Overview
The Graphic Design Certificate can be completed full-time or part-time in either 30 or 45 weeks, depending on the chosen model. Learn the design process, project development, typography, brand identity, UI/UX, and corporate communications. Graduates are prepared for the job demands of graphic design and visual communications.
Your creativity combined with perceptive and analytical skills could lead you to a fulfilling and successful career in graphic design. In this age of information, organizations are expanding their communications and marketing departments, increasing the demand for graphic designers and communication professionals. While the technology is ever-evolving, strategy and concept development remain the valuable core of this dynamic profession.
The Certificate in Graphic Design provides you with a skillset preparing you for success in the graphic design field in either Two Terms (15 weeks each) or Three Terms (15 weeks each) depending on which model you apply for, or you can complete courses part-time at your own pace. This program combines a solid foundation in technical expertise and design process (term one) and continues with project design/development and critical skills—from concept through to completion—in term two. Subjects taught include typography, brand identity, corporate communications, UI/UX, and more. You will learn to create professional, impactful design that engages its target audience by the considered use of design principles.
Flexible Learning registration is done on a course by course basis. Here is the suggested order to take them – Flexible Learning Graphic Design Certificate Recommended Order of Courses.
About the program
Graphic Design and BCIT are an unbeatable combination. Employers value BCIT’s applied, job-ready approach to education and training. The Graphic Design program will cover the fundamentals of the skills and business necessities of graphic design.
Learn more about our unique program and how it prepares you for design success in the Program Details.
Who should complete the Certificate in Graphic Design?
This program might be for you if you:
- Have an interest in visual communication
- Want to explore the field of graphic design
- Are considering pursuing a diploma or degree in design
- May already have a degree, and are looking for complementary skills to become a full-time graphic designer
If any of these appeal to you, visit our Entrance Requirements page to apply today.
If you are interested in a short introduction to Graphic Design, consider the Associate Certificate in Graphic Design Foundations. All six courses in the Associate Certificate can be applied toward the full Certificate in Graphic Design.
What grads can do
With BCIT’s certificate program you’ll gain necessary skills to begin your career in graphic design. You will gain technical expertise combined with a solid foundation in visual communication and the design process.
Learn more about your options and benefits at the Graduating and Jobs page.
- Next up Entrance Requirements
Entrance Requirements
Application processing
Full-time
This program is open to applications beginning:
- March 1st* for the Winter (January) intake
- June 1st* for the Spring/Summer (May) intake
- October 1st* for the Fall (September) intake
*or next business day
Applications are considered for a specific intake.
Part-time
This program is open to applications beginning:
- February 1st* for the January intake
- May 1st* for the April intake
- October 1st* for the September intake
Entrance requirements
Applicants must meet all entrance requirements and will be accepted on a first-qualified basis as long as space remains.
- English language proficiency: Category 2 – English Studies 12 (67%) or equivalent
Recommended for success
- Applicants are encouraged to attend an information session before applying to this program.
International applicants
The full-time option is available to international applicants. A valid study permit is required prior to starting the program.
The part-time option is available to international students who currently have a valid status in Canada. A valid study permit is required prior to starting the program.
Apply to program
To submit your application:
- Include proof of meeting all entrance requirements.
- Convert all transcripts and supporting documents to PDF files.
- Have a credit card ready to pay the application fee.
Apply Now
Scheduled Intakes
Full-time: January, May, and September each year.
Part-time: January, April, and September.
myCommunication
Full-time:
Within two business days of submitting your completed application, BCIT will send a message to your personal and myBCIT e-mail addresses. All correspondence regarding your application will be posted to your online myCommunication account at my.bcit.ca. We'll send you an e-mail when a new message is posted. It's important to watch for these e-mails or regularly check your account online.
You can expect to receive communication concerning the status of your application within four weeks.
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- Next up Costs & Supplies
Costs & Supplies
Tuition fees
Full-time Studies
Use our tuition estimator to find tuition and fees for this program.
For more information on full-time tuition and fees, visit:
Flexible Learning
Flexible Learning (Part-time Studies) tuition is charged on a course-by-course basis. Please see the Flexible Learning Tuition & Fees page for more information on domestic and international tuitions.
Books & supplies
We recommend that students in the Graphic Design program have a MAC notebook or Windows PC. Costs for a computer will vary depending on the configuration chosen. Please see below for specifications.
System Requirements for Graphic Design | |
---|---|
Operating System | Microsoft Windows 10 (64-bit) version 1809 or later or Apple® macOS® 10.13, 10.14 or later (64-bit Intel-based) |
Processor | 64-bit Intel® or AMD® multi-core processor with SSE4.2 instruction set |
Memory | 16 GB minimum (32 GB for 4K media or higher) |
Graphics | Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 or equivalent; Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660 or
Quadro T1000 is recommended. or AMD Radeon Pro 555X or higher or Intel UHD Graphics 630 or higher |
Storage | 250GB SSD or higher |
Monitor | 1920 x 1080 or better |
Internet | Internet connection and registration are necessary for required software activation, validation of subscriptions, and access to online services. |
Financial assistance
Financial assistance may be available for this program. For more information, please contact Student Financial Aid and Awards.
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- Next up Courses
Courses
The courses in this certificate program have been designed to give you the essential skills in graphic design to begin your career or get a head start on furthering your education. All your studies, including vector graphics, digital media design, and packaging design, focus on the practical skills and knowledge you’ll need every day for a successful design career.
Program matrix
Check current availability of courses for this program.
Required Courses: | Credits | ||
---|---|---|---|
GDES 1069 | Layout: Adobe InDesign | 3.0 | |
GDES 1105 | Visual Composition and Layout | 3.0 | |
GDES 1140 | Colour Theory | 3.0 | |
GDES 1190 | Web Design | 3.0 | |
GDES 1235 | Graphic Design Process | 3.0 | |
GDES 1255 | Visual Language | 3.0 | |
GDES 1270 | Vector Graphics: Adobe Illustrator | 3.0 | |
GDES 1275 | Raster Graphics: Adobe Photoshop | 3.0 | |
GDES 2012 | Image Post Production | 3.0 | |
GDES 2087 | Prepress | 3.0 | |
GDES 2088 | Strategic Design For Business | 3.0 | |
GDES 2125 | Brand Identity | 3.0 | |
GDES 2135 | Corporate Communications | 3.0 | |
GDES 2145 | Typography | 3.0 | |
GDES 2150 | Introductory UI/UX | 3.0 | |
GDES 2430 | Major Project and Online Portfolio | 3.0 | |
Total Credits: | 48.0 |
Check current availability of courses for this program.
Transfer credit
Do you have credits from another BC/Yukon post-secondary school? Do you want to know if they transfer to courses here at BCIT? Check out BCIT's Transfer Equivalency Database to find out.
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- Next up Program Details
Program Details
BCIT’s Certificate in Graphic Design gives you an ideal combination of design knowledge and technical skills to begin your entry-level career or lay the cornerstone for further education. Through this program, you will get the hands-on experience using the most up-to-date technology and techniques for graphic and communication design. You’ll study with working industry professionals to learn todays challenges and skills and produce your own print and digital portfolios to help you showcase your work to future employers.
Graduates of the Graphic Design certificate will be able to:
- Apply the creative process to develop effective design solutions for clients
- Research a client to gain an understanding of their market and their message
- Use critical thinking to develop strategic design solutions that address clients’ communication needs for print and online use
- Communicate a message using visual language
- Apply typographic techniques and principles for effective hierarchy and composition refinement
- Incorporate images to complement the typographic elements of a design project
- Develop brand identity, layout, and corporate collateral for print and online media
- Apply W3C standards and fundamental technologies to control the structure, function and aesthetics of online media
- Apply design aesthetics principles for efficiency, responsiveness and accessibility
- Use best practices in the application of human-centred design principles in project development
- Create files purposed for a variety of media
- Use persuasive arguments to explain the design rationale
- Communicate effectively with clients throughout the design process
- Use best business practices for communication designers
- Plan production schedules and project timelines to meet deadlines and budget requirements
- Create a suite of personal marketing/business materials and an industry portfolio
Program length
Full-time
- 2-Term Format: 7.5 months
- 3-Term Format: 11.5 months
Part-time
The rate of progress through the part-time program varies. Students have up to five years to complete the program.
Program delivery
Full-time
Blended: The full-time program is delivered partly on campus and partly online.
Two different formats are available:
- 2-Term Format: Each term is 15 weeks. Most courses are scheduled Monday to Friday during the day. Some courses may be scheduled evenings, weekends, and/or online.
- 3-Term Format: Each term is 15 weeks. This format will have fewer scheduled courses per term than the 2-Term format. Most courses are scheduled evenings, weekends, and/or online. Some courses may be scheduled Monday to Friday during the day.
Students are required to follow a fixed curriculum of common courses based on the format selected. Please ensure that you can attend classes on the days specified in your term schedule, available approximately 4 weeks before the program starts.
Part-time
Blended: The part-time program is delivered partly on campus and partly online.
The program has a Suggested Order of Courses [PDF], but students can choose the number of courses they take each term and register for each course individually.
Course prerequisites must be met prior to registration. Courses are offered in the fall, winter, and spring/summer terms each year. For specific registration dates, please view the Flexible Learning (Part-time Studies) Key Registration Dates.
Program location
Full-time:
Downtown Campus
555 Seymour Street
Vancouver, BC
Part-time:
Courses may be offered at the following locations:
Burnaby Campus
3700 Willingdon Avenue
Burnaby, BC
Downtown Campus
555 Seymour Street
Vancouver, BC
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- Next up Graduating & Jobs
Graduating & Jobs
By completing your Certificate in Graphic Design, you’re building the cornerstone of your knowledge for a lifelong career. The skills you’ll learn in this program prepare you to begin a career or accelerate your study of print and web design.
Some opportunities in graphic design include:
- Communication Designer
- Graphic Designer
- Creative Director
- Digital Communication Specialist
- Communications Specialist
- Corporate Communication Designer
- Editorial Designer
- Publication Designer
- Package Designer
- Brand Strategist or Manager
- Prepress Specialist
- Production Specialist
- Customer Service
- Marketing Specialist
Graduates of the certificate program are also well situated to pursue further study to earn their bachelor’s degree in design.
Graduate employment outcomes
The BCIT student outcomes report presents summary findings from the annual survey of former students administered by BC Stats one to two years after graduation. These reports combine the last three years of available results for the 2021-2023 BCIT Outcomes Surveys of 2020-2022 graduates and for Degree 2019-2021 graduates. The reports are organized into three-page summaries containing information on graduates’ labour market experiences and opinions regarding their education. More detailed information can be accessed at the BC Student Outcomes website.
To view these results, you may need to have the Adobe Acrobat Reader installed in your Web browser.
Apply for graduation
Upon successful completion of all program requirements, complete an Application for BCIT Credential [PDF] and submit it to Student Information and Enrolment Services.
Allow approximately six to eight weeks for processing.
All financial obligations to the Institute must be met prior to issuance of any credential.
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- Next up Faculty, Advisors & Staff
Faculty, Advisors & Staff
Instructors in the Graphic Design Certificate Program have extensive industry experience and remain in the field in addition to teaching. Many of the instructors are members of professional institutes and organizations that relate to the areas of study. These memberships allow instructors to remain current on new industry standards and offer fresh insight to students on recent developments.
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- Next up Contact Us
Contact Us
Karen Harvey
Full-time Program Assistant
604-453-4032 | Karen_Harvey@bcit.ca
Terri Carde
Full-time Program Head
604-451-7032 | Terri_Carde@bcit.ca
Linda Huang
Flexible Learning Program Assistant
604-453-8284 | linda_huang@bcit.ca
Aimee Chung
Flexible Learning Coordinator
604-453-8380 | aimee_chung@bcit.ca
Contact a Program Advisor with the BCIT program name in the subject line if you have a question about:
- Course selection and program planning
- Declaring your program
- Making changes to your approved program plan
- Applying for transfer credit and advanced placement
- Laddering options
- Job placement and graduate outcomes
- Student life
Questions or comments?
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