Overview
Do you have an artistic spark? You might have a future in graphic design, and BCIT can help. The BCIT Graphic Design associate certificate program is one of the fastest ways to build a solid foundation of knowledge that will prepare you for a long, rewarding career.
Available as an intense, 6-month training program or at your own schedule part-time, this program gives you hands-on experience with creative software, strategic design, and digital composition for the relevant job skills employers are seeking.
Program delivery mode: Full-time = in person or online; Part-time = in person and online options
- This program will be delivered in-person or online for full-time students. Part-time students have the option to take courses in person and/or online.
- We have put measures in place for your safety and well-being, ensuring that all safety protocols are addressed. Please see the BCIT COVID-19 page for details on the procedures that have been implemented.
Your education is our priority and we will continue to deliver the applied instruction, collaborative experience, and industry connections that you expect from BCIT.
About the program
- 6 months, full-time – Classes run 4 to 5 times a week. This may include days, evenings and/or weekends
- No application required for part-time study
- Like a career boot-camp of creative software, strategic design, and digital composition
Learn more about this program and how it prepares you for jobs in graphic design at the Program Details.
Who should complete the Graphic Design Associate Certificate?
If you’re interested in working in the graphic arts, earning your associate certificate is a great way to begin your training and test the field. Many students are:
- Sponsored by their employers to strengthen their skills
- Already gifted with an interest in creativity
- Innovative thinkers
- Interested in exploring a creative career
- Enjoy collaborative, creative challenges
If any of these sound like you, visit the Entrance Requirements page to begin today—most courses are offered every semester!
What grads can do
Many grads use their talents to create ads, displays, and web and print media for agencies, in-house marketing departments, and government organizations. Others pursue an entrepreneurial path as freelance artists. Additionally, some choose a combination of work and or continuing education to further their abilities and job prospects.
Learn more about the specific job opportunities available on the Graduating and Jobs page.
- Next up Entrance Requirements
Entrance Requirements
Application processing
Full-time program:
This program is open to applications beginning:
- June 1* for the spring (April) intake
- October 1* for the fall (September) intake
*or next business day
Applications are considered for a specific intake.
Part-time program:
Declarations are accepted throughout the year.
Recommended for success
- English: two years of education in English in an English-speaking country with one of the following:
- English Studies 12 (50%) or
- English First Peoples (50%) 12 or
- Other acceptable BC and Yukon courses or
- 3.0 credits of post-secondary English, humanities or social sciences (50%) from a recognized institution
What if I don’t meet these English requirements?
International applicants
The full-time on-campus delivery option is available to international applicants. A valid study permit is required prior to starting the program.
The full-time distance/online delivery option is available to international applicants who will complete the program from outside Canada or who currently have a valid status in Canada other than study permit. International applicants accepted into the distance/online option are not eligible for a study permit.
The part-time on-campus delivery option is available to international applicants who currently have a valid status in Canada. A valid study permit is required prior to starting the program.
Apply to program
Both full-time program applications and part-time program declarations are submitted via the following process:
- Click on Apply Now
- Select Apply for a program and follow the prompts
- Select your entrance type:
- Full-time applicants: I am new to this program
- Part-time declarants: Part-time Program Declaration
- Proceed and fill out all required fields
- Have a credit card ready to pay the application fee
Apply Now
Scheduled Intakes
Full-time: April and September each year.
Part-time: January, April and September.
myCommunication
Full-time program:
Within two business days of submitting your completed application, BCIT will send a message to your personal and myBCIT e-mail addresses. All correspondence regarding your application will be posted to your online myCommunication account at my.bcit.ca. We'll send you an e-mail when a new message is posted. It's important to watch for these e-mails or regularly check your account online.
You can expect to receive communication concerning the status of your application within four weeks.
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Costs & Supplies
Tuition fees
Please see the Fees, Payments and Refunds section of the website for information on full-time and part-time tuition fees.
Books & supplies
We recommend that students in the Graphic Design program have a MAC notebook or Windows PC. Costs for a computer will vary depending on the configuration chosen. Please see below for specifications.
System Requirements for Graphic Design | |
---|---|
Operating System | Microsoft Windows 10 (64-bit) version 1809 or later or Apple® macOS® 10.13, 10.14 or later (64-bit Intel-based) |
Processor | 64-bit Intel® or AMD® multi-core processor with SSE4.2 instruction set |
Memory | 16 GB minimum (32 GB for 4K media or higher) |
Graphics | Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 or equivalent; Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660 or
Quadro T1000 is recommended. or AMD Radeon Pro 555X or higher or Intel UHD Graphics 630 or higher |
Storage | 250GB SSD or higher |
Monitor | 1920 x 1080 or better |
Internet | Internet connection and registration are necessary for required software activation, validation of subscriptions, and access to online services. |
Financial assistance
Financial assistance may be available for this program. For more information, please contact Student Financial Aid and Awards.
- Go back Entrance Requirements
- Next up Courses
Courses
Important Updates to Part-time Studies
1) Need to waitlist for a School of Business + Media course? Find out more.
2) English Requirement: Find out more.
Offering you a choice of part-time and full-time study, this program addresses your career needs and goals with flexible course options and availability. Most courses are offered every term by working industry professionals to give you the most up-to-date technology and practices in topics such as colour theory, InDesign, Photoshop, and portfolio design.
Please note: part-time programs and courses are open enrolment and although we make every effort to accommodate demand, course registration cannot be guaranteed in every semester. High demand courses fill quickly and may result in students unable to register for a course that semester. Courses may also be cancelled due to low enrolment.
Program delivery
Full-time program:
The full-time program is delivered over two three-month terms either in-person or through distance & online learning.
In-person courses may be scheduled during the day or evenings on weekdays and during the day on weekends.
Final term schedules will be complete and accessible to students no later than four weeks prior to program start.
Part-time program:
Part-time students can choose the number of courses they take each term and register for each course individually.
Course prerequisites must be met prior to registration. Courses are offered in the fall, winter, and spring/summer terms each year. For specific registration dates, please view the Part-time Studies Key Registration Dates.
Program matrix
Check current availability of courses for this program.
Term 1 | Credits | ||
---|---|---|---|
MDIA 1040 | Graphics | 3.0 | |
MDIA 1049 | Adobe InDesign 1 | 1.5 | |
MDIA 1105 | Visual Composition & Layout | 3.0 | |
MDIA 1140 | Color Theory for Design | 3.0 | |
MDIA 1180 | Adobe Photoshop 1 | 1.5 | |
MDIA 2012 | Digital Darkroom | 1.5 | |
MDIA 2049 | Adobe InDesign 2 | 1.5 | |
MDIA 2180 | Adobe Photoshop 2 | 1.5 | |
Term 2 | Credits | ||
MDIA 1026 | Adobe Acrobat | 1.5 | |
MDIA 1144 | Practical Color Management | 1.5 | |
MDIA 1160 | Adobe Illustrator 1 | 1.5 | |
MDIA 1920 | Typography | 3.0 | |
MDIA 2088 | Strategic Design for Business | 3.0 | |
MDIA 2260 | Adobe Illustrator 2 | 1.5 | |
MDIA 2310 | Portfolio Design | 3.0 | |
Total Credits: | 31.5 |
Check current availability of courses for this program.
Transfer credit
Do you have credits from another BC/Yukon post-secondary school? Do you want to know if they transfer to courses here at BCIT? Check out BCIT's Transfer Equivalency Database to find out.
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Program Details
The Graphic Design associate certificate is designed to give you a basic foundation of technology and creative approach for today’s jobs. Your courses are designed and taught by working professionals to give you the most current design techniques and skills that are sought after by marketing departments, ad agencies, publications, and other organizations. As part of your training in this fast-paced program, you’ll participate in a course on portfolio design and presentation to show clients and potential employers your accomplishments.
Program length
Full-time program:
The full-time program is six months, beginning in April and September each year.
Part-time program:
Part-time students have the flexibility of completing the program at their own pace. Most students complete this program within two years, although it is possible to complete this program more quickly by taking multiple courses each term.
The maximum time to complete this program is five years.
Program location
Full-time: This program is offered at the Burnaby and Downtown Campuses and through distance and online learning.
Part-time: Course offerings at each location vary from term to term. Please check the website for course availability each term.
Burnaby Campus
3700 Willingdon Avenue
Burnaby, BC
Downtown Campus
555 Seymour Street
Vancouver, BC
Courses are also offered through distance and online learning.
Program structure
Courses in this program are the same whether studying full-time or part-time. Full-time students complete all Term 1 courses before commencing Term 2. Part-time students proceed on a course-by-course basis in any order, provided that any prerequisite courses are completed first.
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- Next up Graduating & Jobs
Graduating & Jobs
The intense focus on graphic design creative skills and technology in this associate certificate program can help prepare you for entry-level jobs and continuing career development within your current field such as marketing, advertising, or print and online media.
Some job opportunities in the graphic arts include:
- Junior Graphic Designer
- Production Artist
- Layout Specialist
- Visual Designer
Graduate employment outcomes
The BCIT student outcomes report presents summary findings from the annual survey of former students administered by BC Stats one to two years after graduation. These reports combine the last three years of available results for the 2019-2021 BCIT Outcomes Surveys of 2018-2020 graduates and for Degree 2016-2018 graduates. The reports are organized into three-page summaries containing information on graduates’ labour market experiences and opinions regarding their education. More detailed information can be accessed at the BC Student Outcomes website.
To view these results, you may need to have the Adobe Acrobat Reader installed in your Web browser.
Apply for graduation
Upon successful completion of all program requirements, complete an Application for BCIT Credential [PDF] and submit it to Student Information and Enrolment Services.
Allow approximately six to eight weeks for processing.
All financial obligations to the Institute must be met prior to issuance of any credential.
- Go back Program Details
- Next up Contact Us
Contact Us
Karen Harvey
Program Assistant, Digital Arts, Media and Design
604-453-4032 | Karen_Harvey@bcit.ca
Aimee Chung
Part-time Studies Coordinator, Digital Arts, Media and Design
604-432-8380 | Aimee_Chung@bcit.ca
Paul Sawyer
Program Head, Graphic Design Full-time Option
604-456-1011 | Paul_Sawyer@bcit.ca
Contact a Program Advisor with the BCIT program name in the subject line if you have a question about:
- Course selection and program planning
- Declaring your program
- Making changes to your approved program plan
- Applying for transfer credit and advanced placement
- Laddering options
- Job placement and graduate outcomes
- Student life
Questions or comments?
- Go back Graduating & Jobs
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Programs and courses are subject to change without notice.