Features:

• Field trips enhance classroom learning
• Engage with the design industry through special events, guest lectures, study tours, design conferences, workshops, practicums, and mentorship opportunities.
• Coursework emphasizes professional standards of practice through real-world projects, special events, and workshops.
• Program eligible for financial aid

To prepare you for today's multi-disciplinary creative industry, UFV's Graphic and Digital Design diploma program (GDD) provides you with a solid foundation in four fields of professional practice:  brand identity, graphic/communication design, dynamic media, and interactive design.

As a student, you are immersed in design practice through project-based learning in collaborative Mac studio spaces. You’ll build a strong foundation in design process, resourcefulness, and conceptual development, as well as skills in critical thinking, typography, image making, content creation, and industry standard Adobe software.

The Graphic and Digital Design diploma (GDD) is a full-time 60-credit cohort program offered on the Abbotsford campus.

As a GDD diploma student, you’ll be part of a cohort that moves together through the entire two-year program. You must register for five courses in each semester and each individual graphic design course is only offered once per academic year on each campus. Courses in the GDD diploma are taught by dynamic faculty engaged in design practice, professional communities, and academic research.

Expect at least four hours of homework each week for each course. GDD is both demanding and rewarding, requiring that you put in the time and commitment to build a strong professional practice portfolio.

Check the program outline for the Graphic Design diploma in the UFV Academic Calendar.

Experiential Learning

Industry engagement is essential to learning. The GDD Diploma offers you opportunities for:

• Project work that centers around local community and business; 
• Design practice that considers sustainability, the environment, and impact on society;
• Professional standards of practice, service, scholarship, and current issues through the Society of Graphic Designers of Canada and Association of Registered Graphic Designers (RGD) Canada’s professional associations for graphic designers; 
• Outreach with the business and creative industry through conferences, events, studio tours, study tours, guest speakers, and exhibitions; 
• Building community and sharing talent at the annual portfolio workshop;
• Partnering with suppliers and vendors in the creative industry; and 
• Industry mentors as part of career preparation.

Go to entrance requirements for the Graphic and Digital Design diploma program in the UFV Academic Calendar. Note that you also need to submit your portfolio of creative work.

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 two-year Graphic and Digital Design program, you will be able to:

• Demonstrate a working knowledge of the creative industry;
• Understand and utilize processes, tools and technology used in graphic design practice;
• Engage in critical thinking and problem-solving;
• Demonstrate functional competence with principles of visual organization, visual language, typography and theory as applied to visual communication problems;
• Develop strategies for planning, producing, and disseminating visual communications;
• Produce communication/graphic design, information design, brand identity, interactive design, illustration, and motion graphics projects; and
• Apply business practices, ethics, and self-promotional strategies for professional development.