Malaspina offers new degree in Graphic Design

Malaspina University-College's Visual and Applied Arts department will begin offering a new degree in graphic design starting September, 2008.

"This Bachelor of Arts Major in Graphic Design will be the only full degree program in graphic design on Vancouver Island," said Steve Lane, Dean of Arts and Humanities for Malaspina.

"As a regional post-secondary institution, Malaspina is offering this new degree program to serve students from Victoria to Port Hardy and beyond. As the industry standard in graphic design moves towards an expectation of degree-level qualifications, expanding our two-year diploma program into a four year degree is not only wise, but necessary."

Expansion to a four-year degree program follows Malaspina's highly successful two-year diploma program in graphic design, which has been training high calibre graphic designers for almost 20 years.

Instructor Karen Hodgson said expansion to a four-year degree program "is exciting news" for anyone with a creative spirit who is thinking about starting a career as a graphic designer, or for former diploma program graduates who want to upgrade their skills.

"We're inviting all high school students, former grads from Malaspina's graphic design diploma program, as well as diploma graduates from other institutions, to check out our new degree program," Hodgson added.

"The degree program will provide diploma graduates with skills in critical thinking and digital media that will complement their existing skills and training. It's an initiative to provide the best education and skill set needed for this growing discipline."

Today's graphic designers work in new media and web design, packaging, illustration, animation, production and prepress, advertising, marketing communications design, art and creative direction, corporate identity, broadcast design, corporate communications, information design, editorial design, education, environmental and exhibit design, signage, and related occupations.

According to Hodgson, the Society Graphic Designers of Canada is considering national accreditation for graphic designers. "They've already done this in Ontario and we could see it expand to BC in the near future," she said. "Rapid technological changes and an increase in digital communications mean a higher level problem-solving skill set is needed for graphic designers who work in an ever-changing information economy.

"That's why our new degree program will combine academic learning with the most advanced digital technology skills. The new program will remain applied in nature, giving students plenty of hands-on experience and preparing them well for future employment. Students will have the opportunity to complete a practicum or work placement in their final year, and graduates will leave Malaspina with an extensive portfolio of their design work for employment application."

Another unique feature of Malaspina's new graphic design Bachelor's degree program will be a "management stream" for students interested in studio management or entrepreneurial management. "This could appeal to someone who wants to become a creative director at a graphic design studio," Hodgson said. "There's currently no similar program in Canada that includes this component."

Hodgson is confident that graduates of Malaspina's new four-year degree program will build on the successful track record of graduates from the diploma program. "Our grads have won provincial and national design awards and landed exciting jobs with top design firms in BC and beyond," she said. "For example, some of our students have won awards from the Society of Graphic Designers of Canada (GDC), and the GDC BC Salazar Awards for best student work in a two year graphic design program for six years in a row.

"Furthermore, our graduates have enjoyed about an 80 percent job placement rate, with many of them ultimately being hired by major firms in Victoria, Nanaimo, Vancouver and in Alberta, and the US. One of our grads is working in New Zealand. Our reputation has grown and employers regularly contact us looking for students and grads for employment."

The Malaspina BA Major in Graphic Design degree program proposal was reviewed and endorsed by the (past) National President of the Graphic Designers of Canada, and supported by faculty from York University, Emily Carr Institute, NSCAD University and Kwantlen University-College.

Applications for first and third-year of Malaspina's new Bachelor of Arts Major in Graphic Design are being accepted now. A free information session will be held Thursday, February 28, 7:30 pm, in the Art Building (325), room 207 at the Nanaimo campus, 900 Fifth Street.

For information or to apply, go to www.viu.ca/graphicdesign or call the advising centre at 740-6410.