Graphic Design (PAGD)

Combine creativity with strategy and design your best life

Cambrian challenges you to ramp up your creative talents with real-world projects and gain the graphic design skills to go pro. Our curriculum covers all aspects of a compelling career as a professional visual designer, delivered by experienced faculty who are practicing graphic designers. Take your work from concept sketch to strategic design by learning to manipulate space, type, images, motion, code, production equipment, and colour. 
 
Career-focused, with attention to both traditional methods and new technology, you’ll sharpen your concept development skills with strategic and critical thinking. You’ll refine ideas in branding, advertising, environmental design, print and page production, website development, and more, all with your personal flair. You’ll graduate with a professional-grade portfolio prized by potential employers and freelance clients. 

Program highlights

• Five-week placement with industry pros in the fifth semester 
• Industry-standard technology, software, and production equipment (Risograph Press, Process Printers, Professional Photography Studio and more) 
• Opportunities for paid design-related work 
• Annual three-day field trip to RGD Design Thinkers Conference in Toronto with studio tour 
• Automatic registration as student members of the Registered Graphic Designers of Ontario (RGD Ontario) with pro perks

Program of study for 2026-27 Academic Year 

¹

For more information regarding General Education courses, click here.

Admission requirements

or graduates of the new curriculum (OSS): Ontario Secondary School Diploma (30 credits) or equivalent or mature student status, including:

• Any grade 12 English (C) or (U)

Additional admission requirements

Recommendations

• Grade 11 or 12 Credits in Visual Arts and/or Media Arts (M) or (O)
• Computer competency in relevant software (Adobe Creative Cloud)

Students will require a digital camera in semesters 1, 3 and 4.
Students will require an industry comparable laptop for semesters 3-6.
 

Program delivery

2026-2027

Fall term start

SEMESTER 1:  Fall 2026
SEMESTER 2:  Winter 2027
SEMESTER 3:  Fall 2027
SEMESTER 4:  Winter 2028
SEMESTER 5:  Fall 2028
SEMESTER 6:  Winter 2029

Winter term start

SEMESTER 1:  Winter 2027
SEMESTER 2:  Spring 2027
SEMESTER 3:  Fall 2027
SEMESTER 4:  Winter 2028
SEMESTER 5:  Fall 2028
SEMESTER 6:  Winter 2029

Specific program pathways

College or university degree opportunities  

If you are a graduate of this program, you may continue your studies at a college or university and you may receive credit(s) for your prior college education. Refer to Cambrian's college and university agreement details for further information. 

Employment opportunities

According to the RGD Creative Earners Salary Survey (2022-2023), Junior Graphic Designers (those recently out of a college program) average a salary of $50,000/ year. Graduates are prepared for employment opportunities in:

• Graphic design firms and studios
• Web and new media studios
• App and software start-ups
• Advertising and marketing agencies
• Architectural firms
• Motion picture and television studios
• Editorial and literary publishing houses
• Educational institutions
• Government agencies
• Commercial printing industry
• In-house marketing and design departments 

Students in the Graphic Design program are also student members of the Association of Registered Graphic Designers (RGD), and graduates are eligible for Provisional RGD status upon graduation.