Vancouver is a city known for its breathtaking beauty and compelling arts scene, which has made it a hub for graphic designers. As the demand for visually engaging content grows, taking graphic design classes in Vancouver is a gateway to creative and professional success. Over the past decade, the creative industries of Vancouver have seen significant expansion, causing a demand for more skilled graphic designers.
In this article, I will detail some of the top institutions, courses and benefits of pursuing a graphic design education within Vancouver.
Listed below are several institutions in Vancouver that provide comprehensive and encompassing design programs. Each of them offer unique strengths and areas of specialty.
Toronto has a great community of Graphic Designers and classes.
Institutes Offering Graphic Design Classes
Emily Carr University of Art and Design
- Offerings: Bachelor of Design in Communication Design, Continuing Studies in Graphic Design
Emily Carr University is one of Canada’s most prestigious institutions dedicated to art, design, and media education. Founded in 1925, the university offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs. This includes Bachelor of Design, Bachelor of Fine Arts, Master of Design, and Master of Fine Arts, among others.
The university is strongly connected to Vancouver’s vibrant arts and design community, offering students useful opportunities for industry collaborations, internships, and exhibitions. ECUAD alumni are recognized globally for their contributions to the fields of visual arts, design, animation, and digital media.
- Highlights: Emily Carr University is one of the top schools for design and art in Canada, known for its meticulous curriculum that focuses on conceptual thinking, creativity and technical skills. They have a host of state-of-the-art facilities and a bustling art community.
British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT)
- Offerings: Graphic Design Associate Certificate, Digital Design and Development Diploma
British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) is a leading polytechnic institution located in Burnaby, British Columbia. BCIT is renowned for its practical, hands-on approach to education, preparing students for real-world challenges in various industries.
One of BCIT's key strengths is its close connection to industry, which ensures that the programs are relevant and up-to-date with current industry standards. Students benefit from internships, co-op placements, and opportunities to work on industry projects, gaining experience and connections before graduation.
BCIT also has many up to date facilities for its students, including advanced labs, creative studios and simulation programs.
- Highlights: CIT offers practical, hands-on work with a focus on industry-relevant skills. The programs are designed to prepare students for work after they get their diploma, allowing them to enter directly into the workforce. They feature courses around digital media, web design and user experience (UX) design.
Vancouver Film School (VFS)
- Offerings: Digital Design Diploma, Foundation Visual Art + Design
Vancouver Film School (VFS) is a globally recognized institution specializing in creative arts education, located in the heart of Vancouver, British Columbia. Established in 1987, VFS offers industry-focused programs that cover a wide range of disciplines within film, animation, design, and digital arts.
What BCIT stands out for is its focus on innovation and technology. The institution has state-of-the-art facilities, including advanced labs, simulation centers, and creative studios, providing students with access to the latest tools and technologies in their respective fields.
- Highlights: VFS is known for its industry connections and intensive project-based learning approach. The school offers a 1-year fast tracked diploma that covers all bases, from typography to interactive design, preparing graduates for careers in film, television and digital media.
Langara College
- Offerings: Diploma in Design Formation, Continuing Studies in Graphic Design
Opened in 1965, Langara college has quickly grown into one of Canada’s premier undergraduate institutions, known for its comprehensive range of academic and career-focused programs. The college offers university-transferable courses, diploma and certificate programs, as well as bachelor's degrees, catering to both local and international students.
One of Langara’s unique strengths is its extensive university transfer program, which allows students to complete the first two years of their undergraduate education before transferring to major universities in British Columbia, such as UBC or Simon Fraser University. This route is popular among students looking for a more cost-effective or flexible route to a university degree.
- Highlights: Langara College provides a mix of traditional design education and modern digital techniques. The curriculum includes courses in branding, illustration, and web design, supported by experienced faculty and professional networking opportunities
We also have an article about taking Graphic Design Classes in Montreal.
What Are The Benefits of Studying Design in Vancouver?
You might be wondering why Vancouver specifically is a good place to study graphic design. There are many reasons why you would choose to study here above other places.
- Creative Environment: The rich cultural landscape in Vancouver, as well as the active arts community, create a stimulating environment for creative minds. Students will have access to a plethora of galleries, art festivals and networking events, making their personal and educational journey a little more straightforward.
- Industry Connections: Many of the programs offered in Vancouver put an emphasis on real world experience, with options such as internships, co-op placements, industry projects and many more opportunities. These can allow students to build a professional network early into their career, as well as gain practical skills.
- Diverse Learning Option: Regardless of if you’re seeking a complete degree, or a short term certification, students and budding graphic designers can find programs tailored to their skill levels or career goals. The expansive list of part-time and online options can also allow working professionals to fit in a course where they otherwise wouldn’t due to timing issues.
- Cutting Edge Facilities: The graphic design schools across Vancouver are equipped with modern technology and software, giving students the ability to train with industry standard tools. This level of technical proficiency is imperative for staying competitive in a fast moving field like graphic design.
What Career Prospects Can I Expect?
Graduates of graphic design programs in Vancouver are often well positioned to enter into a variety of creative industries. These include things like advertising, marketing, web development and multimedia production.
The strong technology sector within the city paves way to roles in UX/UI design, digital content creation and interactive media.
Some of the career paths you can expect to enter are as follows:
Advertising and Marketing
- Roles: Art Director, Brand Strategist, Visual Designer
- Description: Graphic designers that come into advertising and marketing are expected to create visually appealing content that can communicate the brand's message effectively to a target audience. They will often work on campaigns, social media campaigns, promotional material and many more smaller projects.
- Local Companies: DDB Canada, Rethink, Noise Digital
Web and Digital Design
- Roles: Web Designer, UX/UI Designer, Front-End Developer
- Description: Specializing in the field of web and digital design will involve creating user friendly and visually appealing websites and applications. In this field, design aesthetics and technical skills are combined.
- Local Companies: Hootsuite, Unbounce, Bench Accounting
Film and Television
- Roles: Motion Graphics Designer, Title Designer, Visual Effects Artist
- Description: Vancouver hosts a booming film and television scene. This industry offers many roles for graphic designers, specializing in areas such as motion graphics, visual effects and title designs, to name a few.
- Local Companies: Rainmaker Studios, Bardel Entertainment, Image Engine
Publishing and Print Media
- Roles: Layout Designer, Editorial Designer, Print Production Artist
- Description: Graphic designers in publishing will be expected to create layouts and designs for magazines, newspapers, books and other forms of printed media.
- Local Companies: Glacier Media, The Vancouver Sun, Douglas & McIntyre
Corporate Design
- Roles: In-House Designer, Brand Manager, Marketing Coordinator
- Description: Many companies employ in-house designers to manage their brands visual identity, create internal and external communications, and support marketing efforts.
- Local Companies: Lululemon, TELUS, Mountain Equipment Co-op (MEC)
Halifax is a great city to study Graphic Design in.
Emerging Fields and Specializations
As with any field, there will be certain specializations that some may choose to go into. Below are some of the specialized options for students or prospective graphic designers to potentially look into.
User Experience (UX) and User Interface (UI) Design
- Growth Area: As technology companies rapidly expand, the demand for UX/UI designers who can create intuitive and engaging digital experiences is increasing. These roles often involve user research, wireframing, prototyping and usability testing.
- Key Skills: Empathy-driven design, interaction design, user testing, information architecture
Environmental and Spatial Design
- Growth Area: This specialization involves designing graphics for physical spaces, such as retail environments, exhibition spaces and way finding systems like maps or directive graphics to help people navigate an area.
- Key Skills: Spatial awareness, environmental branding, signage design, interior graphics
Freelancing and Entrepreneurship
- Growth Area: Many graphic designers may choose to work as freelancers or start their own design studios. This path offers much more flexibility and the opportunity to work on a variety of projects for different clients, giving a broader spectrum of work.
- Key Skills: Business awareness, client management, marketing, project management
Networking and Professional Development
If you are someone who is new to the area of design, it may be hard to find your footing within the professional scene. Networking is a huge part of getting your name into the circles of people you might want to work for or with.
Professional Associations
- Organizations: Graphic Designers of Canada (GDC), AIGA, International Council of Design (ico-D)
- Benefits: Having a membership in any of these organizations provides access to valuable resources, professional development opportunities, networking events and broader industry recognition.
Design Conferences and Events
- Events: Vancouver Design Week, Creative Mornings Vancouver, PechaKucha Night Vancouver
- Description: These events offer a stage for designers to showcase their work, learn from industry leaders, and connect with peers to expand their reach in the industry.
Workshops and Continuing Education
- Opportunities: Many institutions and design studios offer workshops and courses in advanced design techniques, new software, and emerging trends, helping designers stay current and competitive even after receiving a degree or diploma. This is a great way to keep yourself ahead of the competition and to keep your resume current.
There are Graphic Design courses in Calgary if you prefer it.
Salary Expectations
Below, I have created a table detailing what salaries can be expected.
| Position | Salary Expectation (Per Year) |
|---|---|
| Entry-level | $40,000 - $55,000 |
| Mid-level | $55,000 - $75,000 |
| Senior-level | $75,000 - $100,000 |
| Freelance | $25 - $150 per hour, depending on experience and project |
As you can see, the pay for graphic designers is quite competitive, even in entry level jobs. The prospect for the future of graphic designers looks very promising. Jobs in UX/UI are ever-growing as technology drives our world more. The tech sector in Vancouver offers significant growth.
Emphasis on digital skills, cross-disciplinary knowledge (e.g., coding, animation) and experience with emerging technologies like augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) are skills that more and more employers are looking at, as these industries grow.
You can study Graphic Design in Canada, online as in person.
Conclusion
Taking graphic design classes in Vancouver provides a mix of artistic development, professional preparation and technical training. With the sheer amount of acclaimed institutions and the vibrant scene filled with distinct culture, Vancouver is an ideal place for any aspiring graphic designer to sharpen their skills and kick-start their career.
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