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The graphic design industry is employed in virtually all areas of business — from your bank’s logo and the eye-catching billboard for your favourite clothing store to the cover of the latest issue of Vogue magazine and the design of the CD cover you saw on iTunes last week. Used to convey a message to the public (more specifically a target audience) through symbols, words, photos, topography, visual arts, graphics and layout techniques, graphic design is a highly creative field. Graphic designers must start out by attending graphic design courses at post-secondary institutions such as Centennial College. Upon graduation, they work in: packaging design studios, marketing and communications agencies, magazine design firms, newspaper and TV departments and much. Titles in Graphic Design include: graphic designer, art director, creative director and production artist.

Centennial College offers its two-year Graphic Design – Media program to those interested in one of the careers listed above. Upon graduation, you’ll achieve an Ontario College Advanced diploma and be ready to enter the field. The College prides itself on offering graphic design courses that combine theoretical learning and practical experience. In addition, these courses cover creative and business skills that will give you the leading edge in a competitive industry. These courses include: Design Process (focusing on the design process and its application to problem solving); Design & Imaging (introducing three major software applications used throughout the Graphic Media Design program: digital illustration, imaging and layout application); Corporate Identity (developing creative strategies and implementing these strategies in creating visual identity for business); Professional Practice (introduces students to the business component of graphic design); and more.

In addition to your knowledge of visual graphics with creative communication strategies, you’ll also be attending a graphic design school that is formally recognized by the Association of Registered Graphic Designers of Ontario (RGD Ontario), which represents more than 3,000 graphic designers, managers, educators and students across Ontario.

Application requirements start with possession of an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent or being 19 years of age or older. In addition, you must have the compulsory English 12C or U credit, or skills assessment, or equivalent. Lastly, during a program information session you will have to submit a portfolio that contains up to 15 pieces of your original work in art and design. It must demonstrate your ability and interest in graphic design, colour integrated designs created in digital illustration and digital imaging applications and a short research paper about your design philosophy and field of interest. There’s more information on portfolio requirements on the graphic design school's program admissions page.