Conestoga College is a public college located in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada. It offers more than 200 programs in various fields such as Engineering, Business, Health Sciences, Information Technology, Media and Design, and Community Services.

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The Graphic Design advanced diploma program has an exceptional reputation for graduating talented designers and is recognized as one of the top design programs in the province. Many students win regional, national, and international awards for their design work including RGD (Association of Registered Graphic Designers), ADCC (Advertising and Design Club of Canada), Applied Arts, Print, HOW, and many others.In this program you will have access to up-to-date technologies, including software, hardware, photography studio, and printing facilities. The program has limited enrolment and small class sizes to ensure students' access to award-winning faculty with professional experience in the field of graphic design, packaging, photography and illustration. You will engage in a collaborative environment with dynamic studio projects for both in-class and live clients. As well, the program offers educational and socially engaging guest speakers and multiple opportunities for collaboration with other students and outside organizations. The program supports student membership in the Association of Registered Graphic Designers (RGD) and provides access to the Design Thinkers Conference. RGD members have access to a variety of resources on the RGD website. The program employs a project-based learning approach that addresses design, digital content creation, communication, inter-personal, mechanical, technical and enhanced employability skills. In the third year, you will participate in field placements to reinforce professional industry standards.Conestoga's graphic design students are prepared to assume junior-level design positions and related responsibilities in the graphic design studios, advertising agencies, in-house communication departments, and technology-based companies. As a graduate you will use knowledge of design thinking, research, process, and practical design skills to plan and create purposeful visual communications, in collaboration with colleagues, supervisors, art or creative directors, project managers, and clients. Show less

Courses
Level 1
Course details
College Reading & Writing Skills
COMM1085

Conestoga 101
CON0101

Design History A
GRDN1065

Illustration 1
GRDN1080

Design Tools and Practices 1
GRDN1105

Typography 1-A
GRDN1120

Design Studio 1-A
GRDN1165

Electives: General Education
Student must pass 1 Course(s), selected in the Student Portal from available course options
Level 2
Course details
Design History B
GRDN1075

Design Tools and Practices 2
GRDN1115

Typography 1-B
GRDN1130

Design Studio 1-B
GRDN1175

Photography 1
PHOT1320

Electives: General Education
Student must pass 1 Course(s), selected in the Student Portal from available course options
Level 3
Course details
Illustration 2
GRDN2080

Typography 2-A
GRDN2105

Packaging 1-A
GRDN2120

Design Technologies 1
GRDN2165

Design Studio 2-A
GRDN2180

Photography 2
PHOT2000

Electives: General Education
Student must pass 1 Course(s), selected in the Student Portal from available course options
Level 4
Course details
Professional Practices 1
GRDN2065

Creative Imaging 1
GRDN2095

Typography 2-B
GRDN2115

Packaging 1-B
GRDN2130

Design Technologies 2
GRDN2175

Design Studio 2-B
GRDN2190

Level 5
Course details
Creative Imaging 2
GRDN3085

Typography 3-A
GRDN3100

Packaging 2-A
GRDN3120

Design Prototyping 1
GRDN3145

Professional Practices 2
GRDN3165

Capstone 1
GRDN3185

Design Studio 3-A
GRDN3200

Safety in the Workplace
OHS1320

Level 6
Course details
Portfolio
ETR3010

Field Placement (Graphic Design)
FPLT3045

Typography 3-B
GRDN3115

Design Prototyping 2
GRDN3151

Capstone 2
GRDN3191

Design Studio 3-B
GRDN3215

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

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You will need to book the accommodation after you have been accepted.

You can choose to live on campus or off campus in private accommodation.

How to book:

• Make a booking online after you have been accepted (in this case please let us know your choice when you apply).
• Register when you arrive - its not possible to reserve a room before arriving. You can arrive a few days before and book it

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