HD in Graphic Design

Learn how to bring your ideas to life and craft the visual world around you. With a strong foundation in design principles and production techniques, you'll be equipped to create meaningful designs that inspire and communicate with purpose. Program Highlights Shape the Visual World Around YouDevelop the skills to influence the visual landscape with innovative design, print, and digital production techniques. Cutting-Edge FacilitiesLearn in one of Canada’s most advanced digital print learning centres, the Hugh Cameron Digital Print Learning Centre, featuring industry-standard equipment for hands-on learning.TechCreative ApproachCombine creativity with technical expertise as you master design software, digital printing, and web production, all while understanding the complexities of modern mediaInclusive and Accessible DesignLearn to design for everyone by embracing accessibility principles, ensuring your work is inclusive for diverse audiences across digital and print platforms.Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and ReconciliationOur curriculum integrates themes of equity, diversity, inclusion, and reconciliation, empowering students to create design solutions that reflect and respect cultural diversity and promote positive social change.Living Lab ExperienceGain professional, hands-on experience by working with real-world clients in a dynamic, collaborative environment, preparing you for a successful career in the design industry.Three Specialized StreamsTailor your education by choosing from Digital Print and Packaging, Illustration, or UX/UI streams to hone your skills in areas of personal interest and career focus.Learn about the three streams you can choose fromDigital Print and Packaging StreamDiscover the creative world of print and packaging in the Digital Print and Packaging Stream, where you’ll transform design concepts into fully realized products. In this stream, you’ll work in the state-of-the-art Hugh Cameron  Digital Print Learning Centre, mastering the technologies and processes that bring designs from digital files to high-quality printed materials and packaging solutions. You’ll gain hands-on experience with cutting-edge equipment used in the industry, allowing you to create everything from marketing collateral to beautifully designed packaging prototypes.In addition to honing your digital printing techniques, you’ll focus on the design of packaging that is both functional and visually striking, while ensuring your creations meet industry standards. This stream emphasizes creativity, attention to detail, and the ability to bring designs to life in the ever-evolving print and packaging industries.Illustration StreamUnleash your creativity and develop your unique artistic style in the Illustration Stream. Here, you’ll explore the intersection of traditional and digital media, honing your craft in both classic techniques and cutting-edge digital tools. Whether you’re sketching with graphite or illustrating with digital tablets, you’ll learn to bring your ideas to life through hands-on projects and personalized artistic development. Throughout this stream, you’ll be guided by experienced professionals who will help you refine your techniques and develop a versatile portfolio. The Illustration Stream offers a blend of foundational art principles and modern design strategies, ensuring you’re equipped to thrive in today’s diverse creative industries. You’ll have the chance to experiment with various mediums and techniques, combining them to create dynamic, visually compelling work that resonates with audiences.User Experience/User Interface (UX/UI) StreamShape the future of digital interactions in the UX/UI Stream, where you’ll design intuitive and engaging web-based products and applications entirely from the user’s perspective. This stream immerses you in design thinking, usability testing, and interaction design, ensuring you have the skills to create seamless digital experiences that prioritize both functionality and aesthetics. Through hands-on, project-based learning, you’ll bring digital products to life, from concept to prototype. With a focus on inclusive and accessible design, you’ll learn how to create digital interfaces that are user-friendly for diverse audiences, regardless of ability. By incorporating universal design principles, you’ll ensure your web and mobile products are accessible to all, meeting the growing demand for digital solutions that cater to users with varying needs.In the UX/UI Stream, you’ll engage with industry-standard tools and techniques to design wireframes, mockups, and prototypes, refining every aspect of the user journey. Whether you’re building a website, app, or interactive interface, this stream ensures you’re equipped to create digital products that are not only visually compelling but also functional and inclusive.Please note that enrolment in each stream is limited, ensuring focused, hands-on instruction. The streams offer specialized learning, they make up approximately 18% of the overall program, with all students completing the same core courses to build a strong foundation in design. What you'll learnMaster digital design techniques for print, web, and packagingOperate industry-standard digital printing and finishing equipmentApply professional design composition and layout skills across mediaDevelop packaging designs that balance functionality and aestheticsUse industry software like Adobe Creative Cloud to create stunning visualsImplement color theory and color management for accurate print resultsIntegrate traditional and digital illustration techniquesDesign accessible and inclusive digital interfaces with a focus on UX/UICollaborate on real-world projects to refine your design skillsGain practical, hands-on experience through an internship in your final semesterLearn design thinking and problem-solving approaches for creative projectsBuild a professional portfolio showcasing your diverse design capabilitiesUnderstand industry standards and compliance in print, packaging, and web design Program Length3 academic years (periods of 8 months)Note: Students who start Semester 1 in January will enter Semester 2 in May followed by Semester 3 in September.