Graphic Design & Interactive Media Diploma Program

Become a pro at visual communication for print, digital and new media platforms.

New Term Starts Soon

Apply now to secure your spot. We keep classes small and focused with four intakes a year.
Next Start Date:
April, 2024
Duration:
12 months
 

Graphic Design Program Description

Learn Graphic Design From Real Designers

Design effective visual communication for print, digital and new media platforms. Work on real-world projects. Network with industry professionals inside and outside the classroom. Work alongside creative peers and working designers. Graduate with a diverse portfolio of work that showcases your new creative and technical skills.  

Career Outcomes for Graphic Design Graduates

Graphic Designer

Art Director

Creative Director

Brand Designer

Web Designer

Motion Graphics Designer

Interactive Designer

 

Faculty

Student Success

 

Graphic Design Courses

Graphic Design Courses by Term

Term 1

A History Of Design

IDM111

Discover the history of visual communication and its impact on cultural development. Through lectures, hands-on exercises and research, you will learn to identify the social, technological, and political changes that have shaped communication arts.

Elements Of Design

IDM112

Explore the relationship between visual form and content. You will be exposed to the building blocks of design, and tasked with utilizing these concepts as you develop analog designs.

Digital Drawing 1

IDM114

Welcome to the world of Adobe. Through demonstrations, in-class exercises and assignments, you will become familiar with the unique capabilities of Adobe’s vector imaging software as it relates to the creation and manipulation of vector graphics for both print and new media destinations.

Digital Imaging 1

IDM115

Flex your creative mind with Adobe’s raster imaging software. Through demonstrations, in-class exercises and assignments, you will become familiar with the unique capabilities of the software as it relates to the creation, editing and manipulation of imagery for both print and new media destinations.

Page Layout 1

IDM118

Make pages come alive. Utilizing design fundamentals, you will create projects from design concept to completion. With an examination of printing materials, you will experience the printing process, technology and materials used by designers. Through demonstrations, in-class exercises and assignments, you will also become familiar with the unique capabilities of Adobe InDesign as it relates to the design and production of single and multi-page layouts.

Visual Communication

IDM119

Explore different techniques for finding and developing ideas, and apply them to developing your creative problem solving and design thinking. With this knowledge, this course will pose real-world challenges where you must act flexibly in order to solve problems and set the user at the center of all design solutions. Through supportive and constructive feedback, you will focus, polish and deepen your design work within a lab/studio environment.

Typography 1

IDM201

This course will introduce the art of communication through visual language. You will explore the fundamentals of typographic design and letterform in conceptual and analog practical projects.

Term 2

Typography 2

IDM301

Advance your exploration of typographic design. You will develop a deeper understanding of the design choices for comprehension and content as you explore the usage and creation of digital letterforms.

Digital Drawing 2

IDM203

Building on Digital Drawing 1, you will explore advanced concepts and techniques that can be applied to a variety of print and web projects. You will provide practical and creative solutions to real world projects ranging from packaging design to information design.

Digital Imaging 2

IDM204

Dive into Adobe’s raster imaging software. Through demonstrations, in-class exercises and assignments, you will learn intermediate techniques for the creation and manipulation of raster images for use in both print and new media.

Page Layout 2

IDM207

Design communications with purpose as you take an in-depth study of content organization, grids, typography, imagery and visual ideation. Through demonstrations, lectures, critiques and exercises, you are introduced to best practices and the creativity of layout design for marketing, communication, editorial and publication design.

Visual Communication 2

IDM209

Further your knowledge from Visual Communication 1 and challenge yourself to strengthen your creative ideation and problem solving through more complex challenges. You will be applying design thinking to a broader spectrum of design in order to expand your understanding of communication, interface and interaction.

Identity Design 1

IDM210

You could be the designer behind the next big company. This course introduces you to the field of branding, from developing a foundation to the execution of a full logo system. Through lectures and assignments, you will understand the role of brand identity and experience the creation of that visual voice through logo design.

Term 3

Art Direction

IDM302

Art Direction will enrich your understanding of art direction’s key role within all communication projects. Visual storytelling is integral to our daily information consumption. This course outlines how visual narrative formats inform and engage users across marketing, editorial, entertainment and information areas. You will learn how to leverage the disciplines of layout, photography, video, digital multimedia and graphics to tell immersive and compelling visual stories at appropriate intervals of the story.

Interactive Design 1

IDM303

Interactive Design I takes you through the study of shaping digital processes for people’s use. Beginning with a study of how humans interact with each other and their environment, you will explore the practice of designing interactive experiences, environments and products.

Photography

IDM305

There’s more to taking the perfect picture. This course introduces you to both the technical and creative aspects of this visual art form. The practical component includes shooting a variety of locations and subjects while learning to use light, shape, framing and depth of field as tools to create imagery, mood and message.

Motion Graphics 1

IDM307

Get into the world of video editing and animation. This course will introduce you to the creative principles and technical skills required to bring moving graphics into video.

Studio Practices

IDM309

Polish your skills in the key areas of design practice: professionalism, scope, and communication. Through a variety of learning tools, you will explore the value of the designer within the business framework, and understand how these decisions affect design for the customer experience.

Identity Design 2

IDM310

Expand your brand identity design skills across more communication platforms and tehcnologies. Through the design of deliverables and materials for print, online, promotions and experience, you will gain a deeper knowledge of how brand identity design helps build brands through customer touchpoints.

Website Design 1

IDM311

Enter the digital world with your introduction to online design, with a focus on applying your existing design knowledge to new media. This exploration begins with critical analysis of the internet as a whole, including the ever-changing technologies and platforms utilized in website design. You will be introduced to HTML and CSS languages in order to bring your designs to life.

Term 4

Motion Graphics 2

IDM402

Get ready for a masterclass in the manipulation of imagery, graphics, typography and video. You will be experimenting with increasingly sophisticated tools and techniques in the creation of motion graphics.

Interactive Design 2

IDM403

Deepen your knowledge of UI + UX design with this course focused on mobile technology. The class is an advanced exploration of interactive practices through the design of your own application from concept to prototype.

Portfolio

IDM404

Your portfolio is your resume in this industry. This course provides strategies for effective, memorable self-promotion and guides you through its completion in both print and online formats. Through one-on-one mentorship, you will complete this course with a portfolio tailored to your individual career goals. 

Capstone Project

IDM405

Through a mixture of lecture, specialized instruction and one-on-one design mentorship, this studio-based class provides a unique opportunity to receive real-world experience as you work through a major topical project.

Career Development

IDM406

Career Development offers you expert guidance as you prepare to graduate. You will receive assistance with resume preparation, techniques on applying for jobs and the interview process. Important feedback is provided by hiring professionals to help you launch your career successfully.

Website Design 2

IDM408

Expand your knowledge of both the technical and design practices of online communications. Advanced topics include new media layout, grids and responsiveness brought to life through HTML and CSS. You will also dive into the unique handling of typography and imagery through web design construction. The visual design of UX / UI / IA are explored through meeting interface, experience and brand goals.

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Admissions

Our Admissions Process Made Easy

1

  1. Complete Toronto Film School’s  online application form.

2

  1. Pay the application fee of $150. 

3

  1. Provide original or notarized translated academic transcripts. 

4

  1. Submit a 300–500 word essay on why you’re interested in a career in the graphic design industry, and your career goals.

5

  1. Provide proof of English-language proficiency. (international students only) 

6

  1. Provide a copy of your passport. (international students only) 

For a more in-depth break-down of the admissions steps, please visit the Requirements page.

 

Graphic Design & Interactive Media Program Fees

January 2024

Rates

Terms 1-3

CAD $6,098.00 per term

Term 4

CAD $6,464.00 per term

Domestic TOTAL

CAD $24,758.00 per program

International Fee

CAD $12,997.95 (for a total of CAD $37,755.95)

April 2024

Rates

Terms 1-2

CAD $6,098.00 per term

Terms 3-4

CAD $6,464.00 per term

Domestic TOTAL

CAD $25,124.00 per program

International Fee

CAD $13,190.10 (for a total of CAD $38,314.10)

Tuition Fees do not include books, expendable supplies, equipment and resources.

FAQ

Are there any prerequisites for enrolling in the Graphic Design & Interactive Media program?

To be eligible for this program, applicants must have completed a Grade 11 visual arts course. We also recommend courses in Grade 11 computers/digital media. Here are the additional admission steps:

 

Submit an online application form.

Pay the application fee ($150 for most on-campus programs).

Provide original or notarized translated academic transcripts. You must have an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent.

Submit additional requirements specific to your program of choice.

International students must provide proof of English-language proficiency and a copy of their passport.

Lastly, we ask for a 300-500 word essay discussing your reasons for wanting to attend Toronto Film School and your career aspirations in the graphic design industry. We’ll be assessing your overall understanding of the industry, and how you envision building a graphic design career.

Get in touch with us today, and our admissions advisors will ensure this process is quick and easy for you!

 

Why should I choose the graphic design school?

Choosing the Graphic Design & Interactive Media program at Toronto Film School means you’re investing in a comprehensive, industry-relevant education.

Our curriculum merges key design principles with the use of cutting-edge tools and techniques. The result? You’ll be armed with the skills to craft compelling designs for a myriad of digital platforms.

 

Here’s what sets our graphic design school apart:

 

Our Professors are Practitioners:

Learn from industry-active design professionals who bring real-world insights straight to the classroom.

 

Our Campus is a Networking Hub:

We understand that building professional relationships is crucial to your success in the creative world. 

 

That’s why this program is jam-packed with networking events and collaborative opportunities. 

 

We Take a Future-Forward Approach:

Benefit from a cutting-edge curriculum that marries classic design principles with the latest digital tools.

 

You’ll Participate in an Industry-Replicating Capstone Project:

Our program concludes with a capstone project that mimics the dynamics of a real-life design studio. Similar to an internship, this hands-on experience preps you for tackling real-world design assignments post-graduation. 

How much does the Graphic Design & Interactive Media diploma cost?

For the most up-to-date tuition fees, please visit our Tuition & Payment Options page.  

 

Please note, these figures represent the tuition costs at the time of publishing, and it’s always best to confirm the latest fees with your admissions advisor.

How long does the Graphic Design & Interactive Media course take to complete?

The Graphic Design & Interactive Media program takes 12 months to complete and is divided into four terms and takes 12 months to complete.

What software do you recommend I have for the Graphic Design & Interactive Media program?

As a graphic design student, you’ll need a suite of industry-standard software tools. These often include Adobe Creative Cloud applications such as Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign for graphic design, Adobe XD for user interface and user experience design, and Adobe After Effects for motion graphics.

Don’t worry if you’re not familiar with these tools yet; we’re here to guide you!

Is graphic design in high demand in Canada?

Yes, the demand for graphic design professionals in Canada is on the rise.

With an average annual growth of 0.8% since 2017, Canada’s Graphic Designers industry surged to a $1.6 billion market size in 2022, underscoring the country’s escalating demand for graphic design (source).

As companies strive for robust online visibility, graphic designers have become indispensable.

Can I apply for the Graphic Design & Interactive Media program if I am an international student?

Absolutely! At Toronto Film School, we welcome students from all around the world. As an international student, you’ll need to meet a few additional admission requirements, such as providing proof of English-language proficiency.

For more details, please check our admissions requirements page.

Are there any internship opportunities for the Graphic Design & Interactive Media program?

Best internship opportunities are constantly sought out and curated by our Career Services team.

Many of our students also land internships on their own, leveraging the skills and knowledge gained from our programs to stand out to employers.

 

Moreover – in the final term of our program students engage in a capstone project that replicates real-world industry experience. It’s not a traditional internship, but it’s certainly a career-building endeavour.

READY TO START YOUR CREATIVE CAREER?

Request a call with one of our admissions advisors if you have any questions about this program or the enrolment process.

Get in touch