Introduction
Turn your creativity into a career with our graphic design courses
Driven. Artistic. Creative. Forward-thinking. If these words describe you, Fanshawe's Graphic Design program can help you find an exciting career that will bring out the best in you.
As a student in one of Canada's most well-respected graphic design programs, you'll develop a knock-out portfolio, rub shoulders with industry professionals, and build your connections to find employment upon graduation. Our graphic design courses will help you learn illustration, graphic design communication, typography, interactive web design, design theory, and graphic design history so that you have the marketable skills that companies are looking for.
To be the best, you have to learn with the best, and Fanshawe's program gives you access to current industry-standard software with the latest Mac equipment. You'll learn from the talented instructors – many of whom are industry veterans – who will push you to achieve your best in and out of the classroom on your way to attaining your graphic design advanced diploma.
After graduation:
Upon graduation from our graphic design course, you'll be ready to hit the ground running. With your graphic design advanced diploma, you'll be able to find work in advertising agencies, design studios, direct mail agencies, environment/signage companies, printing companies, on-line graphics, and multimedia companies, among others. Most importantly, Fanshawe's Graphic Design advanced diploma gives you the knowledge that whatever career you choose, you'll be more than prepared.
Other Information
Students entering the first level of the program in the Fall term will continue into level two of the program in the Winter term, with the Summer term off, and this pattern will continue each year of the program.
Students entering the first level of the program in the Winter term will continue into Level 2 of the program in the Summer term, with the Fall term off, and this pattern will continue each year of the program.
Co-operative Education
This three-year program has three co-op work terms. Students who fulfill both the academic and co-op requirements of the program will be eligible to graduate with a Co-op Endorsed Advanced Diploma.
Learning Outcomes
The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:
Conceptualize and develop design solutions using principles of design to create visual communications that meet the needs of the project.
Employ the design process to create design solutions that meet the project objectives and the needs of the client and/or user.
Plan, create and use photography, illustration, and typography in design layouts to meet the requirements of the creative brief.
Design, develop and create a variety of media products using relevant, current and/or emerging technologies.
Communicate ideas, design concepts, and opinions clearly and persuasively to others.
Use recognized industry practices throughout the design process and related business tasks.
Plan, implement, and evaluate graphic design projects using project management skills to deliver quality work to clients according to schedule and within budget.
Complete all work in a professional and ethical manner, and in accordance with all applicable legislation and regulations.
Keep current with visual media design trends, technologies and industry practices using strategies that enhance work performance and guide professional development.
Courses
Level 1
Take all of the following Mandatory Courses:
WRIT-1036 Reason & Writing 1-Art & Design
GRAF-1037 Design Basic 1
GRAF-1049 Typography Basic
GRAF-1050 Digital Applications 1
GRAF-1044 Interactive Design 1
GRAF-1040 Creative Concepts 1
Level 2
Take all of the following Mandatory Courses:
GRAF-1038 Design Basic 2
GRAF-1035 Typography Digital
GRAF-1030 Digital Applications 2
GRAF-1031 Interactive Design 2
GRAF-1041 Creative Concepts 2
PHOT-1078 Camera Basics
COMM-3074 Communications for Design
Level 3
Take all of the following Mandatory Courses:
GRAF-3013 Design Intermediate 1
GRAF-3029 Digital Illustration
GRAF-3015 Digital Applications 3
GRAF-1043 Natural Media Illustration 1
GRAF-3017 Interactive Design 3
GRAF-1051 Time, Money & Materials
PHOT-3017 Photography
Level 4
General Education - Take a 3 credit General Education elective course
Take all of the following Mandatory Courses:
GRAF-3018 Design Intermediate 2
GRAF-3028 Packaging & Display Design
GRAF-3020 Digital Applications 4
GRAF-3022 Interactive Design 4
GRAF-5013 Digital Illustration Advanced 1
Level 5
General Education - Take a 3 credit General Education elective course
Take all of the following Mandatory Courses:
GRAF-5012 Design Advanced 1
GRAF-5014 Digital Applications 5
GRAF-5022 Digital Master Class 1
GRAF-5016 Interactive Design 5
GRAF-5025 Digital Illustration Advanced 2
Level 6
Take all of the following Mandatory Courses:
GRAF-5017 Design Advanced 2
GRAF-5019 Digital Applications 6
GRAF-5023 Digital Master Class 2
GRAF-5021 Interactive Design 6
GRAF-5024 Motion Graphics
General Education - Electives
Take 6 General Education Credits - Normally Taken in Level 4 and 5
Program Residency
Students must complete a minimum of 32 credits in this program at Fanshawe College to meet the program residency requirement and graduate from this program.
Domenico Loia / Unsplash
Admission Requirements
OSSD with courses from the College (C), University (U), University/College (M), or Open (O) stream with:
Any Grade 12 English (C) or (U)
or
Academic and Career Entrance Certificate (ACE)
or
Ontario High School Equivalency Certificate (GED)
or
Mature Applicant with standing in the required course stated above
and
Completion of Visual Artwork and Written Response
English Language Requirements
Applicants whose first language is not English will be required to demonstrate proficiency in English by one of the following methods:
A Grade 12 College Stream or University Stream English credit from an Ontario Secondary School, or equivalent, depending on the program's Admission Requirements
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) test with a minimum score of 79 for the Internet-based test (iBT), with test results within the last two years
International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic test with an overall score of 6.0 with no score less than 5.5 in any of the four bands, with test results within the last two years
Canadian Academic English Language (CAEL) test with an overall score of 60 with no score less than 50 in any of the four bands, with test results within the last two years
Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE) with a minimum score of 53, with test results within the last two years
A Cambridge English Test (FCE/CAE/CPE) with an overall score on the Cambridge English Scale of 169 with no language skill less than 162, with test results within the last two years
An English Language Evaluation (ELE) at Fanshawe College with a minimum score of 70% in all sections of the test, with test results within the last two years
Fanshawe College ESL4/GAP5 students: Minimum grade of 80% in ESL4/GAP5 Level 8, 75% in ESL4/GAP5 Level 9, or 70% in ESL4/GAP5 Level 10
Recommended Academic Preparation
Grade 11 or Grade 12 Communications Technology (M)
Grade 11 Visual Arts (M) or (O) OR Grade 12 Visual Arts (M) OR Grade 11 Media Arts (M) or (O) OR Grade 12 Media Arts (M)
Grade 12 Business and Technological Communication (O)
Recommended Personal Preparation
Involvement with school yearbook publication plus any freelance professional work such as posters, flyers, handbills, etc.
Awareness of advertising design, media advertising and the printing industry plus an interest in photography and the Internet
Applicant Selection Criteria
Where the number of eligible applicants exceeds the available spaces in the program, the Applicant Selection Criteria will be:
Preference for Permanent Residents of Ontario.
Receipt of Application by February 1st (After this date, Fanshawe College will consider applicants on a first-come, first-served basis until the program is full).
Achievement in the Admission Requirements.
Assessment of Applicant's skill set relevant to the program based on the Completion of Visual Artwork and Written Response.
Career Opportunities
Graduates can expect employment at a junior level with:
Advertising Agencies
Design Studios
Direct Mail Agencies
Environment/Signage Companies
Corporate Public Relations, Marketing, Art Departments
Publishing/Magazine/Newspaper
Printing Companies
Online Graphics
Multi-media Companies
