Graphic Design Diploma

Graphic design diploma course
Next program start dates:
Monday, April 1, 2024
Monday, May 6, 2024
Apply Online
Creativity Lives Here
Students build on their creativity to bring projects to life using industry-standard software
Interactive Learning
Relaxed learning environment for students to easily understand course material
Turn Skills Into a Career
Students turn their skills and knowledge into a portfolio they can use to get a job quickly
Diploma
Certificate

Graphic Design Diploma

Duration

53 Weeks

Campus

Calgary / Toronto

Offered

On-site / Online / Combination

Available

Morning / Evening / Weekend

Graphic Design Diploma Summary

The Graphic Design Diploma Program at ABM College allows students an opportunity to explore their creative and visual communication skills in a digital world. Students will gain a thorough understanding of fundamental graphic design principles, and how to design digitally using Adobe Creative Suite (including PhotoShop, InDesign, Illustrator and more) to create their own portfolios to present to potential employers. Students finish off with a 4-week practicum placement at the end of the course to add work experience to their resume. 

Take the "ABM College Digital Arts Career Training Readiness" Quiz
HCA PLAR Student Guide

Graphic Design Diploma Highlights

The ABM College Graphic Design Diploma Program teaches students how to professionally design for a broad range of applications and career opportunities. Students receive extensive training on industry-standard design software, combining the latest digital techniques with standard art principles to provide the essential knowledge and skills required to begin designing and building professional graphics.

Key Characteristic 

  • Online classes offer a schedule that fits with your home, work, and other commitments.
  • Students will receive a solid foundation in core design areas such as composition, layout, typography, colour, drawing, photography, and business integration.
  • Prepare students for a variety of industry experiences to excel in graphic design.
  • Students can master their skills with new tools and techniques along with knowledge of the latest graphic design software. 
  • Students get practicum placement to incorporate their knowledge and skills within a professional setting and to help add work experience to their portfolios. 

Career Opportunities

  • Graphic Designer
  • Production / Layout Artist
  • Multimedia Designer
  • Illustrator / Animator
  • Art Director
  • Multimedia Content Creator

Salary Range

Graphic Design Diploma Information Kit

This kit includes important details on the Graphic Design Diploma program at ABM College.

Note: For non-domestic students with a study permit or visa, please see our International Students form here.

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Graphic design diploma course

Admission Requirements

Standard Admission

1. Successful completion of Grade 12 or equivalent. 2. Passing score on the Wonderlic Scholastic Level Exam. 3. Passing score on the Accuplacer Test. 4. Successful interview with ABM College Admissions.

Mature Admission

1. Applicants must be out of high school for at least two years. 2. Applicants must be at least 18 years of age prior to admission. 3. Passing score on the Wonderlic Scholastic Level Exam. 4. Passing score on the Accuplacer Test. 5. Successful interview with ABM College Admissions.

Detailed & International Requirements

For any other program or region-specific requirements, please contact one of our Admissions Advisors. For International Students, please refer to the International Students Admission Requirements.

Domestic Detailed Admission Requirements

Great course selection. They offer morning, evening and weekend class which makes it convenient for everyone.

Edna Haro

Course Curriculum

1. Fundamentals of Graphic Design

This course introduces students to the fundamentals of graphic design and its application for print and web. Students discover that design is a complex process that involves research and analysis, concept development, evaluation, refinement, and execution.

2. Introduction to Visual Design/Fundamentals of Composition and Layout

Layout and composition are the building blocks of graphic design. The goal of this module is to give students skills that will allow them to work with visual contrasts, cropping, hierarchy, and direction in single images and complex compositions.

3. Shape and Color Theory

Students learn about visual contrast, colour, rhythm, and pattern in design. They also learn the process involved in making an abstract design from shapes, and how to use that element to create a repeating pattern design. Students explore the various aspects of colour and identify many ways of integrating colour for effective design layouts.

4. Fundamentals of Typography

This course teaches students about typography and its significance within graphic design in the development of type. Students learn about the terms and measurements that form the basis of typographic vocabulary, and deconstruct fonts to show the working components.

5. Adobe Illustrator

Students create and design scalable computer graphics with Adobe illustrator including core drawing and shape tools, transformation and reshaping features, text manipulation, and the pen tool. The module prepares the students to create simple vector graphics, educate them about best practices to enhance workflow, and train them on how to integrate and manipulate colour and type in designs and to prepare documents for output to print, web, and video.

6. Adobe Photoshop 1

Students examine the essential capabilities and creative applications of Adobe Photoshop CC, from correcting colour and print to retouching portraits, navigation, resolution, cropping, selecting, printing, and making web graphics.

7. Adobe Photoshop Advanced

As a continuation of Adobe Photoshop 1, this module covers advanced compositing techniques, including painting with the mixer brush, adding a background, matching colour schemes across images, and blending multiple pictures to create a panorama. Students also learn how to apply layer styles, use layer effects, add adjustment layers, and various blending modes.

8. Adobe InDesign

Students discover the essential capabilities and creative application of InDesign. Students will create a series of projects using different available tools and techniques including single and multiple pages, drop-down menus and panels, column set up, selection tools, layers, colour from different libraries, paragraph and character styles, picture frames, text wraps around images, links and more.

9. Adobe Premiere Pro / Digital Darkroom

Students explore the fundamentals of working with digital images acquired from capture, with a focus on the image optimization process within Adobe Photoshop CC. Students learn how to produce a high-quality image that can be reproduced for multiple purposes. The objective of this module is to prepare students to effectively process camera RAW files with Photoshop CC RAW processing interface, process jpg files using a non-destructive workflow, work with the appropriate file format depending on content and usage, maximize the tonal range and correct a colour cast in a digital image, work with layers, layer blending modes and layer styles, perform non-destructive image retouching, crop, rotate, and resize images to meet specific requirements, and export files for both web use and print production.

10. Introduction to Drawing

This module introduces the student to the basic principles of drawing. Students learn basic knowledge in drawing, fundamental concepts and techniques, and practice their drawing using charcoal, pencil and conte.

11. Introduction to Photography

This course is an introduction to photography from a graphic design perspective. Students will learn how to capture still image, video and sound for various environments, including print and online.

12. Graphic Design and Business

This module aims to educate students on why designers do more than simply design things, and how graphic design and business are very much integrated disciplines.

13. Portfolio

Students learn how to create a good portfolio that effectively showcases their work and abilities. Students can then use this portfolio to present to potential employers.

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