Graphic Design | St. Clair College
Three Year - Ontario College Advanced Diploma
Starts: September

Emergency Alternate Delivery Plan:
Winter 2024 Emergency Alternate Delivery

Contact:
Mike Lovell
519-972-2727 ext. 4394

Program Overview

This program will appeal to students who are emerging from visual/media arts backgrounds at the high school or post-secondary level, for mature students, and those who have a love of design and visual expression. Students display a passion for print and web design, package design, typography, motion graphics, photography and illustration. Students will develop the ability to visualize and express concepts based on the clients’ needs. This requires creativity and imagination while meeting tight deadlines.

Program Highlights

  • Six week internship in an industry environment.
  • Traditional media and enhanced digital media training.
  • All faculty are professional graphic designers, illustrators or multimedia artists.
  • Graduation from this program provides the first step in professional accreditation as a Registered Graphic Designer (Association of Registered Graphic Designers of Ontario).
  • Student-run Graphic Design Club.
  • Graduate design exhibition in the community in year three.
  • Program emphasizes creativity, originality and critical thinking.

Career Opportunities

Graduates can find entry-level positions including junior designer, prepress production artist and web designer. Opportunities exist in advertising agencies, graphic design studios, with printers or publishers, with newspapers and doing in-house design. There is also the potential for freelancing and contract work. With experience the designer can become an art director, creative director or production manager.

Why Choose This Program?

Design, Letterforms, Web pages, Motion Visuals and Illustrated Imagery pre-occupy you. Your computer is stuffed with multimedia applications and you have multiple Pinterest boards loaded with art inspiration. You are vetting graphic design schools in Ontario, seeking a solid introduction into the professional world of media. St. Clair's graphic design program offers a stimulating learning environment where you train with industry professionals.

Here at St Clair College, you will be immersed in all facets of the vocation, beginning with a comprehensive foundation in Design, honing your talent in Layout, Typography, Pre-Press Production, Illustration, Digital Photography and Copywriting. You will then embark on a robust study of Web Design and Motion Graphics, exploring the evolving aspects of UX Design and our interaction with the virtual world around us, culminating in intensive Agency courses spanning your final two semesters.

Our internship component allows you to gain real-world experience in your chosen area. At completion of the graphic design program, you have mastered one of the first steps on your way to professional accreditation with the Association of Registered Graphic Designers of Ontario.

Emerging from our graphic design program, you will see that opportunities are abound: designing for the web, freelancing as a graphic designer, thriving in the world of advertising, immersed in the publishing industry or working towards becoming an art director or production manager.

Admission Requirements

OSSD with the majority of courses at the College (C), University (U), University/College (M) or Open (O) level qualify for admission to this program.

Recommended: Minimum 1 Arts or Media Class.

Mature students - See Admission Procedures for details.

Additional Requirements

In addition to your OCAS application, you are required to submit samples of your art that you consider to be the best examples of your abilities.

Courses

The curriculum below is for incoming students:

Semester 1
Code Title Credits
GRD101
Studio Foundations
6
GRD106
Illustration Foundations
4
GRD108
Design Foundations
4
GRD155
Typography I
3
GRD111
Copywriting For Design I
2
GRD117
Digital Imaging Foundations
2
Semester 2
Code Title Credits
GRD203
Studio Production I
3
GRD201
Design & Layout I
4
GRD202
Illustration I
4
GRD225
Typography II
3
GRD204
Photoshop
3
GRD209
Copywriting For Design II
2
Semester 3
Code Title Credits
GRD302
Design & Layout II
4
GRD306
Illustration II
4
GRD303
Studio Production II
3
GRD311
Web & Multimedia I
4
GRD355
Typography III
3
GRD332
Photoshop II
3
GRD317
History Of Graphic Design I
2
Semester 4
Code Title Credits
LSW100G
Literature: Short Exposition
3
GRD407
Design & Layout III
4
GRD412
Illustration III
3
GRD403
Studio Production III
3
GRD423
Web & Multimedia II
4
GRD401
Intro To Motion Graphics
3
GRD417
History Of Graphic Design II
2
Semester 5
Code Title Credits
GRD509
Web & Multimedia III
4
GRD517
Digital Imaging & Video
2
GRD501
Motion And Interactive Design I
3
GRD518
Design Agency I
6
GRD516
Business Of Graphic Design
2
ELEC1030
Choose 1 Elective Course
3
Semester 6
Code Title Credits
GRD603
Motion And Interactive Design II
2
GRD607
Project Management
2
ELEC1030
Choose 1 Elective Course
3
GRD618
Design Agency II
4
GRD619
Web & Multimedia IV
2
GRD601
Internship
14

Past Cohorts:

Semester 1
Code Title Credits
GRD101 Studio Foundations 6
GRD106 Illustration Foundations 4
GRD108 Design Foundations 4
GRD155 Typography I 3
GRD111 Copywriting For Design I 2
GRD102 Digital Photography 3
Semester 2
Code Title Credits
GRD203 Studio Production I 3
GRD201 Design & Layout I 4
GRD202 Illustration I 4
GRD222 History Of Design Art 3
GRD225 Typography II 3
GRD204 Photoshop 3
GRD209 Copywriting For Design II 2
Semester 3
Code Title Credits
GRD302 Design & Layout II 4
GRD306 Illustration II 4
GRD303 Studio Production II 3
GRD311 Web & Multimedia I 4
GRD355 Typography III 3
GRD332 Photoshop II 3
Semester 4
Code Title Credits
LSW100G Literature: Short Exposition 3
GRD407 Design & Layout III 4
GRD412 Illustration III 3
GRD403 Studio Production III 3
GRD423 Web & Multimedia II 4
GRD401 Intro To Motion Graphics 3
Semester 5
Code Title Credits
GRD509 Web & Multimedia III 4
GRD508 Digital Photography II 2
GRD501 Motion And Interactive Design I 3
GRD518 Design Agency I 6
GRD516 Business Of Graphic Design 2
ELEC1030 Choose 1 Elective Course 3
Semester 6
Code Title Credits
GRD603 Motion And Interactive Design II 2
GRD607 Project Management 2
ELEC1030 Choose 1 Elective Course 3
GRD618 Design Agency II 4
GRD619 Web & Multimedia IV 2
GRD601 Internship 14

Your Investment

The standard tuition and compulsory fees for the current academic year:

2023-2024 Tuition Fees  

For programs with Experiential Learning (Work Placement/Internship): Costs for accommodation, if needed, travel and related expenses is at the student's own expense. It is recommended for most programs, that students have access to a laptop or desktop computer while away from home during experiential learning periods.

Textbooks and other materials are in addition to Tuition Fees. Textbook prices may be found through the Bookstore website.

Please be aware that tuition and compulsory fees are subject to adjustment each year. The College reserves the right to change, amend or alter fees as necessary without notice or prejudice.

Program Physical Demands Analysis

Program Vocational Learning Outcomes

Graphic Design (Ontario Advanced College Diploma) (MTCU Code 61820)

The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:

  1. Conceptualize and develop design solutions using principles of design to create visual communications that meet the needs of the project.
  2. Employ the design process to create design solutions that meet the project objectives and the needs of the client and/or user.
  3. Plan, create and use photography, illustration and typography in design layouts to meet the requirements of the creative brief.
  4. Design, develop and create a variety of media products using relevant, current and/or emerging technologies.
  5. Communicate ideas, design concepts and opinions clearly and persuasively to others.
  6. Use recognized industry practices throughout the design process and related business tasks.
  7. Plan, implement, and evaluate graphic design projects using project management skills to deliver quality work to clients according to schedule and within budget.
  8. Complete all work in a professional and ethical manner, and in accordance with all applicable legislation and regulations.
  9. Keep current with visual media design trends, technologies and industry practices using strategies that enhance work performance and guide professional development.

Additional Information