Program Model

Image
GDMA: Program Model

Program Highlights

The Bachelor of Design in Graphic Design for Marketing is a challenging four-year (eight-semester) program of 120 credits:

Year One and Two: You’ll build a broad foundation in typography, image development, software (the Adobe Creative Suite), graphic design history, marketing, research and writing skills, web design and video and animation. During the spring of your second year, you have the opportunity to study overseas through an international exchange to a partner university. 

Year Three: You’ll dive deeper into specialized design areas, with a strong focus on User Experience and Interface Design (UI/UX), systems design, information design, advanced marketing communications design, and branding.

Year Four: You’ll be challenged with large-scale, complex design and branding projects. As you work on your major project, you’ll learn small business essentials and gain solid industry experience through a mentorship placement.

View Courses by Semester
View GDMA Program Model
View Study Abroad Opportunities

Click HERE for a printable version of our Program Model. 


Interested in Our Grads' Work? 

Check out the portfolios of our most recent graduates, the Class of 2022! 


What Can You Expect? 

A balanced curriculum: With a curriculum focused on graphic design, marketing, business, and liberal education, you will learn to conceptualize, design, and produce a wide range of visual communications to meet the marketing needs of for-profit and not-for-profit sectors. 

A hands-on education: Project work in the program will challenge you to conceptualize, experiment, and innovate in order to create designs that solve problems. You’ll also fine-tune your research and writing skills to create design briefs, write reports, and produce research studies. The end result will be a market-ready portfolio.

Ties to industry: Graphic Design faculty members and the Graphic Design Advisory Committee are respected industry professionals with ties to the Design Professionals of Canada (DesCan). Field trips, industry critiques, guest lecturers, and an industry practicum (mentorship) will help you to develop the industry connections you need to launch your career.

Small class sizes: Our small cohorts ensure that you’ll receive one-on-one attention from your instructors in a supportive and collaborative environment.

Cutting-edge technology: You'll use the same tools as graphic design industry professionals in our studios. Beyond the graphic design studios equipped with high-resolution external monitors, you'll have access to large-scale colour plotters, laser cutters, 3D printers, and a woodshop. As part of your training, Graphic Design for Marketing students bring their own laptop with the required industry-standard software for the duration of the program. Recommended laptop and software specifications can be found on the Tuition & Fees page.