Ever wonder what would it be like to work in a career that is driven by the limits of your imagination and creativity?

Stop wondering and launch your design career by enrolling in the Graphic Design program.

Graphic designers, web designers, photographers and illustrators are experts in visual communication. They create images to make products and publications unique and attractive, for example, website graphics, advertisements, posters, logos, packaging, signs and exhibits.

You will become a researcher, an evaluator, a planner, an organizer, and a creative problem solver while mastering the working skills and techniques that translate ideas into meaningful visual materials.

In this three-year program students learn the principles of design and acquire an understanding of the function of the professional designer. Students develop skills and techniques by working on project-based assignments, allowing them to develop extensive portfolios and gain work-related experience.

Graphic design, page layout and publishing, corporate identity and branding, pre-press, web design, illustration (traditional and digital) and digital photography are some of the areas covered in this comprehensive program.

A three-year Canadore College Graphic Design diploma is part of the qualification criteria to become a Registered Graphic Designer, a provincially legislated designation.

Ontario Secondary School Diploma at or above the general level or its equivalent. Grade 12 English or equivalent is required.

Mature Students:
Applicants aged 19 or over without the OSSD will be considered on the basis of their results on the College’s Mature Student Test.

Graduates of the new Ontario Secondary School Curriculum:
Ontario Secondary School Diploma with courses from the College (C), University (U), University/College (M), or Open (O) preparation levels.
Required courses: Grade 12 Compulsory English (ENG 4C or ENG 4U).

Recommended courses that could be used in the admission selection procedure:
• Grade 12 (O) Media Arts, ASM 4O
• Grade 11 (O) or (M) and/or Grade 12 (M) Visual Arts (AVI 3M, AVI 3O, AVI 4M)

During the three-year Graphic Design program, the students will develop a professional portfolio, an essential tool to gain employment at design, print, marketing, photography and web agencies.

As part of the project-based curriculum, we offer a guided, in-house co-op that links design students with not-for-profit organizations which have included the Seniors at Risk association and the Gateway Walkers Club. The students obtain real-world experience with client meetings, briefs, budgets, deadlines and media. They gain confidence presenting their work to clients and media while making essential contacts for full-time employment upon graduation.

The students are also regular successful participants in industry sponsored design competitions like the Applied Arts Magazine student competition, Registered Graphic Designers of Ontario student competitions, and Think Shelf Student Package Design Competition 2008, sponsored by Onbrand.

Our students are recognized throughout Ontario for their creativity and professionalism.