FULL-TIME | WINNIPEG LOCATIONS GRADF-DP Graphic Design

Courses and Descriptions

Courses and Descriptions

(Click the course name to view the description of the course)
Year 1
Term 1Credit Hours
GRAD-1027Design 1
9
GRAD-1096Typography 1
3
SAFE-1028WHMIS
0
Term 2Credit Hours
GRAD-1070Design 2
9
GRAD-3013Typography 2
3
Year 2
Term 3Credit Hours
GRAD-2033Campaign 1
6
GRAD-2072Design 3
7
7
Term 4Credit Hours
GRAD-3001Campaign 2
6
GRAD-3007Design 4
7
7
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
In addition to Transfer of Credit from a recognized post secondary institution, other RPL processes are available for RPL courses. Click here for more information. For courses with no RPL, please check www.rrc.ca/rpl for additional contact information.
GRAD-1001Design Management
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The Design Management course is designed to meet the demands of owning, organizing, and maintaining a successful graphic design business. Methods and procedures are explored and worked into practical situations. Students will discover the design management process, project management, and resource management. Although many designers fear the regimentation associated with management practices they soon discover that, in the 'real world', design management in fact unburdens their mind so that they can more freely concentrate on what they do best – visual design.

Prerequisites:
Complete all courses in Year 1
GRAD-1002Digital Production 1
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This course will give Graphic Design students a practical, working knowledge of computer basics and of digital production, and will set the foundation for the development of skills necessary to allow them to create well-designed documents using new and emerging technologies. Class lectures, projects and exercises will focus on developing basic skills for working with Adobe Creative Suite.
 

GRAD-1004User Experience Design 1
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This course allows students to discover what the field of User Experience encompasses, how it impacts design, and how it relates to other disciplines. We identify different roles within UX and the responsibilities of each. Students gain first-hand knowledge of some of the UX research methods and evaluation tools and techniques through practical exercises such as website analysis, conducting research and interviews, and writing stories and personas. 

GRAD-1005User Experience Design 2
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Graphic Design students will build on their existing knowledge of User Experience and Information Architecture and design original creative layouts and graphics informed by proper research and analysis. Through hands-on assignments students will learn proper layout techniques using Photoshop and demonstrate effective typographic and brand applications for web and mobile.

GRAD-1027Design 1
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Students study design fundamentals including elements, principles and visual response. Classes will consist of theory presented in the form of lectures and applied practice. Course content will be related to the units of instruction including design fundamentals, creative problem solving, and craftsmanship. Students will develop solutions to their assignments through the process of conceptual sketches and thoughtful execution as it applies to 2 dimensional design.

GRAD-1070Design 2
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Students will study and use the theory of value, colour, harmony and contrast, as its applies to the unifying principles of design. Emphasis will be placed on the unity of content and form, creative problem solving, and technical execution. Students will develop solutions to their assignments through the process of conceptual sketches and thoughtful execution as it applies to 2 Dimensional Graphic Design.

Prerequisites:
GRAD-1078Design History 1
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Students will explore the history of art and design through a combination of lectures, assignments, field trips and guest speakers.  Through these means students will gain an understanding of the significance of history and how it informs current artistic practices.  Studies of the origins of typography through to the Modernist art/design will reveal how by engaging with the past we can more easily locate ourselves within contemporary culture.  For this class students will be required to conduct independent research, complete in class and homework assignments, participate in classroom discussions and write a midterm and final exam. 

GRAD-1096Typography 1
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This course will give Graphic Design students a practical, working knowledge of the history of typography and typographic terms used by the graphic design industry. Students will also study and become familiar with specific typeface classifications and their various characteristics.

GRAD-1098Principles of Drawing 2
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Principles of Drawing 2 is a continuation of basic drawing for first year students of Graphic Design. This term consists of two parts:

Life Drawing - Students will study human anatomy and be introduced to drawing the figure from direct observation of models in the drawing studio. Sketching for Illustration - An introduction to illustration. Students will work with colour and mixed medium, applying their drawing skills to rendering and illustration problems presented by the instructor. Students will be encouraged to develop more personalized and interpretive drawing.

GRAD-1107Professional Communications 1
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This course has been designed to assist new students in the preparation and adjustments necessary to progress through the rigours of the Graphic Design program and prepare for the realities of the industry after graduation, with a specific focus on written communication skills. Students will also practice oral communication skills, and examine and practice other “soft skills” necessary for success in the workplace. Semester 1 Professional Communications will concentrate on developing writing skills necessary to function and communicate effectively in today’s workplace. Professional conduct and ethics specific to the graphic design industry will be emphasized. Additional work outside of class may be necessary in order to maintain satisfactory progress. Classes will involve lecture, demonstration, group discussion, and student practice. Unless otherwise indicated by the instructor, assignments will be submitted for evaluation at the beginning of class on the specified due date.

GRAD-1124Principles of Drawing 1
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Principles of Drawing 1 is an introductory course in life drawing skills. Students will concentrate on visualizing (learning to examine the world around them) and developing basic rendering skills. Students will become acquainted with drawing media and support surfaces. The student will develop an awareness of structure in natural and man-made forms. They will study and apply the four main components of drawing: line (the description of edges), spaces (positive forms and negative space in relation to composition), perspective (sighting and linear), and light logic (value shading for volume/form).

GRAD-1592Industry Research
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The concept of the course is to broaden the students’ awareness of design in the world around us, to bring in creative professionals from different backgrounds such as architecture, film, music, fine art and graphic design itself. The content of the course will consist of lectures by creative professionals, supplemented by documentaries related to design.  Lecturers will share their thoughts, processes and execution of their work with students. The students will be required to analyze and review each lecture and documentary.

GRAD-2003Digital Production 2
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This course is a continuation of Digital Production 1 and has been designed to give Graphic Design students an advanced understanding of electronic publishing and computer skills, including hardware, operating systems and software application programs. Building on foundational knowledge established in Digital Production 1, students will further develop skills in creating professional electronic artwork using industry standard software and execution of design ideas from concept to production.


Prerequisites:
GRAD-2033Campaign 1
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Students will study branding and campaigns as a process of graphic design and communication, and will develop skills in project analysis, research, implementation and evaluation. Projects will provide students with the opportunity to effectively integrate design, illustration, photography, conceptual continuity, basic copy writing, typographic and computer skills in craft and practice.

Prerequisites:
Complete all courses in Year 1
GRAD-2039Interaction Design 1
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Graphic Design students will develop a practical, working knowledge of interaction design software and techniques, and will focus on the development of skills necessary to allow them to create well-designed interactive documents using current and emerging technologies. With reference to traditional design skills, the course will emphasize beginner to intermediate level manipulation of Photoshop, Sketch, Illustrator, FTP, Brackets, prototyping software, and introductory web page development using HTML and CSS. Students will also develop a positive, professional attitude and learn to work within tight deadlines..

Prerequisites:
Complete all courses in Year 1
GRAD-2043Design Management 2
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This course is designed to meet the demands of owning, organizing, and maintaining a successful graphic design business. Methods and procedures are explored and worked into practical situations. Students will discover the design management process, project management, and resource management. As mentioned previously, many designers fear the regimentation associated with management practices they soon discover that, in the 'real world', design management in fact unburdens their mind so that they can more freely concentrate on what they do best.

Prerequisites:
GRAD-2072Design 3
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The Design 3 course is designed to prepare students to meet the high demands of the design industry. Special attention will be given to the effective problem solving through: research, analysis, defining the problem, setting the objective and finally reviewing the outcome. Effective design is the balance between "Form" and "Function". Designs solutions will be directed to be visually impacting, yet also meet specific marketing objectives. Assignments are developed to emulate industry work and processes, which may eventually be published.

Prerequisites:
Complete all courses in Year 1
GRAD-2079Design History 2
More Information

Students will explore the history of art and design through a combination of lectures, assignments, field trips and guest speakers. Through these means students will gain an understanding of the significance of history and how it informs current artistic practices.  Studies of the origins of typography through to the Modernist art/design will reveal how by engaging with the past we can more easily locate ourselves within contemporary culture.  For this class students will be required to conduct independent research, complete in class and homework assignments, participate in classroom discussions and write a midterm and final exam.

Prerequisites:
GRAD-2123Production Techniques 1
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This lecture course will explore the terminology, technology and workflow required for developing print and digital projects. Students will develop an understanding of how production choices can inform and enhance design. Design work can appear in many formats and environments and the designer must be able to create files with this in mind. Defining and managing projects, making decisions based on best practices and executing files that meet industry standards are a main focus of this course.

Prerequisites:
Complete all courses in Year 1
GRAD-2127Editorial Design 1
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Publication Design involves lectures, workshops and practical problem solving focused on design principles, anatomy of publications (print and digital), and planning & management procedures. There is a special emphasis on the exploration and application of typography in print and digital mediums. Theory is applied to projects via the design process – from research to preliminary visual explorations to comprehensive final presentation. 

Prerequisites:
Complete all courses in Year 1
GRAD-2138Illustration 1
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Illustration 1 is a forum for the development of communication art. This course deals with the function of illustration and the exploration of artists' materials and techniques. It focuses on the development of artistic and individual direction. The course involves concept development and has practical applications within other courses conducted in the Graphic Design program. The primary goal is the generation of original and marketable communication art.

Prerequisites:
Complete all courses in Year 1
GRAD-2896Portfolio Presentation
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For this course, students will present a résumé and professional portfolio made up of work that they completed while in the program as well as personal work created outside of school if appropriate. Students present their portfolio and current résumé to an examining panel made up of instructors and others knowledgeable in visual communications. Students will be evaluated on the quality and variety of work presented, craftsmanship, accuracy and technical knowledge, communication and presentation skills, and general professionalism. The panel will provide feedback to the student at the end of their presentation to help them refine their portfolio and presentation skills. The purpose of this course is to prepare students to present their work in job interviews, client meetings, or other professional situations after graduation. GRAD-2896 Portfolio Presentation is a required course to qualify to graduate from the Graphic Design program.

Prerequisites:
Enrolled in/Completed Term 4 courses
GRAD-3001Campaign 2
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Students will study event and social awareness campaigns as a process of graphic design and communication, and will develop skills in project analysis, research, implementation and evaluation. Projects will provide students with the opportunity to effectively integrate design, illustration, photography, conceptual continuity, basic copy writing, typographic and computer skills in craft and practice.

Prerequisites:
GRAD-3002Interaction Design 2
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With constant reference back to traditional design skills, emphasis in this course will be placed on intermediate-level manipulation of App concepts, planning and design, prototyping, web page design & development (HTML, CSS) and basic use of JavaScript libraries for interactive design & development on a Mac platform. Through a series of hands-on assignments that encourage serious exploration of new media design and tools, students will be able to apply User Experience and User Interface design theory and produce work at an intermediate level, using a variety of software. Focus will also be placed on non-profit, sustainability and a personal, professional, responsive portfolio website for project subject matter.

Prerequisites:
GRAD-3003Production Techniques 2
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Design work is executed in many applications and formats. Planning for and implementing effectively is critical. Theory acquired in GRAD-2123 Production Techniques 1 will be applied to a large publication where timelines will be set, workflow established and technical requirements met. Emphasis will be on materials research, industry standards and project creation in both print and digital format.

Prerequisites:
GRAD-3007Design 4
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The Design 4 course is designed to prepare students to meet the high demands of the design industry. Special attention will be given to the effective problem solving through: research, analysis, defining the problem, setting the objective and finally reviewing the outcome. Effective design is the balance between "Form" and "Function". Designs solutions will be directed to be visually impacting, yet also meet specific marketing objectives.

Prerequisites:
GRAD-3009Professional Communications 2
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This course has been designed to assist first-year students in developing the communication skills necessary to function effectively in the graphic design industry. Students will learn and practice specific written and oral communication skills, and other “soft skills” necessary for success in the workplace. In preparation to enter the workforce, students will develop job search skills, interviewing skills, and prepare cover letters. A significant focus of this class will be on effective oral presentations: students will prepare a learning presentation as well as conduct simulated job interviews. Students are presented with notes and information in a lecture format.

GRAD-3011Editorial Design 2
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In this course students will continue to build on their study and exploration of theories and techniques from Semester 3 Editorial Design 1, while engaging in a publication project that explores multiple mediums and evolves in phases throughout the semester. Emphasis will be placed on ideation, planning and articulation of ideas, alongside the creation of design solutions for their original content, in two mediums. Thoughtful attention to user experience, art direction, typography and image making (as they relate to long form editorial content) all play key roles in this process.

Prerequisites:
GRAD-3012Illustration 2
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Advanced Rendering For Illustration is the final term of Graphic Design Drawing / Illustration. Students are challenged to conclude their artistic exploration by focusing on an individual direction & develop a personal style of illustration. By the end of the term, students are expected to have a beginning to a body of work indicative of their chosen individual style / technique. A primary goal is the generation of original & marketable communication art.

Prerequisites:
GRAD-3013Typography 2
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This course will give Graphic Design students a practical, working knowledge of the history of typography and typographic terms used by the graphic design industry. Students will also study and become familiar with specific typeface classifications and their various characteristics.

Prerequisites:
SAFE-1028WHMIS
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The Workplace Hazardous Materials System (WHMIS) is a system for ensuring that important information about hazardous products is communicated where products are used, stored and handled. This course provides Information necessary to understand and interpret information about hazardous products, including pictograms (symbols), labels and Safety Data Sheets.

SEMR-9093Work Experience 1
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Work Placement 1 is your first of two opportunities to gain workplace experience in the design industry. The two-week placement allows you to apply the skills you develop in the graphic design program, get professional feedback on your abilities in the workplace, determine your specific areas of interest in the design industry, and test your skills against the demands of the workplace.

Prerequisites:
Enrolled in/Completed Term 3 courses
SEMR-9363Work Experience 2
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Work Placement 2 is your second opportunity in the Graphic Design program to gain professional experience through a three-week hands-on work placement in the graphic design industry. Instructors arrange work placements based on academic performance, professionalism, workplace readiness, and available opportunities.

Prerequisites:
Enrolled in/Completed Term 4 courses
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