Features:

• Field trips enhance classroom learning
• Practicum provides work experience and industry contacts
• Co-op semester(s) provide paid work experience in your field of study
• Real-world projects provide opportunities to collaborate — essential experience for today’s creative economy, with designers often working in cross-disciplinary teams.
• Customize your education by exploring innovative program paths and flexible elective options.

The Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Graphic and Digital Design is a dynamic, hands-on future-focused professional education to help you launch a career as an artist or creative lead in British Columbia's creative economy.

As a BFA student in the major or minor in Graphic and Digital Design, you are immersed in experiential and applied learning that equips you with the skills needed to engage your creativity, visual savvy, critical thinking, and design skills in fields such as business, marketing, social enterprise, education, government, and more. While actively engaged in design practice and professional communities, you get to make connections through special events, guest lecturers, field trips, study tours, workshops, and industry mentors. We create opportunities for meaningful work, cultural enrichment, and the greater good.

Program structure:

The Graphic and Digital Design major is a purpose-built design degree focused on being flexible and responsive to an increasingly complex world. Begin your degree with core skills in communication design, brand identity, interactive design, and dynamic media. Then move into years three and four taking courses in advanced design practice and creative leadership. Create impactful projects with industry partners and the community through practicums, applied research, and experiential learning. With your strong professional practice foundation, choose electives to meet your goals and interests. Your learning will position you as a designer who is a critical thinker, collaborator, and agent of change.

As part of the program, you build a portfolio that reflects your passion, leadership, and creative savvy gained through real-world projects, in-depth learning, and cross-disciplinary collaboration.

Choose your path to become a creative professional that is connected, adaptable and resilient.

Go to the program outline in the UFV Academic Calendar.

You can start Bachelor of Fine Arts and declare the GDD major after completion of 30 credits, or start the Graphic and Digital Design diploma program and choose the GDD major at the end of year one. Either way, you will need to submit your portfolio of creative work. 

Go to entrance requirements for the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree program in the UFV Academic Calendar.

Go to entrance requirements for the GDD diploma program in the UFV Academic Calendar.

Check the equipment requirements for GDD Diploma and GDD Major students.

This program is open for international students.

• Learn how to apply as an international student

• Go to all programs open to international students

Students who do not meet the entrance requirements may complete upgrading to meet prerequisites for university-level courses. 

Prospective students should contact the Future Students office to learn more about upgrading options. 

Current or returning students should connect with the appropriate advising area based on the level of upgrading required:  

• University-level upgrading (100 level and above): Qualifying Studies Advisor 

• High school equivalent courses (below 100 level): Upgrading Advisor

Upon successful completion of the Graphic and Digital Design major, you will have acquired the following competencies:

Skills: proficiency with professional practice tools, technology, methods, and visual language

Critical Thinking: use of evidence, questioning assumptions, and implementing a strategic process

Design Thinking: cross-disciplinary, iterative, empathetic, and human-centered problem solving

Systems Level Design: creating designed experiences that integrate context, purpose, and action

Professional Development: demonstrating leadership, ethos, resilience, and reflective practice