Graphic Design
www.ufv.ca/graphics

Note: The Graphic Design program is under review. For further information contact department assistant Vicki Bolan by email at vicki.bolan@ufv.ca. Currently several courses with a graphic design focus are offered through the Visual Arts and CIS departments.

Graphic Design diploma

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
• 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 15 to 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. Sketchbooks 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. Completing a communications, English, or MACS course prior to entering the program would be beneficial.

Applicants will be evaluated on the following point system:

Applicants must score a minimum of 30 points out of 40 in order to be considered for the program.

Students who do not meet these requirements might consider the Arts Studies program path.

How to apply

1. Submit the application fee along with your UCFV application for admission form to the Admissions and Records office. Application forms are available from any A&R or Student Services office. You can also print an application form from our website at www.ufv.ca/ar, or you can apply directly through the internet at www.pas.bc.ca.

Additional documents required for a complete application:
• proof of B.C. secondary school graduation or equivalent

2. In April the Admissions and Records office will inform you of an interview or orientation that you must attend. You must bring to the interview a portfolio of recently created art works.

3. Upon admission to the program you will be provided with registration information. A deposit is required when you register. This money will be applied toward your tuition fees. 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.

Basis for admission decision

Applicants who meet the entrance requirements will be admitted in order of their application date. This date is set when an application, all required documentation, and the application fee have been submitted.

Fees and additional costs

See the Fees and Other Costs section. Books and additional supplies cost approximately $100 per course.

There are other related costs which must be considered by Graphic Design students over the two-year program. Students will be expected to finance their own laptop computer at a cost of approximately $3,000.

* Certain materials may be requested by individual instructors as the need arises.

Program requirements

Graphic design is a two-year full-time program. A cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 is required in order to receive a diploma.

Standing required for continuance

Graphic Design diploma students must maintain a 2.0 cumulative grade point average (CGPA).

Course repetitions

Students may not repeat Graphic Design courses without permission of the department head.

Academic warning

Students whose grades fall below a 2.0 CGPA will be placed on Academic Warning for the next semester. A student on Academic Warning may not register in a course overload. Students who achieve a semester grade point average of 2.0 will continue on Academic Warning until the CGPA equals or exceeds 2.0.

Required to withdraw

Students who do not achieve a minimum semester grade point average of 2.0 while on Academic Warning will be withdrawn from the Graphic Design program.

A student who has been required to withdraw may continue to take courses as an Arts Studies student.

Readmission to the program

To be readmitted to the Graphic Design diploma program, you must complete nine university-level credits (can be duplicate courses), with a minimum 2.0 CGPA. Once these criteria are met, you may apply for readmission at the Admissions and Records office. When readmitted, you will remain on Academic Warning until your overall CGPA is 2.0.

Graduation

It is the student’s responsibility to ensure all program requirements are met. This should be done by regular consultation with the Graphic Design department head.

Diploma candidates who qualify to receive a UCFV Graphic Design diploma must be approved by the UCFV Arts division and the University College Board.

Students must apply for graduation by completing a Request to Graduate form available at the Admissions and Records office. We recommend this be done in the first month of the graduating semester. The final deadline for submissions is April 1, with all program requirements completed by April 30 for students wishing to attend the June convocation ceremony.

Workload and studio expectations

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 professional training. Students are expected to participate in critiques, seminars, open house activities and the graduate show, and to meet project deadlines. Certain projects are specifically designed for the graduate show and final portfolio.

Re-application

Students are required to apply for re-admission if they are accepted to the program but do not register in it, or if they withdraw prior to completion and wish to return. Applicants for re-admission follow the same procedures as a new applicant.

Program outline

Semester I

Semester II

Semester III

Semester IV

Electives during Semesters III and IV:

Course listings

For complete details on courses see the course descriptions section.