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Program Explorer

Communication Design

This program has an application deadline of May 10

Portfolio Requirement: The Communication Design program requires applicants to submit a portfolio as part of the application process. See portfolio requirements ›

System Maintenance: November 1-7

The College’s Future Student Account website will be unavailable from 4pm on Friday, November 1, until approximately 8:30am on Thursday, November 7.

Learn more ›

Push the boundaries of design and revolutionize the way we see the world.

You’re a creative person with a passion for graphic design, always looking to innovate or expand your toolkit. Build the skills you need to push boundaries, create change and improve the way we think about visual communication.

In the Communication Design program, you will develop investigative and exploratory work that challenges what is traditionally accepted as graphic design. Through a series of thoughtful projects, you’ll work to break new ground, blur disciplinary boundaries, define your style and join a network of successful design thinkers and industry leaders. 

In addition to theoretical learning and practical projects, you’ll gain career-focused knowledge and industry experience through a mentorship program, which directly connects you with an experienced industry member. With this mentor, you will work to review projects, incorporate feedback, develop new ideas and explore industry standards and innovations.

Throughout the program, you’ll review, edit and develop your portfolio in preparation for a career. Before graduating, you’ll plan, design and build a three-dimensional display to showcase your work to instructors, mentors, employers and industry leaders.

  • Program Type
    Full-time
  • Credential
    Post-Graduate Diploma
  • Program Delivery
    In-person
  • In-person Location
    Exchange District Campus
  • Intake
    Fall
  • Program Length
    1 year
  • Total Tuition / Fees for Courses
    $6,400 – $7,200
  • How to Enrol
    Application required
  • Application Type
    Competitive admission
  • Application Deadline
    May 10
  • International Program
    Open to students from around the globe

Experience a Polytechnic Education

Full-time Delivery: Something New Every Term

In this program, you will push yourself beyond the limits of traditional design. You’ll explore new and emerging media, develop your creative process and define your style with self-directed projects guided by your interests, talents and career goals.

TERM 1

Push your creativity to the limit. Explore new ways to use technology, create innovative solutions and dive deep into branding, typography and UX/UI design.

TERM 2

Embrace and evolve your personal style. Design, create and market fully realized projects and portfolio pieces focused on your interests and aesthetics.

Employment Potential

Prepare yourself for career success

Potential Grad CAREERS

  • Graphic designer
  • Production specialist
  • Illustrator
  • Art director
  • Freelancer
  • Front end designer
  • UI/UX designer
  • Motion graphics artist
  • Brand manager
  • App designer
  • Creative consultant
  • Content creator
  • Print technician
Person designing artwork on a computer

What to Expect in This Program

Get Prepared for the Future of Work

Excel with practical learning and experienced instructors, all focused on your success. With an employer-driven education, you won’t just be ready for a career – you’ll be prepared to stay in front of what’s ahead.

Students drawing in an art studio
Push your limits with an exploratory and experimental approach to design.
Students critiquing each others work in the design studio
Dive into independent, self-directed projects and explore design in a way that pushes your creativity and enhances your career potential.
Design students taking photo of another designer's work
Experiment with new techniques, explore emerging media and reimagine traditional formats and mediums.
Instructor talking to classroom of students
Take advantage of small classrooms to collaborate with knowledgeable instructors and passionate peers.

Graduate Success

Communication Design graduates are innovators, creating change in an increasingly visual and digital world. Grads become designers and art directors and find success in various organizations, non-profits and governments or as independent entrepreneurs locally and across the globe.

As part of this program, students build and publish their portfolios — and when they graduate, they’re ready to showcase their work to potential employers. See student portfolios ›

The statistics below represent the opinions and employment statuses of this program’s recent grads. They were retrieved from the 2019-2020 RRC Polytech Graduate Satisfaction and Employment Report.

These statistics are from Graphic Design Advanced, the program’s previous name.

Smiling woman drawing on a tablet

100% – NEW GRADS HIRED

An RRC Polytech education focuses on enhancing your career potential. By working with industry partners to plan courses and create work placement opportunities, we make sure our grads have the knowledge, skills and experience to make a real difference wherever their careers take them.

100% – CONSIDER INSTRUCTORS KNOWLEDGEABLE

The Communication Design program encourages students to become independent, follow their passions and develop their personal styles. This allows our students to explore the industry while developing the skills they need to make changes, push boundaries and improve the world around them.

Person working on a computer in an office
Designer working on a computer with a colour wheel on the desk

$36K – AVERAGE NEW GRAD SALARY

Communication Design graduates are part of a close-knit network of professionals, collaborating and pushing the boundaries of design locally and internationally. By leveraging these connections, our students stay ahead of employer standards and quickly become involved in the industry.

“Being able to translate ideas, solve problems, listen to others and have influence over projects – which all involve strong communication – has been a huge part of having a successful career.”

Isabelle Kilimnik – Senior Product Designer
Just Eat

Who Should Enrol?

Turn your talents into academic success

As a Communications Design student, you’re passionate about graphic design in all its forms. You want to push your creativity and critical-thinking skills past their limits and break the boundaries of design. As a creative problem-solver, you want to grow your technical skills, explore new tools and technology and develop a mastery of UI/UX and video and motion graphics.

Students that excel in this program often share these interests, skills and personality traits.

PERSONALITY TRAITS

  • Challenge-driven
  • Creative
  • Critical thinker
  • Independent
  • Visionary

SKILLS

  • Collaboration
  • Commitment
  • Enthusiasm
  • Positive attitude
  • Time management

INTERESTS

  • Design
  • Typography
  • Illustration
  • UI/UX
  • Animation
  • Creativity
  • Pop culture
  • Activism
  • Technology
  • Web design

All the Information You Need

MAKE AN INFORMED DECISION

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ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Ensure signup goes smoothly and understand program requirements before registering. Review required documents and procedures to make sure you’re prepared to enter this program.

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LOCATION, DATES AND FEES

Start planning with peace of mind and get the information you need on one easy-to-find page. Review start dates, locations, book and equipment costs and program fees.

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SCHOLARSHIPS

Celebrate and motivate your learning. Whether you’ve sprinted through the first term or just received your acceptance letter, find a variety of bursaries, scholarships and awards.

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OTHER INFORMATION

Explore our Catalogue for more detailed information, including a program outline, course descriptions and everything you’ll need to plan and prepare for your future success.

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DATES AND FEES

Start preparing with peace of mind. View information about courses and sections, including locations, delivery methods and costs. It only takes minutes to register and further your future.

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LIST OF COURSES

Plan out your preferred learning journey. Review a summary of this program’s courses to discover what you’ll learn and how an RRC Polytech education will help your career.

Woman sitting in computer lab

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Ensure signup goes smoothly and understand program requirements before registering. Review required documents and procedures to make sure you’re prepared to enter this program.

Person browsing the RRC Polytech website

OTHER INFORMATION

Explore our Catalogue for more detailed information, including a program outline, course descriptions and everything you’ll need to plan and prepare for your future success.

Begin Your Journey

Get Started with RRC Polytech

Start Your Application

Your future is within reach, and we’re here to help you achieve it. Experience industry-focused opportunities available at RRC Polytech and develop the knowledge and skills to grow, lead and excel in your future career.

Funding Your Education

Support yourself while pursuing your RRC Polytech education. You may be eligible for loans, grants and scholarships to help tackle your financial needs.

Future Student Events

Explore our upcoming information sessions and events to learn more about our programs and to get your questions answered.

RRC Polytech campuses are located on the lands of Anishinaabe, Ininiwak, Anishininew, Dakota, and Dené, and the National Homeland of the Red River Métis.

We recognize and honour Treaty 3 Territory Shoal Lake 40 First Nation, the source of Winnipeg’s clean drinking water. In addition, we acknowledge Treaty Territories which provide us with access to electricity we use in both our personal and professional lives.

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