Graphic Design
How To Apply
Program Details
- Program Code6420
- Credential TypeOntario College Advanced Diploma
- SchoolSchool of Communications, Media, Arts and Design
- Program TypePost-secondary program
- Program Length3 years/ 6 semesters
- LocationStory Arts Centre
- Emailbnasirzadeh@centennialcollege.ca
- Technology Requirements
- Program Overview
- Courses
- Career Options and Education Pathways
- Admission Requirements
- How to Apply
- Tuition and Fees
- Technology Requirements
- Program Vocational Learning Outcomes
- Meet the Faculty
- Advising
- Entrepreneurism
Centennial College's Graphic Design program, which has a graduate employment rate that exceeds 80 per cent, will prepare you for a multidisciplinary design career. Facilitated at the Story Arts Centre, the courses in this advanced diploma program will take a hands-on approach in an intimate studio environment, rather than having you sit passively in large lecture halls. With small class sizes, you'll have lots of opportunities to work one-on-one with your professors. Graphic Design is also offered fully online. Graphic Design is a PGWP-aligned program based on the new IRCC requirements.
In this college graphic design program, you'll:
- Master industry-standard Adobe software including Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign;
- Learn creative problem solving and design thinking;
- Design for print, including advertisements, magazines, books and packaging;
- Design responsive websites, mobile apps and create exciting motion graphics
- Explore drawing, photography, illustration and type design;
- Learn professional practice skills to land a great job or start your own design business;
- Contribute something unique and innovative to the design community in a thesis course;
- Learn on the job and get course credits through an industry field placement in your final semester;
- Interact with industry professionals;
- Become a student member of the Association of Registered Graphic Designers of Ontario (RGD Ontario);
- Learn from professors who are up-to-date and professionally active in the design industry.
The Graphic Design program will develop your abilities to:
- Think creatively and design effectively for print, motion and interactive media;
- Professionally execute your ideas in any medium;
- Effectively communicate with employers and clients;
- Start your career in any facet of the design industry;
- Market yourself as a freelancer or start your own business;
- Effect social change through your design problem-solving skills;
- Understand all aspects of industry standard workflow, from initial creative, through to print production or interactive prototyping.
Program Overview
Centennial College's Graphic Design program, which has a graduate employment rate that exceeds 80 per cent, will prepare you for a multidisciplinary design career. Facilitated at the Story Arts Centre, the courses in this advanced diploma program will take a hands-on approach in an intimate studio environment, rather than having you sit passively in large lecture halls. With small class sizes, you'll have lots of opportunities to work one-on-one with your professors. Graphic Design is also offered fully online. Graphic Design is a PGWP-aligned program based on the new IRCC requirements.
In this college graphic design program, you'll:
- Master industry-standard Adobe software including Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign;
- Learn creative problem solving and design thinking;
- Design for print, including advertisements, magazines, books and packaging;
- Design responsive websites, mobile apps and create exciting motion graphics
- Explore drawing, photography, illustration and type design;
- Learn professional practice skills to land a great job or start your own design business;
- Contribute something unique and innovative to the design community in a thesis course;
- Learn on the job and get course credits through an industry field placement in your final semester;
- Interact with industry professionals;
- Become a student member of the Association of Registered Graphic Designers of Ontario (RGD Ontario);
- Learn from professors who are up-to-date and professionally active in the design industry.
The Graphic Design program will develop your abilities to:
- Think creatively and design effectively for print, motion and interactive media;
- Professionally execute your ideas in any medium;
- Effectively communicate with employers and clients;
- Start your career in any facet of the design industry;
- Market yourself as a freelancer or start your own business;
- Effect social change through your design problem-solving skills;
- Understand all aspects of industry standard workflow, from initial creative, through to print production or interactive prototyping.
Courses
Career Options and Education Pathways
Companies Offering Jobs
Centennial College Graphic Design graduates have found a range of jobs with companies including, but not limited to, HJC New Media, RockHippo, Gamebridger, G4Box, Formative innovations, 4front Media Group, CX Interactive and Bash! Interactive.
Program Highlights
- RGD, which represents more than 3,000 graphic designers, managers, educators and students across Ontario, formally recognizes the Graphic Design program.
- A combination of multidisciplinary design skills and practical experience will set you apart from the competition.
- You'll be more flexible in your design solutions and more desirable in the marketplace.
Career Outlook
- Graphic/web designer
- Interactive designer
- Motion graphics designer
- Art director
- Editorial designer
- Illustrator
- Type designer
- Print production artist
- Digital imaging professional
Education Pathways
Graduates of this Graphic Design advanced diploma program have the opportunity to apply learning achieved at Centennial for credits toward further study at the degree level. Listed below are institutions offering pathways for this program.
Please note that each receiving institution has minimum admission requirements in order to qualify for transfer credits, which are assessed by the receiving institution.
| Region | Institution |
|---|---|
| Toronto GTA | Humber Polytechnic |
| Seneca Polytechnic | |
| York University | |
| Ontario | Conestoga College |
| Lakehead University | |
| Nipissing University | |
| Ontario Tech University | |
| Waterloo, University of | |
| Wilfrid Laurier University | |
| Canada | Royal Roads University |
| International | Griffith University |
For more detailed pathways information, visit our website at //centennial.adv-pub.moveonca.com/outgoing-home/.
Use the following Education Pathways Checklist as a guide as you explore your options.
For pathways to other Ontario post-secondary institutions, please visit ONTransfer.
Further Education
Further EducationAreas of Employment
Areas of EmploymentAdmission Requirements
Academic Requirements
- Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD), or equivalent, or mature student status (19 years or older)
- Grade 12 English (C or U), or equivalent (minimum grade required), or take the Centennial English Admission Test (score of 170 or 171 required)
Additional Requirements
- English language proficiency
- Attend a mandatory Graphic Design program admission session, where you will submit a portfolio of work.
Portfolio requirements
- Select 15 pieces of your original work in art and design, in a variety of media, materials and techniques. Work created by hand is required, but your portfolio can include both digital and hand-drawn art.
- Include a sketchbook to show how your ideas are developed. If you are submitting a digital portfolio, photos of your sketchbook pages can be submitted.
- Show work that demonstrates your ability and interest in graphic design, including use of typography if possible.
- Include a short letter outlining your interest in graphic design and your career aspirations.
Notes:
- If the work is too large to transport, you may present photographs. To arrange a digital submission of your portfolio, please contact the program coordinator.
- After applying, you will receive a letter with instructions on how to book the mandatory Graphic Design program admission session.
How to Apply
1. Apply Online
Domestic Students
If you are applying through the Better Jobs Ontario Program, please work with an Employment Ontario service provider. For more information go to Better Jobs Ontario Program.
If you have previously attended a full-time program at Centennial College, you may be eligible for a Program Transfer. Visit Enrolment Services at any Campus for information.
All other applicants must apply online at Ontariocolleges.ca. A non-refundable application fee of $150 must accompany applications. The fee is payable online, by telephone, online banking, by mail, or in-person to Ontariocolleges.ca. For more information go to Ontariocolleges.ca Application Fees.
International Students
Apply directly to Centennial College here.
2. Submit Documents
Domestic Applicants
Current Ontario high school students and graduates from Ontario high schools: Notify your guidance counsellor that you have applied to college and your school will forward transcripts to Centennial College via Ontariocolleges.ca.
Graduates of college/university, or high school outside Ontario but within Canada: You are responsible for requesting that your educational institute sends any required documents and transcripts to Ontariocolleges.ca.
Domestic applicants who attended school outside of Canada: If you are submitting transcripts to meet admission requirements, you must have the transcripts assessed by an independent credential assessment agency such as World Education Services (WES) or International Credential Assessment Service (ICAS). For more information go to Submitting your Transcripts.
International Applicants
Please refer to the International Education Application Guide.
3. Confirm Your Offer of Admission
Offers of Admission are sent by mail to eligible applicants. When you receive your offer, you must login to your account at Ontariocolleges.ca and confirm before the Deadline to Confirm noted in your offer letter.
You may confirm only one college and one program offer at a time.
You must confirm your offer by the Deadline to Confirm noted in your Offer of Admission letter or your seat may be given to another applicant.
When you confirm your Offer of Admission at Centennial College you are given access to your personal myCentennial account where you can check your email, grades, register for courses, pay tuition fees, and see your class timetable.
4. Pay Fees
Centennial fees statements are sent by email to your personal email account and to your myCentennial email account. Fees statements are not mailed.
You must make a minimum payment by the Fees Deadline noted in your Fees Statement or your seat may be given to another applicant.
5. Build Your Timetable (Register for Courses)
Build your timetable (web-register for courses) at my.centennialcollege.ca.
Fall registration begins mid-July
January registration begins mid-December
May registration begins mid-April
Your web-registration will not open if:
You have not submitted your minimum fee payment by the deadline
You received a Conditional Offer of Admission and you have not met the conditions of your offer.
Once you have paid your fees or have made appropriate arrangements, register for your courses online through myCentennial.
Tuition and Fees
Fees noted below are estimates only. Tuition is based on two semesters, beginning Fall 2025.
| Student | Tuition (2 Semesters) | Ancillary Fees | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canadian | $3,379.50 | $1,383.33 | $4,762.83 |
| International | $17,148.00 | $1,881.28 | $19,029.28 |
Technology Requirements
Technology Requirements
Bring IT programs will require students to own and use a mobile computing device that meets or exceeds the recommended hardware requirements.
Note: If you require accommodation for a documented disability, please consider your adaptive technology needs when you select a device for your BringIT programs (click for recommendations). If you wish to access disability services, please make an appointment with the Centre for Accessible Learning and Counselling Services, by calling 437-568-4799, or by email at calcs@centennialcollege.ca.
Have questions? Check out Frequently Asked Questions for our Bring IT Program.
Students from this program will require to own/purchase a device and software relevant to the program:
Minimum Recommended Hardware Specifications
- MacBook Pro 13-inch (minimum)
- 2.2GHz processor with Retina display
- quad-core Intel Core i7
- 16GB RAM memory
- 256GB internal drive
Minimum Required Software
- Adobe Creative Cloud
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), 2010 or Apple's iWorks
You will need regular access to a computer with an internet connection. High speed broadband access (LAN, Cable or DSL) with minimum 10mbps download speed is highly recommended. Some courses have more advanced system requirements.
Program Vocational Learning Outcomes
Program Vocational Learning Outcomes
Program Vocational Learning Outcomes describe what graduates of the program have demonstrated they can do with the knowledge and skills they have achieved during their studies. The outcomes are closely tied to the needs of the workplace. Through assessment (e.g., assignments and tests), students verify their ability to reliably perform these outcomes before graduating.
- 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.
Meet the Faculty
Student Work and Experiences
Nicole Bonifazi, Production Coordinator, 4Front Media Inc., Graduate, 2010Taking Centennial’s Graphic Design program was probably the best decision I’ve ever made in my life.