This is an ARCHIVED version of the Kwantlen University College Calendar for
2003-2004 and is provided for historical reference only. See the current version of the
Calendar for updated information.
The on-line version of the University College Calendar is the Official version. In the event of conflict between the printed version and the online version, the on-line version will prevail.
Effective date of this program calendar information, unless otherwise indicated, is Sept. 1, 2003 to Aug. 31, 2004.
Note: All course changes and updates are shown in blue.
Graphic Design for Marketing
Offered at Richmond Campus
Start Date: September
Full-time
Description
Kwantlen's former diploma program in Graphic and Visual Design has been replaced with a new program in 2003 -- Graphic Design for Marketing (GDMA). The Graphic Design for Marketing program represents a substantial change from the program that was previously offered in order to better reflect the expanding boundaries of the graphic design profession and significant changes in the market place.
Industry's need for graphic design graduates with a wide range of complementary and interdisciplinary skills provides the foundation for the program. It is focused on the connectivity between graphic design, marketing, public relations and business, and the interactions between design and society. In the contemporary market place, graphic designers function not only as creative problem solvers and analysts, design planners and strategists, expert communicators and skilled technologists, but also as team players and entrepreneurs who have a broad-based understanding of the impact of design on society.
The Graphic Design for Marketing program offers students two options for their studies:
1. Bachelor of Applied Design in 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.
2. Diploma in Graphic Design for Marketing
This selective-entry, 3-year diploma program is embedded within the degree. It allows students who do not wish to pursue a degree in graphic design to have an optional exit point after six semesters of study and 90 credits of coursework.
Please contact the Admissions Department at 604-599-2512 for a copy of the latest Information Package for the Graphic Design for Marketing program. Information is also available on Kwantlen's web site at www.kwantlen.ca. Information Sessions for design programs at Kwantlen are held twice yearly in mid-October and mid-February.
Alternate Program Availability
Applicants who are not accepted into the program for September may wish to take courses in preparation for reapplying to GDMA the following year.
Note: If you want to be referred to Kwantlen's Interdisciplinary Design Studies (IDDS) program (a 30 credit, certificate, foundational design exploration program), or the General Studies Diploma program (a 60-credit program that allows students to take a mixture of courses from various programs), then you MUST indicate on your application form that IDDS or General Studies are your second choices. Please read the Kwantlen Calendar, or check the web site for admission requirements for these programs.
Bachelor of Applied Design in
Graphic Design for Marketing
Degree
Description
Graphic Design for Marketing (GDMA) is a four-year, selective-entry degree program that consists of 120 credits of coursework organized into eight semesters of study. The program is currently offered on a full-time basis; however, some opportunities may also exist for part-time studies.
Students in the GDMA degree program will develop knowledge, skills, and abilities from learning domains as diverse as graphic design process, marketing, public relations, 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 GDMA program provides a balanced education that encompasses skills, knowledge and capabilities relating to:
graphic design
marketing
public relations
technology
business
liberal education
The program works closely with the professional graphic design community and its professional associations in order to ensure that students develop career readiness and graduate with the best possible chance for success as employed or self-employed practitioners who are active contributors to the local and provincial graphic design industry.
Career Opportunities
The graphic design industry in British Columbia is large, diverse, and well established, with an estimated 350 graphic design firms generating revenues of more than $160 million dollars annually (2001 B.C. Government statistics). The graphic design market place is highly complex, rapidly changing, and fast paced, and is a key contributor to the future development of B.C.'s resources. The degree program prepares graduates with broad-based experiences as graphic designers in order to compete in the North American job market.
Generalist Graphic Designers: GDMA degree graduates will qualify for entry-level positions as graphic designers in firms that provide Lower Mainland corporations, small businesses, non-profit organizations, and others with services which may include marketing strategies, interactive media design, annual report and newsletter design, advertising design, direct marketing design, public relations 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: The GDMA graduate 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 and studios exist that exclusively provide highly specialized services such as print-based advertising design, corporate communications design, etc.
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 larger corporations or institutions that have their own graphic design departments.
Self-Employed, Freelance, or Entrepreneurial Graphic Designers: The GDMA graduate will have a solid understanding of the B.C. 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 to various types of clientele.
Student Profile
It is strongly recommended that applicants have some art or design experience in their background, basic word processing skills, basic mathematical skills, English communication skills, and an awareness of the graphic design profession in Canada. Applicants come from diverse backgrounds and demonstrate an interest in visual communications that they express through art and design; particularly through manual and computer-based activities involving drawing, painting, photography, 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 also 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.
All applicants to the GDMA program must meet the program requirements for admission and selective-entry, including transcript submissions, a portfolio review, and an interview. Please consult the Admission Requirements as outlined below.
Credit for Previous Learning
Students may obtain standing for segments of the program with results from course work taken in another design program at Kwantlen, 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).
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. Please contact the Program Coordinator or the Dean of Applied Design and Communications for further information.
Admission Requirements (pending approval)
The Graphic Design for Marketing (GDMA) program is a selective-entry program. Successful applicants will have met Kwantlen's general admission requirements as well as the specific GDMA admission requirements.
Applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible as admission is based on the date of application once the applicant has met entrance requirements.
Documentation:
Applicants must also meet the following admission requirements that are specific to the Graphic Design for Marketing program:
LPI with a score of 30 on the Essay and 6 on English usage or,
Kwantlen English Placement Test, with a recommendation to ENGL 1100 or 1110 or,
equivalent English courses transferred from another post-secondary institution.
Note: Proof of an English assessment MUST be presented with the application form. Kwantlen's English entrance requirements are currently under review.
In early April, applicants will receive a letter inviting them to attend a portfolio review and an interview session that will take place in late April or early May. Alternative arrangements may be possible for students who live outside the Greater Vancouver Region.
Portfolio Review
The Centre for Applied Design & Communications holds information sessions twice yearly in mid-October and mid-February. The information sessions will provide prospective applicants with an opportunity to view examples of student portfolios and discuss portfolio and program entry requirements. It is highly recommended that applicants attend one of these sessions prior to submitting their portfolios for review by faculty.
Applicants who have submitted the required documentation and met Kwantlen's general admission requirements will be notified by the Admissions Department of the dates and times for portfolio review and interview sessions in late April or early May. Applicants will participate in a selection process that includes a review of the following:
transcripts of secondary and/or post-secondary education (Applicants must include photocopies of transcripts with their portfolios. Note: These are for use by faculty who are reviewing your portfolio. Official transcripts submitted to the Admissions Department are separate).
submission of a portfolio containing 10-20 examples of a broad range of art and design work such as drawings (sketchbooks, journals), illustrations, typography, paintings, photography, printmaking, drafting, sculpture, etc. Large pieces may be photographed and submitted as photographic prints, slides, or as digital images. If appropriate, include evidence of communications, marketing, public relations, or business-related work.
submission of a one– to two–page, typewritten statement of your personal educational and career goals, including why you wish to pursue an education in Graphic Design for Marketing.
indicate if you will be requesting Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) for graphic design-related work experience, and include a resumé, along with photocopies of three letters of reference from employers and/or professional colleagues.
Note: As part of the selection process, applicants may be asked to attend an in-person interview with faculty.
The Admissions Department will notify students of the results of the portfolio review and/or interview process.
Program Content
The Bachelor of Applied Design in Graphic Design for Marketing (GDMA) program consists of 120 credits, organized into eight semesters, over a four-year period.
Please be advised that course names, numbers, and descriptions are under review. For the most up-to-date information, please contact the Admissions Department and check the Kwantlen web site, www.kwantlen.ca
Year One
Semester 1
ENGL 1100 Writing, Reading and Thinking: An Introduction
* Courses pending approval to meet liberal education requirements of GDMA degree.
Degree - Exit Point (with 120 credits)
Graduation
Upon successful completion of the 120-credit program (or equivalent), students are awarded a Bachelor of Applied Design in Graphic Design for Marketing (GDMA).
More Information
Students should expect to spend between $300-500 per year on books and materials.
Graphic Design - Advisory Committee
Coe, Linda - President, Linda Coe Graphic Design, Vancouver
Coren, Arthur - Associate Dean, School of Business, Kwantlen University College
Fines, Terry - Student, Graphic and Visual Design program, Kwantlen University College
Hrynkow, Ray - Herrainco Skipp Herrainco, Vancouver
Kennedy, Maria - Karacters Design Group, Vancouver
Piper, Brock - President, Society of Graphic Designers of Canada, BC Chapter, Vancouver
Ronczewski, Gregory - Proximity Canada, Vancouver
Snaydon, Judy - Membership Chair, Society of Graphic Designers of Canada, BC Chapter, Vancouver
Graphic Design for Marketing Faculty
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