Overview
The part-time Graphic Design Foundations Associate Certificate offers practical experience with creative software, strategic design, and digital composition, delivering the job skills that employers seek. Consider this 6-course program as a career boot camp. The projects you complete during your courses can be included in your portfolio.
Do you have an artistic spark? Are you interested in a career that helps shape the world we live in? You might have a future in graphic design and BCIT can help you get started. The Associate Certificate in Graphic Design Foundations will help you build a sold knowledge base that will prepare you for a long, rewarding career.
Available at your own pace through part-time studies, this program gives you hands-on experience with creative software, strategic design, and digital composition for the relevant job skills employers are seeking.
About the program
- No application required for part-time study
- Like a career boot-camp of creative software, strategic design, and digital composition
Learn more about this program and how it prepares you for jobs in graphic design at the Program Details.
Who should complete the Graphic Design Foundations Associate Certificate?
If you’re interested in working in the graphic arts, earning your associate certificate is a great way to begin your training and test the field. Many students are:
- Sponsored by their employers to strengthen their skills
- Already gifted with an interest in creativity and enquiring minds
- Innovative thinkers
- Interested in exploring a creative career
- Enjoy collaborative, creative challenges
If any of these sound like you, visit the Entrance Requirements page to begin today—most courses are offered every semester!
What grads can do
Many grads use their talents to create ads, displays, and web and print media for agencies, in-house marketing departments, and government organizations. Additionally, some choose a combination of work and or continuing design education to further their abilities and job prospects. Students may continue their design education via the laddering option to the BCIT Certificate in Graphic Design.
Learn more about the specific job opportunities available on the Graduating and Jobs page.
- Next up Entrance Requirements
Entrance Requirements
Application processing
This program is open to declarations beginning:
- February 1st* for the January intake
- May 1st* for the April intake
- October 1st* for the September intake
Entrance requirements
Declarations submitted for program intakes beginning April 1, 2025 or later will be evaluated using the English Language Proficiency (ELP) requirement below.
- English language proficiency: Category 2 – English Studies 12 (67%) or equivalent
International applicants
This program is available to international applicants. A valid study permit is required prior to starting the program.
Program declaration
Declaring your Flexible Learning (Part-time Studies) program ensures that BCIT is aware of your intent to complete a program as it is currently outlined and provides you the opportunity to apply for transfer credit.
To submit your declaration:
- Answer all questions completely.
- If required, convert transcripts and documents to PDF files.
- Have a credit card ready to pay the application fee.
Declare Now
Upon approval, a program plan letter will be sent to you confirming your program of study. Please allow approximately eight weeks for processing.
Scheduled Intakes
Ongoing Flexible Learning (Part-time Studies) intakes: January, April, and September.
- Go back Overview
- Next up Costs & Supplies
Costs & Supplies
Tuition fees
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 Foundations 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.
- Go back Entrance Requirements
- Next up Courses
Courses
Important Updates to Flexible Learning
English Requirement: Find out more.
The program is offered through Flexible Learning which addresses your career needs and goals with flexible course options and availability. Most courses are offered every term by working industry professionals to give you the most up-to-date technology and practices in topics such as colour theory, InDesign, Photoshop, and layout design.
Please note: part-time programs and courses are open enrolment and although we make every effort to accommodate demand, course registration cannot be guaranteed in every semester. High demand courses fill quickly and may result in students unable to register for a course that semester. Courses may also be cancelled due to low enrolment.
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 1235 | Graphic Design Process | 3.0 | |
GDES 1270 | Vector Graphics: Adobe Illustrator | 3.0 | |
GDES 1275 | Raster Graphics: Adobe Photoshop | 3.0 | |
Total Credits: | 18.0 |
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.
- Go back Costs & Supplies
- Next up Program Details
Program Details
The Graphic Design Foundations associate certificate is designed to provide the technical and creative knowledge necessary for employment. Taught by working professionals, you will learn design techniques and skills sought after by marketing departments, ad agencies, and other organizations. Several of the projects produced in your courses are suitable for a portfolio to present your accomplishments to clients and potential employers.
Graduates of the Graphic Design Foundations associate certificate will be able to:
- Use Creative Cloud software tools: Adobe InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator and Acrobat
- Design and create scalable 2D and 3D vector illustrations
- Enhance compelling photographs for best digital reproduction
- Conceptualize, design and compose digital content purposed for a variety of media
- Use conventional composition principles for aesthetic visual design
- Use conventional typographic principles to create hierarchy in design
- Analyze and solve client visual colour problems
- Prepare PDF files for a variety of requirements including project proofs and commercial printing
- Translate client needs into viable communications strategies
- Apply W3C standards and fundamental technologies to control the structure, function and aesthetics of online media
Program length
Students have the flexibility of completing the program at their own pace. Most students complete this program within two years, although it is possible to complete this program more quickly by taking multiple courses each term.
The maximum time to complete this program is five years.
Program delivery
Blended: This program is delivered partly on campus and partly online.
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 Part-time Studies Key Registration Dates.
Program location
Course offerings at each location vary from term to term. Please check the website for course availability each term.
Burnaby Campus
3700 Willingdon Avenue
Burnaby, BC
Downtown Campus
555 Seymour Street
Vancouver, BC
Program structure
Part-time students proceed on a course-by-course basis in any order, provided that any prerequisite courses are completed first.- Go back Courses
- Next up Graduating & Jobs
Graduating & Jobs
The intense focus on graphic design creative skills and technology in this associate certificate program can help prepare you for entry-level jobs and continuing career development within your current field such as marketing, advertising, or print and online media.
Some job opportunities in the graphic arts include:
- Junior Graphic Designer
- Production Artist
- Layout Specialist
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.
- Go back Program Details
- Next up Contact Us
Contact Us
Linda Huang
Flexible Learning Program Assistant – Digital Arts, Media and Design
604-453-8284 | linda_huang@bcit.ca
Aimee Chung
Flexible Learning Coordinator – Digital Arts, Media and Design
604-453-8380 | aimee_chung@bcit.ca
Contact a Flexible Learning 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?
- Go back Graduating & Jobs
- Next up Subscribe
Subscribe
Sign up to receive updates, invitations to events, and information about BCIT and your program.
We promise not to spam you, we won’t share your personal information, and you can unsubscribe at any time.
- Go Back Contact Us
Programs and courses are subject to change without notice.