DESIGN AND VISUAL COMMUNICATIONS

Whether it’s a logo, poster, webpage, app interface, magazine cover, or billboard the Visual (or Graphic) designer is the one who brings the initial idea to life. The artistry of visual design can be seen almost everywhere in our media filled world.  For the student who sees themselves thriving in the exciting and challenging world of the creative professional, this program is the place to begin.

The Design and Visual Communications Program provides training to students in all aspects of digital and visual communications. Students learn the basics of page layout and design, illustration, typography, digital photography, traditional and digital publishing, storyboarding, web design and animation. They learn to take an idea from concept to completion, and understand the principles and practical considerations of production.

Students are instructed in the latest industry standard Adobe software and develop practical and software skills that translate into a solid foundation for employment and higher education. They not only develop techniques in marketing of the products they create, they will learn to market themselves.  All of these skills require creativity, technology, communication and the ability to meet tight deadlines.

 Graduates find employment in advertising, desktop publishing, illustration, web design, animation, and other graphic related fields. Students also find employment in simple printing and copying facilities.  Many Design and Visual Communications students enter college to further their education. In fact, the instructional units of the program are specifically designed to align with college-level graphic design courses, both in terms of content and instructional time:

 Students are recommended to take Physics in Grade 11 and Chemistry in Grade 12. Art and Psychology are also recommended.


Technical Courses

  • Program Safety & Policies (270) – 2 Credits

  • Basics of Computer Literacy (271) – 2 Credits

  • Design Software I (282) – 4 Credits

  • Graphic Design I: Introduction to Graphic Design (272) – 4 Credits

  • Graphic Design II: Conceptualization & Color Theory (273) – 5 Credits

  • Design Software II: Image Editing & Illustration (273T) – 5 Credits

  • Graphic Design III: Typography & Publication Design (274) – 5 Credits

  • Design Software III: Layout and Desktop Publishing (274T) – 5 Credits

  • Graphic Design IV: Targeting Your Audience (275) – 5 Credits

  • Design Software IV: Interactive and Timed Design – (275T) – 5 Credits

  • Career Development & Communication (276) – 4 Credits

  • Graphic Design V: Branding & Marketing (276T) – 9 Credits

  • Art History (<1500 CE) (277) – 4 Credits

  • Graphic Design VI: Alternative, Social Media, and Web Marketing (277T) – 9 Credits

  • Introduction to Business (278) – 4 Credits

  • Digital Photography (278T) – 9 Credits

  • Graphic Design VII: Production (279T) – 9 Credits

  • Graphic Design VIII: Team Design Applications (280) – 9 Credits

  • Portfolio Preparation: Art 181 (281) – 9 Credits

  • Independent Study: Capstone Project (279) – 12 Credits