Form follows function.
Design is everywhere from the moment we wake up until we close our eyes at night. Not just beautiful art, graphic design has purpose – to communicate a message and engage those who read it and evoke feeling or action. Great design tells a story.
Graphic Designers use highly developed technical skills and a mastery of digital technology to capture the imagination through original design in a variety of media from print to screen. They develop solutions for businesses, building corporate branding, designing websites and creating inspiring visuals that send a powerful message. Graphic design has a proven return on investment and has become essential to the success of all business, putting designers in high demand.
Traditionally graphic designers created for print. There is still a great need for design and printing of environmental graphics for retail store interiors, conferences, wayfinding and events, as well as swag, product packaging and much more. But now through digital space, graphic designers are also working in fields like user interface design, online marketing and advertising, motion graphics and more. The opportunities are limitless!
In our state-of-the-art facilities, you’ll gain traditional and cutting-edge skills through problem-solving and creative exploration with typography, colour, space and placement. You’ll train in digital photography, package design, traditional and digital printing and more, and you’ll leave here with a professional portfolio of your work to take out into the world with you.
It’s your future by design.
Program Highlights
- Extensive training that combines natural creativity with strategic design techniques
- Experiential, hands-on learning with industry associations and companies
- Collaborative projects with other CNA arts programs such as Sound Recording & Production, Journalism and Applied Music, Textile & Apparel Design, and the suite of Television & Film programs
- High job placement success rate
Did You Know?
- Graduates are working at exciting careers throughout Canada and around the world.
- Students have won dozens of regional, provincial and national awards over the past decade.
- The unique skills of graphic designers have been globally recognized with the term, “design thinking,” which applies the thought process designers use for just about any field or discipline.
- A designer’s primary concern is ultimately communication.
- It takes two-tenths of a second for people looking at a website for the first time to form an impression.[1]
OBJECTIVES
Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will be able to:
- Demonstrate strong technical and conceptual design skills for print and screen.
- Demonstrate hands-on knowledge of, and experience with, industry-standard design and production tools and equipment.
- Demonstrate the business, communication, teamwork and time-management skills necessary for this industry.
- Apply an approach to the design process that focuses on creativity while meeting clients' needs.
- Successfully compete for entry-level employment in the Graphic Design industry.
FUTURE OPPORTUNITIES
Past graduates have a strong record of success in the Graphic Design industry, both within Newfoundland and Labrador and beyond. Graduates can choose from a variety of employment options such as advertising agencies, design companies and in-house art departments, as well as freelance work or self-employment with clients located anywhere in the world.
ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS
1. High School
Provincial High School Graduation Certificate with a 60% average in nine level 3000 credits or equivalent
2. Comprehensive Arts and Science (CAS) Transition
Comprehensive Arts and Science Transition Certificate
3. Adult Basic Education (ABE)
Adult Basic Education (Level III) Graduation with General College Profile (or Business-Related College Profile or Degree and Technical Profile) with an average pass mark of 60%
4. Mature Student Requirements
Applicants who do not meet the education prerequisites for this program, are 19 years at the time of application out of school for at least one year may be considered on an individual basis under the Mature Student Requirements; for more information regarding the Mature Student Requirements please refer to
Procedure AC-102-PR Admission.
5. International Applicants – English Proficiency
All international applicants must meet the College’s English language proficiency requirements for acceptance into regular programs. The College will accept these recognized tests of English language proficiency (TOEFL paper based 550, TOEFL Internet based 79, TOEFL computer based 213 or equivalent, IELTS Academic Test overall band score of 6.0, or Pearson PTE 53 or greater, etc.).
If a language proficiency test other than those referenced above was used, applicants can forward for assessment.
If an international applicant has attended an educational institution (high school or post-secondary) for a period of three years or more where the official language of instruction was English, the English language proficiency test will not be required.
Note: Some programs may require specific English language requirements and proficiency scores that differ from those stated above; therefore international applicants are advised to please refer to the specific program admission requirements as identified in the College Calendar.
Note:
Basic computer skills as well as strong core skills in English and Mathematics are definite assets for this program. These core skills are important for success in the program.
Applicant Portfolio Requirements
All applicants to the Graphic Design program must submit a portfolio as part of the admission requirements. A portfolio is a personal selection of the applicant’s work that shows the potential to build on demonstrated skills and aptitudes when in the program.
The applicant portfolio should consist of:
- A written personal statement explaining your reasons for wanting to be a graphic designer and your interest in the program at College of the North Atlantic. This should be no longer than 500 words or a single typed page.
- One project, that relates to the College’s Graphic Design program, chosen from the following three options:
A magazine ad promoting the program. The ad should focus on at least one positive attribute of the program, and should be produced in colour. The College’s website address should be included as well. The size of the ad should be no larger than 20 cm in any dimension.
A poster promoting the Graphic Design program. The poster should focus on one positive message about the program, and should include the program name, the College’s name and the College’s website address. The size of the poster should be 28 cm x 43 cm (11 x 17 inches).
A logo for the Graphic Design program. The logo should be produced in no more than two (2) colours, not including white. The program title (Graphic Design) and the College’s initials (CNA) should be part of the logo. Applicants should ensure that the logo suggests one or more of the positive attributes of the program.
- A minimum of five (5) personal portfolio pieces, which could include (but are not limited to) drawings and sketches, photographs, paintings, websites, computer-generated images, or motion-based work. It is preferable to submit works in more than one category but it is not required.
Other Requirements
- Applicants should submit only copies of their work. No originals should be submitted.
- Do not submit any framed, fragile or 3-dimensional work.
- If applicants submit digital files, please burn them onto a CD or DVD, and ensure they are readable by a computer other than the one used to burn it. Digital submissions that cannot be opened will not be considered.
- The applicant’s work should be submitted in a case, binder or folio, with measurements not exceeding 61 cm x 92 cm (24 x 36 inches).
- Work included in the portfolio should be identified on a separate sheet with the title (if any), the completion date and the materials used. A brief explanation of each piece would be welcome.