Course Overview
Colour is a powerful design principle-affecting mood, identifying brands and carrying cultural symbolism. Explore the various aspects of colour and identify many ways of integrating colour for effective communication in design layouts. Explore the significance of colour application through numerous research and design samples. This will enable students to apply their understanding of various colour modes, colour functions, colour attributes, colour psychology, and colour physiology in design work. Analyze how others solve visual colour challenges in compelling and inspiring ways while generating unique compositions with colour as a dominant design attribute.
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:
- Define colour terminology and applications.
- Predict how vision, brain interpretation, and light quality can affect human colour perception.
- Analyze a client's needs to determine what colour trends would be most effective in the design project.
- Analyze and apply the various functions of colour within a design project.
- Achieve effective compositional harmony through creating and applying colour schemes.
- Organize content, direct the eye through a design composition using design and colour contrast principles.
- Communicate effectively by using colour contrast in typography.
- Create, apply, and mix colours using graphic application features including the Adobe Color app.
- Edit colours quickly and efficiently using the Adobe Colour Guide panel.
- Select and use appropriate colours for web and print applications.
- Apply colour psychology to communicate a message or a mood to the relative target market.
Effective as of Spring/Summer 2025
Related Programs
Colour Theory (GDES 1140) 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
Course Offerings
Fall 2026
Below are two offerings of GDES 1140 for the Fall 2026 term.
CRN 50126
Dates
Sep 10 - Nov 26 Loading
- CRN 50126
- $652.73 Domestic fees
Class meeting times
| Dates | Days | Times | Locations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 10 - Nov 26 | Thu | 18:00 - 21:00 | Downtown DTC Rm. 860 |
Duration
12 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.
- 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 50135
Dates
Sep 12 - Nov 28 Loading
- CRN 50135
- $623.69 Domestic fees
Class meeting times
| Dates | Days | Times | Locations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 12 - Nov 28 | Sat | 13:45 - 17:00 | Online |
Duration
11 weeks
Instructor
Negin Etemadi
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 10. 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 1140 for the Winter 2027 term.
CRN 90480
Dates
Jan 07 - Mar 25 Loading
- CRN 90480
- $664.77 Domestic fees
Class meeting times
| Dates | Days | Times | Locations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 07 - Mar 25 | Thu | 18:00 - 21:00 | Downtown DTC Rm. 860 |
Duration
12 weeks
Instructor
TBD
Course outline
Course outline TBD — see Learning Outcomes in the interim.
Important information
- 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 90479
Dates
Jan 09 - Mar 20 Loading
- CRN 90479
- $635.73 Domestic fees
Class meeting times
| Dates | Days | Times | Locations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 09 - Mar 20 | Sat | 13:30 - 17:00 | Online |
Duration
10 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 13. 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.
Programs and courses are subject to change without notice. Find out more about BCIT course cancellations.