Graphic Media Design (2 Years)

Full-Time Two-Year Diploma. Next intake September 27th, 2024.

We offer a cutting edge, industry-sensitive curriculum.A board of industry professionals reviews our curriculum every year, ensuring that our courses are relevant to the ever-changing needs of employers in the field. Our Mac-based training environment boasts the latest industry-standard software.

Why you should study with us:

Each year you will receive 720 hours of education over three twelve-week terms. Unlike more generalized visual arts courses or quickie one-year courses, our Graphic Media Design program is intense and focused on preparing you for work as a graphic designer within an efficient time frame.

We’ve Got You Covered
The graphic design industry demands an increasingly wide knowledge base. Our courses cover design for print and web, typography, conceptual thinking, copywriting, marketing principles, the business of graphic media, photography, communication skills, illustration and storyboarding, infographics, video and sound technology,  integrated marketing campaigns and branding. Our course outlines (listed below) offer details. We will teach you how to use the latest industry software to create stunning layouts, interactive websites and unique campaigns.

We’re Professionals
Not only are we are working professionals in the industry, many of our instructors have years of experience in passing along their knowledge. That’s quite a skill in itself.

Course Overviews

Drawing & Illustration

Students will develop an understanding of drawing techniques appropriate to graphic design, produce thumbnail roughs and explore a variety of mediums. Also this course will concentrate on modifying original artwork for use in digital environments.

Design Fundamentals

Through a series of demonstrations and projects students will review the elements and principles of design and appreciate the function of the creative design process.

Colour Theory

Colour theory is based on the rules and guidelines used to communicate through appealing colour schemes in visual interfaces. To choose the most appropriate colours for each purpose, designers refer to colour wheels, defined and freestyle colour palettes, and to extensive collected knowledge about human optical ability, psychology, culture and more.

History of Art & Graphic Design

History is a wonderful source of ideas and techniques. History of Art and Graphic Design explores the historically influential styles that have affected design in the 20th and 21st centuries, which brings to the students’ attention the vast, complex historical background of art and design.

Typography

The history, anatomy and characteristics of typeface, point size, pica measurement, and serif and sans-serif styles are important to the graphic designer who uses words and letters in the design process. Students will consider typographic choices and issues of legibility and readability in design projects such as logos, letterheads, book and magazine covers, and illuminated letters.

Business of Graphic Design

Students will develop the professional skill sets necessary in the print industry. The objective of this course is to illuminate for students the process of managing a graphic design project, which includes designing marketable strategies, preparing market-value cost estimates and time management schedules, as well as adhering to professional conduct standards.

Copywriting

Copywriting will identify marketable approaches for client- and consumer-relations and assist students in developing the necessary writing skills for professional-grade advertising projects. These classes will focus on improving communication and planning skills as they relate to advertising techniques.

Photography

Copywriting will identify marketable approaches for client- and consumer-relations and assist students in developing the necessary writing skills for professional-grade advertising projects. These classes will focus on improving communication and planning skills as they relate to advertising techniques. 

Graphic Software

Students will learn to navigate the Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign) and develop the necessary skills for each software package. Adobe Illustrator will be used to design illustrations for print advertising and packaging; Adobe Photoshop to learn photo manipulation techniques; and InDesign to design layouts for various print projects.  Adobe Acrobat, XD, and other software such as Figma, will be explored. 

Studio Projects

Studio projects emphasize the integration of design skills with learned software programs. Students will work on a variety of projects designed to stretch their use of imaginative design with the use of various software programs.

Interactive Media

Students will gain an appreciation of interactive media as it applies to the web and online streaming format. These courses cover applications specific to interactive media such as Adobe Premiere Pro, InDesign interactive PDF, Adobe Acrobat, and overview of CMS software.

User Interface Design

User Interface Design focuses on user-centred design elements, known as Human-Computer Interaction (HCI). Understanding how the end-user interfaces with interactive applications provides the necessary insight to create attractive and user-friendly multimedia experiences. 

Media Projects

Students will create websites and video materials using HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and Adobe Premiere Pro to showcase interactive media development skills.

Marketing

Students will gain a better understanding of the relationship of marketing and graphic design. From Branding to Direct Marketing, lectures will cover how each different marketing approach succeeds and fails. They will learn the basic foundations of marketing but also gain insights on how to market online strategies through their online designs.

Storyboarding & Infographics

Storyboarding is the ability to reduce a complete narrative structure into separate components. These components are then used as a guide during interactive and descriptive media. Infographics utilizes the concepts of storyboarding in presenting data and complex ideas visually. Students will learn to identify key concepts and break them down into the most important visual elements for information sharing and how to illustrate them using various mediums and drawing techniques. 

Web Programming

Students will gain an understanding of the underlying code used in websites and software applications. Student prototypes of designs for web will be used as a basis for introductory website coding in HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.

Video Technologies

This class will cover video technologies as they apply to the web and interactive technologies. Subjects including web-casting, streaming video, video compression and optimization will be discussed.

Advanced Print Project

Students will design a variety of projects intended to be technically sound and prepared for the various print processes available to designers today.

Product Development

Students will complete a market plan with brand development. They will take an unbranded product and bring it to market.

Portfolio

Students will assemble their portfolios and learn to promote themselves in a professional manner using the skills they have developed through previous coursework.

Program components:

Graphics Software:

Adobe Creative Suite

• Photoshop
• Illustrator
• InDesign
• Premiere Pro
• After Effects

CMS (Content Management System)

• Webflow
• WordPress
• Figma

Typography:

• Font libraries
• Expressive potential of typography 
• Font pairing and text layout

Image Editing:

• Image editing tools for retouching, cropping, resizing, and manipulating images
• Filters and effects for enhancing visual appeal
• Layers management for organizing and editing complex compositions

Vector Graphics Design:

• Pen tool for creating precise shapes and paths
• Anchor point editing for fine-tuning shapes
• Boolean operations for combining or subtracting shapes
• Gradient tools for adding depth and dimension

Page Layout and Design:

• Use of grid systems for organizing content
• Parent pages for consistent layouts
• Alignment and spacing for precise placement of elements
• Templates for common design formats (e.g., brochures, posters, magazines)

Illustration:

• Drawing tools for creating freehand illustrations
• Brushes and strokes for varied line styles
• Shape tools for creating geometric designs
• Texture and pattern libraries for adding depth

Animation (if applicable):

• Timeline-based animation tools for creating motion graphics
• Keyframe animation for controlling movement and timing
• Export options for various video formats (MP4 & GIF)