Communicate Through Design
Over four years at The KPU Wilson School of Design, you’ll go from learning the basics of visual communication and design software to tackling the kind of work you’d actually do on the job: building brands, designing user-friendly apps and websites, and creating campaigns that get people’s attention.
You won’t be doing it alone, either. Small classes mean your instructors actually know your work, and our Advisory Committee is made up of working designers from places like Ion Brand Design, Clio, and Dossier Creative. These are the same people who help keep what you’re learning relevant.
And it pays off: 95.5% of our grads are employed, most doing exactly this kind of work, from branding to social media to app design.
Program Highlights
- A four-year, 120-credit degree with a small cohort of students each year with access to industry experts throughout.
- Applications run from October 1 to March 1. Apply early to give yourself time to build a strong portfolio.
- You’ll work with the same tools professionals use: leading software, large-scale colour plotters, laser cutters, and access to a maker’s workshop.
- In your second year, you’ll have the option to study abroad through an international exchange with a partner university.
- Our faculty and Advisory Committee are respected industry professionals with ties to the Design Professionals of Canada (DesCan), keeping the program grounded in real-world standards and ethics.
- Already working in graphic design? You may be able to earn credit for your experience through a Prior Learning Assessment (PLA).
- If you’re coming from another program or institution, transfer credit is assessed on an individual basis, so bring your coursework and the Office of the Registrar will help you sort through it.
- Working professionals can also take individual courses or study part-time, depending on seat availability, without committing to the full four-year degree.
- Seats are reserved for students who stay on the program’s set course sequence, so plan carefully if you’re balancing this with other commitments.
- Graduates go on to work as generalist or specialist designers, in-house at major companies, non-profits or as freelancers and entrepreneurs. This degree opens doors across the whole field.
Want more detail? Check our FAQ if you still have questions.
Costs and Equipment
Tuition and Fees
Use our Tuition Estimator to get a sense of costs. Keep in mind there are mandatory student fees and other fees on top of tuition.
Scholarships, student loans, and other financial aid may be available. Visit Student Awards and Financial Assistance to see what you might qualify for.
Materials
Plan to spend about $500 a year on supplies and books, plus the cost of your own Adobe Creative Cloud license (student pricing is available).
Laptop
This program runs in a laptop-based environment, so you’ll need one with specific software to keep up with coursework.
Before you buy, check our Equipment and Software page so you know exactly what kind of hardware and software you need.
Program Timeline
Year 1-2: Build your foundation
Learn the essentials of visual communication, image development, and the Adobe Creative Suite, alongside graphic design history, marketing, and research and writing skills. You’ll also pick up web design and video and animation along the way. In the spring of your second year, you’ll have the option to study abroad through an international exchange.
Year 3: Go deeper
Specialize in UI/UX design, systems and information design, advanced marketing communications, and branding. You’ll focus on the areas that shape how designers actually work in the field today.
Year 4: Make your mark
Take on large-scale, complex design and branding projects. You’ll learn small business essentials, gain industry experience through a mentorship placement, and present your work to industry professionals at the graduation show.
Industry-Ready Skills
By the time you graduate, you’ll have hands-on experience across the full design and marketing cycle, backed by a professional portfolio.
Visual & Digital Design
You’ll develop the visual foundation every graphic designer needs, including typography, image development, branding, editorial and advertising design.
Then you’ll extend those skills to the screen with web design, video, animation, and UI/UX design for digital products.
Strategy & Business
You’ll learn to think like a marketer, not just a designer. You’ll develop marketing, communications, and packaging strategies, plus the small business essentials you’ll need if you ever go out on your own.
You’ll also sharpen the research and writing skills that go into every design brief and client report.
Real-World Experience
Through field trips, study abroad opportunities, industry critiques, guest lecturers, and a mentorship placement, you’ll build the industry connections that help graduates walk into the job market with confidence.
Look Behind The Scenes
For inspiration, browse our Graphic Design For Marketing feed or search @thisiswilson_gdma and @wilsondesignkpu on Instagram to see what our community is making right now.
Ready To Get Started?
We’re looking for people with creative energy, a genuine curiosity about design and marketing, and a readiness to learn by doing. Sound like you? Time to take the next step.
To apply, you’ll need to meet our English Proficiency Requirement and submit an Entrance Package. Get all the details here: