Graphic Design

DIPLOMA | 2 YEARS | 6 SEMESTERS

Acquire comprehensive expertise in graphic design theory, professional techniques, and industry standards while nurturing your creative vision. At NBCCD, you’ll study graphic design as you explore all facets of visual communication. From layout and packaging to logo design, posters, user interface (UI) design, user experience (UX) design, information design, and digital illustrations. Choose to specialize in either illustration (digital drawing and image creation) or design (branding and layout) to develop your professional portfolio.

In Graphic Design, you will:

Gain in-depth knowledge of graphic design theory and applications, professional technique, and industry standards.
Explore all aspects of visual communication including print and digital production, typography, brand identity development, and image creation.
Become a versatile designer by focusing on the creation of visual content: posters, brochures, folders, catalogues, books, social media assets, animations, logos, layouts, billboards, merchandise, apps, websites, and more.
Supplement your designs with digital illustration and learn to construct powerful visual layouts.
Prepare for employment with robust entrepreneurship studies in marketing, brand identity and strategy, photography, pricing your services, building a portfolio, networking; and an optional practicum work experience in your graduating year.
Graduates of the Graphic Design diploma program are skilled designers in Adobe and able to seamlessly jump into platforms like Figma, Miro, Sketch, InVision, etc.

NEWS

What the Helvetica! Exhibition | April 2025

NBCCD Graphic Design Alumni and Current Instructor Selected for National Design Project with McDonald’s, May 2022

NBCCD Graphic Design Alumni Designs Purolator Holiday Box, December 2022

Interested in finding out more?

Email the Recruitment Office: nbccdrecruiting@gnb.ca

Curriculum Standard

Graphic Design 2025-2027 Curriculum Standard

The Curriculum Standard is an introduction to the program which includes the program’s critical performance, a program description, program learning outcomes, and the program’s potential career opportunities. This is followed by information on duration, credits, admission requirements, advanced placement, certification, articulations, and prior learning assessment and recognition.

This document also contains a program delivery sequence and the course profiles with specific course learning outcomes and grading basis.

In addition, the Curriculum Standard is used as a tool for revision and evaluation of the program and for the promotion of transfer agreements with other post-secondary institutions.
Areas of Study
- Graphic Design
- Illustration
- Typography
- Visual Design
- Drawing
- Communications
- Digital Media
- Desktop Publishing
- Portfolio Development
- UI / UX Design
Tech Requirements

Computer
Any Apple Laptop that is between new and 3 years old at the start of the academic year.
MacBook Pro
Macbook
Macbook Air

Software
The Adobe Creative Cloud suite of tools for education, which runs $25-30 month.
Photoshop
Illustrator
InDesign

Optional
Wacolm Drawing Tablet
External hard drive
Career Possibilities
- Graphic Designer
- Web / Interface Designer
- Illustrator
- Art / Creative Director
- Freelance Designer and Consultant
- Entrepreneur / Business Owner
Course List

Design Stream

Fall 1

GRDN 2903
Structure and Content: Page Layout Fundamentals

GRDN 2900
Digital Imaging for Graphic Design

GRDN 2901
Digital Illustration for Graphic Design

GRDN 2908
Image Creation: Media, Method and Technique

GRDN 2922
Graphic Design Illustration Seminar

DSGN 2904
Design Thinking

Complementary Course (choose 1)

Winter 1

GRDN 2904
Introductory to Typography

GRDN 2905
Structure and Content: Form Follows Function

GRDN 2924
Design Process

GRDN 2916
Image Creation: Interpretation, Style, and Theme

GRDN 2912
UI/UX Fundamentals

HIST 2914
Graphic Design and Illustration History

ENTR 2013
Entrepreneurial Foundations

Spring 1 [1 elective*]

GRDN 2917
Interface Design

*GRDN 2920
Image Creation: Photography for Illustration

*GRDN 2913
Design for Large Format

Fall 2

GRDN 3914
Supplemental Digital Tools

GRDN 3902
Structure and Content: Form & Format

GRDN 3904
Image Creation: Going Digital

GRDN 3913
Text, Image and Meaning

GRDN 3919
Identity and Brand Development

HIST 3902
Critical Issues: Culture, Context and Perception

ENTR 3925
Business Basics

Winter 2

GRDN 3909
Information Design

GRDN 3908
Visual Arts and the Digital Realm

GRDN 3903
Typographic Expression

GRDN 3905
Advertising and Package Design

GRDN 3907
Structure and Content: Multi-Page Document Design

Complementary Course (choose 1)

Spring 2 [1 elective*]

Choose 1:

* INST 3902
Senior Practicum

* INST 3905
Senior Project: Graphic Design

Illustration Stream

Fall 1

GRDN 2903
Structure and Content: Page Layout Fundamentals

GRDN 2900
Digital Imaging for Graphic Design

GRDN 2901
Digital Illustration for Graphic Design

GRDN 2908
Image Creation: Media, Method and Technique

GRDN 2922
Graphic Design Illustration Seminar

DSGN 2904
Design Thinking

Complementary Course (choose 1)

Winter 1

GRDN 2904
Introductory to Typography

GRDN 2905
Structure and Content: Form Follows Function

GRDN 2924
Design Process

GRDN 2918
Image Creation: Illustrating the Designed World

GRDN 2919
Image Creation: Illustrating the Natural World

HIST 2914
Graphic Design and Illustration History

ENTR 2013
Entrepreneurial Foundations

Spring 1 [1 elective*]

GRDN 2920
Image Creation: Photography for Illustration

*GRDN 2917
Interface Design

*GRDN 2913
Design for Large Format

Fall 2

GRDN 3914
Supplemental Digital Tools

GRDN 3902
Structure and Content: Form & Format

GRDN 3921
Image Creation: Illustrating Human Beings

GRDN 3915
Image Creation: Personal Style Development

GRDN 3919
Identity and Brand Development

HIST 3902
Critical Issues: Culture, Context and Perception

ENTR 3925
Business Basics

Winter 2

GRDN 3909
Information Design

GRDN 3908
Visual Arts and the Digital Realm

GRDN 2922
Image Creation: Individualized Illustration Project

GRDN 3916
Image Creation: Sequential Illustrations

ENTR 3926
Career Development

Complementary Course (choose 1)

Spring 2 [1 elective*]

Choose 1:

* INST 3902
Senior Practicum

* INST 3905
Senior Project: Graphic Design
Admission Requirements
- $50 Application Fee (1)
- An official transcript of marks indicating Certificate – Foundation Visual Arts (FVA) from NBCCD OR
  - An official transcript of marks indicating at least 1 year post-secondary education
  - OR equivalent experience (2)
- Portfolio Submission (view requirements)
- Interview
(1) The $50 application fee is in Canadian dollars, applies to Canadian citizens and Permanent Residents and is non-refundable and subject to change without notice. International applicants pay a $100 Canadian application fee. See International Students for more information.

(2) Equivalent experience is determined by NBCCD by assessing your combination of learning and experience through recognition of prior learning. If you are 21 years of age or older and have past experience, you may be assessed as an Adult Learner.

Interview

The College may contact you for an interview, it is important to consider why you want to study with us and your future goals.
Portfolio Requirements

Foundation Visual Arts:

Please note that this program traditionally starts with the one-year Foundation Visual Arts Program as a prerequisite.

DIRECT ENTRY PORTFOLIO REQUIREMENTS

To ensure that you are well-prepared to bypass the Foundation Visual Arts Program (FVA) and enter directly into an NBCCD Diploma Program, we need to assess your abilities and knowledge of the foundations of visual art.
Apply Now

Apply here

Go to the Admission Requirements to learn more. This page will also provide more details and info on where to mail your transcript of marks, cash, cheques and/or money order.

Priority Application Deadline: January 15

We encourage applicants to apply by this date for the best chance of securing a spot in their program of choice. However, applications will continue to be accepted after January 15 until programs are full.

Dale McBride (dale.mcbride@gnb.ca)
Graphic Design Studio Head, Instructor

“I don’t believe in dictating to students. My job is not to mold the student into what I think they should be. My job is to help facilitate that discovery, not force it or steer it.”

Sample Courses

Identity and Brand Development

In this course, students engage in the branding process from concept to completion. Through research and discovery, students create a strategy that guides visual identity development and design for organizations, businesses, governments and/or any group of people.

NBCCD Students engage in the branding process from concept to completion for organizations governments, and more.
UI/UX Fundamentals

In this course, students learn the fundamental concepts of user experience and user interface design for websites. They are introduced to the planning process of web design including content strategy, site maps, and prototyped wireframes. Students also design and create the visual assets that express a website’s purpose and functionality.

At NBCCD, students in the Graphic Design program learn the fundamental concepts of user experience and user interface design for websites.
Preparing for Career in Graphic Design

In this course, students further enhance their professional footprint and expand their understanding of business practices. They learn the associated costs of a business startup in the graphic design industry and the ongoing expenses. While completing a business plan, students are taught to effectively cost and produce quotes for freelance work in order to accurately predict cash flow. In addition, they create an analog version of their portfolio in the form of a printed book.

At NBCCD, students in the Graphic Design program learn the associated costs of a business startup in the graphic design industry and the ongoing expenses.
Image Creation: Personal Style Development

In this course, students work towards developing a unique personal style that defines their illustration work. Through research into historical and contemporary illustration and illustrators, students will begin to develop their style and to apply it in their creativity. They will investigate and experiment with the ideas and concepts from the art world as they push their creative boundaries. As well, they will be encouraged to incorporate their own personalities, interests and values in their work as they seek an authentic artistic voice.

At NBCCD, students in the Graphic Design program work towards developing a unique personal style that defines their illustration work.

Overhead photo of a student working at a laptop.

Close up of a student drawing in their sketch book.

Begin your Creative JourneyFoundation Visual Arts

Build core skills in drawing, design, and visual thinking while exploring different mediums through Media Explorations. This hands-on experience not only helps you discover your passions but also prepares you with the artistic and technical foundation needed to succeed in your chosen discipline. For students pursuing the Graphic Design Diploma, FVA provides the essential base of creativity, digital proficiency, and confidence that will support your growth at the sketchbook, on screen, and across every area of visual communication.

Learn more

Ready to get started?Apply Now

At NBCCD, we believe in nurturing creativity, innovation, and strong business skills, ensuring that our graduates are not just skilled artisans but also savvy entrepreneurs, ready to make their mark in the ever-evolving world of craft and design.

How to Apply