Graphic and Digital Design diploma

This guide has been prepared with the information you need to successfully register for your first year at UFV. Please review the information provided on this page thoroughly before contacting your academic advisor with questions.

Overview

Develop a solid foundation in four fields of design practice — communication design, brand identity, interactive design, and dynamic media and gain versatile job-ready skills. Create design solutions by applying strategic processes, visual language, and digital skills, through immersive professional project-based learning. This program ladders into the BFA Graphic and Digital Design Major.

• Communication Design: Turn ideas into action. Create smart concepts, develop strategies and utilize critical thinking skills for powerful visual communication.
• Brand Identity: Go beyond the logo. Design brand identities and visual language that create value, and connect people to places, products, services, and cultures.
• Interactive Design: Design digital experiences – web and app design, coding, and UX.
• Dynamic Media: Create motion graphics, kinetic 
visual communication, and moving brand narratives. Activate type, sound, image, and storytelling for screens and mobile devices.
• Core Skills: From research and art direction to execution. Create impactful photography and illustration, and apply beautiful typography. Get proficient in digital production with Adobe’s big 3 – Photoshop, InDesign, and Illustrator.

Program structure and requirements

For this 60-credit credential, students are required to complete 20 courses in six key areas:

• Foundation core skills, 6 courses
• History and writing, 2 courses
• Fields of practice, 5 courses
• Dynamic media, 2 courses
• Interactive Design, 3 courses
• Professional Development, 2 courses

The program is completed face to face on the Abbotsford campus over a two-year span, with two intakes annually in the fall and winter semesters. This program cannot be completed online or in the evenings.

GDD diploma students supply their own MacBook Pro laptop and subscription to Adobe Creative Suite. Laptops are connected to integrated to our department servers and monitors to support student proficiency. Details and specifications for the MacBook Pro will be provided 4 weeks before the program start date.

View a sample program plan outline Fall 2023

Hardware and Software Requirements

• Students supply their own MacBook Pro laptop and purchase a student subscription to Adobe Creative Cloud.
• Do not buy your equipment right away. Specs for equipment are sent to students four weeks prior to program start for equipment purchase, and an equipment orientation is held the first week of classes.
• Equipment questions? Email GDDlabtech@ufv.ca

Workload

The GDD diploma is a cohort program, meaning that all students take the same five courses each semester. This is a full-time program, and part-time studies are not typically available. The cohort functions like a design community where a close network is formed to support learning and the incubation of design ideas.

The GDD diploma emphasizes experiential learning with team-based project work and extensive studio hours. Students should expect to do at least four hours of homework each week for each of the five courses, and will also participate in activities outside of class time, including field trips, professional events, community projects, as well as the graduation exhibition.

The diploma program is a fairly intense program of study that is not compatible with full-time employment.

Suggested course plan (first and second semester)

Review exact requirements in the current Academic Calendar.

Next steps