- International Fees
International fees are typically 3.12 times the domestic tuition. Exact cost will be calculated upon completion of registration.
Course Overview
Effective communication design projects elicit an emotional response from their target audience. To do this, text, image, and carefully chosen graphic elements bond seamlessly to direct the viewer's eye through the layout in a particular way. Students will analyze how Gestalt psychology establishes the hierarchical relationship between design elements in a composition. Examining historic design genres will provide insight into setting the stage for time and place. Applying knowledge of signs and symbols and manipulating content via design principles, students gain insight into complex visual systems. The outcome is a unique visual language, translating an idea into a visual form that clearly communicates a message to the target audience.
Prerequisite(s)
- No prerequisites are required for this course.
Credits
3.0
Domestic fees
$599.14 - $638.45 See individual course offerings below for actual costs.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Use terminology relating to visual form to engage in design discussion.
- Demonstrate the use of Gestalt theory (similarity, proximity, alignment) in a visual communication.
- Use design essentials (such as balance, unity, tension, hierarchy, etc) to reinforce the message and meaning in a composition.
- Choose imagery, including symbols and signs, that strengthens the key message beyond its elemental context.
- Apply a specific design genre (Art Deco, Futurism, etc) to capture a sense of time, place and ideology.
- Apply colour psychology to build impact and enhance the meaning of a message.
- Use colour to affect a sense of space in a composition.
- Demonstrate how compositional principles can be applied to elicit an emotion.
- Investigate colour relationships as a means of strengthening a message.
Effective as of Spring/Summer 2023
Related Programs
Visual Language (GDES 1255) is offered as a part of the following programs:
- Indicates programs accepting international students.
- Indicates programs with a co-op option.
School of Business + Media
- Graphic Design
Certificate Full-time/Part-time
Course Offerings
Fall 2024
Below are two offerings of GDES 1255 for the Fall 2024 term.
CRN 50137
Dates
Mon Sep 09 - Mon Dec 09
- 11 weeks
- CRN 50137
- Domestic fees $599.14
Status
In Progress
This course offering is in progress. Please check this page for other currently available offerings or subscribe to receive email updates.
Class meeting times
| Dates | Days | Times | Locations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 09 - Dec 09 | Mon | 18:00 - 21:15 | Online |
Instructor
Keith Hamilton
Course outline
Important information
- Internet delivery format.
- Important course information will be sent to you prior to your course start date. Check your myBCIT email account to access this information.
- International fees are typically 3.12 times the domestic tuition. Exact cost will be calculated upon completion of registration.
- No classes on September 30, October 14 or November 11. This is not a self-paced course. You will be expected to be available and online on the posted days and times shown on your registration schedule. It is important you have a stable and consistent internet connection to access course content. Please log into learn.bcit.ca using your BCIT student email and password on the first day of class. You will require access to the Adobe Creative Cloud in order to complete this course. Students who are currently registered in one or more BCIT Flexible Learning courses are eligible for a free Adobe Creative Cloud subscription from BCIT. Up to two weeks prior to their course start date (and not before), please visit kb.bcit.ca, select the Student Resources section, and search for “Adobe Creative Cloud”, then follow the instructions in the article found to claim your free subscription.
CRN 50906
Dates
Wed Sep 11 - Wed Nov 27
- 12 weeks
- CRN 50906
- Domestic fees $638.45
Status
In Progress
This course offering is in progress. Please check this page for other currently available offerings or subscribe to receive email updates.
Class meeting times
| Dates | Days | Times | Locations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 11 - Nov 27 | Wed | 18:00 - 21:00 | Downtown DTC Rm. 870 |
Instructor
Pauline Lai
Course outline
Important information
- Important course information will be sent to you prior to your course start date. Check your myBCIT email account to access this information.
- International fees are typically 3.12 times the domestic tuition. Exact cost will be calculated upon completion of registration.
- This course will be delivered in the Downtown campus. You will require access to the Adobe Creative Cloud in order to complete this course. Students who are currently registered in one or more BCIT Flexible Learning courses are eligible for a free Adobe Creative Cloud subscription from BCIT. Up to two weeks prior to their course start date (and not before), please visit kb.bcit.ca, select the Student Resources section, and search for “Adobe Creative Cloud”, then follow the instructions in the article found to claim your free subscription.
Winter 2025
Below are two offerings of GDES 1255 for the Winter 2025 term.
CRN 91711
Dates
Wed Jan 08 - Wed Mar 26
- 12 weeks
- CRN 91711
- Domestic fees $638.45
Status
Seats Available
This course offering has seats available.
Class meeting times
| Dates | Days | Times | Locations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 08 - Mar 26 | Wed | 18:00 - 21:00 | Downtown DTC Rm. 850 |
Instructor
Keith Hamilton
Course outline
Course outline TBD — see Learning Outcomes in the interim.
Important information
- Important course information will be sent to you prior to your course start date. Check your myBCIT email account to access this information.
- International fees are typically 3.12 times the domestic tuition. Exact cost will be calculated upon completion of registration.
- This is not a self-paced course. You will be expected to be available and online on the posted days and times shown on your registration schedule. It is important you have a stable and consistent internet connection to access course content. Please log into learn.bcit.ca using your BCIT student email and password on the first day of class. You will require access to the Adobe Creative Cloud in order to complete this course. Students who are currently registered in one or more part-time courses can purchase a subscription for Adobe Creative Cloud Pro at a discount through BCIT’s new software portal h kb.bcit.ca/student/adobe-creative-cloud-subscription-flexible-learning-student-3130/
CRN 91712
Dates
Sat Jan 11 - Sat Mar 29
- 11 weeks
- CRN 91712
- Domestic fees $610.70
Status
Seats Available
This course offering has seats available.
Class meeting times
| Dates | Days | Times | Locations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 11 - Mar 29 | Sat | 18:00 - 21:15 | Online |
Instructor
Pauline Lai
Course outline
Course outline TBD — see Learning Outcomes in the interim.
Important information
- Internet delivery format.
- Important course information will be sent to you prior to your course start date. Check your myBCIT email account to access this information.
- International fees are typically 3.12 times the domestic tuition. Exact cost will be calculated upon completion of registration.
- No classes on February 15 due to the holiday on Monday. You will require access to the Adobe Creative Cloud to complete this course. In order to access the Adobe Creative Cloud on your personal devices for off-campus use, a subscription will be required. The cost of your Adobe subscription will be in addition to the tuition fee for this course. Information explaining how to obtain a discounted Adobe subscription is available on the BCIT Software Access webpage kb.bcit.ca/student/adobe-creative-cloud-subscription-flexible-learning-student-3130/
Programs and courses are subject to change without notice.