Introduction
Overview
Cambrian’s award-winning Graphic Design faculty will challenge you through course work and diverse, real-world projects to help you develop your creative talents and become a professional visual communication designer. The Graphic Design curriculum is career-focused and rigorous, with attention given to both traditional skills and new technologies. In addition, you will develop skills in critical thinking, creativity and concept driven work, allowing you to be agile in the evolving and demanding industry of professional communication.
Using current industry software in the College's state-of-the-art graphic design labs, you will learn how to creatively develop ideas and manipulate space, type, images, and colour to take your work from concept sketch to strategically-designed printed, web-based, or digital form. Projects provide you with applied experience in branding, identity (logos & trademarks) and environmental design, website design/development, print-production, advertising design, illustration, photography, typography and much more.
You’ll also graduate with a professional-grade portfolio that will be invaluable as you meet with potential employers and/or freelance clients.
Check out the 2018 graduate exhibition & charity fundraiser, “Hearts of Oak” to see what you’ll get up to as a student in Cambrian’s Graphic Design program.
Program Highlights
3 years – 6 semesters
5-week placement in the third semester
Multiple opportunities for paid design-related work through our close relationship with Cambrian's Applied Research division
Strong focus on website & UX design and development using HTML5, CSS3, and Javascript
Annual field trip to attend the DesignThinkers Conference in Toronto to see world-class industry professionals present on topics related to the design field
Students are automatically registered as student members of the Registered Graphic Designers of Ontario (RGD Ontario) and can participate in professional seminars, studio tours, and events organized by the association’s Sudbury chapter
Access to a variety of classrooms and labs along with the latest technology and software, including:
Multiple iMac studios featuring 27” iMac computers, running Mac OSX and Adobe Creative Cloud, and an extensive Font Library
Professional photo and video studio with boom lighting
Complete printmaking shop with etching, lithography, and silk screening presses
Full art and painting studio with a student lounge and natural lighting
4D Learning Opportunities
Students will have opportunities to work directly with practicing professionals and community clients. These opportunities are provided through Applied Research and are based on the student's ability to demonstrate professionalism and performance.
Students will have the opportunity to participate in Portfolio Review Day. Each student can discuss their portfolio with 15-20 practicing professionals, each within in 15-minute session. This highly efficient review allows each student to get ample feedback for improving their portfolio, prior to graduating and their employment search.
Fifth-Semester work placement allows students to work side-by-side with industry professionals. Students are encouraged to seek out industry leaders. Graduates have been accepted to work placement opportunities in Amsterdam, Chicago, Toronto, Victoria, and many other competitive locations around the world. Many graduates have been offered full-time work at the host organization after they graduate.
Each year, students will have the opportunity to join their classmates and teachers on a trip to Toronto to attend the RGD DesignThinkers conference (please note: students are responsible for covering costs of accommodation).
Sustainability Initiatives – Students have the opportunity to participate in various environmental activities that support the program’s dedication to sustainable design education, such as the annual tree planting excursion that to date added over 12,000 trees to Sudbury to help offset the carbon footprint of the graphic design program.
Throughout the year, students will be able to participate in a variety of extra-curricular events hosted by the Sudbury Design Society and The Associate of Registered Graphic Designers. These events range from Sudbury & Toronto Studio T
Please note that the academic curriculum is continually reviewed and revised to ensure that Cambrian's programs and courses remain relevant. The College reserves the right to cancel or make changes to any course or program, fee, procedure, or campus location at any time.
Admission Requirements
For graduates of the new curriculum (OSS): Ontario Secondary School Diploma (30 credits) or equivalent or mature student status, including:
Any grade 12 English (C), (U), or (M)
Recommended:
Credits in Visual Arts and/or Media Arts
Computer competency in relevant software (Adobe Creative Cloud)
Additional Requirements
Applicants are required to submit a portfolio, in hardcopy or digital format, for review. The portfolio should contain five creative and artistic works that showcase the applicant's breadth of creative and technical abilities. Pieces to be considered can be from the following disciplines: drawings (still-life, figure, landscape, technical, or interior), paintings (in colour), photographs (colour or black and white), sculptures, ceramics or three-dimensional work, computer-generated work (design, typography, animation, etc.), or web-based work. Where no portfolio exists, applicants are required to contact the Program Coordinator.
Additional Information
Additional expenses for digital photographic equipment, field trips, and portable digital storage should be anticipated. Students in the Graphic Design program are also student members of the Association of Registered Graphic Designers (RGD), and graduates are eligible for Provisional RGD status upon graduation.
Program Delivery
This program will be delivered in the following terms:
Program of Study
Semester 1
Credits
ART 1006
Digital Design I
4
ART 1106
Design Foundations I
4
ART 1230
Intro Graphic Design
3
ART 2356
Graphic Design Photography I
3
HST 1002
History of Graphic Design
2
The following General Education course:
3
SSC 1000
Media and Current Events
Credits
19
Semester 2
ART 1240
Design Foundations II
4
ART 1246
Copywriting I
3
ART 2346
Typography I
3
ART 2351
Digital Design II
3
ART 2456
Graphic Design Photography II
3
HST 1003
History of Graphic Design II
2
Select one of the following General Education courses:
3
PSY 1125
Positive Psychology
SOC 1010
Cross-Cultural Understanding
FIT 1115
Health & Wellness
MUS 1009
Rock Music, Culture & Technology
POL 1500
Canadian Political Studies
Credits
21
Semester 3
ADV 1001
Advertising Design I
2
ART 1001
Screen Printing I
3
ART 1345
Copywriting II
2
ART 2305
Illustration I
3
ART 2310
Production Fundamentals I
3
ART 2360
Website Design I
3
ART 2375
Typography II
3
ART 2496
Digital Design III
3
Credits
22
Semester 4
ADV 1002
Advertising Design II
2
ART 1007
Editorial Design
3
ART 1002
Screen Printing II
3
ART 2415
Production Fundamentals II
3
ART 2416
Illustration II
3
ART 2461
Website Design II
3
ART 3518
Sustainable Design
3
ART 3570
Professional Practices
2
Credits
22
Semester 5
ART 1003
Website Design III
3
ART 3515
Corporate Identity
5
ART 3556
Graphic Design Photography III
2
ART 3566
Advanced Design Applications
4
ART 3595
Work Placement
5
Credits
19
Semester 6
ART 1004
Motion Graphics
4
ART 3611
Portfolio Preparation
5
ART 3685
Website Design IV
5
ART 3690
Creative Thesis Project
4
Select one of the following General Education courses:
3
PSY 1125
Positive Psychology
SOC 1010
Cross-Cultural Understanding
FIT 1115
Health & Wellness
MUS 1009
Rock Music, Culture & Technology
POL 1500
Canadian Political Studies
Credits
21
Total Credits
124
Employment Opportunities
Graduates may find employment in both the public and private sectors. These include:
Graphic design firms & studios
Web & new media studios
App & software start-ups
Advertising & marketing agencies
Architectural firms
Motion picture & television studios
Editorial & literary publishing houses
Educational institutions
Government agencies
Commercial printing industry
In-house marketing & design departments
College/University Degree Opportunities
Graduates from this program may continue their studies at college/university and may receive credit for their prior College education.
