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Graphic Design

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The Graphic Design program offers students the excitement and challenges of a career in the design field.

Through exposure to a wide variety of ideas, challenges and media, graduates leave the program with a solid portfolio and a wide variety of skills. The curriculum involves students in design theory and application, creative problem solving, typography, color prepress, and print production areas, digital design work and the management of projects. Additional skills in photography, business, personal competencies and presentations produce well-rounded and creative individuals that should be capable of working in a wide variety of areas including the print and prepress industries, design studios, advertising agencies, digital design and production facilities among others.

The Graphic Design program focuses on addressing the needs for strong graphic designers by specializing in a Diploma in Graphic Design. This program of study prepares students to work in any of the exciting areas that are open to designers today.

Program emphasis is on the establishment of a solid set of design skills. This, coupled with exposure to a variety of hardware and software, prepares graduates to meet the needs of the industry. The curriculum of the program allows exposure to a variety of applications for design from print and the digital world to illustration. Individual students will be able to focus on any or all of these areas that personally interest them.

The Graphic Design program fulfills the post-secondary requirement for the College's Interactive Multimedia program.

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Courses

List of Courses

Graphic Design Courses

print full list with descriptions

Take the following course(s), minimum grade: 60%

Design 101

This course introduces students to the fundamental building blocks and processes of design, concentrating specifically on the elements, variables and principles of design. Using a project approach, the development of conceptual thinking is also applied through graphic design solutions.

Hours: 45
Course Code: GRADES-1000
Detailed Course Outline: GRADES-1000 Design 101
Academic Year: 2011-2012

Color 101

Color is one of the many tools designers use to create both visual and meaningful impact in graphic design. This course explores (using the traditional painting styles and techniques found in earlier schools of design) the theory and practical application behind color, and how it applies to solving problems in any design situation.

Hours: 45
Course Code: GRADES-1010
Detailed Course Outline: GRADES-1010 Color 101
Academic Year: 2011-2012

Graphic Design History 101

This is a demanding course during which students will develop a thorough working knowledge of Graphic Design including: the beginnings of communications in various ancient civilizations, the invention of writing and the alphabet, the Asian contribution, the illuminated manuscript, the invention of printing in Europe, the evolution of type, Renaissance graphic design, design in the Industrial Age, the invention of Photography, the Victorian era trends, the Arts and Crafts Movement, Ukiyo-e and Art Nouveau. In addition to increasing a knowledge base regarding the history of Graphic Design, students will develop critical writing and grammar skills.

Hours: 45
Course Code: GRADES-1020
Detailed Course Outline: GRADES-1020 Graphic Design History 101
Academic Year: 2011-2012

Structural Drawing 101

This course develops the research and conceptual skills needed to produce effective design. Using the poster as the finished artifact, students are challenged to a series of visual problems that they must solve within a timeframe that both stimulates and alters their perception of the environment around them, thus triggering the 'designer within'. This course places emphasis on strong discipline and development of design, type, layout, drawing skills and character.

Hours: 45
Course Code: GRADES-1030
Detailed Course Outline: GRADES-1030 Structural Drawing 101
Academic Year: 2011-2012

Typography 101

Typography is one of the essential tools of graphic design and visual communication. The course is intended to develop the student's ability to critically assess typography in its day to day application. The course begins with an examination of the roots of language and alphabets, moves into the development of a vocabulary of typographical terms, and assists in understanding the classification of typefaces and selecting type to meet client and market needs. A look at expressive and experimental typography in contemporary graphic design finishes the semester.

Hours: 45
Course Code: GRADES-1040
Detailed Course Outline: GRADES-1040 Typography 101
Academic Year: 2011-2012

Color 201

Color is one of the many tools designers used to create both visual and meaningful impact in graphic design. This course further explores color, utilizing illusion, distortion, emotional and theme to achieve desired concepts. Also included are explorations in client-based projects.

Hours: 45
Course Code: GRADES-2000
Detailed Course Outline: GRADES-2000 Color 201
Academic Year: 2011-2012

Design 201

This course is an extension of Design 101. It is project based and introduces students to: conceptual problem solving, simulated client scenarios, further development of primary and secondary design, and utilizing formal presentations to convey concepts and solutions.

Hours: 45
Course Code: GRADES-2010
Detailed Course Outline: GRADES-2010 Design 201
Academic Year: 2011-2012

Graphic Design History 201

This course is a further examination of the history of graphic design. It is a demanding course, allowing students to develop a thorough working knowledge of Graphic Design dating back to: the beginnings of 20th Century Design, the influence of Modern Art, Pictorial Modernism, the new language of Form, the Bauhaus and the New Typography, the modern movement in America, the International Typographic Style, the New York School, the evolution of Corporate Identity and Visual Systems, Conceptual Images, National Visions within a Global Dialogue, Post-Modern Design and the Digital Revolution. By the end of the course, students will have the knowledge and skills to design and construct a book based on accumulated essays and design work.

Hours: 45
Course Code: GRADES-2020
Detailed Course Outline: GRADES-2020 Graphic Design History 201
Academic Year: 2011-2012

Structural Drawing 201

This course is a further exploration of Structural Drawing 101. Emphasis is placed on conceptual thinking and ability to solve visual problems as graphically as possible. Sizes of projects may vary, but are restricted to vertical format only, in proportion to a book artifact. Color and type is further explored in this course, as well as development of personal graphic style.

Hours: 45
Course Code: GRADES-2030
Detailed Course Outline: GRADES-2030 Structural Drawing 201
Academic Year: 2011-2012

Typography 201

Typography is one of the essential tools of graphic design and visual communication. This course is an introduction to the production of digital type as well as a study of type history. Discussions, lectures, and demonstrations of software tools will be presented. Software tutorials will be included. Various software applications will be utilized with an emphasis on contemporary typographical principles.

Hours: 45
Course Code: GRADES-2040
Detailed Course Outline: GRADES-2040 Typography 201
Academic Year: 2011-2012

Business 301

This course explores various business models, government regulations and situations required to set up a business as a freelance designer. Areas covered include establishing prices and quotes and creating budget proposals. Entrepreneurship is covered along with self promotion and marketing strategies.

Hours: 45
Course Code: GRADES-3000
Detailed Course Outline: GRADES-3000 Business 301
Academic Year: 2011-2012

Design Projects 301

Design projects 301 focuses on a series of typical design problems. The image/branding development for individuals and companies, the corporate package including annual reports/marketing materials, the brochure, the pamphlet, editorial magazine spreads, the poster as part of a promotional/marketing package, the CD/DVD package, the menu project, food consumer and retail packaging, and the t-shirt as a marketing tool. Each project is taken through all development stages, from identification, conceptual development, art direction, presentation and pre-press production requirements. Most projects rely on a series of previously developed skill sets developed in other courses. Presentation and critique are the final stages concluding in portfolio quality work ready for their book.

Hours: 45
Course Code: GRADES-3010
Detailed Course Outline: GRADES-3010 Design Projects 301
Academic Year: 2011-2012

Prepress 301

Prepress 301 is a technical course covering the development, selection and evaluation of production processes. Content focuses of the back end of graphic design, the ability to get the designers concepts to production and print, while meeting client and production process limitations. The course is based on weekly sessions and workshops. Hands-on practical work prepping files for actual client based projects is emphasized.

Hours: 45
Course Code: GRADES-3020
Detailed Course Outline: GRADES-3020 Prepress 301
Academic Year: 2011-2012

Technology 301

The technology of graphic design ranges from the pencil and swatch book to the computer's hardware and software. Knowing how and when to effectively use these tools is an essential skill for any graphic designer today. The emphasis in this course is on the development of skills in digital hardware and software identified by the graphic design industry. Graphic, draw/paint, page layout and image manipulation software are the key components. Using lectures, workshops and self paced tutorials will help to develop competencies in these areas.

Hours: 45
Course Code: GRADES-3030
Detailed Course Outline: GRADES-3030 Technology 301
Academic Year: 2011-2012

Typography 301

Typography is one of the essential tools of graphic design and visual communication. The course is intended to build on the competencies developed in typography 101 and 201. The emphasis in this course is on typography and production methodologies. Real time client projects make up the bulk of the assignments attempting to build on real typographical problems and issues. Digital software will again be the tools of choice.

Hours: 45
Course Code: GRADES-3040
Detailed Course Outline: GRADES-3040 Typography 301
Academic Year: 2011-2012

Design Projects 401

Design Projects 401 focuses on design solutions developed independently or in a group situation. Most projects will be directly related to client specific requests or projects. The emphasis in all projects is on proposal writing, exploring ideas individually or in a team situation, establishing and meeting deadlines, disciplining design efforts and designing to meet market objectives.

Hours: 45
Course Code: GRADES-4000
Detailed Course Outline: GRADES-4000 Design Projects 401
Academic Year: 2011-2012

Portfolio Development 401

The designer's portfolio is one of the keys to success. It is a visual representation of your conceptual and technical skills. The course covers the development of a graphic design portfolio, and includes appropriate content, presentation skills, interview techniques, collateral materials, and the development of resumes. Emphasis is on the traditional portfolio but considerations are given to digital formats of presentation as well.

Hours: 45
Course Code: GRADES-4010
Detailed Course Outline: GRADES-4010 Portfolio Development 401
Academic Year: 2011-2012

Prepress 401

Prepress 401 is a continuation of the course work started in Prepress 301. The focus in this course is on developing competencies in a variety of areas, including color separation, sheet layout, collecting files for output and proof and product evaluation, forms the bulk of the course work. The course is based on weekly sessions and workshops. Hands on practical work prepping files for actual client based projects is emphasized.

Hours: 45
Course Code: GRADES-4020
Detailed Course Outline: GRADES-4020 Prepress 401
Academic Year: 2011-2012

Business 401

Building on the knowledge and practical skills gained in Business 301, in this course students will gather information and produce business documents integral to operating a graphic design studio. Students will learn how to prepare their own personalized business plan, budget and marketing/self-promotion strategy.

Hours: 45
Course Code: GRADES-4030
Detailed Course Outline: GRADES-4030 Business 401
Academic Year: 2011-2012

Design for Digital Media 401

Design for Digital media 401 recognizes that the graphic designer must be able to work in the digital world. This could mean independently on projects or in consultation with other designers and programmers This course provides a background and basic understanding of the formats, language, principles and systems used in the production of digital media from simple web sites using HTML, to blogs, CSS, XML, and Flash based production systems.

Hours: 45
Course Code: GRADES-4040
Detailed Course Outline: GRADES-4040 Design for Digital Media 401
Academic Year: 2011-2012

Profile Facts
Start Date:	September
Length:	2 years
Location:	Charlottetown
Credential Issued:	Diploma, Graphic Design

Graduate Opportunities

Graduates of this program may find employment with:

Advertising agencies and design studios
New media production firms
Freelancing
Service bureaus, digital facilities and film houses
Print Production facilities, including offset, flexography, screen print and signage
US Federal Student Aid - Gainful Employment Disclosure

Admission Requirements

Grade 12 or equivalent with credits at or above the general level
Grade 12 English (minimum 60%)
Submission of portfolio
Resumé including work and volunteer experience with applicable dates, membership in groups, associations or athletics, awards and distinctions, and any other information about yourself relevant to the program.

Tuition & Fees

Tuition
Year 1	$3,250
Year 2	$3,250
View a full breakdown of costs and booklist for this program.

Articulation Agreements

Athabasca University
2 years of credit toward a Bachelor of Professional Arts in
University of New Brunswick St John
Two years of credit toward a Bachelor of Applied Management.

For more information, see our Degree Pathways section.

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Contact

If you have any questions concerning the program, contact:

Nigel Roe
Media & Communications Office (902) 629-4206

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