A Graphic Design Diploma Will Help to Launch Your Career

Graphic Design program graduates find lucrative positions with design and advertising companies, magazine design firms, packaging design studios, marketing and communications agencies, publishing companies, newspaper departments and TV production facilities. One of these graphic design courses is offered at Centennial College in the form of a two-year program that sees you: develop your visual design skills for print, emphasizing visual fundamentals, creative problem solving skills and the ability to deliver effective communication solutions for corporate clients including motion design; emerge with multidisciplinary creative skills for today’s diverse and demanding industry; work directly with internal and external clients on projects, simulating the workplace demands of the industry in a practical and hands-on approach. “Graduates that possess strong practical knowledge and good design skills coupled with emphasis on producing high work are always sought after in the graphics industry,” says Jim Jackson, Graphic Design Specialist, Marketing Department, AXA Insurance.

To apply for Centennial College’s offering, you must be able to present an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent or being 19 years of age or older. In addition, you should have completed the compulsory English 12C or U credit, or skills assessment, or equivalent. Lastly you are required to submit a portfolio that contains up to 15 pieces of original work in art and design. It must demonstrate an ability and interest in graphic design, colour integrated designs created in digital illustration and digital imaging applications, and a short research paper about your design philosophy and field of interest.

Formally recognized by the Association of Registered Graphic Designers of Ontario (RGD Ontario), which represents more than 3,000 graphic designers, managers, educators and students across Ontario, this graphic design diploma program covers business and creative topics. Specific courses within the Graphic Design course include: Design Process (you will research content of virtual and client-oriented projects introduced during the program, generate ideas for these projects and develop them into strong graphic images through concept, multiple solution and refinement); Design & Imaging (introduces three major software applications used throughout the Graphic Media Design program: digital illustration, imaging and layout application); Packaging (you will analyze the structure and meaning of graphics in packaging and develop an understanding of environmental implications), and many others such as Motion Graphics, Web Design, and Illustration Workshop.

The combination of multidisciplinary design skills and practical experience sets graduates apart from the competition. Centennial graduates are more flexible and their design solutions therefore offer more effective solutions those without this experience.

Centennial College Offers a Hands-On Fine Arts Education

“This is a hands-on program and the slogan I have for the Fine Arts Studio program is ‘Get your hands dirty,’” says David McKilmen. coordinator of the Fine Arts Studio program at Centennial College, in which students receive a fine arts education, “because you’re definitely going to get your hands dirty with charcoal paint, clay and more. When you apply, book yourself an appointment to come meet with me and bring your portfolio. I’m looking for two things. On the technical side. I am looking for people who have had experience drawing and painting. And I have to say, for me, what’s important is some sense of commitment, passion, dedication to the fine arts.”

David offers a great overview of what is expected of students but let’s take a closer look at the specific benefits of this Fine Arts Studio offering. First and foremost, to apply to the two-year program, students must have completed at minimum an Ontario Secondary School Diploma or equivalent or be 19 years of age or older. They also need to have the compulsory English 12C or U or skills assessment or equivalent credit. However, possession of minimum admission requirements does not guarantee admission to the school Fine Arts Studio program. There also artistic requirements that students must meet, such as attending a program admission session and presenting a portfolio of no less than four and no more than 15 pieces. Within the portfolio, students are encouraged to have figure drawings, colour work (abstract, figurative or objective), perspective (demonstration of your ability to apply basic principles of linear perspective in free-hand drawing and or painting), and sketchbooks.

This unique fine arts education program allows students to: develop advanced skills to work independently both in and out of the studio environment and nurture a lifetime of growth as a professional visual artist and storyteller; have a progressive learning experience led by a collaborative team of teachers who share a commitment to the central philosophy of excellence through meaningful skills development; develop personal directions and approaches to build their own unique voice and style in visual storytelling; find inspired new careers paths in the art world as exhibiting artists or in the visual art industries including animation, illustration and design.

This is achieved through a number of courses such as: Figure Drawing, Drawing + Composition, Paining Techniques, 3D Figure Modeling, History of World Art from Prehistoric to 17th Century, Figure Painting, Digital Art, Drawing Painting and Thesis and more. All classes are held in two large state-of-the-art studios and include aspects such as art-relevant lectures, seminars and excursions that are offered throughout the school year. Small class sizes guarantee one-on-one attention from instructors. Classes are three to six hours in duration. Mural seminars and an illustration class to broaden students’ job skills are also available.

The fine arts education received in the program allows students seamless entry into more specialized art-based program such as Digital Animation, Graphic Design, Game Design and more.

The Right Graphic Design Courses Can Prepare Your For a Creative Field

Used to convey a message to the public (more specifically a target audience) through symbols, words, photos, topography, visual arts, graphics and layout techniques, graphic design is a highly creative field. Design and advertising companies, magazine and design firms, packing design studios, marketing and communications agencies, publishing companies, newspaper departments and TV production facilities all employ graphic design professionals who offer their visual design skills, creative problem solving skills, and the ability to effectively communicate solutions to their clients. As the contemporary commercial design world becomes more integrated, competitive and collaborative, they must be ready to thrive in a new world of imagination, work directly with internal and external clients on projects, and more. This type of preparation occurs through graphic design courses in programs such as Centennial College’s Graphic Design – Media.

One of the first things that sets Centennial College’s Graphic Design program apart is that is it formally recognized by the Association of Registered Graphic Designers of Ontario (RGD Ontario), which represents more than 3,000 graphic designers, managers, educators and students across Ontario. As Jim Jackson, Graphic Design Specialist, Marketing Department, AXA Insurance, notes, “Graduates that possess strong practical knowledge and good design skills coupled with emphasis on producing high work are always sought after in the graphics industry”. This is the second aspect that sets Centennial apart. Its graphic design courses offer multidisciplinary design skills and practical experience. Centennial graduates are more flexible and their design solutions will be more effective than solutions of those without this experience.

Taking two years to complete, students attend specific graphic design course at the graphic design schools such as: Design & Imaging (introduces three major software applications used throughout the Graphic Media Design program: digital illustration, imaging and layout application); Professional Practice (introduces students to the business component of graphic design); Design Process (focuses on the design process and its application to problem solving); Corporate Identity (develops creative strategies and implements these strategies in creating visual identity for business); and more. To round out training, students finish their time at Centennial College with a Field Placement, during which they work in the field to apply what they have learned and network.

Students walk away from these graphic design courses with employable skills, as evidenced by the words of Arash Giani, who graduated from the program: “Graphic Design – Media gave me all the tools and skills I needed without dictating to me ‘what to think’ but showing me ‘how to think like a great designer.’ I got my internship immediately and got hired in the same place as soon as my internship ended. I was ready!”

Application requirements start with possession of an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent or being 19 years of age or older. In addition, you must have the compulsory English 12C or U credit, or skills assessment, or equivalent. Lastly, during a program information session you will have to submit a portfolio that contains up to 15 pieces of your original work in art and design. It must demonstrate your ability and interest in graphic design, colour integrated designs created in digital illustration and digital imaging applications and a short research paper about your design philosophy and field of interest.

Take Graphic Design Courses to Utilize Your Creative Skills

The graphic design industry is employed in virtually all areas of business — from your bank’s logo and the eye-catching billboard for your favourite clothing store to the cover of the latest issue of Vogue magazine and the design of the CD cover you saw on iTunes last week. Used to convey a message to the public (more specifically a target audience) through symbols, words, photos, topography, visual arts, graphics and layout techniques, graphic design is a highly creative field. Graphic designers must start out by attending graphic design courses at post-secondary institutions such as Centennial College. Upon graduation, they work in: packaging design studios, marketing and communications agencies, magazine design firms, newspaper and TV departments and much. Titles in Graphic Design include: graphic designer, art director, creative director and production artist.

Centennial College offers its two-year Graphic Design – Media program to those interested in one of the careers listed above. Upon graduation, you’ll achieve an Ontario College Advanced diploma and be ready to enter the field. The College prides itself on offering graphic design courses that combine theoretical learning and practical experience. In addition, these courses cover creative and business skills that will give you the leading edge in a competitive industry. These courses include: Design Process (focusing on the design process and its application to problem solving); Design & Imaging (introducing three major software applications used throughout the Graphic Media Design program: digital illustration, imaging and layout application); Corporate Identity (developing creative strategies and implementing these strategies in creating visual identity for business); Professional Practice (introduces students to the business component of graphic design); and more.

In addition to your knowledge of visual graphics with creative communication strategies, you’ll also be attending a graphic design school that is formally recognized by the Association of Registered Graphic Designers of Ontario (RGD Ontario), which represents more than 3,000 graphic designers, managers, educators and students across Ontario.

Application requirements start with possession of an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent or being 19 years of age or older. In addition, you must have the compulsory English 12C or U credit, or skills assessment, or equivalent. Lastly, during a program information session you will have to submit a portfolio that contains up to 15 pieces of your original work in art and design. It must demonstrate your ability and interest in graphic design, colour integrated designs created in digital illustration and digital imaging applications and a short research paper about your design philosophy and field of interest. There’s more information on portfolio requirements on the graphic design school's program admissions page.

Centennial College offers Full time Graphic Design Media Program

In today's competitive job market, employers are seeking to hire graduates that are highly specialized and well trained. You can't afford to waste your time with an education that wont help you get the job you want. At Centennial College, all our programs are geared for success.

As part of your program, you will not only learn how to use the latest cutting edge tools, but you will also learn how to apply the latest principles from business professionals. To compliment your classroom learning, you will also get hands-on experience in the labs.

Centennial's staff not only believe in providing students with the best teaching experience possible, but also to offer the best guidance and career advice.

Admission Requirements

Centennial College expects students applying for admission to certificate or diploma programs to present at minimum an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent or be 19 years of age or older. Possession of minimum admission requirements does not guarantee admission to the program.

Academic Requirements

Compulsory English 12C or U, or skills assessment, or equivalent

Non-academic Requirements

Attend a program admission session where applicants will submit a portfolio of work
English proficiency will be considered in the admissions process

Portfolio requirements

Select up to 15 pieces of your original work in art and design. (Your sketchbook should demonstrate your problem-solving and creative process as well as present work in variety of media, materials and techniques. Include three drawings from direct observation, such as figure drawing, portrait and still-life.)
Show work that demonstrates your ability and interest in graphic design
Include colour integrated designs created in digital illustration and digital imaging applications
Include a short research paper about your design philosophy and field of interest
Present mounted or framed work in your portfolio case. Please number all pieces in your portfolio

Note: If work is too large to transport, you may present photographs.

Field Placement Requirements

Students are responsible for obtaining their own field placement

Notes

It is recommended that students applying to the Graphic Design Media program have a certificate from Centennial’s Art and Design Foundation Studies program or its equivalent, or equivalent work experience
Students will be placed in the appropriate English level based on skills assessment results

Synopsis

This article speaks about the magnificent altitude of graphic design courses, in graphic design schools as it is a combination of creativity and technology. This course is meant for all sided development of students. It changes the direction of your thinking for the better.

For more information on graphic design courses visit centenialcollege.ca