Graphic Design Diploma Online Program

This graphic design course introduces students to the fundamentals of graphic design and its application for print and web. Students discover that design is a complex process that involves research and analysis, concept development, evaluation, refinement, and execution.

This module is an investigation into the principles of visual communication. Topics include the fundamental visual elements, Gestalt principles and essential design techniques. Students will learn how to apply these concepts to craft visual media that is both expressive and clear.

Students learn about visual contrast, colour, rhythm, and pattern in design. They also learn the process involved in making an abstract design from shapes, and how to use that element to create a repeating pattern design. Students explore the various aspects of colour and identify many ways of integrating colour for effective design layouts.

This graphic design course teaches students about typography and its significance within graphic design in the development of type. Students learn about the terms and measurements that form the basis of typographic vocabulary, and deconstruct fonts to show the working components.

Students create and design scalable computer graphics with Adobe Illustrator, including core drawing and shape tools, transformation and reshaping features. The module prepares students to create simple vector graphics, learn about best practices to enhance workflow, understand how to integrate colour and type, and prepare documents for output.

Students examine the essential capabilities and creative applications of Adobe Photoshop, from correcting colour to retouching portraits, resolution, cropping, selecting, printing, and making web graphics.

This graphic design course in Photoshop builds on the knowledge previously gained in Adobe Photoshop Beginner, such as layer styles, layer effects, and adjustment layers. Students will apply these techniques to create a composite image and explore more advanced techniques such as custom brushes and displacement masks.

This graphic design course will focus on the essential capabilities and creative applications of InDesign. Students will create a series of projects using a range of tools and techniques. Topics include understanding the anatomy of a page, the effective use of layout grids, and typographic styles. Students will learn how to create and share complex multi-page documents.

In this graphic design course, students will explore the features of Adobe Premiere Pro, a non-linear editing application for creative video production. Premiere Pro integrates with tools like Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator to help graphic designers stay current in a rapidly changing industry. Class exercises will show how to start projects with the correct settings, edit video sequences with audio, design professional titles, and export projects for HD playback.

This module introduces the student to the basic principles of drawing. Students learn basic techniques in drawing and practice their drawing skills using line work and linear perspective principles.

This graphic design course is an introduction to photography from a graphic design perspective. Students will learn what it takes to capture engaging images for various environments, including print and online.

Graphic Design is a creative field, but it is also a professional business. This graphic design course focuses on the pragmatic aspects of design and aims to educate students on why designers do more than simply design things.

Students learn how to create a professional Graphic Design portfolio that effectively showcases their work and abilities. Students can then use this portfolio to present to potential employers. Students will work individually on six (6) projects and reach out to the instructor for clarification and feedback when needed. One project must be Portfolio Creation.

Edison College offers the Graphic Design Diploma both in-class at our Downtown Victoria campus and fully online, so students anywhere in Canada can study graphic design without relocating.

You'll gain hands-on experience with Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, and Premiere Pro — the same industry-standard tools used by professional designers — alongside foundational skills in photography and drawing.

Graduates are prepared for roles such as Graphic Designer, Junior Visual Designer, Digital Illustrator, Layout Designer, and Marketing Design Assistant — positions in demand across advertising agencies, marketing teams, publishing, and in-house creative departments throughout Canada.

No prior design experience is required. The program builds your skills progressively, starting with design fundamentals before advancing into more complex branding, layout, and digital illustration projects.

You'll build a strong foundation in visual communication and digital creativity, covering typography, colour theory, visual layout, and digital illustration. You'll gain hands-on experience with industry-standard software including Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, and Premiere Pro, while also developing skills in photography, drawing, and business practices for creative careers.

Tuition for the Graphic Design Diploma is $25,593 CAD, plus $750 in course materials — bringing the total program cost to $26,343 CAD for domestic students. Students receive $5,000 Student Support Award, plus a $500 gift card to purchase or upgrade your computer.

You need either high school graduation or its equivalent, or mature student status — you must be 19 or older before the program starts. You also need to meet the English language requirement. Domestic applicants can meet it with Grade 10 English. Applicants who need to demonstrate proficiency through testing can do so with IELTS 5, CLB 5, Duolingo English Test 75–80, or VCA 55/100. No prior design experience or art background is required. The program begins with fundamentals.

The program is 53 weeks and 1,060 instructional hours, in both in-class and online delivery. That covers 13 courses, from Fundamentals of Graphic Design and typography through Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign and Premiere Pro, and finishing with Portfolio Design. This program does not include a practicum or co-op component

Both are 53-week, 1,060-hour diplomas in the Technology faculty, and they overlap in Adobe software. They prepare you for different work. Graphic Design is broader visual communication across print and digital — typography, color and shape theory, branding and layout, illustration, drawing, photography, and video with Premiere Pro. You finish with a portfolio of visual work. It uses Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign and Premiere Pro. UI/UX Design focuses on designing functional, user-centered digital products — websites, apps and interactive prototypes. It combines visual design with information architecture, UI/UX strategy and foundational web development. It uses Adobe XD, Photoshop and Illustrator, along with HTML5, CSS3 and JavaScript.

StudentAid BC. Edison College Canada is listed by StudentAid BC as a designated institution. Eligible students may be able to apply for StudentAid BC funding. Eligibility depends on your circumstances and is assessed by StudentAid BC. Not every student or program qualifies.