- International Fees
International fees are typically 3.25 times the domestic tuition. Exact cost will be calculated upon completion of registration.
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
$611.18 - $651.26 See individual course offerings below for actual costs.
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
- Media Techniques and Marketing Communications
Certificate Part-time
- User Interface (UI) and User Experience (UX) Design
Associate Certificate Part-time
Course Offerings
Fall 2025
Below are two offerings of GDES 1235 for the Fall 2025 term.
CRN 50131
Dates
Sep 08 - Dec 01 Loading
- CRN 50131
- $611.18 Domestic fees
Class meeting times
| Dates | Days | Times | Locations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 08 - Dec 01 | Mon | 18:00 - 21:00 | Online |
Duration
12 weeks
Instructor
Omar Amini
Course outline
Important information
- Internet delivery format.
- Important course information will be sent to you prior to your course start date. Check your myBCIT email account to access this information.
- International fees are typically 3.25 times the domestic tuition. Exact cost will be calculated upon completion of registration.
- No class on Oct 13 due to holiday 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. Up to two weeks prior to their course start date (and not before), please visit kb.bcit.ca, select the Student Resources section, and search for “Adobe Creative Cloud”, then follow the instructions in the article found to claim your free subscription. 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
Status
CRN 50127
Dates
Sep 10 - Nov 26 Loading
- CRN 50127
- $639.46 Domestic fees
Class meeting times
| Dates | Days | Times | Locations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 10 - Nov 26 | Wed | 18:00 - 21:00 | Downtown DTC Rm. 860 |
Duration
12 weeks
Instructor
Carolina Becerra
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.
- International fees are typically 3.25 times the domestic tuition. Exact cost will be calculated upon completion of registration.
- This class will be delivered in person on the Downtown campus. 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. Up to two weeks prior to their course start date (and not before), please visit kb.bcit.ca, select the Student Resources section, and search for “Adobe Creative Cloud”, then follow the instructions in the article found to claim your free subscription. 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
Status
Winter 2026
Below are two offerings of GDES 1235 for the Winter 2026 term.
CRN 90428
Dates
Jan 05 - Mar 23 Loading
- CRN 90428
- $622.98 Domestic fees
Class meeting times
| Dates | Days | Times | Locations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 05 - Mar 23 | Mon | 18:00 - 21:15 | Online |
Duration
11 weeks
Instructor
TBD
Course outline
Course outline TBD — see Learning Outcomes in the interim.
Important information
- Internet delivery format.
- Important course information will be sent to you prior to your course start date. Check your myBCIT email account to access this information.
- International fees are typically 3.25 times the domestic tuition. Exact cost will be calculated upon completion of registration.
- No class Feb 16. 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 part-time courses can purchase a subscription for Adobe Creative Cloud Pro at a discount through BCIT’s new software portal kb.bcit.ca/student/adobe-creative-cloud-subscription-part-time-student-3130/
Status
CRN 90477
Dates
Jan 05 - Mar 23 Loading
- CRN 90477
- $651.26 Domestic fees
Class meeting times
| Dates | Days | Times | Locations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 05 - Mar 23 | Mon | 18:00 - 21:15 | Downtown DTC Rm. 880 |
Duration
11 weeks
Instructor
TBD
Course outline
Course outline TBD — see Learning Outcomes in the interim.
Important information
- International fees are typically 3.25 times the domestic tuition. Exact cost will be calculated upon completion of registration.
- No class Feb 16. 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. The cost of your Adobe subscription will be in addition to the tuition fee for this course. 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/
Status
Programs and courses are subject to change without notice.