Graphic Design (Co-op)
Description
PROGRAM DETAILS
Program Code: GRD1
Credential: Ontario College Advanced Diploma
Duration: 90 weeks
Full Time Offerings
- 2025 January
- 2025 September
Part Time Offerings
- 2025 January
- 2025 September
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Graphic designers see the world for what it can be, not just what it is. They are forward-thinking, innovative, artistic and creative. Fanshawe’s Graphic Design program will inspire your passion for art and give you the skills to apply and communicate your creativity in a variety of mediums. Develop your artistic talents and learn to be a visual communicator as you develop industry connections and work on real-world projects. Graduate with a dynamic, professional portfolio that will set you apart in your career.
YOUR LEARNING EXPERIENCE
This three-year advanced diploma program guides students to be adaptable designers with a passion for learning. Learn from industry experts with diverse working experiences, who will teach you to communicate your ideas in interactive media, web, digital and print mediums. Graphic design courses teach theory and history, illustration, motion graphics, typography, interactive web design, communications and camera basics. You’ll also learn professional practices and current industry production standards to work independently and with different types of organizations.
Apply your learning during three co-op work semesters, where you’ll make industry connections and gain valuable experience working within a wide variety of organizations.
Graduate with a professional portfolio, work experience and the industry contacts you need to launch a career in our rapidly changing creative industry, which includes many specializations and a diverse job market. Graduates find work in advertising agencies, design studios, direct mail agencies, environment/signage companies, printing companies, online graphics, and multimedia companies, among others.
This Advanced Diploma provides comprehensive training to students wanting to enter this professional industry. The program ranges from industry-standard design software training, and the fundamentals of basic design skills to creative concept development, traditional illustration and photography. We offer comprehensive training in interactive design, web and multimedia, digital illustration, and motion graphics as well as courses covering theories of creativity, visual thinking, typography and design history. Besides the traditional aspects of design, we initiate new courses on an ongoing basis as well as update and refresh present courses each term to ensure students remain current with trends in the graphic design industry.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
- Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD), or equivalent, or a mature applicant with the following course
- Grade 12 English (C or U)
- In addition to meeting the academic course requirements, applicants must submit visual artwork and written response. Applicants will be sent an email with instructions for completion.
COURSES
LEVEL 1
Take all of the following Mandatory Courses:
Take all of the following Mandatory Courses:
- WRIT-1036 Reason & Writing 1-Art & Design
- GRAF-1037 Design Basic 1
- GRAF-1049 Typography Basic
- GRAF-1050 Digital Applications 1
- GRAF-1052 Interactive Design 1
- GRAF-1040 Creative Concepts 1
- COOP-1020 Co-operative Education Employment Prep
LEVEL 2
Take all of the following Mandatory Courses:
Take all of the following Mandatory Courses:
- GRAF-1038 Design Basic 2
- GRAF-1035 Typography Digital
- GRAF-1030 Digital Applications 2
- GRAF-1031 Interactive Design 2
- GRAF-1041 Creative Concepts 2
- PHOT-1078 Camera Basics 2
- COMM-3074 Communications for Design
LEVEL 3
Take all of the following Mandatory Courses:
Take all of the following Mandatory Courses:
- GRAF-3013 Design Intermediate 1
- GRAF-3029 Digital Illustration
- GRAF-3015 Digital Applications 3
- GRAF-3017 Interactive Design 3
- GRAF-1051 Time, Money & Materials
- PHOT-3017 Photography
- GRAF-3028 Packaging & Display Design
LEVEL 4
Take all of the following Mandatory Courses:
Take all of the following Mandatory Courses:
- Gen Ed - Take a 3 credit General Education elective course
- GRAF-3018 Design Intermediate 2
- GRAF-3020 Digital Applications 4
- GRAF-3022 Interactive Design 4
- GRAF-5013 Digital Illustration Advanced 1
- GRAF-5022 Digital Master Class 1
LEVEL 5
Take all of the following Mandatory Courses:
Take all of the following Mandatory Courses:
- Gen Ed - Take a 3 credit General Education elective course
- GRAF-5012 Design Advanced 1
- GRAF-5014 Digital Applications 5
- GRAF-5016 Interactive Design 5
- GRAF-5025 Digital Illustration Advanced 2
- GRAF-5023 Digital Master Class 2
LEVEL 6
Take all of the following Mandatory Courses:
Take all of the following Mandatory Courses:
- GRAF-5017 Design Advanced 2
- GRAF-5019 Digital Applications 6
- GRAF-5021 Interactive Design 6
- GRAF-5024 Motion Graphics
- GRAF-5026 Capstone
Gen Ed - Electives
- Take 6 General Education Credits -
Normally taken in Levels 4 and 5
CO-OP OPPORTUNITIES & CAREER INFORMATION
Co-op Opportunities
The Graphic Design program offers a cooperative education component, which provides students the opportunity to gain invaluable first-hand workplace experience within their chosen field. Here are some co-op jobs that have kick-started the careers of students before even graduating!
- Junior Graphic Designer
- Junior Graphic Designer
- Junior Front-End Web Developer
For more information regarding co-op, please check out our co-op site or contact the Co-op Office to connect with a consultant.
Career Information
Graduates of this program have found a wide range of creative, artistic, challenging careers with companies such as:
- advertising agencies
- design studios
- direct mail agencies
- environment/signage companies
- corporate public relations, marketing, art departments
- publishing/magazine/newspaper
- printing companies
- on-line graphics
- multimedia companies
Note: Check with the institution regarding start/end dates, prices, and delivery method. These may vary according to program, section, and/or semester.
Related Courses
- Camera Basics
- Creative Community
- Creative Concepts 1
- Creative Concepts 2
- Design Advanced 1
- Design Advanced 2
- Design Basic 1
- Design Basic 2
- Design Intermediate 1
- Design Intermediate 2
- Digital Applications 1
- Digital Applications 2
- Digital Applications 3
- Digital Applications 4
- Digital Applications 5
- Digital Applications 6
- Digital Illustration
- Digital Illustration Advanced 1
- Digital Illustration Advanced 2
- Digital Master Class 1
- Digital Master Class 2
- Interactive Design 1
- Interactive Design 2
- Interactive Design 3
- Interactive Design 4
- Interactive Design 5
- Interactive Design 6
- Motion Graphics
- Packaging & Display Design
- Photography
- Time, Money & Materials
- Typography Basic
- Typography Digital
- Co-operative Education Employment Prep
Overview

- Institution: Fanshawe College
- Program type: Ontario College Advanced Diploma
- Language: English
- Program Code: GRD1
- Delivery Method: Fully Online/Distance
Disclaimer:
Check with the institution regarding start/end dates, prices, and delivery method. These may vary according to program, section, and/or semester.
Check with the institution regarding start/end dates, prices, and delivery method. These may vary according to program, section, and/or semester.