Graphic design students win tuition scholarships

Aspiring graphic designers enrolled in Vancouver Island University's Graphic Design degree program received three scholarship awards from the Society of Graphic Designers of Canada (GDC), Vancouver Island Chapter.

Students Greg Dubeau and Tashia Potter each received $1,000 tuition scholarships, while Trina M'Lot received $500.

The GDC Scholarship Awards are Vancouver Island's pre-eminent educational awards, funded by the Vancouver Island Chapter initiatives and sponsor Hemlock Printers, and coordinated by the GDC VI. Since 1956 the GDC has been dedicated to improving graphic design standards and practice in the workplace and in schools.

The GDC VI Student Scholarship Awards were initiated in 2008 to encourage and support students in taking their design education to a level that will prepare them for professional practice. Aspiring designers from Vancouver Island who are full-time students and student members enrolled in two, three and four-year graphic design programs, returning to continue their studies are invited to enter the GDC awards program. The winners' scholarship awards are applied directly to their tuition fees, and students are profiled on the GDC's national website.

Aaron Heppell, a graduate of VIU's graphic design program, is the president of GDC's Vancouver Island Chapter. "The program at VIU has always been strong and has produced many talented and successful designers," he said. "Now that the program is offering the degree level, this will only continue to produce great results. The recent grad show from 2010 was amazing, and we at the GDC included the graduation panels in a series of special events to showcase the talents of the students to the business community. The response was very positive. The scholarships are just one way to assist in the development of our design community, and we are proud to partner with Hemlock to offer them."

Karen Hodgson, Chair of VIU's BA Major in Graphic Design degree program, said students submitted samples of their design work and were judged by a panel of professional graphic designers. Hodgson said VIU students have won many local, provincial and national awards over the years, often competing against students from design schools across BC and Canada.

"Our program is designed to give students a solid grounding in applied digital graphic design, as well as theory, academics, creativity and communication skills," said Hodgson. "We set the bar high and the students set the bar high for themselves and one another. They really pour their hearts into their work."

Students often work on real-world type projects such as annual reports, identity campaigns, websites and on some projects for actual clients. By the time they graduate, they have assembled full portfolios of their work to show prospective employers.

Applications for VIU's Graphic Design degree program are being accepted now for fall 2011 admission. The first portfolio interview session takes place on March 5. For more information visit www.viu.ca. Seats are limited so applicants should apply early.