Graphic & Web Design

In-demand Design and Graphics Courses Taught by Industry Experts

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Course Duration
15 months


Program Delivery
Online


FAQs
Answering your questions

Earn Your Diploma in Graphic & Web Design

College for Arts and Technology’s Diploma in Graphic & Web Design offers you an opportunity to learn highly sought after skills in design, marketing and branding. In just 15 months, you’ll be ready to enter this dynamic and expanding industry in a number of creative professional careers. Digital content continues to grow, providing numerous unique career paths for skilled designers.

This extremely well-rounded, applied program covers the key skills you’ll need to get noticed and hired, including:

  • An understanding of the key principles of art and design
  • Beginner to advanced levels of computer design using the Adobe Creative Suite
  • Target market identification, messaging, branding and advertising
  • Design and layout for print, packaging, digital content and web design
  • The history of art movements and their modern design applications
  • Digital illustration using the Adobe Creative Suite
  • Website design and layout including front-end development and user experience
  • Digital marketing, career and project management and employability skills

Our Grads Power the

Arts & Tech Economy

Canada’s finance and accounting industry is undergoing rapid transformation, driving strong demand for trained bookkeepers and accountants. According to the Job Bank of Canada, career prospects in these fields are expected to grow steadily. With a significant portion of the current workforce approaching retirement, thousands of new job openings are anticipated in the coming years—creating exciting opportunities for new professionals to step in.

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Start Your Graphic & Web Design Career

Design Your Future

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01

Industry Connections

Design industry professionals as your Instructors and mentors.

02

Let’s Get You Working!

Well-rounded, focused curriculum to get you successfully working as quickly as possible.

03

Degree Pathway Options

Established pathways with BCIT and the University of Gloucestershire to further your education after graduation.

04

Top Tech

The latest technology, techniques and curriculum.

Here’s How You’ll Build Your Skills

Quarter 1
In your first quarter, you will learn traditional art techniques, graphic file management, core graphic and web design applications, branding and target market research to serve as a foundation for the remainder of your program. In Foundation of Art and Design, you will explore the evolution of imagery from primitive art through to today’s digital creations, with a focus on the elemental themes in design, composition, and content. This will allow you to understand the artistic direction demanded by future clients. You will also be introduced to branding concepts, target marketing and messaging as well as foundational computer graphics skills.
Quarter 2
In your second quarter, you will add InDesign to your computer graphics tool kit, further expanding your project workflow and scope. This quarter will also deepen your knowledge of computer graphics, and through the application of Adobe Photoshop and other manipulation programs, you will create projects inspired by key artistic movements. Two separate layout and design classes will strengthen your understanding of principles for both print and web designs, including typography, color selection, hierarchy, and user experience.
Quarter 3
In your third quarter, you will explore digital video and the art of storytelling and learn about the essential tools and methods of digital illustration. You will also gain deeper understanding of advertising design principles, packaging concepts and promotion basics. You will also be introduced to workflow concepts, learning how to communicate design progress, and output a final design for various printing methods. Rounding out your third quarter is an introduction to front-end website development, creating basic web pages with introductory-level Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) and HTML.
Quarter 4
In your fourth quarter you begin to explore the realities of this exciting industry through a variety of real-world case studies and begin to understand the complex interactions between humans and interfaces, ultimately allowing you to create effortless, straightforward designs. You will also be exposed to the fundamentals of digital marketing concepts, including market characteristics, strategic planning, economics, and research techniques. Lastly, your fourth quarter will also cover foundational concepts of magazine design.
Quarter 5
Your fifth and final quarter is all about getting you career ready! Through classes such as Career Management and Employability Skills you will begin to hone your professional persona, including defining your career goals and developing your career action plan. This quarter will also extend your knowledge of working with open-source website creation platforms such as WordPress which can be translated to your own portfolio website! Weaving through the final quarter is your Final Grad Project class, where you will finalize your “style”, prepare your work for potential clients, and understand how to select the best designs for your final portfolio.

Course Descriptions

Course Descriptions

Here’s How You’ll Build Your Skills

Quarter 1
In your first quarter, you will learn traditional art techniques, graphic file management, core graphic and web design applications, branding and target market research to serve as a foundation for the remainder of your program. In Foundation of Art and Design, you will explore the evolution of imagery from primitive art through to today’s digital creations, with a focus on the elemental themes in design, composition, and content. This will allow you to understand the artistic direction demanded by future clients. You will also be introduced to branding concepts, target marketing and messaging as well as foundational computer graphics skills.
Quarter 2
In your second quarter, you will add InDesign to your computer graphics tool kit, further expanding your project workflow and scope. This quarter will also deepen your knowledge of computer graphics, and through the application of Adobe Photoshop and other manipulation programs, you will create projects inspired by key artistic movements. Two separate layout and design classes will strengthen your understanding of principles for both print and web designs, including typography, color selection, hierarchy, and user experience.
Quarter 3
In your third quarter, you will explore digital video and the art of storytelling and learn about the essential tools and methods of digital illustration. You will also gain deeper understanding of advertising design principles, packaging concepts and promotion basics. You will also be introduced to workflow concepts, learning how to communicate design progress, and output a final design for various printing methods. Rounding out your third quarter is an introduction to front-end website development, creating basic web pages with introductory-level Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) and HTML.
Quarter 4
In your fourth quarter you begin to explore the realities of this exciting industry through a variety of real-world case studies and begin to understand the complex interactions between humans and interfaces, ultimately allowing you to create effortless, straightforward designs. You will also be exposed to the fundamentals of digital marketing concepts, including market characteristics, strategic planning, economics, and research techniques. Lastly, your fourth quarter will also cover foundational concepts of magazine design.
Quarter 5
Your fifth and final quarter is all about getting you career ready! Through classes such as Career Management and Employability Skills you will begin to hone your professional persona, including defining your career goals and developing your career action plan. This quarter will also extend your knowledge of working with open-source website creation platforms such as WordPress which can be translated to your own portfolio website! Weaving through the final quarter is your Final Grad Project class, where you will finalize your “style”, prepare your work for potential clients, and understand how to select the best designs for your final portfolio.

What our grads are saying...

FAQs

Let's Get you answers

Do I need prior knowledge of graphic and web design before applying to CAT’s Graphic & Web Design program?
Prior knowledge and applied skills are always going to benefit you, however, we do not require program applicants to have any previous graphic or web design experience. Throughout this program, you’ll not only learn the in-demand skills needed to succeed, but you’ll also learn how to conduct yourself as a design professional. This focus on employability and professionalism in addition to hands-on skills, will set you apart from the competition. For complete details on admission requirements, please reach out to a Graphic & Web Design Program Advisor at 1.866.860.2787 or by filling out our contact form.
Do I need a portfolio as part of my application?
We’d love the opportunity to view your body of work, however a formal portfolio is not required for acceptance into the Graphic & Web Design program. For complete details on admission requirements, please reach out to a Graphic & Web Design Program Advisor at 1.866.860.2787 or by filling out our contact form.
Is CAT’s Graphic & Web Design Program accredited?
All of College for Art and Technology’s programs are backed by a designation through the Private Training Institutions Regulatory Unit and British Columbia’s Education Quality Assurance Program. For additional information on our designation, please visit our Designation page. Our Program Advisors would also be happy to provide additional details on CAT’s accreditation. Complete an online inquiry form, and a Program Advisor will follow up with you!
What equipment will I need for this program?

In order to get the most out of this online program, here is what we suggest you have:

  1. High Speed Internet Connection (Suitable for video streaming) with Microphone, Speakers, and Camera
  2. Laptop or Desktop Computer (PC or Mac is fine and any Mac from the last 3 years will be suitable)
  3. Computer should have 16GB or more of ram and must be able to meet the Adobe Suite requirements (Please visit Adobe's website for further details)

Note: CAT will provide software licenses for the Adobe Creative Suite. Dual monitors are also an asset.

Why choose CAT’s Graphic & Web Design program over one offered at a University?
There are a number of reasons why CAT’s Graphic & Web Design program stands out among the competition, including small class sizes taught by working graphic design pros, established pathways to universities around the world, mentorship, financial advising and support, and ongoing career guidance. Also, as a small and nimble institution, we have the ability to quickly adapt, giving our students the benefit of the latest industry trends and technology! Our Program Advisors are available to provide additional program details and assist in making this important decision. Complete an online inquiry form to get started, and an Advisor will follow up with you.
Do you offer job placements or internships?
We maintain close connections with our design industry partners. Throughout your program, you’ll have info sessions with industry guests and you will be exposed to many real-world projects, and become familiar with the standard industry design workflow. This early familiarity means that upon graduation, you’ll be more than ready to join the team at any design studio or succeed in your own entrepreneurial ventures. After graduation, you can count on continued support from our Education and Student Services team who will share design job opportunities with you and provide connections and resources to help you find a placement you love! Our Program Advisors are able to share more specific examples of graduate career placements. Please book an appointment by completing an online inquiry form to get started!
Do I have to be able to draw to enter this program?
All the unique skills you have in your toolbox create your creative identity and being able to draw is certainly a great skill to have. We do not however, require students to have drawing or sketching skills to apply to the Graphic & Web Design program. You’ve come to us to learn and throughout the course, you’ll be exposed to all the skills and techniques needed to create a successful design career for yourself. For complete details on admission requirements, please reach out to a Graphic & Web Design Program Advisor at 1.866.860.2787 or by filling out our contact form.

Experience the CAT Difference

Why the Best Choose Us

We understand that choosing a post-secondary school is a big decision that usually involves input from some of the most important people in your life. Tuition considerations, support after graduation and key industry connections – these are all part of choosing the best acting school for you. Here are a few reasons why you’ll be happy you chose College for Arts and Technology:

Finance Options

Hands-on, employment-focused education.

Employment-focused programs delivering the soft skills you need for lasting career success and hands-on experience with the latest, industry-standard techniques. Your acting career starts here!

More one-on-one time with your Instructors and mentors.

Small class sizes mean you get more facetime and critical feedback from your education team, to achieve real growth and success.

Personalized support from start to finish.

Financial guidance? We’ve got you covered. Career advice after graduation? We wouldn’t have it any other way. You’re more than a student number to us. We create a personalized experience that you won’t get anywhere else.

Quality you can fact-check.

College for Arts and Technology holds a full designation through Education Quality Assurance and the Private Training Institutions Regulatory Unit. You’ll only get the best at College for Arts and Technology.

Graphic & Web Design Degree Pathways

Our Post-Graduation Pathways

Our graduates boast exceptional employment stats, so a degree is not necessary to secure a career in graphic and web design. However, should you wish to further your education after graduation from our program, we have established pathways with BCIT and The University of Gloucestershire. For more information, book a time to speak with one of our Program Advisors or check out our Pathways page.

Pathway Programs
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Step 2 – Submit Portfolio

Step 1 – Apply

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