Courses
Graphic Design-2025/2026
| Level 1 | ||||
| Take all of the following Mandatory Courses: | ||||
| WRIT-1036 | Reason & Writing 1-Art & Design | 3 | ||
| This course introduces students to essential principles of reading, writing, and reasoning at the postsecondary level. Students will identify, summarize, analyze, and evaluate multiple short readings and write persuasive response essays to develop their vocabulary, comprehension, grammar, and critical thinking. | ||||
| GRAF-1037 | Design Basic 1 | 3 | ||
| This course will introduce students to the basic elements, principles and history of design. Students will undertake black and white two-dimensional projects related to graphic design and explore all possible solutions in which creativity, procedures, craftsmanship, and conceptual techniques are emphasized. All work is done using traditional tools and supported by practical applications, lectures audio/video presentations, and open class discussions. | ||||
| GRAF-1049 | Typography Basic | 3 | ||
| In this course students are introduced to the fundamentals of typography. Students will develop an awareness of typographic design and form to communicate. Emphasis is placed on typographic history, typographic vocabulary, type classifications, anatomy, letterforms, spacing and hierarchy through a series of lectures, class discussions and hands-on projects. Creativity, process work, research and attention to detail is encouraged. All work is done using traditional tools with hands-on techniques. | ||||
| GRAF-1050 | Digital Applications 1 | 3 | ||
| Students analyze and report on contemporary conventional production tools and workflow systems used in commercial graphic design studios. This course is designed to introduce the student to the tools and facilities of the current trade iteration of 'page layout' software for producing page composition, typography and design projects. Students will explore the basic tools and facilities of bitmap editing software in the production of design projects. Students are introduced to the current trade iteration of 'vector drawing' software for producing graphic images. Students are introduced to the current trade iteration of 'portable document format' software. Students will use these four software technologies together to produce design projects. | ||||
| GRAF-1052 | Interactive Design 1 | 3 | ||
| This course establishes User Experience Design (UXD) fundamentals through competitor and user research. Students learn to empathize with users and create supporting digital assets, including personas and user flows. Additional User Interface Design (UID) workshops and projects will focus on web-related marketing concepts, mood boards, and low-fidelity layouts. | ||||
| GRAF-1040 | Creative Concepts 1 | 3 | ||
| This course is designed to develop and explore the innate creativity within the students. This course guides students through explorations of various media in order to reflect upon and express their unique personality and creativity within their cultural context. | ||||
| COOP-1020 | Co-operative Education Employment Prep | 1 | ||
| This workshop will provide an overview of the Co-operative Education consultants and students' roles and responsibilities as well as the Co-operative Education Policy. It will provide students with employment preparatory skills specifically related to co-operative education work assignments and will prepare students for their work term. | ||||
| Level 2 | ||||
| Take all of the following Mandatory Courses: | ||||
| GRAF-1038 | Design Basic 2 | 3 | ||
| This course further emphasizes the basic elements, principles of design as well as examines and understands the application of the theory of colour. Students will formulate a keen understanding of the many colour theories through practical applications, lectures and supported audio/visual media. Students will also begin the process of combining colour to the learned principals of design to emphasize emotion, balance, and mood. Students will have a series of lectures throughout the term on the history of Graphic Design and how it impacts present times. Students will undertake two-dimensional projects related to graphic design and explore all possible solutions in which creativity, design procedures, craftsmanship, and presentation techniques are emphasized. | ||||
| GRAF-1035 | Typography Digital | 4 | ||
| In this course students develop their skills in the application of typography and explore their capabilities in developing creative typographic solutions to enhance the meaning of communication on the computer. Emphasis is placed on type as form to communicate, typographic conventions, typeface selection, adjustment, spacing, layout, grid systems, hierarchy of information, legibility and readability through a series of lectures, class discussions, assignments and projects. | ||||
| GRAF-1030 | Digital Applications 2 | 4 | ||
| This course is designed to introduce the student to the tools and facilities of the current trade iteration of 'bitmap editing' software for producing bitmap images in both black & white and colour. Students advance their exploration of 'page layout' software, which began in DIGITAL APPLICATIONS 1. Students will use 'page layout' software together with 'bitmap editing' software, 'vector drawing' software and 'portable document format' software to produce design projects. | ||||
| GRAF-1031 | Interactive Design 2 | 3 | ||
| This course builds on the User Experience Design (UXD) and User Interface Design (UID) introduced in Interactive Design 1. In this next phase, students will identify client/user pain points, conduct research, and develop a new product strategy. Projects and workshops will also focus on low-fidelity wireflow creation and component design. | ||||
| GRAF-1041 | Creative Concepts 2 | 3 | ||
| This course is designed to further develop and explore the innate creativity within the students. This course continues to guide students through explorations of various media in order to reflect upon and express their unique personality and creativity within their cultural context. | ||||
| PHOT-1078 | Camera Basics | 2 | ||
| This online-assisted course is designed to provide the student with a practical working knowledge of digital cameras and photographic studio lighting equipment. Camera equipment usage will range from mobile device cameras up to Digital SLRs. Basic elements and principles of good photography will culminate in digital photography ready for use in the graphic design industry. | ||||
| COMM-3074 | Communications for Design | 3 | ||
| This course, designed for students who plan to work in the field of art and design, focuses on professional written and verbal communication skills. Students learn to prepare a variety of work-related documents. In addition, students learn about research methods and documentation formats. The principles of effective writing - organization, grammar, style, clarity, and tone - are reinforced throughout the course. The goal of the course is to prepare students for the communication tasks and considerations they will encounter in the workplace in order to meet the needs of employers and/or the communities they will serve. | ||||
| Level 3 | ||||
| Take all of the following Mandatory Courses: | ||||
| GRAF-3013 | Design Intermediate 1 | 4 | ||
| Design Intermediate 1 further explores The Creative Process in design and developing creative solutions. Students will learn how to prepare and present appropriate design ideas through research, pencil layouts, roughs and semi-comps stages. Final submissions will be presented in a professional manner. Emphasis is placed on developing design solutions using objective thinking, the creative process and collaboration through group work and class critiques. | ||||
| GRAF-3029 | Digital Illustration | 4 | ||
| This course is designed to develop the students' abilities in digital drawing using vector-based software. Students will learn the tools available and illustration techniques through demonstration, workshops and projects. Students will create a variety of technical and expressive projects aimed to develop their skills and explore their own style. Creativity and craftsmanship are emphasized. | ||||
| GRAF-3015 | Digital Applications 3 | 4 | ||
| This course is a continuation of Digital Applications 2. It is designed to provide the student with the expertise necessary to apply all of the tools and facilities in the current trade iteration of 'bitmap editing' software and to use that program together with the current trade iteration of 'vector drawing' software and 'page layout' software to produce digital files for output to various devices. Students will prepare files for output in a PDF workflow environment. | ||||
| GRAF-3017 | Interactive Design 3 | 4 | ||
| This course builds on the information covered in Interactive Design 1 and 2. Students continue to develop empathy for users as we introduce accessibility theory and methods. With a strong focus on producing highly usable and accessible products, students will create high-fidelity, responsive web mockups and various stand-alone marketing assets such as social media ads. | ||||
| GRAF-1051 | Time, Money & Materials | 2 | ||
| This course will introduce the student to the Fiscal/Production side of the Graphic Design Industry. The student will encounter different types of graphic/design organizations and discover how they bill and use current industry production standards. | ||||
| PHOT-3017 | Photography | 1.5 | ||
| This course is a continuation of Camera Basics and will provide the student with an advanced working knowledge of digital cameras and lighting equipment usage in a photographic studio and on location to produce digital photography as it relates to the graphic design industry. Students will use computer software applications to edit and catalogue photographs. | ||||
| GRAF-3028 | Packaging & Display Design | 4 | ||
| Students will create a sequence of packaging and display design projects using die lines in vector-based software. With emphasis on typography, design principles, colour and technical specifications, students will explore the creative process and participate in various workshops to learn the tools and develop their own design style. Creativity, craftsmanship and mock-up techniques are emphasized. | ||||
| Level 4 | ||||
| Gen Ed - Take a 3 credit General Education elective course | ||||
| Take all of the following Mandatory Courses: | ||||
| GRAF-3018 | Design Intermediate 2 | 4 | ||
| In this course, students will develop design concepts for a variety of projects using the creative process to develop design solutions. Students will be exposed to various case studies, design styles, advertising, branding, media, materials/techniques, production and sustainable considerations for each design situation. Professional approaches to critiques and presentations methods are emphasized. | ||||
| GRAF-3020 | Digital Applications 4 | 4 | ||
| This course is a continuation of DIGITAL APPLICATIONS 3. It is designed to provide the student with the expertise necessary to apply all of the tools and facilities in the current trade iteration of 'bitmap editing' software and to use that program together with the current trade iteration of 'vector drawing' software and 'page layout' software to produce digital files suitable for the production of commercial-quality printed material for business/promotional projects.Students will prepare press-ready files for output in a PDF workflow environment. | ||||
| GRAF-3022 | Interactive Design 4 | 4 | ||
| This course is a progression from Interactive Design 3. Throughout this course, the students improve and expand their knowledge of User Experience Design processes and designing accessible products. Workshops emphasize iterative group work, as students are introduced to app design, creating animated web assets and prototypes. | ||||
| GRAF-5013 | Digital Illustration Advanced 1 | 4 | ||
| This course will develop the students' skills and knowledge in creating digital illustrations with a number of different styles and techniques. Students will complete finished artwork using the latest bitmap editing software. | ||||
| GRAF-5022 | Digital Master Class 1 | 4 | ||
| The course centers on creating and producing high-resolution finished artwork using Adobe Photoshop. It emphasizes techniques in retouching, restoration, layers, masks, detailing, file formatting, and generative AI features. | ||||
| Level 5 | ||||
| Gen Ed - Take a 3 credit General Education elective course | ||||
| Take all of the following Mandatory Courses: | ||||
| GRAF-5012 | Design Advanced 1 | 4 | ||
| This course is designed to assist students to function effectively as practicing graphic design professionals. Through team work and self-directed learning, students will complete advanced assignments in graphic design studies, including communication problems. Professional approaches to critical feedback and presentations methods are emphasized. | ||||
| GRAF-5014 | Digital Applications 5 | 3 | ||
| This course is a continuation of Digital Applications 4.This course will be delivered in the current iteration of a Macintosh workflow environment offering the latest production techniques. An in-depth approach of practices required for high-end digital output for commercial print and electronic publications will be delivered. Classes will cover the current industry workflow standards for prepress design, proofing & output. For each of the design/production areas covered, classes will involve exercises in file management, font management, inter-software colour theory, publication mechanics and proper digital output mechanics based on print method and/or electronic publication method used. This course will introduce basic audio/video production and editing workflow techniques. | ||||
| GRAF-5016 | Interactive Design 5 | 4 | ||
| This course integrates information from the first two years of Interactive Design, expanding on conceptual thinking and collaboration. Projects and workshops require students to incorporate business rules, user needs, and design systems to create innovative app solutions. Students will continue developing prototypes, and we will introduce creating digital style guides. | ||||
| GRAF-5025 | Digital Illustration Advanced 2 | 4 | ||
| This course is a continuation of Digital Illustration Advanced I and instructs in the design and production of two, three and four dimensional graphics using the latest digital software. Students will work towards developing their own unique illustration style. | ||||
| GRAF-5023 | Digital Master Class 2 | 4 | ||
| This course deals with high resolution finished artwork using the current trade iteration of 'bitmap editing' software Adobe Photoshop for print and video production. A continuing student advancement and exploration of the 'bitmap editing' software from the Digital Masters Class 1 course. | ||||
| Level 6 | ||||
| Take all of the following Mandatory Courses: | ||||
| GRAF-5017 | Design Advanced 2 | 4 | ||
| This course is designed to assist students to function effectively as practicing graphic design professionals. Through client-based self-directed project students will gain industry experience. Professional approaches to leadership and presentations methods are emphasized. | ||||
| GRAF-5019 | Digital Applications 6 | 3 | ||
| This course offers an in depth look into print production in a PDF workflow environment. Discussion and exercises in Preflighting files ready for colour separation from original application and PDF files. For each of the system/software areas covered, classes will involve exercises in file management, font management, inter-software colour theory, publication mechanics and proper file output mechanics for both printed and interactive rich media digital publications. Content will be delivered in a Macintosh OSX environment. In some instances, students will work in small groups designed to emulate agency-style workflow practices. | ||||
| GRAF-5021 | Interactive Design 6 | 4 | ||
| This final Interactive Design course allows students to demonstrate their knowledge and hone their skills. Through guided projects, students will curate content and create a personal web portfolio. As a part of a collaborative Capstone project, students will develop various web assets for their NPO. Emphasis will be placed on preparing industry-standard assets and effectively communicating with team members and clients. | ||||
| GRAF-5024 | Motion Graphics | 4 | ||
| This course is focused on the complexities of combining visual, auditory, and temporal information, as they exist in time-based and interactive media. Through lecture and in-class demonstration students will learn the technological processes necessary to blend video, audio, animation, and interactivity together to create a 'rich media experience'. | ||||
| GRAF-5026 | Creative Community | 2 | ||
| In this course, students will collaborate on an a culminating activity that focuses on experiential learning. | ||||
| Gen Ed - Electives | ||||
| Take 6 General Education Credits - Normally taken in Levels 4 and 5 | ||||
| Program Residency | ||||
| Students Must Complete a Minimum of 32 credits in this program at Fanshawe College to meet the Program Residency requirement and graduate from this program | ||||