Graphic Designer Diploma Program

Get the hands-on experience and training you need to become a designer. Learn industry-leading software, understand design fundamentals, and craft an attention-grabbing portfolio.

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Online Courses

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62 Week Program

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Tuition:

$15,000.00

Fees:

$800.00

Total Cost:

$15,800.00

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Average Wage

$29.09

Per Hour

* Data from alis.alberta.ca

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Average Salary

$53,832.00

Per Year

* Data from alis.alberta.ca

Our Program at a Glance

What is a Graphic Designer?

A Graphic Designer uses software to create visual designs that convey ideas and information in an engaging way. Designers use their skill set to solve design problems with visual elements. These visuals help us navigate our world. Design includes web design, interactive design, package design, branding, and more!

Career Opportunities

Graphic Designer
UX (user experience) Design
Art Director
Social Media Content Creation
Web Design

Advertiser
Creative Director
UI (User Interface) Design
Editorial Designer
Layout Artist

You Will Learn

Introduction to Design

Learn graphic design theory, techniques, and industry standards. Dive into the adobe suite and become familiar with Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Premier Pro, and After Effects.

A Strong Foundation

Study visual communication, covering print and digital production, typography, brand identity, and image creation. Learn how to conceptualize designs

based on the client brief.

Hands on Learning

Learn to make graphics and videos for things like posters, brochures, magazines, social media ads, and websites.

Explore project briefs, work with and create brand identity.

Industry Experience

Gain practical work experience through a robust practicum to prepare for employment. Learn how to guide clients through each step of the design process.

Program Overview

During this 62 week post secondary program, you will acquire expertise in a wide range of design skills. Such as Composition & Layouts, Shape and Color Theory, Typography Fundamentals, Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Digital Darkroom techniques, and Portfolio Design.

The program includes a 160 hour practicum. You will gain real-world work experience through workplace placement. This helps boost your confidence and skills as a Graphic Designer. As well as give you opportunities to network and add to your portfolio.

Courses

Microsoft Office Suite: This foundational module focuses on essential Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook. Participants will master these tools for effective correspondence, presentations, and professional marketing as Graphic Designers.

Adobe Photoshop: Unlock the power of digital artistry with Adobe Photoshop, covering color correction, portrait retouching, composition, and advanced editing techniques. Learn to optimize images for various mediums and create captivating visual masterpieces. Discover techniques for digital advertisements, branding elements, and professional design effects for social media campaigns and other advertising needs.

Integrated Business: You will understand marketing basics. How to design for email campaign techniques. Add SEO strategies into the content of the design for optimization, social media setup for business, and campaign creation. Prepare for a career in Graphic Design. Join a digital marketing team equipped with practical skills and industry insights. Learn to create digital marketing items like interactive e-newsletters and use the modern automations.

Fundamentals of Graphic Design: Dive into the vibrant world of graphic design. Exploring concepts such as design theory, color theory, typography, layout composition, and digital imaging. This module emphasizes practical skills and creative problem-solving using the Principles and the elements of Design. You will explore an introduction to html coding and basic principles of web design. You will also learn the fundamentals of sketching and how to transform a sketch for UX and UI.

Video Editing and Animation: Delve into dynamic presentations, webinars, and animations using tools like PowerPoint, Premiere Pro, and After Effects. Learn to create engaging content and transform ideas into multimedia experiences. Explore animation techniques, including transitions, effects, and dynamic motion graphics. The students will also learn how to add transcripts and captioning. They will develop and edit a YouTube Webinar as a project.

Portfolio Development: Craft a comprehensive digital portfolio showcasing design projects, web layouts, mock-ups, infographics, and digital print materials. Create a professional website, videos, and animations to stand out to potential employers. Develop skills in presenting and showcasing work effectively for job opportunities.

Adobe Illustrator: Explore scalable computer graphics with Adobe Illustrator, mastering core drawing tools, color manipulation, and advanced techniques like branding, logo design, and interactive elements. Gain proficiency in creating company branding, social media posts, brochures, and branded campaigns.

InDesign: Master the essential capabilities of Adobe InDesign for Advertising, magazine and book design. Explore AODA accessibility standards, WCAG document tagging, and SEO optimization for professional-quality digital publications. Learn to design single and multiple pages, manage layouts and layers, and integrate Photoshop smart objects for interactive content. Learn how to make documents AODA accessible following government standards.

Job Search and Resume Writing: This course is designed to guide students through the process of job searching and resume writing. The course will cover various methods of finding job opportunities, including online job boards, networking, and informational interviews. Students will learn how to create a professional resume that effectively showcases their skills and experiences to potential employers. You will to write an effective cover letter that grabs the attention of recruiters and hiring managers. You will cover interview skills, including how to make a strong first impression, appropriate behavior and dress. How to communicate effectively, and body language.