Graphic Design

GRAPHIC DESIGN

Note: Subject to available funds, UCFV will offer a revised Graphic Design program starting in September 1999. The new program will include a foundation year and two further years of graphic design study (see program outline). If funding is not available, the current two-year diploma program will be offered (see program outline).

Graphic design entails planning and connecting a series of ideas for coherent visual communication. It imparts messages and information to a specified target audience or the public at large.

It promotes, sells, and advocates products and ideas for a wide selection of client groups, including businesses, institutions, governments, and educational and cultural establishments.

The information age has submerged us in a fiercely competitive visual environment. Vast amounts of information are delivered by the minute. Successful graphic design has to be distinct and memorable in order to be seen and read. This is achieved through intelligent and imaginative solutions that articulate the values and beliefs of any given culture.

The range of graphic design is broad and may take the form of a single poster for an institution or a logo and complete corporate identity for a large company. A graphic designer may be asked to design packaging for a product or design and illustrate a book or magazine for a publishing house. They may design an exhibit utilizing all of the above.

In order to achieve maximum impact designers need to be skillful in typography, illustration, art direction of photography, two- and three-dimensional design, and electronic design.

The Graphic Design program at UCFV has a curriculum serving two purposes — to offer an intensive vocational training that prepares graduates for employment in the industry, and to immerse students in critical thinking and lateral thinking skills that are essential for creative original concepts. The program is intent on preserving the classical traditions of drawing, typography, and fundamental design principles. At the same time students will be immersed in the major graphic software programs through a creative exploration of electronic design.

The faculty is comprised of accomplished working professionals who share commitment between their design and illustration consultancies and the Graphic Design program.

Entrance Requirements

B.C. secondary school graduation or equivalent or minimum age of 19 years of age before the first day of classes.

Attend orientation session.
Be prepared to write a 250-word essay, to be completed on campus (topic will be forwarded in advance)
Complete a design exercise, demonstrating problem-solving ability, to be completed on campus
Complete a drawing exercise, demonstrating current skills, to be completed on campus
Submit a portfolio at the time of interview. Please prepare your portfolio to include a minimum of 15 or a maximum of 20 original pieces. Work should be recent and varied in nature. The work may be general or specialized; however, it is important to demonstrate both drawing and design ability. Sketch books are a useful inclusion. Slides and/or photographs can be submitted over and above the maximum number of original work. Please be advised that completion of fine art courses is highly preferable but it is not an automatic guarantee of admission.

Applicants will be evaluated on the following point system:

Written essay 5 points
Design exercise 5 points
Drawing exercise 5 points
Interview 5 points
Portfolio 20 points

Successful applicants must score a minimum of 30 points out of 40.

Note 1: While the Composition Placement Test (CPT) is not necessary for applying to this program, it is a prerequisite for CMNS 125, one of the required program courses. Students are advised to arrange for the CPT well before they plan to register for CMNS 125.

Note 2: Each class is sequential and the curriculum is designed holistically; therefore the program is open to full-time students only.

How to Apply

1. Submit the application fee along with your UCFV application for admission form to the Admissions and Records (A&R) office. Application forms are available from any A&R or Student Services office. See complete list of application dates and general admission information.

Additional documents required for a complete application:

proof of B.C. secondary school graduation or equivalent if not 19 years of age or older

2. In April the Admissions and Records office will inform you of an interview or orientation that you must attend. This will be held in April or May. You must bring to the interview a portfolio of recently created art works. If you do not attend or make special arrangements with the program head, then you will not be eligible for admission to the program.

3. Upon admission to the program you will be invited to register. A deposit is required when you register (see the Fees and Other Costs section on page 17). This money will be applied to tuition fees and is not refundable. Final payment of all course fees is due by the end of the second week of classes.

In cases where interim transcripts are submitted, an admission decision may be made conditional upon completion of academic requirements. Proof of completion of entrance requirements is due the end of the first week in August.

Fees and Additional Costs

The fees for a full-time student (five courses or 15 credits) would be about $800 per semester. Books and additional supplies would cost $50 to $100 per course. See the Fees and Other Costs section for more information.

Note: Fees are given for last year. New fees are usually set each May.

There are other related costs which must be considered by the Graphic Design student over the two-year program.

Materials* approx. $2,500

Study Tour (optional) $50–700

Studio Fees approx. $15 per course

Note: Studio fees are assessed at $5 per credit. Fees are collected when you register.

*Materials: A list of materials, tools and books will be given to students at first class.

Workload and Studio Expectations

Students will be in the studios for six hours per class. Each class will generate approximately three hours of work outside of the studio. The program is intense and demands a student’s full commitment. While in class, students are expected to follow a studio etiquette which is developed for vocational training. Students are expected to participate in critiques, seminars, open house activities and the graduate show. Certain projects are specifically designed for the graduate show and final portfolio.

Re-application

Any student who has previously applied to UCFV but who did not register and wishes to re-apply for admission will follow the same procedures as a new applicant.

Program Outline

New three-year program (proposed for Sept. ’99)

Foundation
Fall Semester
Course & Title
AH 101    History of Western Art to 1550
FA 183    Photography I
GD 113    Materials & Processes
GD 114    Life Drawing
GD 115    Drawing I
GD 153    Design Fundamentals

Winter Semester
Course & Title
AH 102    History of Western Art, 1550 to the Present
FA 121    IDS Painting I
GD 116    Drawing II
GD 123    Design
GD 125    Colour
GD 127    Introductory Printmaking

Year One

Fall Semester
Course & Title
CMNS 169    Writing for Visual Communication
GD 200    Digital Photography
GD 201    Graphic Design I
GD 203    Illustration I
GD 204    Computing for Graphic Design
GD 205    Typography I

Winter Semester
Course & Title
CMNS 125    Business Communications I
GD 216    Illustration II
GD 254    Graphic Design II
GD 255    Digital Design Processes
MACS 210    History of Communication

Year Two

Fall Semester
Course & Title
GD 360    Electronic Pre Press
GD 361    Graphic Design III
GD 362    3D Graphic Design
GD 363    Typographic Design
GD 364    Illustration in Context

Winter Semester
Course & Title
GD 365    Environmental Graphics
GD 366    Portfolio Development
GD 367    Publication & Book Design
GD 368    Graphic Design IV
GD 369    Business Essentials for Graphic Designers

Current two-year program

Year One

Fall Semester
Course, Title & Credits
GD 101    Computing for Graphic Design    3
GD 115    Drawing I        3
GD 153    Design Fundamentals    3
GD 154    Typography I    3
GD 161    Graphic Design I    3
Total:    15

Winter Semester
Course, Title & Credits
AH 102    History of Western Art, 1550 to the Present    3
GD 116    Drawing II    3
GD 125    Colour I        3
GD 155    Electronic Pre-Press I    3
GD 162    Graphic Design II    3
GD 163    Typography II    3
Total:    18

Year Two

Fall Semester
Course, Title & Credits
GD 215    Illustration I    3
GD 225    Colour II    3
GD 255    Electronic Pre-Press II    3
GD 261    Graphic Design III    3
GD 263    Typographic Design    3
Total:     15

Winter Semester
Course, Title & Credits
GD 200    Business Essentials for Graphic Designers    3
GD 216    Illustration II    3
GD 262    Three-Dimensional Graphic Design    3
GD 264    Illustration in Context    3
GD 362    Graphic Design IV    3
Total:     15

Course Listings

For complete details on courses see Course Descriptions.

Faculty

Tom Lulevitch, BFA (Philadelphia College of Art), Program Head
Patricia A. Jaster, BFA (Manitoba)
Marion Llewellyn, BA (Hons) (Manchester College of Art and Design)
Win Seaton, NDD (London College of Printing and Design)

Advisory Committee

Stan Loewen, Impact Creative
Tim McAlpine, McAlpine Graphic Communication
Ray Mah, Ray Mah Design
Keith Martin, Martin Design Group
Maggie Martin, Stenberg & Associates

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