Course Overview
Effective graphic design is essential to daily life as it informs, instructs, warns, and entertains us. Discover that design is a complex process involving research and analysis, concept development, critical evaluation, refinement, and execution. Students will focus on brainstorming and the creative process stage of design process and its relationship to visual problem solving. Hone critical thinking strategies for effective graphic design by practicing what is learned in relation to print- and web-based communications. Execute simple, thumbnail sketches to create and record concepts—a skill paramount for advancing into creating digital content.
Prerequisite(s)
- No prerequisites are required for this course.
Credits
3.0
Domestic fees
$623.69 - $664.77 See individual course offerings below for actual costs.
International fees are typically 3.4 times the domestic tuition. Exact cost will be calculated upon completion of registration.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Compare and contrast a communication designer's role to other creative roles.
- Analyze the creative process as it pertains to the design process.
- Analyze information to determine how best to approach a design problem.
- Apply research and analysis skills to the projects created using provided criteria.
- Practice brainstorming techniques to build a variety of concepts for a common message.
- Use thumbnail sketches to produce, record, assess, and convey ideas.
- Describe analytical tools and principles applied through the design process that help viewers evaluate and process visual structure.
- Design compositions based on design principles, which effectively communicate to specific audiences.
- Present work describing a design rationale and provide constructive feedback on their own and peers' work.
Effective as of Spring/Summer 2025
Related Programs
Graphic Design Process (GDES 1235) is offered as a part of the following programs:
- Indicates programs accepting international students.
- Indicates programs eligible for students to apply for Post-graduation Work Permit (PGWP).
School of Business + Media
- Graphic Communications
Diploma Full-time
- Graphic Design
Certificate Full-time/Part-time
- Graphic Design Foundations
Associate Certificate Part-time
- Graphic Design and Interactive Media
Diploma Part-time
- Media Techniques and Marketing Communications
Certificate Part-time
- Media Techniques for Business
Certificate Part-time
- User Interface (UI) and User Experience (UX) Design
Associate Certificate Part-time
Course Offerings
Fall 2026
Below are two offerings of GDES 1235 for the Fall 2026 term.
CRN 50127
Dates
Sep 14 - Nov 30 Loading
- CRN 50127
- $652.73 Domestic fees
Class meeting times
| Dates | Days | Times | Locations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 14 - Nov 30 | Mon | 18:00 - 21:15 | Downtown DTC Rm. 850 |
Duration
11 weeks
Instructor
Aimee Chung
Course outline
Important information
- Important course information will be sent to you prior to your course start date. Check your myBCIT email account to access this information.
- No class Oct 12. You will require access to the Adobe Creative Cloud to complete this course. In order to access the Adobe Creative Cloud on your personal devices for off-campus use, a subscription will be required. Information explaining how to obtain a discounted Adobe subscription is available on the BCIT Software Access webpage: kb.bcit.ca/student/adobe-creative-cloud-subscription-flexible-learning-student-3130/ If you are taking Graphic design programs, here is the suggested order to take them. www.bcit.ca/files/business/pdf/flexible-learning-graphic-design-certificate-recommended-order-of-courses.pdf
Confirmation
Required
To proceed with registration and add this course to the cart, please confirm:
Status
If you have any questions about this course, please contact us.
CRN 50131
Dates
Sep 14 - Nov 30 Loading
- CRN 50131
- $623.69 Domestic fees
Class meeting times
| Dates | Days | Times | Locations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 14 - Nov 30 | Mon | 18:00 - 21:15 | Online |
Duration
11 weeks
Instructor
Omar Amini
Course outline
Important information
- Important course information will be sent to you prior to your course start date. Check your myBCIT email account to access this information.
- No class on Oct 12. This is not a self-paced course. You will be expected to be available and online on the posted days and times shown on your registration schedule. It is important you have a stable and consistent internet connection to access course content. Please log into learn.bcit.ca using your BCIT student email and password on the first day of class. You will require access to the Adobe Creative Cloud in order to complete this course. Students who are currently registered in one or more BCIT Flexible Learning courses are eligible for a free Adobe Creative Cloud subscription from BCIT. For subscription information, please visit: kb.bcit.ca/student/using-adobe-software-for-students-3588/ If you are taking Graphic design programs, here is the suggested order to take them. www.bcit.ca/files/business/pdf/flexible-learning-graphic-design-certificate-recommended-order-of-courses.pdf
Confirmation
Required
To proceed with registration and add this course to the cart, please confirm:
Status
If you have any questions about this course, please contact us.
Winter 2027
Below are two offerings of GDES 1235 for the Winter 2027 term.
CRN 90428
Dates
Jan 04 - Mar 22 Loading
- CRN 90428
- $635.73 Domestic fees
Class meeting times
| Dates | Days | Times | Locations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 04 - Mar 22 | Mon | 18:00 - 21:15 | Online |
Duration
11 weeks
Instructor
TBD
Course outline
Course outline TBD — see Learning Outcomes in the interim.
Important information
- Important course information will be sent to you prior to your course start date. Check your myBCIT email account to access this information.
- No class Feb 15. This is not a self-paced course. You will be expected to be available and online on the posted days and times shown on your registration schedule. You will require access to Adobe Creative Cloud to start this course and it is your responsibility to have this access in place prior to course start. Students who are currently registered in BCIT Flexible Learning courses are eligible for a free Adobe Creative Cloud subscription from BCIT. Information explaining how to obtain an Adobe subscription is available on the BCIT Software Access webpage: kb.bcit.ca/student/adobe-creative-cloud-subscription-flexible-learning-student-3130/. It is important you have a stable and consistent internet connection to access course content. Please log into learn.bcit.ca using your BCIT student email and password on the first day of class. If you are taking Graphic design programs, here is the suggested order to take them. www.bcit.ca/files/business/pdf/flexible-learning-graphic-design-certificate-recommended-order-of-courses.pdf
Confirmation
Required
To proceed with registration and add this course to the cart, please confirm:
Status
If you have any questions about this course, please contact us.
CRN 90477
Dates
Jan 04 - Mar 22 Loading
- CRN 90477
- $664.77 Domestic fees
Class meeting times
| Dates | Days | Times | Locations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 04 - Mar 22 | Mon | 18:00 - 21:15 | Downtown DTC Rm. 880 |
Duration
11 weeks
Instructor
David Fan
Course outline
Course outline TBD — see Learning Outcomes in the interim.
Important information
- Important course information will be sent to you prior to your course start date. Check your myBCIT email account to access this information.
- No class Feb 15. You will require access to Adobe Creative Cloud to start this course and it is your responsibility to have this access in place prior to course start. Students who are currently registered in BCIT Flexible Learning courses are eligible for a free Adobe Creative Cloud subscription from BCIT. Information explaining how to obtain an Adobe subscription is available on the BCIT Software Access webpage: kb.bcit.ca/student/adobe-creative-cloud-subscription-flexible-learning-student-3130/. It is important you have a stable and consistent internet connection to access course content. Please log into learn.bcit.ca using your BCIT student email and password on the first day of class. If you are taking Graphic design programs, here is the suggested order to take them. www.bcit.ca/files/business/pdf/flexible-learning-graphic-design-certificate-recommended-order-of-courses.pdf
Confirmation
Required
To proceed with registration and add this course to the cart, please confirm:
Status
If you have any questions about this course, please contact us.
Programs and courses are subject to change without notice. Find out more about BCIT course cancellations.