This course introduces students to the core concepts of communication. Students will cultivate an awareness of these concepts by analyzing how they are used in a variety of texts and contexts, and they will apply these concepts strategically in their own writing. Through a variety of writing tasks centred on these core concepts of communication, students will develop the transferrable reading and writing skills essential for success in their post-secondary studies, workplaces, and communities.

This subject deals with an introduction to the MAC platform/operating system as well as two of the three major software applications used in digital graphic design: Adobe Illustrator and Adobe InDesign. The first seven weeks focuses on file construction, colour management and application, typesetting and paragraph formatting techniques and tools, tab control, multiple column text boxes, text wrap, and provides an introduction to file refighting and output with a final exam in Week 14 to demonstrate proficiency in these areas. The second seven weeks of the course are concerned with tools and their application, file construction, colour systems and swatches, special palettes, and mesh techniques in Illustrator.

This subject provides an overview of typography that traces the development of letterform from prehistoric visuals through the development of written language in Sumerian, Phoenician, Greek and Roman times. The development of the modern Western alphabet is traced through the Middle Ages and Renaissance and from Gutenberg’s printing press to the digital generation of printed material. The elements of good typography including type choice, contrast, typesetting, and spatial considerations are explored through lectures, concrete examples and student projects.

This subject provides the student with an introduction to colour theory and composition. Emphasis will be placed on the physical, psychological, emotive, and optical properties of colour. Students will learn how to control the final appearance of their designs in both print and digital media by means of the controls provided by computer software.

This subject is an introduction to the design thinking methodology. Visual fundamentals, principles of design and strategic problem solving are the integral parts of visual communications. Solutions to a variety of visual projects will be achieved by analyzing and exploring these practices.

This subject introduces the student to the basic principles of drawing. Classes are geared toward giving fundamental knowledge of drawing and developing skills to render thumbnails and roughs quickly and effectively. The importance of learning to draw cannot be underestimated for graphic designers as this skill strengthens your ability to communicate.

In this CORE subject, students will explore the foundations of graphic design as applied to print material. Students will continue to develop their page layout skills by an introduction and application of a variety of grid systems. Special consideration will be given to the application of design elements and their corresponding organizational principles as well as the interaction and relationship between type and image.

This subject is a multidisciplinary survey of graphic design from the industrial age to the twentieth century. This course explores some of the complexities of visual communication in the twentieth century.

This subject is an introduction to photography and video from a graphic design perspective. Students will learn how to capture still images, video and sound for various environments including print and the internet.  Students will learn how to shoot, edit, and output a photographic and video project.

With businesses thriving on good customer relationships, effective business communication is the cornerstone of company success. This course will help you learn the principles, practices, and tools for communicating effectively in the workplace using cases and/or projects. From learning about audience, context, formats, tone, and media to applying your skills in writing correspondence, reports, and presentations, this course will guide you in developing professional interpersonal, collaborative, and web-based knowledge and practices.

This subject deals with graphic production processes and their influence on design problem solving. Areas of study include typography, image capture, page assembly and input and output options as a production tool. The course will also introduce offset print production techniques and considerations as well as special document issues such as die lines, varnishes & coatings, and custom sizes. The course is divided into two halves with the final seven weeks spent on creating a large-scale project incorporating aspect and elements of Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign.

This course will introduce the elements and principles of web design and production to graphic design students, with an emphasis on using Adobe Dreamweaver CS5.