About Graphic Design in Algonquin College

Applying your creativity to shape a career communicating ideas and concepts.

The three-year Graphic Design Ontario College Advanced Diploma program helps you apply your creativity to communicating ideas and concepts in both print and interactive media.

Using a combination of theoretical and hands-on learning, you gain skills in design, typography, image, colour, coding, motion graphics, interaction and production from industry-connected faculty. You learn to be a problem-solver who can manage and execute visual design projects.

Whether learning design for the page or for the screen, you study industry-endorsed concepts and techniques. You also become an expert at communicating ideas to a client through:

• sketches
• prototypes
• storyboards
• interactive mock-ups

There is a strong focus on hands-on training, using industry-standard software tools, which will ensure you are career-ready upon graduation. Field trips and actual client projects are offered to bring the workplace into the classroom.

From your second year on, you become a student-member of the Registered Graphic Designers of Ontario. In your final semester, you embark on a six-week fieldwork placement that transitions you to industry. You work side-by-side with experienced professionals and gain networking contacts.

Upon graduation, you will have developed a design portfolio that showcases your creativity and problem-solving skills. You will display your work at the annual Grad Show exhibition.

Graduates may find employment in a(n):

• graphic design studio
• advertising agency
• motion graphics studio
• interactive/web design studio

Graduates may also find work as an in-house designer for an organization or government, in the television, entertainment or game-development industry, or in freelance opportunities.

SUCCESS FACTORS

This program is well-suited for students who:

• Think visually and creatively and are conceptual thinkers.
• Enjoy solving visual communication problems.
• Enjoy sketching and drawing and using software tools.
• Enjoy working with type and imagery to communicate ideas.
• Are detail-oriented, organized and committed to coming up with the perfect design solution in their final products.
• Have critical-thinking and problem-solving skills.

Careers

Graduates may pursue careers as designers through a variety of entry-level positions in graphic design or advertising agencies, motion design or interactive design studios, television and the entertainment and game industry. Graduates may also pursue freelance opportunities.

Learning Outcomes

The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:

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.
10. Identify and apply discipline-specific practices that contribute to the local and global community through social responsibility, economic commitment and environmental stewardship.

Program Eligibility

• English, Grade 12 (ENG4C or equivalent)
• Submit a portfolio of 10-15 samples of your best work. Portfolio submission details can be found on the Algonquin College Additional Admission
• Requirements website: www.algonquincollege.com/admissionspackages Interested applicants are welcome to address any portfolio-related inquiries to the coordinators of the program.
• Applicants with international transcripts must provide proof of the subject specific requirements noted above and may be required to provide proof of language proficiency. Domestic applicants with international transcripts must be evaluated through the International Credential Assessment Service of Canada (ICAS) or World Education Services (WES).
• IELTS-International English Language Testing Service (Academic) Overall band of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each band OR TOEFL-Internet-based (iBT) Overall 80, with a minimum of 20 in each component: Reading 20; Listening 20; Speaking 20; Writing 20.

Should the number of qualified applicants exceed the number of available places, applicants will be selected on the basis of their proficiency in English.

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