Instructor drawing on a large tablet.
Diploma

Graphic Design

Graphic Design

DIPLOMA | 2 YEARS | 6 SEMESTERS

 

In Graphic Design, you will:

  • Gain in-depth knowledge of graphic design theory, 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 – and the design knowledge to transform that content into posters, brochures, folders, catalogues, books, and websites.
  • Supplement your designs with digital illustration and learn to construct powerful visual layouts.
  • Prepare for employment with robust entrepreneurship studies and an optional practicum work experience in your graduating year.

NEWS

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

NBCCD Graphic Design Alumni Chooses Life of a Digital Nomad, February 2017

Interested in finding out more?

Email the Recruitment Office: nbccdrecruiting@gnb.ca

  • Curriculum Standard

    Graphic Design 2024-2026 Curriculum Standard, Design Major

    Graphic Design 2024-2026 Curriculum Standard, Illustration Major

    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 Designe and Consultant
    • Entrepreneur / Business Owner
  • Course List

    Design Major

    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 2903
    Design Concepts

    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 2010
    Marketing and Online Promotion: Graphic Design

    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 3906
    Preparing for Professional Life: Graphic Design

    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

    ENTR 3916
    Preparing for a Career in Graphic Design

    Complementary Course (choose 1)

     

    Spring 2  [1 elective*]

    Choose 1:

    * INST 3902
    Senior Practicum

    * INST 3905
    Senior Project: Graphic Design

     

    Illustration Major

    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 2903
    Design Concepts

    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 2010
    Marketing and Online Promotion: Graphic Design

    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 3906
    Preparing for Professional Life: Graphic Design

    Winter 2

    GRDN 3909
    Information Design

    GRDN 3908
    Visual Arts and the Digital Realm

    GRDN 3918
    Image Creation: The Dynamic Sequence

    GRDN 3916
    Image Creation: Sequential Illustrations

    ENTR 3916
    Preparing for a Career in Graphic Design

    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.

    Deadline to apply: January 15

learn thelanguage of design

The Foundation Visual Arts (FVA) Certificate is a 1-year program that offers you a wide-ranging overview of the practice, theory and history of the visual arts. Before you begin honing your craft or digital practice, learn the language to communicate visual arts. Students new to the arts will start in this preparatory course before their two-year Diploma program.

News