Graphic Design

Vancouver Island University

Design and Visual Communication: blue ink subject illustration

4 years
Duration (years)
4 years
VIU current bachelor outline and year requirements
Internship option
Work experience
The retained published outline includes a 120-hour third-year industry internship. VIU expects an updated programme in September 2027; the internship structure of that planned version is not confirmed here.
VIU current published programme outline

Deadlines

March 2027

Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat	Sun
1	2	3	4	5	6	7
8	9	10	11	12	13	14
15	16	17	18	19	20	21
22	23	24	25	26	27	28
29	30

Next deadlineWednesday, March 31, 2027

General undergraduate application
2027 entry · Most direct-entry bachelor's degrees
Applications open October 1, 2026.
Official deadline

Other deadline details

No central deadline, each B.C. institution sets its own application open and close datesEducationPlannerBC, deadlines are set per institutionRecurring annual · Every year

No central deadline, each B.C. institution sets its own application open and close dates
No central B.C. deadline
Each institution and sometimes each program sets its own dates

Full source wording

Verbatim: "Each institution sets their own application open and close dates. These dates also may vary based on the program you are applying to. You can use the search database to explore programs you are interested in applying to or visit the institution's website directly. Please refer to the institution's website or contact the Admissions/Registrar's Office directly for application deadlines and details." EducationPlannerBC is the single application service for B.C.'s 25 public post-secondary institutions but publishes no deadline dates of its own.

SourceChecked Aug 14, 2026

Requirements

Admission requirements

High-school prerequisites

Check the university’s requirements for your province and applicant category.

Application steps

Step 1Check the admission requirements
- Check the published entry route for your applicant category.
VIU exact programme admission and intake informationVIU exact programme admission and intake information
Step 2Apply through EducationPlannerBC
- Create your application and select this program.
EducationPlannerBCEducationPlannerBC
Step 3Official high-school transcript
- VIU uses the transcript to verify graduation, English and program-specific course requirements.
VIU undergraduate admission requirementsVIU undergraduate admission requirements
Step 4$46.98 domestic application fee
- Non-refundable and paid for each application.
VIU application feesVIU application fees
Step 5Portfolio
- Required for Graphic Design, Interior Design and Visual Art applicants.
VIU art and design programsVIU art and design programs
Step 6Confirm that applications for the refreshed September 2027 Graphic Design intake have opened, then apply to VIU.
- Complete this item using the university’s applicant instructions.
VIU exact programme admission and intake informationVIU exact programme admission and intake information
Step 7Submit the published 6–12-item portfolio and confirm any updated 2027 instructions.
- Complete this item using the university’s applicant instructions.
VIU exact programme admission and intake informationVIU exact programme admission and intake information
Step 8Submit a 100–300-word statement about your reasons, goals and research into graphic design.
- Complete this item using the university’s applicant instructions.
VIU exact programme admission and intake informationVIU exact programme admission and intake information
Step 9Submit one reference letter.
- Complete this item using the university’s applicant instructions.
VIU exact programme admission and intake informationVIU exact programme admission and intake information

Applicant pathways

Academic entry categories

Canadian citizens and permanent residents; meet one named entry category, plus programme prerequisites

Canadian citizens and those with permanent residence status in Canada are eligible for admission to Academic programs if they meet one of the following conditions:
graduation from a BC secondary school, or equivalent, with a minimum “C” grade in either English Studies 12 or English First Peoples 12;
previous degree from a recognized university;
visiting student from a college or university (a “Letter of Permission” from the home institution is required);
a transfer student from a college or university (at least 24 transferable university-level credits completed);
academic mature student category: 21 years of age (or will turn 21 during their first semester) and has a minimum “C” grade in either English Studies 12 or English First Peoples 12.

Academic entry and competitive selection

Graphic Design degree applicants; current portfolio and anticipated-intake groups remain separately scoped

Meet VIU general admission requirements and the programme portfolio/document requirements.
Minimum requirements do not guarantee admission. Transfer students follow the same admission process.

Published first-year application package

Applicants to Graphic Design; confirm the refreshed September 2027 package when applications open

Submit a portfolio of 6–12 items.
Submit a 100–300-word statement explaining your reasons, goals and research about the profession.
Submit one reference letter.

Anticipated refreshed first-year intake

New Year 1 applicants; published expectation checked October 12, 2026

Year 1 intake is paused for the 2026–27 academic year only; existing Years 2–4 continue.
VIU expects a refreshed BDes to begin September 2027 and anticipates applications opening in mid-October 2026. This is an expectation, not a confirmed application deadline.

Second- or third-year advanced standing

Transfer applicants seeking Year 2 or Year 3 only

Complete the same degree admission process; advanced entry depends on available seats.
Complete a portfolio interview and provide official post-secondary transcripts, course outlines and credit-equivalency or prior-learning evidence.
VIU Applied Arts Diploma in Graphic Design graduates who are interviewed and meet continuing-student requirements qualify for Year 3 consideration; a seat is not guaranteed.

Degree completion and electives

Students completing the Bachelor of Design in Graphic Design

Complete institutional BA requirements, the Degree English Requirement and the programme matrix: 120 credits over four years.
Choose electives with the required prerequisites, timetable and available seats.
Courses complementing Graphic Design studies are encouraged, not a separate admission requirement.

Individual course entry from another programme

Students outside the Graphic Design degree seeking elective course access

Course access requires available seats, prerequisites, programme requirements and department permission.
A portfolio, other documents or screening for hardware/software experience may be requested.

Portfolio examples and optional access route

Graphic Design applicants choosing portfolio work or requesting reserve-seat consideration

Portfolio work may include sketches, paintings, photography, 3D work, sculpture, poetry, film/video and the process leading to a finished piece.
Indigenous applicants may request reserve-seat consideration using the Access Initiative for Indigenous Students form.

Graphic Design progression

Students already admitted to Graphic Design

Earn at least C in each ARTG course to graduate.
Continuing after an ARTG grade below C requires approval from the programme chair.

Published design portfolio guidance

Published standing guidance; the refreshed September 2027 intake package is not yet confirmed

The published guidance lists 6–12 original portfolio items, a 100–300-word statement about your reasons and goals, and one reference letter.
Year 1 intake paused for 2026–27. VIU expects a refreshed programme in September 2027 and anticipates applications opening in mid-October 2026; its finalized new package remains unconfirmed.

Domestic Academic admission categories

Canadian citizens and Canadian permanent residents seeking Academic programmes

The public Academic policy recognizes BC secondary graduation or equivalent with at least C in English Studies 12 or English First Peoples 12; a prior degree from a recognized university; or transfer status with at least 24 completed transferable university-level credits. A visiting student instead requires a home-institution Letter of Permission and is not thereby admitted to a degree.
These are general Academic categories. Programme-specific entry still applies, including separate third-year entry requirements in Education, Criminology, Child and Youth Care and Tourism Management. International students follow the separately linked international policy, which is not certified here. No held grade or programme minimum is changed.

Domestic Academic mature admission

Canadian citizens and permanent residents aged 21, or turning 21 during the first semester

The Academic mature category also requires at least C in English Studies 12 or English First Peoples 12. Individual course prerequisites and programme requirements still apply. The different age 19 rule for Trades/Applied Technology is not applied to these Academic degrees.

Unclassified undergraduate study before programme admission

Students who do not meet a general Academic admission category

An applicant may take academic classes as an Unclassified Undergraduate after BC secondary graduation/equivalent, or at age 19 or turning 19 in the first semester. Students must meet each course prerequisite.
Unclassified status does not admit the student to a specific university programme. Registration follows other Academic programme students and course availability is limited. It does not promise subsequent programme admission.

Previous-degree applicant documentation

Applicants seeking Academic admission on a previous recognized university degree

Applicants admitted on a previous degree must still satisfy course prerequisites. In most cases a secondary-school transcript is also required to confirm those prerequisites. This route does not itself certify entry to a programme with separate admission criteria.

Degree requirements

Credits and degree requirements

Graphic Design; Year 1 Credits: ARTG 124 - (Illustrator) 3
Graphic Design; Year 1 Credits: Total Credits 30
Graphic Design; Year 2 Credits: Total Credits 30
Graphic Design; Year 3 Credits: ARTG 345 - (Information Design) 3
Graphic Design; Year 3 Credits: Total Credits 30
Graphic Design; Year 4 Credits: ARTG 476 - (Portfolio Development) 3
Graphic Design; Year 4 Credits: Total Credits 30

References

Required courses and electives

Graphic Design; Year 1 Credits: Two non-ARTG electives 6
Graphic Design; Year 2 Credits: Two non-ARTG electives 6
Graphic Design; Year 3 Credits: Two non-ARTG electives 6
Graphic Design; Year 4 Credits: Two non-ARTG electives 6

References

Work and practical requirements

Graphic Design; Year 3 Credits: INTP 300 - (Planning for Upper-Level Internship) 3

References

Program facts

Entering averageNot published

The university does not publish a comparable percentage minimum or entering-average range for this program.

InternshipInternship option

The retained published outline includes a 120-hour third-year industry internship. VIU expects an updated programme in September 2027; the internship structure of that planned version is not confirmed here.

Check work experience options

Courses

Current bachelor outline with required and optional course choices. Listed alternatives are not all required. Individual credits use the linked course descriptions or a single-course outline row.

Graphic Design

Year 18 listed

Published year group, including alternatives. Unnamed elective credits are specified separately.

ARTG 110Design Process (Effective Sep 2026)3 credits
Students are introduced to professional conduct and business practice expectations including the design process and creative thinking skills.
VIU current exact course content
ARTG 120Visual Principles (Effective Sep 2026)3 credits
Students explore the foundational visual principles of graphic design, coupled with the basics of colour theory as it applies to design today.
VIU current exact course content
ARTG 124Illustrator (Effective Sep 2026)3 credits
Students are introduced to the design process to solve design problems using industry standard vector-based software as the primary tool for visualization.
VIU current exact course content
ARTG 130InDesign (Effective Sep 2026)3 credits
Students continue to develop their understanding of the design process and design principles using industry standard desktop publishing software as the primary tool for visualization. (2:1:0)
VIU current exact course content
ARTG 140Illustration I (Effective Sep 2026)3 credits
Students are introduced to the art, techniques, styles, and practice of illustration, including basic principles of drawing and colour theory.
VIU current exact course content
ARTG 150Typography I (Effective Sep 2026)3 credits
An introduction to typography as an essential tool in visual communication.
VIU current exact course content
ARTG 160Photography I (Effective Sep 2026)3 credits
Students are introduced to the equipment, techniques, practices, and theory of photography as they relate to digital visual communication.
VIU current exact course content
ENGL 115University Writing and Research3 credits
An introduction to critical thinking and reading, academic writing, and research skills, consistent with the conditions and expectations students encounter as readers and writers at university.
VIU current exact course content

Year 28 listed

Published year group, including alternatives. Unnamed elective credits are specified separately.

ARTG 210Design Ethics (Effective Sep 2026)3 credits
Students continue to develop their understanding of the profession by considering questions of ethics, sustainability, accessibility and professional responsibility. (2:1:0)
VIU current exact course content
ARTG 237Photoshop (Effective Sep 2026)3 credits
Students apply the design process and research methodologies to realize effective strategies and solutions using industry standard pixel-based software as the primary tool for visualization.
VIU current exact course content
ARTG 241Illustration II (Effective Sep 2026)3 credits
Students explore the fundamentals of illustrative concept development and the application of design elements as part of the visual communication process.
VIU current exact course content
ARTG 251Typography II (Effective Sep 2026)3 credits
Students continue to learn the basic rules of effective typography as it applies to design practice.
VIU current exact course content
ARTG 261Photography II (Effective Sep 2026)3 credits
An expanded exploration of photographic techniques (as applied to both still photos and video), processes, and visual communication practices with emphasis on critical thinking, technical proficiency, and effective presentation.
VIU current exact course content
ARTG 272Presentation Design (Effective Sep 2026)3 credits
Students leverage type, imagery, and public speaking skills to craft compelling presentation-based communications and engage an audience.
VIU current exact course content
ARTG 273Introduction to Web Design and Development (UI/UX I) (Effective Sep 2026)3 credits
An introduction to UI-UX (user-interface and user-experience) design for the web.
VIU current exact course content
ENGL 204Business and Technical Writing3 credits
An introduction to business and technical communication skills with a focus on documents (such as letters and reports) and presentations.
VIU current exact course content

Year 38 listed

Published year group, including alternatives. Unnamed elective credits are specified separately.

ARTG 310Art Direction (Effective Sep 2026)3 credits
Students develop best practices for leadership in the profession by experimenting with strategies for art direction, critique, project management and documentation. (2:1:0)
VIU current exact course content
ARTG 345Information Design (Effective Sep 2026)3 credits
Students explore information structures, image making, and the practical applications of visual iconography as they apply to the understanding and management of complex information challenges.
VIU current exact course content
ARTG 351Publication Design (Effective Sep 2026)3 credits
Students explore editorial media and the possibilities for conveying content by learning best practices across a range of deliverables, resulting in rich, thoughtful, and rewarding editorial experiences. (2:1:0)
VIU current exact course content
ARTG 371Packaging Design (Effective Sep 2026)3 credits
Students apply prototyping techniques and digital file creation as they apply to package design.
VIU current exact course content
ARTG 373Introduction to Website and App Prototyping (UI/UX II) (Effective Sep 2026)3 credits
A study and practice of the design principles used to create user interfaces for digital products.
VIU current exact course content
ARTG 374Experiential Design (Effective Sep 2026)3 credits
Students consider experiential design solutions as they apply to the human experience.
VIU current exact course content
INTP 300Planning for Upper-Level Internship3 credits
Provides opportunities for students to synthesize theoretical knowledge and practical experience within their field of study.
VIU current exact course content
ITRN 303Third-Year Internship3 credits
Students in programs without a specific internship option may identify and pursue a unique opportunity to develop skills and learn more about their chosen field via an unpaid work placement (minimum 120 hours).
VIU current exact course content

Year 48 listed

Published year group, including alternatives. Unnamed elective credits are specified separately.

ARTG 410Professional Practice (Effective Sep 2026)3 credits
Students further their understanding of the design profession and their role within it by developing personal strategies for running a practice and working with clients.
VIU current exact course content
ARTG 472Experimental Typography (Effective Sep 2026)3 credits
Students address advanced design challenges through experimental approaches using static and kinetic typographic mediums.
VIU current exact course content
ARTG 473Intermediate Prototyping and Web Development (UI/UX III) (Effective Sep 2026)3 credits
An advanced course in user-interaction and user-interface design, focusing on user-centred design.
VIU current exact course content
ARTG 474User Interface/User Experience Capstone Project (UI/UX IV) (Effective Sep 2026)3 credits
A capstone research course in user-interaction and user-interface design, focusing on user-centred design.
VIU current exact course content
ARTG 475Brand Identity Design (Effective Sep 2026)3 credits
Students investigate concepts of corporate identity design, including logo development and product branding through the design and creation of essential business collateral.
VIU current exact course content
ARTG 476Portfolio Development (Effective Sep 2026)3 credits
Students develop individual portfolio packages with a focus on strategies for self-promotion, job seeking, and personal brand development.
VIU current exact course content
ARTG 480Capstone Project (Effective Sep 2026)3 credits
Students develop and execute multi-tiered design solutions in a response to complex challenges of their choosing. (0:3:0)
VIU current exact course content
ARTG 482Design Research (Effective Sep 2026)3 credits
Students learn about and use applied research methods to lead research-based solutions and solve complex communication problems within a range of outcomes. (3:0:0)
VIU current exact course content

Elective choices

Graphic Design; Year 1 Credits: ARTG 124 - (Illustrator) 3
Graphic Design; Year 1 Credits: Two non-ARTG electives 6
Graphic Design; Year 2 Credits: Two non-ARTG electives 6
Graphic Design; Year 3 Credits: INTP 300 - (Planning for Upper-Level Internship) 3
Graphic Design; Year 3 Credits: Two non-ARTG electives 6
Graphic Design; Year 4 Credits: Two non-ARTG electives 6

References

Careers

Career examples

web designer
graphic designer
user experience designer
user interface designer
art director
creative director
information designer
environmental graphic designer
in-house designer
packaging designer
motion graphic designer
book or book cover designer
brand or logo designer
visual designer
communication & digital media designer
agency designer
corporate designer

Career sectors

publishing
freelancer
illustrator
graphic design educator
graphic novel illustrator

Career sectors

Scope and qualifications

University-published career examples for Graphic Design, including its published routes; some require further training or registration. These are examples, not ranked graduate outcomes.