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Everything around you needs to be designed, from books to calendars, phone directories to DVD covers, posters to logos, scrapbooks to brochures.

You will have the opportunity to create a portfolio aimed at helping you gain entry-level employment such as a graphic designer, logo artist, newspaper layout artist, or advertising designer.

This is an intermediate program focusing on design and layout, typography, and color theory, with explorations into brand identity and publication design.

Graduates will have the opportunity to create a portfolio aimed at helping them gain entry-level employ such as a graphic designer, logo artist, newspaper layout artist, or advertising designer.

Career Opportunities

The possibilities as a graphic designer are nearly endless.

The skills in this program will allow you to seek work in dozens of disciplines and companies, including advertising, freelance graphic design, brand identity, publication design, multimedia production, television, publishing houses, print services, government, & much more.

You could become a layout artist at a copy shop, open your own signage business, design logos and stationery for other companies, work in a graphic design company or start your own, find an internship at a print shop, or become an in-house designer for a single corporation or other business. You could work at a magazine or create DVD covers and booklets, design your own posters, illustrate a children's book, design calendars and promotional material, start your own newsletter, specialize in corporate reports and institutional booklets, create graphics for TV, or even simply become a better scrapbooker.

Some of the specific job titles you could hold after this program include:

• Graphic Designer
• Cartoonist
• Graphic Artist
• Illustrator
• Layout Designer
• Advertising Design Technician
• Icon Designer
• Digital Designer

Salary Expectations

Entry-level graphic designers earn an average of US $35,000.

After a few years of experience, that could be as high as US $52,000, and

A senior designer or design director's salary can be as high as US $120,000

[salary source: AIGA Aquent Survey of Design Salaries].

Career Guidance Program

CD-ED is committed to helping you find employment in the field of your choice. In fact, we’ll start before you even begin as a student! If you call us today, your personal admissions representative will research the job market for this career in your city, and help you decide if this program is the right path for your future.

After graduation, we’ll help you find an interview with your prospective employer in the job market. And of course, your new up-to-date skills will put you at the top of any interviewer’s list!

An example of one of the digital classroom videos available in the Graphic Design program. Note: New CS5 videos are available in 2009.

What You Get

If you follow our registered course outline and put in the required hours, we guarantee your success. Below are some of the ways we ensure that you will graduate successfully.

 

Unlimited Instructor Support

You will have unlimited one-on-one instructor support via email, chat, online classroom webinars and toll-free phone calls throughout your entire program - and beyond. Our instructors have industry experience and can help you understand how to conquer the job market before you go out into it.

You're never a number at CD-ED - our instructors and guidance counselor will take a personal interest in your progress and will be in touch with you constantly throughout the year, making sure everything is going well with your program and whatever of your home life you wish to share.

Learning Materials Included

Unlike traditional classrooms, you don't need to go out and buy your own textbooks. As part of your tuition, when you become a student you will have all textbooks and registered software shipped directly to your door. A full set of instructions and tutorials will be included, along with access to your customized online learning management system.

We include a “How to Study At Home” learning package with your materials, and along with our exclusive Student Tracking System it will help you schedule your time to ensure a successful student experience.

Equipment Options

You have the option of a brand-new desktop PC, laptop PC, or Mac Mini on loan to facilitate your education. A computer is simply a tool, and we make sure you have the best tools available, running smoothly to allow you to learn under optimal conditions. And, as a graduation gift, the computer you choose will be yours to keep on the successful completion of your program. NOTE: Accepting computer equipment from CD-ED is optional – not mandatory.

Graphic Design students also receive a Wacom graphics tablet to allow them precise and artistic control over their designs.

More info about What You Get »

Part of the evolution of a logo for a personal brand identity by Patt Evans, Student

 

Program Time Table

Duration: 52 weeks, 1040 hours (Based on a 20-hour work week)

Weeks	# of Weeks	Hours / Week	Total Hours	Subject
1-3	3	20	60	COC 101 & COM 101 Computer Concepts & Basic Communication
4-5	2	20	40	COC 102 Windows
6-7	2	20	40	COC 103 Internet Basics
8-13	6	20	120	GRA 101 Adobe Photoshop CS5
14-16	3	20	60	GRA 102 Introduction to Design
17-22	6	20	120	GRA 103 Adobe Illustrator CS5
23-28	6	20	120	GRA 104 Adobe InDesign CS5
29-32	4	20	80	GRA 105 Colour Theory
33-38	6	20	120	GRA 106 Typography
39-42	3	20	60	GRA 107 Designing Brand Identity
43-49	7	20	140	GRA 108 Publication Design
50-52	3	20	60	GRA 109 Directed Study: Portfolio Design

Module Summaries

COC 101 & COM 101 Computer Concepts & Basic Communication

Review basic English structures and learn proper professional communication skills. Then, learn key terminology and technology associated with computers.

COC 102 Windows

Learn the latest Windows operating system, including using the desktop, managing files and folders, and using the Windows Help & Support.

NOTE: Mac option available.

COC 103 Internet Basics

Provides a step-by-step introduction to all aspects of the Internet. Topics covered include browsers, searching techniques, and email.

NOTE: Mac option available.

GRA 101 Adobe Photoshop CS5

Photoshop is a powerful imaging tool that allows subtle or dramatic manipulation of imagery and photographs to be used in any design of any type. You’ll learn the basics of this software including layers, masks and photo restoration & repair. Hands-on practical projects ensure your comfort level with this vital software.

GRA 102 Introduction to Design

Learn the principles, issues, and uses of two-dimensional design as the basis of the rest of your program. Study traditional Graphic Design principles such as Grids, Form vs. Function, Gestalt, Visual Elements, Balance, Flow, Emphasis, Composition, and more.

GRA 103 Adobe Illustrator CS5

Practical hands-on lessons will help you master vector graphics for creating logos, symbols, and other resizable graphic designs. Guest lessons from industry leaders will teach you the creative process of an illustrative designer as well an efficient workflow for creating usable vectors.

GRA 104 Adobe InDesign CS5

Guest lessons from industry leaders will teach you how to control page layout with grids, picas, paragraph & character styles, and master pages. Learn how to choose the correct format, how to prepare documents for printing, and how to make your work look professional. Hands-on practical projects ensure your comfort level.

GRA 105 Colour Theory

An introduction to colour principles and design techniques, including electronic colour and colour harmony. Learn to choose the most effective colour palette for your designs.

GRA 106 Typography

Learn a brief history of type, the physical components of letters and the rules of legibility, readability, and style. Learn to choose the correct typeface for your design. Master the creative use of emphasis, designing effective layouts, and using grids.

GRA 107 Designing Brand Identity

Learn the process, theory and application of brand identities. Learn a working process for the development of a logo and create your own working brand identity as a graphic designer.

GRA 108 Publication Design

Learn to design books, magazines, newspapers, promotional literature, and various other types of print publications. Study how to organize content, use type and colour, visual imagery sources, grid-based page layout, and professional opportunities in publication design.

GRA 109 Directed Study: Portfolio Design

A step-by-step presentation of guidelines and real-world inspiration for creating a portfolio of work, geared towards earning you employment by showing a prospective client or employer your talent and experience.

 

Illustrative self portraits done in Illustrator by Susan Bridgeman and David McKoy, Graduates

Business cards by various graduates. From left to right: Andrea Deering, David McKoy, Chris Yaremchuk, Taryn Brenner, David McKoy, Andrea Deering.

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Melanie Upshaw, Graduate

• “I just wanted to say thanks for all the help you have given me so far. It seems to be off to a great start and my experience so far has been great with you and all the other staff that I have talked to. It makes it a lot more comfortable knowing that I have lots of support.”

Carey Beers, Graduate

• “My monthly income and project load is increasing each month, and as long as I’m consistent, I know it will continue to do so. Being consistent certainly won’t be a problem as I point blank love my job. I get to get up in the morning, have a nice relaxing breakfast with my son, grab a coffee and I head to my home office. I normally leave the door open so I’m not cut off from everyone... and I get to spend my work day doing what I’m passionate about.”

 

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