Graphic Communications

This course introduces students to the graphic communications industry, its terminology, production processes, and trends and provides for some first-hand knowledge and experience through guest lectures and visits to modern production facilities. Students will gain an understanding of the local marketplace and begin to develop their professional network. Finally, potential roles and career paths in the graphic communications industry will be explored.​
Prerequisite(s):

• No prerequisites are required for this course.

This course identifies and describes the main functioning parts of small printing presses in the offset printing industry. Students set up and adjust presses to print their projects. Students will operate the presses under supervision to produce a variety of printed material suitable for lithographic offset imaging. Students compare products produced with lithography to electro photographic, inkjet, and flexographic imaging engines. Classes are modular, self-paced, competency-based exercises in all four imaging technologies. Hands-on production skills are stressed in the safety, maintenance, and productivity of each kind of imaging machinery. Students are shown different substrate characteristics, such as formation, colour brightness and grain direction which all help give a better printed product. Safety and environmental issues within the printing industry are covered including pressroom chemistry, inks and toners. Finally, students are given hands-on demonstration on how to operate the guillotine cutter and folding machines.​
Prerequisite(s):

• No prerequisites are required for this course.

This course commences with the basics of digital imaging, including the principles of electro-photography and other related technologies. There will be a review of different manufacturer’s equipment, their capabilities, and quality. Media issues will be discussed as well as imaging engine speeds, resolution, quality, and job costing features. Students will practice troubleshooting different media and calibrate the printer to ensure consistent colour reproduction. The course also covers many of the other considerations for reproducing files correctly on a digital imaging engine. Digital imaging for dye sublimation will be discussed and demonstrated relative to specially, item marketing and garment design and manufacturing.​
Prerequisite(s):

• No prerequisites are required for this course.

In this course, students will practice job search techniques that will assist them in finding employment. They will design a résumé and cover letter to suit their field of interest. They will practice responding to a variety of commonly used interview questions, explain the appropriate business methods used to contact prospective employers, practice networking, and apply their new knowledge and skills in the field of graphic communications. The workshop setting will model and encourage self-reflection, constructive feedback, and collaborative group work.​
Prerequisite(s):

• No prerequisites are required for this course.

This course is an exploration of the models and systems used to communicate colour information in graphic arts. Students will work with industry standard measuring devices and applications to create and apply colour profiles with the intent of achieving colour fidelity through the various stages of the print production process.​
Prerequisite(s):

• No prerequisites are required for this course.

Engage with one of the most powerful applications used in graphic design today. Students will explore the basics of the InDesign interface and its most used features in order to create an array of printed and digital layouts. Students will learn how to manipulate and position layout elements such as text, illustrations and photographs by applying design and typographic principles and terminology. You will work through a variety of print and digital media projects using the versatile InDesign tools and techniques to discover the possibilities for creative expression that come with mastering this application.
Prerequisite(s):

• No prerequisites are required for this course.

​Vector Graphics are widely used to create logos and business charts or graphs, greeting cards, posters, web or app. interface elements, graphics for brochures or manuals, patterns, clothing, and in fine art. Producing high quality vector graphics is a must-have skillset for any graphic designer. Students will be introduced to the foundations of vector graphics, including understanding anchor point types, creating paths and geometrical shapes, object's properties such as Fill and Stroke, working with gradients, and how to organize objects in groups and layers. Students will also learn advanced techniques such as working with Brushes, Symbols, Type objects, Masking, Graphic Styles, Artboards, and exporting the results for variant purposes. Students will apply this knowledge in individual and team projects. Using the professional design process, students are tasked with researching each project topic, producing design sketches, executing a final polished design, and then critiquing each other.
Prerequisite(s):

• No prerequisites are required for this course.

Photoshop mastery is essential to managing and producing a highly professional product. Students will create stunning images and composites for visual communication projects by exploring the Photoshop interface and an array of photo-editing techniques. The course focuses on fine image editing, retouching, and developing high-quality online and print image compositions. Students will learn how to create complex graphics that can be built in multiple layers for organization and independent manipulation. Students will come to understand the purpose of the application tools, work with layers, channels, paths, make selections, image manipulation/alteration, understand image size, canvas size and resolution, create masks, work with filters and layer styles, the pen, colourize, and create interesting type.
Prerequisite(s):

• No prerequisites are required for this course.

Students will examine how the creative process interlaces imagination with the materials and mechanical considerations of the graphics industry. Through individual and group projects, students will create production dockets, complete with layouts and production prototypes. The Lab will be used to study Lean Manufacturing concepts as they relate to the printing industry. Students will become familiar with materials management, outsourcing and customer service in graphic communications.​
Prerequisite(s):

• No prerequisites are required for this course.

This course introduces the mechanisms and protocols of electronic prepress production through the workflow application ‘Prinergy.’ It focuses on the requirements for setting work up in Prinergy and exposes the student to the refine and trapping functions that produce single page PDFs. Fundamentals of imposed form work for printing production is also covered through industry standard application Kodak Preps and the connection to Prinergy. Raster Image Processor (RIP) technologies will be contrasted and compared. Other pre-imaging page production systems will be reviewed and analyzed for their strengths and weaknesses. Students will have an opportunity to process a project from input through to plate ready status with close alignment to Kodak’s hands-on training program.​
Prerequisite(s):

• GDES 1275 and GDES 1069

This intermediate course in small litho press operation stresses press maintenance, problem solving and troubleshooting techniques. Students’ skills are improved by printing more complex projects, projects consisting of more than one-piece, multi-coloured projects with proper registration and working in teams to produce a program newsletter. Students prepare specific ink colours and gain confidence by printing projects of their own creation and preparation from other classes. Classes are modular, self-paced, competency-based exercises in all four imaging technologies. Hands-on production skills are stressed in inkjet and digital imaging engine technology. Finally, students proceed to advanced bindery skills​
Prerequisite(s):

• GCOM 1200

Building on skills developed in GCOM 1200 (e.g. cutting, folding), students will gain advanced knowledge of common lithographic finishing methods. Working in teams, students will learn to setup, operate, and troubleshoot the traditional saddle-stitcher and perfect binder. They will learn the design, pre-press, and layout considerations necessary for successful bindery finishing and identify the challenges of more complex bindery projects. They will define the role and responsibilities of a bindery operator including record-keeping, the identification of production standards, and consistent monitoring of work quality. Students will be educated in bindery and warehouse management and be able to determine the required workflow to successfully complete a bindery project. They will be introduced to additional common bindery functions such as collating, tipping, wire-o binding, spiral binding, case-binding, shrink-wrapping, and final packaging.​
Prerequisite(s):

• GCOM 1200

​Visual composition and layout focuses on the process of creating ideas and learning how to effectively prepare balanced, creative, design solutions. Students will apply the principles and elements of composition and layout in order to produce balanced creative design solutions for print, web, mobile, and interface applications. Through analysis, group critiques, presentations, teamwork, and verbal deconstruction of design, students will learn how to present their work in a manner that resonates with the target audience—enhances overall communication, human interaction and usability. This course provides a solid foundation for delivering interactive and engaging content for web and mobile.​
Prerequisite(s):

• No prerequisites are required for this course.

​Colour is a powerful design principle-affecting mood, identifying brands and carrying cultural symbolism. Explore the various aspects of colour and identify many ways of integrating colour for effective communication in design layouts. Explore the significance of colour application through numerous research and design samples. This will enable students to apply their understanding of various colour modes, colour functions, colour attributes, colour psychology, and colour physiology in design work. Analyze how others solve visual colour challenges in compelling and inspiring ways while generating unique compositions with colour as a dominant design attribute.​
Prerequisite(s):

• No prerequisites are required for this course.

​Effective graphic design is essential to daily life as it informs, instructs, warns, and entertains us. Discover that design is a complex process involving research and analysis, concept development, critical evaluation, refinement, and execution. Students will focus on brainstorming and the creative process stage of design process and its relationship to visual problem solving. Hone critical thinking strategies for effective graphic design by practicing what is learned in relation to print- and web-based communications. Execute simple, thumbnail sketches to create and record concepts—a skill paramount for advancing into creating digital content.​
Prerequisite(s):

• No prerequisites are required for this course.

Typography is the art of designing with type. Good typography is essential to design. Learning the history of language and the development of early type provides a greater understanding of how to use it successfully within design layouts. Students will deconstruct fonts to show their working components and learn the terms and measurements that form typographic vocabulary. Students will apply the pica measurement system and compose balanced documents using rules and conventions. InDesign preferences will be dissected to show their dramatic impact on typography. Demonstrate improved readability by controlling type aesthetics and optimizing optical and metric kerning. Exercises and projects enable students to clearly communicate ideas and work confidently and effectively with type.​
Prerequisite(s):

• 50% in GDES 1235 and 50% in GDES 1069

This course begins with the fundamentals of print estimating, processes, and the development of production standards. Students will work with Microsoft Excel and Management Information System software to create project cost estimates. Topics covered in this course will include: the scope and function of estimating; production standards; order processing—sale through invoice; estimating paper, ink, and buyouts; estimating prepress; estimating sheet fed offset; estimating post-press; and the completion of a number of basic estimates. These principles are then applied to other imaging technologies starting with large format inkjet projects, electrophotography projects and flexographic print processes.​
Prerequisite(s):

• No prerequisites are required for this course.

Students will develop a media imaging promotional campaign for an external client. Students will work collaboratively to implement their design skills specific to the media they are producing to deliver a specific marketing message for their customers. The project will stress working effectively on a team to produce high quality media. The students will design and lay out the project using software skills previously taught. Substrate and manufacturing processes will be engineered, and weekly planning and management considerations must be accounted for. When the job is assembled and checked, students will create final media files for electronic distribution and archival. The student team will produce final colour composite proofs that are colour-managed to set proper client expectations. The final product will be graded in comparison to prototype proofs.​
Prerequisite(s):

• No prerequisites are required for this course.

Cooperative Education (Co-op) involves enhancing the educational experience by allowing students to apply classroom knowledge in relevant work placement experiences to develop new skills in a professional setting. The student is employed in a paid position for the duration of the Co-op Work Term placement period, where the student completes productive tasks that relate directly to the core competencies of the Graphic Communications Diploma Program. The Co-op position is approved by the Co-op Coordinator. Students in the program attend mandatory pre-employment seminars to enhance their employability prior to their Co-op placement and compete for job postings during the second academic term. During the work term, students are monitored by the Co-op Coordinator. Work placements allow students to network within their industry, which helps in finding employment after graduation. Please note workplaces are diverse in how full-time work is defined, and that students in this course would be expected to be working between 30 to 40 hours a week. Course credits are calculated as 1 credit per week.​
Prerequisite(s):

• Successful Application and Admission to the Co-op Program, 80% GPA in term one with no failures or withdrawals and no pending grade appeals

By designing and producing a sustainability report, students will learn sustainable practices, the sourcing of ethical materials, and the environmental certifications in the graphic communications industry. Gathering information from the GCOM Lab environment, students will analyze data from the building, manufacturing equipment, and material selections. Safety in the graphic communication industry will be introduced, using the lab to identify proper workplace safety practices, and identifying potential risks. Students will study ethical decision making and how it affects the individual, the company, the community, and how these decisions shape a company’s moral compass as well as our own legacy.​
Prerequisite(s):

• No prerequisites are required for this course.

This course builds on the foundations taught in ‘GCOM 2110 Managing Graphic Communication Workflows 1’ and provides an overview of output devices fed by electronic imaging workflows. Students are taught to evaluate and apply the required attributes to transform electronic files into tangible output. The course will focus on tools for automating PDF workflows. Students will get hands-on experience with Kodak Prinergy servers and the connection to Kodak Insite web server. Current workflows in soft proofing, web authorizations and eCommerce transactions are explored and evaluated.​
Prerequisite(s):

• No prerequisites are required for this course.

This course introduces students to the exciting world of structural packaging design and its fundamental role in a product’s protection, portability, and interactivity. The course covers everything that goes into successful three-dimensional packaging, from design all the way to final assembly. Using industry-standard packaging design software, students gain a thorough understanding of how to produce common die-lines, create prototype samples, and when to break the mould. Students are introduced to a wide variety of packaging materials and learn about the applications for product protection and sustainability. Finally, students are educated in packaging’s role in marketing, shelf presence and user-experience.​
Prerequisite(s):

• No prerequisites are required for this course.

Printing multi-colour and four-colour process jobs using single-colour and mid-size sheetfed offset presses are the focus of this advanced imaging course. Students identify press systems, adjust the press for optimum operation, perform maintenance, incorporate troubleshooting techniques, and consider quality control issues as well as prepare and install dampeners, and mix printing inks. Digital Press production will be analyzed for colour gamut comparisons and quality issues relating to colour management and proofing. Digital output will be compared to inkjet proofing to evaluate effectiveness in a production environment. Emphasis is placed on job scheduling and planning to maximize production and complete finishing operations.​
Prerequisite(s):

• No prerequisites are required for this course.

This course concentrates on checking that documents are set up properly before they are printed by application programs used for pre-flighting. Students will also set up colour management settings within the application programs using ICC profiles to help ensure consistent colour reproduction from the monitor to final digital output. Students will perform all the tasks using a high-capacity digital printer including setting up routines for running calibration and registrations tests. A database will be utilized to create a variable data print run for a personalized print marketing campaign. Students will impose a four-colour brochure with bleeds and trim marks and produce final output. The final exam will be to produce a complex job from creation through to completion.
Prerequisite(s):

• GCOM 1210

​Graphic designers require web design skills as well as traditional media skills. In this course, students will be introduced to the foundation of front-end development and code management, and become familiar with the basic tools of web design, including coding concepts to translate web design into code. Focusing on web standards as outlined by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), students will learn to hand code HTML 5, CSS3 (Cascading Styles Sheets) to control overall hierarchy, structure, functionality, layout and appearance of websites.​
Prerequisite(s):

• No prerequisites are required for this course.

Marketing 1102 is an introduction to the fundamentals of marketing. In addition to the "four Ps" of marketing—product, price, place, and promotion—students will be introduced to how marketers create customer-driven marketing strategies based on their research and understanding of the marketing environment and customers. Students will plan a strategy for and compete in an online marketing simulation. After the simulation, students will evaluate their performance and deliver a marketing plan for their simulation company, which will be assessed on students' application of marketing terminology and processes and in the professionalism of their work. Additionally, students will complete assignments, quizzes, and exams.
Prerequisite(s):

• No prerequisites are required for this course.

This course provides the fundamental skills, tools and processes of professional selling. The focus is on “relationship” and “need-satisfaction” selling in a business-to-business environment. Through experiential exercises, practical applications and discussions students develop, deliver and evaluate a wide range of selling methods and presentations. This course is ideal for people in business who want to enhance their selling skills, people new to a sales role, and salespeople at any level who do not have formal training in the field. To be successful in this course, students must be able to communicate well in English.
Prerequisite(s):

• No prerequisites are required for this course.

This course introduces students to the skills, knowledge, and attitudes necessary to successfully lead venture creation in the graphic communications industry. Students will be introduced to Canadian business models, legal structures, and small-business support programs offered by the government of Canada. They will learn how to utilize research tools and technologies to identify new business opportunities, prepare a feasibility study, perform risk analysis, project realistic financial outcomes, and determine financing options. They will take this knowledge and use it to prepare a comprehensive business plan for their own proposed new enterprise in graphic communications.​
Prerequisite(s):

• No prerequisites are required for this course.

This course introduces students to the latest web-based workflows being utilized in the graphic communications industry. Students explore how information management systems, machine inter-connectivity, and rules-based automation has allowed the automation of many tasks in design, pre-media, colour-management, press operations, bindery, and fulfilment. They then learn how client facing web portals, web-to-print configurations, and virtual proofing are re-shaping client interactions and maximizing production efficiencies. Finally, students will be introduced to AI technologies and their potential uses in the graphics communications industry.​
Prerequisite(s):

• No prerequisites are required for this course.

Advanced production procedures are followed in this hands-on course designed to increase the student proficiency in press operation, troubleshooting and independent decision-making skills. Printed documents include individual and teamwork projects and actual print documents for program promotion. Emphasis is placed on four-colour process, evaluating registration and consistency for accurate and predictable results. Students create their own proofs with inkjet and electrophotographic imaging technologies and colour-manage the proofing process to make sure they can match colour on the litho and flex presses. Students will review a cross-media campaign that spans all four imaging technologies and troubleshoot the colour management issues inherent with using a variety of substrates with a variety of manufacturing processes. Students consider the importance of planning and scheduling and the finishing techniques to professionally complete a live project.​
Prerequisite(s):

• GCOM 3200

Specialty print finishing is where packaging moves from a simple necessity into eye-catching marketing sensations. This course introduces students to the world of premium print finishing, including die cutting, laser cutting, foil stamping, embossing, and film lamination. Through a combination of hands-on learning, industry tours, and guest speakers, students will gain a comprehensive understanding about producing award winning packaging. Students will gain a comprehensive knowledge of industry suppliers, machinery, materials, and workflows.​
Prerequisite(s):

• No prerequisites are required for this course.

This course concentrates on learning about the different types of plotters (medium, large and grand) as well as the applications of each, including: inks (dye, pigment, solvent and eco solvent); the relationship between file, application, ink, media and resolution; how the finishing affects the printing; indoor and outdoor applications; how to tile large outputs; and, how to print on two sides. Topics also include Drop On Demand (DOD) inkjet technology, how inkjet printers work, and how to select equipment. Students will gain a basic understanding of digital plotter technology and produce a colour-managed contract proof to large signage.​
Prerequisite(s):

• No prerequisites are required for this course.

This course provides a solid understanding of web offset, flexographic, gravure, and rotary screen-printing technologies. It will be a combination of in-class theory, take-home assignments, and investigative assignments. A heavy emphasis is placed on practical evaluation and a good understanding of all technical issues commonly encountered on web presses. The course will utilize extensive hands-on training on a flexographic web press to teach students all aspects of flexographic printing including set up, run, wash ups, and troubleshooting. Students will develop a solid understanding of the flexible packaging industry through hands-on training in fingerprinting our flexographic web press. The course will evaluate packaging products and the various capabilities in finishing required in today's demanding market.​
Prerequisite(s):

• No prerequisites are required for this course.

This course is an introduction to the many opportunities presented by e-commerce and online connectivity in the graphic communications industry. Students learn how to devise, select, implement, maintain, and grow an online website specific to graphic communications industry. Emphasis will be on using current technology for website creation with links to PDF workflow systems and online estimating and transaction services. Students will also learn about digital publishing, including interactive PDF’s, eBooks, tablet publishing, and augmented reality. Finally, students will learn about the applications of social media in cross-media marketing campaigns.​
Prerequisite(s):

• No prerequisites are required for this course.

This course allows you to implement the knowledge, skills, and abilities gained in your graphic communications studies to produce a final individual cross-media skills demonstration or personal portfolio. Producing a multi-faceted project which covers the spectrum of graphic communications is encouraged, including traditional print, packaging, web, and augmented reality. Each student will develop a personal brand for their self-promotional materials to reflect their qualities, values, and individual professional expertise. The instructor will provide input and guidance for the project content as well as the proper methodologies and techniques on how to achieve effective results. Students will map out a timeline for completion, select materials, and prepare an estimate and docket to guide production. They will then gather reference materials and engineer prototype samples. Students will then apply colour management, generate proofs and submit their projects for review. Upon approval, they will proceed to final production of their projects with the assistance of faculty. Finally, students will give a brief presentation of their finished project and explain how it highlights their skills to prospective employers.​
Prerequisite(s):

• All term 3 courses

A practicum is designed to provide the student with practical experience in the graphic communication and associated industries. A secondary objective is to enable students to establish contacts in the industry. Students should note that practicums will vary in the range of experiences the student can expect. Some employers have formal practicums that include exposure to many departments within the company while some companies have a less formal approach. Preferred companies include printers, finishing trades, in-house production facilities, design studios and suppliers of consumables to the trade. Obtaining a practicum is the responsibility of the student. BCIT provides assistance in terms of the Advisory Board, BCIT Job Fair, and industry associations such as the Craftsmen Club and the BC Printing and Imaging Association.​
Prerequisite(s):

• All term 4A Courses