Start Date: September
Location: Prince of Wales Campus
Length: 2 Years
Credential: Diploma, Graphic Design
The Graphic Design program prepares you for the many creative opportunities a career in design can bring. Through exposure to various ideas, projects, and client work, you will be guided and encouraged as you work to build your creative point of view and style.
We will introduce you to creative problem solving, illustration, digital painting, expressive typography, history of graphic design, prepress, UI/UX, print production, web design, and project management. You will study the latest software applications that will help bring your ideas to life. We emphasize the establishment of strong visual problem-solving skills.
Our studio setting is designed to simulate industry, and your time with us will prepare you to be a collaborative team member. Your creativity, combined with determination, will help turn your natural abilities into a fulfilling career with a path that is uniquely yours.
This program is located in the Charlottetown Centre - Take a virtual tour!
The Graphic Design program is designed to build upon your artistic foundation to prepare you for a career as a commercial designer. Applicants are required to submit a portfolio of their best work when they apply to the program. Review our Portfolio Requirements.
This is a U.S. Federal Aid approved program.
This program has degree pathways, giving you the opportunity to receive credit for your Holland College diploma when you continue your education. For a complete list of agreements, visit the Degree Pathways page.
| Partner Institution | Credential | Details of Agreement |
|---|---|---|
| University of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown, P.E.I. | Bachelor of Arts | Graduates with a 70% average receive up to 60 hours of credit toward a Bachelor of Arts degree. |
| University of New Brunswick - Saint John, |
Bachelor of Applied Management | Graduates with a 70% average receive two years of credit toward a Bachelor of Applied Management degree. |
| Athabasca University, Athabasca, Alberta | Bachelor of Professional Arts | Graduates receive two years of credit toward Bachelor of Professional Arts in Communications Studies. This is an online program. |
Notes:
Tuition, fees, and other costs are listed in Canadian dollars. International student fees are due on the first day of class.
Students are required to bring their own laptop, which must meet the following technical requirements:
MacBook Pro, macOS 10.14 (or later), 16 GB minimum (32 GB recommended).
| 1st Year | Canadian | International |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & Fees | $5,112 | $10,462 |
| Other Costs | $2,860 - $5,860* | $2,860 - $5,860* |
| Total | $7,972 - $10,972 | $13,322 - $16,322 |
*Includes cost of laptop
| 2nd Year | Canadian | International |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & Fees | $5,312 | $10,462 |
| Other Costs | $500 | $500 |
| Total | $5,812 | $10,962 |
| Tuition & Fees | 1st Year | 2nd Year |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $4,340 | $4,340 |
| Lab Fee | $100 | $200 |
| Student Union | $172 | $172 |
| Health Insurance Fee | $420 | $420 |
| Fitness Centre Fee | $80 | $80 |
| Graduation Fee | - | $100 |
| Total | $5,112 | $5,312 |
| 1st installment due September 6 | $ 2,942 | $ 3,142 |
| 2nd installment due January 9 | $ 2,170 | $ 2,170 |
| Other Costs | 1st Year | 2nd Year |
| Books | - | - |
| Laptop | $2,360-$5,360 | - |
| Materials/Supplies | $500 | $500 |
| Total | $2,860-$5,860 | $500 |
| Tuition & Fees | 1st Year | 2nd Year |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $9,340 | $8,740 |
| Lab Fee | $100 | $200 |
| Student Union | $172 | $172 |
| Health Insurance Fee | $1,170 | $1,170 |
| Fitness Centre Fee | $80 | $80 |
| Graduation Fee | - | $100 |
| Total | $10,862 | $10,462 |
| 1st installment due September 6 | $8,692 | $8,292 |
| 2nd installment due January 9 | $2,170 | $2,170 |
| Other Program Costs | 1st Year | 2nd Year |
| Books | - | - |
| Laptop | $2,360-$5,360 | - |
| Materials/Supplies | $500 | $500 |
| Total | $2,860-$5,860 | $500 |
Course Code:SAFE-1005
An overview of the Occupational Health and Safety Act of Prince Edward Island. Students examine the legislation, how PEI employees are protected while on the job and the responsibilities of employees and employers.
Credit Values:0
Course Code:GDES-1000
Learn the fundamental building blocks and processes of design, concentrating specifically on the elements, variables, and principles of design. Using a project-based approach, the design process, design thinking and visual communication skills are applied to create graphic design solutions.
Hours:3
Course Code:GDES-1010
Colour is one of the many tools designers use to create both visual and psychological impact in graphic design. Explore the theory and practical application behind colour, its emotional impact on a design, and how it applies to solving problems in any design situation.
Hours:3
Course Code:GDES-1020
Explore the beginnings of visual communications in various ancient civilizations. Learn about the invention of writing and the alphabet, the Asian contributions, illuminated manuscripts, the creation of printing in Europe and the evolution of type. Examine Renaissance graphic design, design in the Industrial Age, the invention of photography, Victorian-era trends, the Arts and Crafts Movement, and Ukiyo-e and Art Nouveau.
Hours:3
Course Code:GDES-1030
Develop the observational and conceptual skills needed to produce effective illustration solutions for design. Focusing on Adobe Illustrator, students will develop the skills neeeded to utilize the tools and options in the software to create vector illustration solutions suitable for digital and print solutions.
Hours:3
Course Code:GDES-1040
Typography is a fundamental tool of graphic design and visual communication. Learn to evaluate typography in its many applications with a critical eye. Develop a vocabulary of typographical terms. Identify the classification of typefaces and how to select typefaces that communicate the desired tone. Explore expressive and experimental typography in contemporary graphic design.
Hours:3
Course Code:GDES-1050
Focusing on creating effective design solutions for client-based scenarios, develop conceptual, creative, critical thinking and presentation skills. Apply and further develop an understanding of primary and secondary design elements, variables, and principles using software to create digital design solutions based on project objectives.
Hours:3
Course Code:GDES-1060
Further develop the skills built in Colour 101 by creating design solutions that leverage colour to impact what the design communicates. Explore the physiological and psychological impact colour has on a viewer through illusion, and connecting colour to theme and emotion in projects that focus on the client/viewer.
Hours:3
Course Code:GDES-1070
Develop an understanding and knowledge of graphic design history including the beginnings of 20th-century design, the influence of Modern Art, Pictorial Modernism, the new language of form, Bauhaus, 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.
Hours:3
Course Code:GDES-1080
Develop conceptual thinking and the ability to solve visual problems graphically using vector illustrations. Discover the strategies and methods to produce effective design and to solve visual challenges. Utilize time management, research skills, design principles, typography, colour choice, and drawing skills to create vector illustrations.
Hours:3
Course Code:GDES-1090
Learn how to skillfully apply typography to create page layouts that utilize information hierarchy. Study various software applications with an emphasis on contemporary typographical principles. Assess client needs and design type solutions that effectively communicate a suitable tone.
Hours:3
Course Code:GDES-2000
Explore a series of typical design problems such as branding, corporate packages, annual reports, marketing materials, brochures, editorial magazine spreads, posters, packaging and more. Experience the design process from start to finish: identification, concept development, art direction pre-press production speficiations and presentation.
Hours:3
Course Code:GDES-2010
Learn the development, selection, and evaluation of production processes. Explore "the back end" of graphic design including the ability to get design solutions to production and print, while meeting client and production process limitations.
Hours:3
Course Code:GDES-2020
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. Develop skills in digital hardware and software as identified by the graphic design industry. Graphic, draw/paint, page layout and image manipulation software are the key components.
Hours:3
Course Code:GDES-2030
Build professional typography solutions for personal and client-focused design projects. Design a custom typeface and learn how to create a font for installation. Produce original type solutions that demonstrate skill and creativity. Develop your own design and typography perspective through research and project based learning.
Hours:3
Course Code:GDES-2040
HTML is the foundation of all web pages as it defines the structure of a page while CSS defines its style. Students will explore HTML and CSS to learn how to structure files and optimize images to produce professional, vibrant webpages that meet client needs.
Hours:3
Course Code:GDES-2050
Produce effective design solutions that meet client needs. Develop the ability to write client briefs, explore ideas individually and as part of a team, establish and meet deadlines and design to meet project objectives.
Hours:3
Course Code:GDES-2060
Develop proficiency in designing custom production workflows for print projects. Learn how to generate colour separation, create multi-page design documents, produce paper dummies, collect files for layout and proof and evaluated printed products.
Hours:3
Course Code:GDES-2070
Develop an understanding of how social media platforms can be used to reach target markets and optimize graphics for various platforms. Use analytics and testing to determine how to be effective social media content creators.
Hours:3
Course Code:GDES-2080
Expand knowledge of HTML and CSS to build more complex and experimental web solutions to meet client and end-user needs. Build custom website using content management systems. Publish web content to a server.
Hours:3
Course Code:PROF-2090
Explore career options in graphic design with a focus on freelance work or working as an employee. Develop an understanding industry standard business practices, government regulation and ethics. Learn about various business models and how to employ time management skills, research industry competitiors, price design services, create estimates and invoices and design personally branded documents.
Hours:3
