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Bachelor of Design, Graphic Design for Marketing

Click here for the Graphic Design for Marketing (GDMA) website

Description

In the contemporary marketplace, graphic designers function as creative problem solvers, design planners and strategists, and skilled communicators and technologists. They are team players, team leaders, and can be employees, freelancers, or self-employed entrepreneurs. They require a solid understanding of business and marketing, high-level visual and critical thinking skills, well-developed research capabilities, as well as a broad-based understanding of diverse social and cultural groups. Graphic designers are involved in projects ranging from the design of visual identities for corporations, retail stores, and institutions, to specialist projects involving skateboard and sports-related graphics. Today, graphic designers have more wide-ranging career opportunities than ever before. They may design websites, lifestyle and fashion magazines, hospital and shopping mall wayfinding systems, fundraising campaigns for non-profit organizations, packaging for all manner of products, advertising campaigns on billboards and bus shelters, and even television and film title credits.

The Graphic Design for Marketing (GDMA) program has worked closely with industry to design a curriculum that meets the needs of the marketplace. GDMA graduates graphic designers who have well-developed design skills, understand the connection between design and marketing, and have a wide range of complementary and interdisciplinary knowledge and abilities.

The Graphic Design for Marketing program offers students two options for their studies:

1. Bachelor of Design, Graphic Design for Marketing. This is a selective-entry, four-year Bachelor's Degree program that is eight semesters in length consisting of 120 credits of coursework.

2. Diploma in Graphic Design for Marketing

This selective-entry, three-year diploma program is embedded within the degree. It allows students who do not wish to pursue a degree in graphic design to have an optional exit point after six semesters of study and 90 credits of coursework.

Please contact the Enrolment and Registrar Services at 604.599.2000 for a copy of the latest Graphic Design for Marketing program brochure, or visit the program's website at http://www.kwantlen.ca/design/gdma. Information Sessions for design programs at Kwantlen are held twice yearly in mid-October and mid-February.

International Students

Please contact the Enrolment and Registrar Services Office for information regarding admission and registration at 1.604.599.2000 or via e-mail at admissions@kwantlen.ca.

Alternate Program Availability

We recommend that you indicate a "second choice" program on your application in the event that you are not accepted into the GDMA program for September. For example, Foundations in Design* (a 30-credit foundational design exploration program) would help you to develop a portfolio, as would the Fine Arts program. Several open access programs offer courses that are transferable to the GDMA degree. Please read the Kwantlen calendar, or check the website for admission requirements for these programs.

(To name a second choice program, download a copy of the application pdf or pick one up at any Admissions counter. After completion, indicate at the top right corner of the form the phrase "Declaration of second program". Deposit or mail the completed form to Admissions. No additional charge is required for this step.)

* formerly called Interdisciplinary Studies

Bachelor of Design, Graphic Design For Marketing – Degree

Description

Graphic Design for Marketing (GDMA) is a four-year, selective entry degree program consisting of 120 credits of coursework organized into eight semesters of study. The program is currently offered on a full-time basis; however, some opportunities may also exist for part-time studies.

The GDMA program provides a balanced education that encompasses skills, knowledge and capabilities relating to, graphic design, marketing, business and general education.

Students in the GDMA degree program will develop knowledge, skills and abilities from learning domains as diverse as graphic design process, marketing, and business; media, technology, and production; conceptual development and image development; and an understanding of the social, cultural, and historical contexts of graphic design. They will be skilled in applying design theory and processes, with an emphasis on critical thinking and creative problem solving, and will be able to originate and produce marketing and promotional concepts for a wide range of products and services, including the promotion of corporate, institutional, and social initiatives.

The program works closely with the graphic design community and its professional associations in order to ensure students develop career readiness and graduate with the best possible chance for success as employed or self-employed practitioners.

Career Opportunities

The graphic design marketplace is rapidly changing and fast-paced. The degree program prepares graduates with broad-based experiences as graphic designers in order to compete for entry-level graphic design positions.

Generalist Graphic Designers:

GDMA degree graduates will qualify for entry-level positions as graphic designers in firms providing corporations, small businesses, non-profit organizations, and others with services which may include marketing strategy, interactive media design, publication design, advertising design, direct marketing design, and display design. Understanding consumer behaviour and end-user needs will also qualify the graduate for employment in marketing, advertising or public relations firms that offer graphic design as one of their services.

Specialist Graphic Designers:

GDMA degree graduates will have been exposed to various specialty areas within the graphic design profession in order to begin to develop a specialist design career for themselves. The population and industry growth necessary to support graphic design specialists is already occurring in the Lower Mainland.

In-House (Resident) Graphic Designers:

The diverse skills acquired by graduates of the GDMA program will equip them to work as in-house graphic designers in corporations or institutions with their own graphic design departments.

Self-Employed, Freelance or Entrepreneurial Graphic Designers:

The GDMA graduate will have a solid understanding of the graphic design industry and marketplace through field studies and a mentorship, as well as business and marketing courses. They will have prepared a comprehensive portfolio along with a self-promotional and marketing strategy in order to effectively market their services.

Student Profile

Applicants come from diverse backgrounds and age groups, and demonstrate a keen interest in visual communications expressed through design and art explorations; particularly through activities involving drawing, illustration, typography, photography, computer-based projects, video, painting, sculpture, or various types of craft work.

Applicants may also have communications, marketing, public relations or business-related experience. They may come directly from high school or may transfer from other institutions, or they may be former graduates of design, fine arts, or related programs.

Applicants may be mature individuals who want to make a career change, or may have experience in the graphic design industry and want to upgrade their credentials.

It is strongly recommended that applicants have basic skills in English communication, word processing, basic mathematics, plus an awareness of the graphic design profession, and its significance globally and in Canada.

All applicants to the GDMA program must meet the program requirements for admission and selective-entry, including transcript submissions, a portfolio review, and an interview. Please consult the Admission Requirements as outlined below.

Credit for Previous Learning

Students may obtain credit for segments of the program with results from course work (i.e. general education courses) taken in other programs at Kwantlen, or at another institution. All applications for credits for previous learning will be assessed on an individual basis. Graduates from a two- or three-year graphics program who wish to pursue a degree in graphic design will be assessed on an individual basis.

Applicants with experience in the graphic design industry may acquire credits through Prior Learning Assessment (PLA).

Graduates from Kwantlen's Graphic and Visual Design program (GRVD) may apply for degree completion. Applicants who completed the GRVD program in the year 2000 and after may apply for entry to Year 3 of the degree. All applications will be assessed individually.

Part-time Studies

Graphic design professionals may also wish to take specific courses on a part-time basis to complement their job skills. Some requirements for course prerequisites may be waived based on work experience. Opportunities for part-time studies will depend upon the number of seats that are available. Please contact the Program Coordinator or the Dean of Design and Communications for further information.

Entrance Requirements

The GDMA Program begins in September. Applications are accepted starting November 1 until March 31. Applicants are strongly encouraged to apply as early as possible, since date of application is an important factor in the application process.

The Graphic Design for Marketing (GDMA) program is a selective-entry program. Successful applicants will have met Kwantlen's general admission requirements, and the following GDMA admission consisting of documentation, a portfolio review, and an interview including a brief design exercise.

Documentation:

Applicants must also meet one of the following admission requirements:

Applicants currently in high school must submit an interim high school transcript by March 31st as proof of interim grades. Proof of final grades is required as soon as they become available. To ensure Kwantlen automatically receives your final grades from the Ministry of Education, be sure to submit the online Post Secondary Institutions Selections form: www.bced.gov.bc.ca./transcript/transcript_psi.htm .

For applicants who are currently taking English preparatory courses, interim grades must be submitted by March 31st, with proof of final grades required by April 30th.

For applicants currently attending another post-secondary institution, you must submit a final official transcript and a Request for Transfer Credit form before April 30th..

For all other applicants, proof of having met the program's English proficiency requirement must be provided within two weeks of receipt of your application.

Any applicant who has not submitted proof of the English requirement by the specified dates will be removed from the list of eligible applicants.

Admission application forms are available online at admissions@kwantlen.ca or from any Kwantlen Enrolment and Registrar Services Office. Please contact the Enrolment and Registrar Services for information concerning opportunities for Prior Learning Assessment (PLA).

In early April, applicants will receive a letter inviting them to attend portfolio review and interview sessions that will take place in late April or early May. Alternative arrangements may be possible for students who live outside the Greater Vancouver region. Please contact the Enrolment and Registrar Services 604.599.2000 for further details.

Applicants who apply for GDMA but do not meet all of the requirements for direct entry may be offered admission to the two-semester Foundations in Design (FIND) program, a 30 credit foundational design exploration program. Pending successful completion of the FIND program, students will receive priority consideration for the subsequent GDMA intake upon re-application on Nov 1st.

Information Sessions

The Faculty of Design holds information sessions twice yearly in mid-October and mid-February. These information sessions will provide prospective applicants with an opportunity to view examples of student portfolios, and discuss portfolio and program entry requirements. It is highly recommended that applicants attend one of these sessions prior to submitting their portfolios for review by faculty.

Portfolio Review

Applicants who have submitted the required documentation and met Kwantlen's general admission requirements will be notified by the Enrolment and Registrar Services of the dates and times for portfolio review and interview sessions typically in late April or early May. Applicants will participate in a selection process that includes a portfolio review of the following:

As part of the selection process, applicants may be asked to attend an in-person interview with faculty.

Portfolios can be submitted in one of the following formats:

The Enrolment and Registrar Services will notify students of the results of the portfolio review and/or interview process.

Content

The Bachelor of Design, Graphic Design for Marketing (GDMA) program consists of 120 credits, organized into eight semesters, over a four-year period.

Please be advised that course names, and descriptions may change. For the most up-to-date information, check the Kwantlen website at www.kwantlen.cacourses.

Refer to timetables as course offerings may change year to year.

Successful applicants may take their general education and non discipline specific courses prior to entering the program and/or during the summer semester in order to lighten their workload during the term. Courses such as ENGL 1100, MRKT 1199 and others are usually offered during the summer semester.

Industry personnel may contact the Program Coordinator to access individual courses of interest without applying for the complete program. Access is determined by permission of the Coordinator and an availability of space.

Year One

Semester 1

Semester 2

Year Two

Semester 1

Semester 2

Year Three

Semester 1

Semester 2

Year Four

Semester 1

Semester 2

Costs

Students should be prepared to spend approximately $600 to $1000 per year on books and materials.

Applicants are advised they will be required to contribute to the fundraising activities and expenses associated with their graduation Degree Show.

Graduation

Upon successful completion of the 120-credit program (or equivalent), students are awarded a Bachelor of Design, Graphic Design for Marketing (GDMA).

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