Graphic Design for Marketing: Bachelor of Design
Description
In the contemporary marketplace, graphic designers function as creative problem solvers, design planners and strategists, and skilled communicators and technologists. They are team players, team leaders, and can be employees, freelancers, or self-employed entrepreneurs. They require a solid understanding of business and marketing, high-level visual and critical thinking skills, well-developed research capabilities, as well as a broad-based understanding of diverse social and cultural groups. Graphic designers are involved in projects ranging from the design of visual identities for corporations, retail stores, and institutions, to specialist projects involving skateboard and sports-related graphics. Today, graphic designers have more wide-ranging career opportunities than ever before. They may design websites, lifestyle and fashion magazines, hospital and shopping mall wayfinding systems, fundraising campaigns for non-profit organizations, packaging for all manner of products, advertising campaigns on billboards and bus shelters, and even television and film title credits.
The Graphic Design for Marketing (GDMA) program has worked closely with industry to design a curriculum that meets the needs of the marketplace. GDMA graduates graphic designers who have well-developed design skills, understand the connection between design and marketing, and have a wide range of complementary and interdisciplinary knowledge and abilities.
The Graphic Design for Marketing program offers students one option for their studies: Bachelor of Design, Graphic Design for Marketing. This is a selective-entry, four-year Bachelor's Degree program that is eight semesters in length consisting of 120 credits of coursework.
Please note: The three-year Diploma option is no longer offered to new students, as of September 2013.
The Degree
Graphic Design for Marketing (GDMA) is a four-year, selective entry degree program consisting of 120 credits of coursework organized into eight semesters of study. The GDMA program provides a balanced education that encompasses skills, knowledge and capabilities relating to, graphic design, marketing, business and general education.
Students in the GDMA degree program will develop knowledge, skills and abilities from learning domains as diverse as graphic design process, marketing, and business; media, technology, and production; conceptual development and image development; and an understanding of the social, cultural, and historical contexts of graphic design. They will be skilled in applying design theory and processes, with an emphasis on critical thinking and creative problem solving, and will be able to originate and produce marketing and promotional concepts for a wide range of products and services, including the promotion of corporate, institutional, and social initiatives.
The program works closely with the graphic design community and its professional associations in order to ensure students develop career readiness and graduate with the best possible chance for success as employed or self-employed practitioners.
Visit the program's website at kpu.ca/gdma or attend an information session for design programs at KPU - held twice yearly in mid-October and mid-February.
Credit for Previous Learning
Students may obtain credit for segments of the program with results from course work (i.e. general education courses) taken in other programs at KPU, or at another institution. All applications for credits for previous learning will be assessed on an individual basis. Graduates from a two- or three-year graphics program who wish to pursue a degree in graphic design will be assessed on an individual basis.
Applicants with experience in the graphic design industry may acquire credits through Prior Learning Assessment (PLA).
Graduates from KPU's Graphic and Visual Design program (GRVD) may apply for degree completion. Applicants who completed the GRVD program in the year 2000 and after may apply for entry to Year 3 of the degree. All applications will be assessed individually.
Part-time Studies
Graphic design professionals may also wish to take specific courses on a part-time basis to complement their job skills. Some requirements for course prerequisites may be waived based on work experience. Opportunities for part-time studies will depend upon the number of seats that are available.
Industry personnel may contact the Program Coordinator to access individual courses of interest without applying for the complete program. Access is determined by permission of the Coordinator and an availability of space.
Student Profile
Applicants come from diverse backgrounds and age groups, and demonstrate a keen interest in visual communications expressed through design and art explorations; particularly through activities involving drawing, illustration, typography, photography, computer-based projects, video, painting, sculpture, or various types of craft work.
Applicants may also have communications, marketing, public relations or business-related experience. They may come directly from high school or may transfer from other institutions, or they may be former graduates of design, fine arts, or related programs.
Applicants may be mature individuals who want to make a career change, or may have experience in the graphic design industry and want to upgrade their credentials.
It is strongly recommended that applicants have basic skills in English communication, word processing, basic mathematics, plus an awareness of the graphic design profession, and its significance globally and in Canada.
Career Opportunities
The graphic design marketplace is rapidly changing and fast-paced. The degree program prepares graduates with broad-based experiences as graphic designers in order to compete for entry-level graphic design positions.
Generalist Graphic Designers
GDMA degree graduates will qualify for entry-level positions as graphic designers in firms providing corporations, small businesses, non-profit organizations, and others with services which may include marketing strategy, interactive media design, publication design, advertising design, direct marketing design, and display design. Understanding consumer behaviour and end-user needs will also qualify the graduate for employment in marketing, advertising or public relations firms that offer graphic design as one of their services.
Specialist Graphic Designers
GDMA degree graduates will have been exposed to various specialty areas within the graphic design profession in order to begin to develop a specialist design career for themselves. The population and industry growth necessary to support graphic design specialists is already occurring in the Lower Mainland.
In-House (Resident) Graphic Designers
The diverse skills acquired by graduates of the GDMA program will equip them to work as in-house graphic designers in corporations or institutions with their own graphic design departments.
Self-Employed, Freelance or Entrepreneurial Graphic Designers
The GDMA graduate will have a solid understanding of the graphic design industry and marketplace through field studies and a mentorship, as well as business and marketing courses. They will have prepared a comprehensive portfolio along with a self-promotional and marketing strategy in order to effectively market their services.
Program Admission Requirements
In addition to KPU's General university admission requirements, including the undergraduate-level English Proficiency Requirement, the following program admission requirements apply:
- English 12 with a minimum B (or equivalent)
- Portfolio Review and Interview Session*
* Applicants who successfully satisfy the required portfolio review will be invited to an interview session.
Admission decisions to this program are based on interim grades therefore proof of grades must be submitted in accordance with the following deadlines:
- Applicants currently in high school must submit interim grades no later than March 31st with proof of final grades required as soon as they become available (no later than August 15th).
- Applicants currently taking English preparatory courses must submit interim grades by March 31st with proof of final grades required by April 30th.
- Applicants currently attending another post-secondary institution must submit a final official transcript and a Request for Transfer Credit form by March 31st.
- For all other applicants, proof of having met the program's English proficiency requirement must be provided by March 31st.
Any applicant who has not submitted proof of grades by the specified dates will be removed from the list of eligible applicants.
Applicants who are not admitted into the program may be interested in taking courses toward degree credits via the Foundations in Design (FIND) program. Interested applicants should consult with an Educational Advisor or with the Chip and Shannon Wilson School of Design prior to applying to the FIND program.
Portfolio Review and Interview Session
The portfolio review will include a review of the following:
- Examples of a broad range of art and design work
- Transcripts from high school and any post-secondary institutions attended (Note: transcripts sent with your application for admission are not available to faculty – you must include a copy in your portfolio)
- One to two pages, typewritten statement of your personal educational and career goals, including why you wish to pursue an education in Graphic Design for Marketing.
- Résumé outlining your education and/or work experience (including dates)
- Two letters of reference from teachers and/or employers supporting your application for admission to the Graphic Design for Marketing program.
For further more information about the portfolio review process, including submission details, visit the department's website at: kpu.ca/design/gdma/portfolios.
Upon successful completion of the portfolio review, applicants will be invited to attend an interview with faculty. The Office of Admissions will notify students of the results of the portfolio review and/or interview process.
The Chip and Shannon Wilson School of Design holds information sessions twice yearly in mid-October and mid-February. These information sessions will provide prospective applicants with an opportunity to view examples of student portfolios, and discuss portfolio and program admission requirements. It is highly recommended that applicants attend one of these sessions prior to submitting their portfolios for review by faculty.
Program Continuance Requirements
Students must successfully complete ENGL 1100 and MRKT 1199 prior to commencing their second year in GDMA.
A cumulative GPA of 2.67 (B-) is required by the end of Year 3 to progress into Year 4. Students with a GPA below 2.67 (B-) but who wish to continue to Year 4 should contact the Program Coordinator to discuss the next course of action.
Program Requirements
The Bachelor of Design, Graphic Design for Marketing (GDMA) program consists of 120 credits, organized into eight semesters, over a four-year period.
Successful applicants may take their general education and non-discipline specific courses prior to entering the program and/or during the summer semester in order to lighten their workload during the term. Courses such as ENGL 1100, MRKT 1199 and others are usually offered during the summer semester.
Year 1
Semester 1
All of: |
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| ENGL 1100 | Introduction to University Writing | 3 credits | |
| GDMA 1100 | Fundamental of Typographic Design I | 3 credits | |
| GDMA 1110 | Fundamentals of Image Development I | 3 credits | |
| GDMA 1121 | Print Production Software Applications 1 | 3 credits | |
| GDMA 1140 | Graphic Design and Society I | 3 credits | |
Semester 2
All of: |
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| GDMA 1200 | Fundamentals of Typographic Design 2 | 3 credits | |
| GDMA 1210 | Fundamentals of Image Development 2 | 3 credits | |
| GDMA 1220 | Print Production Software Applications 2 | 3 credits | |
| GDMA 1240 | Graphic Design and Society 2 | 3 credits | |
| MRKT 1199 | Introduction to Marketing | 3 credits | |
Note: Students must successfully complete ENGL 1100 and MRKT 1199 prior to commencing their second year in GDMA.
Year 2
Semester 3
All of: |
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| CMNS 2140 | Communications for Design Professionals | 3 credits | |
| GDMA 2100 | Publication Design 1 | 3 credits | |
| GDMA 2110 | Introduction to Advertising Design | 3 credits | |
| GDMA 2120 | Print Technologies | 3 credits | |
| GDMA 2140 | Communication Design, Consumerism and Popular Culture | 3 credits | |
Semester 4
All of: |
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| GDMA 2200 | Publication Design 2 | 3 credits | |
| GDMA 2210 | Interactive and Sequential Image Development | 3 credits | |
| GDMA 2220 | Interactive Software Applications 1 | 3 credits | |
| GDMA 2230 | Introduction to Marketing Communications | 3 credits | |
| GDMA 2240 | Social Contexts for Interactive Media | 3 credits | |
Year 3
Semester 5
All of: |
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| GDMA 3100 | Information Design | 3 credits | |
| GDMA 3110 | Interactive and Web Design 1 | 3 credits | |
| GDMA 3120 | Interactive Software Applications 2 | 3 credits | |
| GDMA 3130 | Marketing Communications Design 1 | 3 credits | |
And one GDMA Liberal Education Elective. |
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Semester 6
All of: |
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| GDMA 3200 | Corporate Communications Design 1 | 3 credits | |
| GDMA 3210 | Packaging Design | 3 credits | |
| GDMA 3220 | Interactive and Web Design 2 | 3 credits | |
| GDMA 3230 | Marketing Communications Design 2 | 3 credits | |
And one Liberal Education Elective. |
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Year 4
Semester 7
All of: |
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| GDMA 4100 | Corporate Communications Design 2 | 3 credits | |
| GDMA 4120 | Major Project 1 | 3 credits | |
| GDMA 4130 | Small Business Essentials | 3 credits | |
| GDMA 4115 | Integrated Media Design | 3 credits | |
| MRKT 4177 | Contemporary Issues in Marketing | 3 credits | |
Semester 8
All of: |
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| GDMA 4215 | Display Design | 3 credits | |
| GDMA 4200 | Advertising Design | 3 credits | |
| GDMA 4220 | Major Project 2 | 3 credits | |
| GDMA 4230 | Mentorship for Professional Practice | 3 credits | |
| GDMA 4240 | Contemporary Issues in Graphic Design | 3 credits | |
Participation Required in the GDMA Degree Show
Graduating students are required to exhibit their work in the annual GDMA Degree Show, which normally takes place during May, prior to their Convocation Ceremony. They are expected to participate in all exercises related to the development of content, fundraising activities, planning and implementation of this annual event.
The GDMA program reserves the right to approve the public exhibition of graduate work in the Degree Show.
Electives
The Graphic Design for Marketing (GDMA) program requires students to take two electives chosen from the approved GDMA Liberal Education Electives in order to fulfill the liberal education requirements for degree completion.
Other Information
Costs
Students should be prepared to spend approximately $600 to $1000 per year on books and materials.
Credential Awarded
Upon successful completion of the program, students are eligible to receive a Bachelor of Design, Graphic Design for Marketing.
