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 2025-26 Academic Year
| Semester 1 | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| AFP 1120 | Fundamentals of Drawing | 3 |
| AFP 1135 | Introduction to Digital Photography | 3 |
| ART 1006 | Digital Design I | 4 |
| ART 1106 | Design Foundations I | 4 |
| ART 1230 | Intro Graphic Design | 3 |
| COM 1001 | Art and Design Communication | 3 |
| Credits | 20 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| AFP 1225 | Analytical Drawing | 3 |
| ART 1109 | Design Foundations II | 3 |
| ART 2351 | Digital Design II | 3 |
| ART 2346 | Typography I | 3 |
| ART 1246 | Copywriting I | 3 |
| ADV 1106 | Digital Advertising | 3 |
| One General Education course. 1 | 3 | |
| Credits | 21 | |
| Semester 3 | ||
| ART 1110 | Production Design | 4 |
| ART 2305 | Illustration I | 3 |
| ART 2496 | Accessible Design | 3 |
| ART 2456 | Advanced Photography | 3 |
| ART 2375 | Typography II | 3 |
| ART 2360 | Website Design | 3 |
| One General Education course. 1 | 3 | |
| Credits | 22 | |
| Semester 4 | ||
| ART 1111 | Package Design | 4 |
| ART 1112 | Editorial Design | 4 |
| ART 1113 | Visual Identity I | 4 |
| ART 2416 | Illustration II | 3 |
| ART 2461 | Website Development | 3 |
| ART 1126 | Studio Photography | 3 |
| One General Education course. 1 | 3 | |
| Credits | 24 | |
| Semester 5 | ||
| ART 1010 | Motion Graphics I | 4 |
| ART 1114 | Visual Identity II | 4 |
| ART 3595 | Work Placement | 5 |
| WEB 1040 | Content Management Systems | 3 |
| ART 3687 | Creative Thesis Project | 5 |
| Credits | 21 | |
| Semester 6 | ||
| ART 1011 | Motion Graphics II | 4 |
| ART 1127 | Professional Practices | 3 |
| ART 3612 | Portfolio Preparation | 5 |
| ART 3686 | Advanced Website Applications | 5 |
| ART 3567 | Advanced Design Applications | 4 |
| IND TBD-2 | 1 | |
| Credits | 22 | |
| Total Credits | 130 | |
- 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)
The purchase of a laptop is required in first semester. In third semester, students will be required to purchase a digital camera. 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.
Program delivery
2025-2026
Fall term start
SEMESTER 1: Fall 2025
SEMESTER 2: Winter 2026
SEMESTER 3: Fall 2026
SEMESTER 4: Winter 2027
SEMESTER 5: Fall 2027
SEMESTER 6: Winter 2028
Winter term start
SEMESTER 1: Winter 2026
SEMESTER 2: Spring 2026
SEMESTER 3: Fall 2026
SEMESTER 4: Winter 2027
SEMESTER 5: Fall 2027
SEMESTER 6: Winter 2028
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 (2021-2022), Junior Graphic Designers (those recently out of a college program) average a salary of $44,000/ 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
Please note: Cambrian College strives to ensure the accuracy of the information on this website. Please note that the academic curriculum is continually reviewed and revised to ensure that Cambrian's programs and courses remain relevant. The College reserves the right to cancel or make changes to any course or program, fee, procedure, or campus location at any time.
