will learn the fundamentals of web design, as well as HTML and CSS.

GRD400 Digital Imaging II

This course builds upon tools and techniques introduced in Photoshop I. Students will learn how to use and apply layers, slices, roll-overs, image maps, blends, and painting and compositing tools in the manipulation of existing images and in the creation of original work, being delivered using a variety of technologies.

GRD300 Corporate Design

We are well aware of the influence that corporate branding has on the public’s perception of people, politicians, companies and their products. Branding is used to inform, promote, deliver a message and/or create a recognizable identity. This course will introduce students to the processes that are involved in the creation of an institution’s identity, with a focus on original logo creation.

GRD320 Advertising Design Studio

Building upon Advertising Design I students will create marketing collateral taking into consideration a variety of real world marketing and budgetary variables.

Students will choose from one of three advertising scenarios each presenting a different constraint (target audience, fiscal limitation, product re-introduction). They will propose and defend three possible advertising design solutions. The ‘client’ will make the final choice and each student will take the project to completion by applying design best practices.

GRD330 Mobile Media Design

This course focuses on applying design and usability best practices in the creation of a superior mobile user experience. Students will be introduced to basic mobile and touch screen design principles. Students will apply these principles in the creation of a cross platform mobile user experience.

GRD410 Publication Design I

The rise and evolution of electronic information was supposed to herald the end of print media. To-date this has not occurred, with many publications still delivering both in hard and electronic copy. This course introduces students to the techniques and processes involved in creating print-based publications.

GRD520 Senior Design Project

The objective of this course is provide the student with the opportunity to decide on, design and complete a design project of their own choosing. Students will be evaluated on the originality of their project, design brief and ability to execute their project plan.

GRD600 Package Design Studio

Building upon Packaging Design I students will work in groups and choose from one of four packaging design challenges, each presenting a different constraint (size, material, environmental, cultural).

Each group will propose and defend two possible design solutions. The ‘client’ will make the final choice and each group will take the project to completion by applying packaging design best practices.

GRD420 Motion Graphics

This course will introduce students to the principles of digital animated graphics. Students will bring their knowledge of design and illustration to the creation of animated assets. Students will learn how to create motion graphics for a variety of applications. Projects will focus on the design and optimization of animations for mobile assets.

GRD610 Publication Design II

Building upon Publication Design I students will learn how to design and create publications being delivered in digital format using a variety of electronic delivery technologies to a variety of digital media devices.

GRD620 Green Advertising Studio

In this course students will identify a current sustainability issue that is being negatively presented in the media and will develop a ‘green’ advertising campaign designed to change public opinion.

Working competitively in groups each will propose and defend a design brief. Brief evaluation will use an intra-group and inter-group assessment model. Based on ‘client’ feedback students will take the project to completion.

GRD510 Portfolio

Building on the choices made with respect to their portfolio design brief students will focus on improving their portfolio pieces so that they clearly reflect a personalized area of interest and expertise, and demonstrate competency mastery. Students will present their final portfolio to a panel of their peers and industry representatives.

CAP100 Career Preparation

This course prepares students for their job search by introducing them to interviewing skills, resume writing, cover letters, interview preparation, public speaking and an introduction to general customer service.

Graduation Requirements

  • Successful completion of all program courses
  • Successful completion of program Co-op (If applicable)

Program Duration

Program Hours
Total instructional hours 960
Total Co-op hours 840 (if applicable)
Total program hours 960 (No Co-op) - 1880 (With Co-op)
Total program length (weeks) 48 (No Co-op) - 90 (With Co-op)

Delivery Method

This program can be delivered in different methods,

  1. On Site

    The program will be delivered 100% in person*

    Courses may be offered in a different order as long as prerequisites are met. Prerequisites are indicated in each course outline.

  2. Distance

    The program will be delivered 100% in an asynchronous** style except for the integrated work experience i.e practicum or co-op

    Content of courses may be available at the same time OR in a different order as long as prerequisites are met. Prerequisites are indicated in each course outline.

  3. Combined (Hybrid)

    In this method, 50% of EACH COURSE of the program is delivered in person and the other 35% to 50% percent is delivered in synchronous** style and 0 to 15% in asynchronous*** style.

NOTE:

In this method, EVERY course of the program is delivered both in class and online. Courses may be offered in a different order as long as prerequisites are met.

Prerequisites are indicated in each course outline.

Students may ask SEA in writing if they want to take different percentages in class or online. Upon SEA’s approval, an amendment to the enrollment agreement must be signed.

*In person – means all classes of all courses are conducted on campus and students and instructors are on the same schedule and in the same physical location.

**Synchronous is when students and instructors are on the same schedule but can log in to a virtual class at the same time, only from different physical locations.

***Asynchronous is when students are on their own schedule and log in to the school management system at their own time, submit assignments on their own schedule and within a specific timeframe and are in touch with instructors via email and not necessarily at the same time and/or time zone.

Learning Objective

Upon completion of the program, students will have acquired industry-standard software and technical skills and the knowledge to apply current industry policies, practices, procedures, and tools.

Career Options

Upon successful completion, graduates will be able to secure entry-level graphic design employment, for example as a digital illustrator, layout specialist, graphic artist and design software specialist.

  • Digital Illustrator
  • Layout Specialist
  • Graphic Artist
  • Design Software Specialist

Co-OP

The co-op will provide students with the opportunity to apply acquired theory and skills in a practical business setting. Students will gain real-world experience working on projects as a member of a team with project deliverables and deadlines.

Downloads

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