Course Overview
Visual composition and layout focuses on the process of creating ideas and learning how to effectively prepare balanced, creative, design solutions. Students will apply the principles and elements of composition and layout in order to produce balanced creative design solutions for print, web, mobile, interface applications. Through analysis, group critiques, presentations, teamwork, and verbal deconstruction of design, students will learn how to present their work in a manner that resonates with the target audience—enhances overall communication, human interaction and usability. This course provides a solid foundation for delivering interactive and engaging content for web and mobile
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 design principles and elements for use in various media.
- Describe and apply visual composition principles and terminology to reinforce communication and concept.
- Design digital layouts with a clear, focused message, following set criteria.
- Organize visual elements by applying principles of alignment and a grid system.
- Direct the viewer's eye through the layout via page shape/orientation, client content and negative space.
- Discuss the importance of fundamental design principles for web and mobile communications.
- Perform a range of research approaches required for establishing web and mobile project goals.
- Apply communications theory (rhetoric, nostalgic and semiotic, etc) when creating graphic assets for multiplatform applications.
- Create a design prototype for desktop, web or mobile application.
- Create visual and typographic hierarchy within a design layout.
- Design and create visual assets for a collaborative web or mobile project.
- Describe typographic terms.
- Analyze layouts and define how they work in terms of compositional and organizational principles.
Effective as of Winter 2023
Related Programs
Visual Composition and Layout (GDES 1105) 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 1105 for the Fall 2026 term.
CRN 50129
Dates
Sep 08 - Nov 24 Loading
- CRN 50129
- $652.73 Domestic fees
Class meeting times
| Dates | Days | Times | Locations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 08 - Nov 24 | Tue | 18:00 - 21:00 | Downtown DTC Rm. 875 |
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. 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.
CRN 50130
Dates
Sep 14 - Nov 30 Loading
- CRN 50130
- $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
David Fan
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 1105 for the Winter 2027 term.
CRN 90478
Dates
Jan 06 - Mar 24 Loading
- CRN 90478
- $664.77 Domestic fees
Class meeting times
| Dates | Days | Times | Locations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 06 - Mar 24 | Wed | 18:00 - 21:00 | Downtown DTC Rm. 860 |
Duration
12 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.
- 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 90640
Dates
Jan 06 - Mar 24 Loading
- CRN 90640
- $635.73 Domestic fees
Class meeting times
| Dates | Days | Times | Locations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 06 - Mar 24 | Wed | 18:00 - 21:00 | Online |
Duration
12 weeks
Instructor
Aimee Chung
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.
- 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.