Graphic and Digital Design Diploma Program

Program Overview

Graphic and digital designers operate in collaborative, creative environments, bringing ideas to fruition while creating value for businesses and addressing social issues. The University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) offers a two-year diploma in Graphic and Digital Design, equipping students with a robust foundation in various aspects of design, including:

• Communication design
• Brand identity
• Interactive design
• Dynamic media

This program aims to cultivate skilled graphic designers, visual communicators, and creative strategists.

Learning Experience

The curriculum emphasizes practical experience, allowing students to develop a strong portfolio for employment through:

• Real-world projects
• Design thinking processes
• Industry-standard digital tools utilized in networked studios and labs

Students will engage with the design industry via:

• Special events
• Guest lectures
• Field trips
• Study tours
• Design conferences
• Workshops
• Practica
• Mentorship opportunities

The department hosts several events, including:

• Annual portfolio show
• Exhibitions
• Student fundraisers
• Open houses
• Industry nights

These occurrences provide numerous networking opportunities with industry professionals and the local creative community.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the Graphic and Digital Design diploma are well-prepared to:

• Enter the workforce as skilled designers
• Engage in freelance opportunities
• Pursue further education, such as a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with a minor or extended minor in Graphic and Digital Design

As digital and social media platforms proliferate, the demand for adept visual strategists continues to grow. Designers are increasingly sought to enhance the visual impact of communications across various media formats. The decline of print has resulted in a heightened need for designed experiences, leading businesses and organizations to seek in-house designers to effectively manage their brands.

Emerging roles in the expanding digital media sector include:

• Web designers
• User experience designers
• User interface designers

Enhancing skills in areas such as photography, motion graphics, interactive design, marketing, copywriting, and public speaking can yield additional job prospects. With experience and further education, designers can progress into leadership roles, including:

• Senior designer
• Art director
• Creative director

Degree Overview:

• Program: Graphic and Digital Design Diploma
• Institution: University of the Fraser Valley (UFV)
• Duration: Two years
• Objectives:
• Develop a strong foundation in key design areas: communication design, brand identity, interactive design, and dynamic media.
• Become a skilled graphic designer, visual communicator, and creative strategist.
• Description:
• Emphasizes real-world projects, contexts, and issues.
• Utilizes industry-standard digital tools in UFV's networked studios and labs.
• Offers opportunities for engagement with the design industry through events, guest lectures, field trips, study tours, design conferences, workshops, practica, and mentorship.

Outline:

• Content:
• Communication design
• Brand identity
• Interactive design
• Dynamic Media
• Structure:
• Two-year diploma program

Teaching:

• Teaching methods:
• Design thinking processes
• Application of industry-standard digital tools
• Unique approaches:
• Emphasis on real-world projects and experience.
• Opportunities for engagement with the design industry.

Careers:

• Career paths:
• Graphic designer
• Visual communicator
• Creative strategist
• Web designer
• User experience or user interface designer
• Career opportunities:
• In-house designer positions
• Freelance designer
• Career outcomes:
• Increased job opportunities in digital and social media platforms
• Leadership positions in the design field such as senior designer, art director, or creative director.

Other:

• Events hosted by the department:
• Annual portfolio show
• Exhibitions
• Student fundraisers
• Open houses
• Industry nights
• Benefits of participation:
• Networking with industry players and the local creative community
• Continuing education opportunities:
• Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with a minor or extended minor in Graphic and Digital Design at UFV

The University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) is a fully accredited, public university located in the beautiful Fraser Valley of British Columbia, Canada, just east of Vancouver. Enrolling approximately 15,000 students per year across campuses in Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Mission and Hope, as well as a growing presence in Chandigarh, India, UFV is a comprehensive university that combines the variety of a large institution with the small class sizes and personal connections of a community-focused one. Students come to UFV to learn in a hands-on environment where they know their instructors and are known in return.

UFV is situated in the traditional territory of the Stó:lō peoples. The Stó:lō have an intrinsic relationship with what they refer to as S'olh Téméxw (Our Sacred Land), and UFV expresses its gratitude and respect for the honour of living and working in this territory.

Changemaking

At UFV, changemaking is not a slogan; it is the organizing principle of the university's identity. As a designated Ashoka U Changemaker Campus, UFV prepares students to lead collaboratively, think critically and contribute to stronger communities through innovation, reciprocity and a shared commitment to positive social change. Changemaking at UFV means turning knowledge into action, connecting learning to the real challenges facing communities in the Fraser Valley, British Columbia and the world beyond.

Academic structure

UFV is organized across six colleges, faculties and a school:

• College of Arts
• Faculty of Education, Community, and Human Development
• Faculty of Applied and Technical Studies
• Faculty of Health Sciences
• Faculty of Business and Computing
• Faculty of Science
• School of Graduate Studies

Programs

UFV offers more than 100 programs across academic, vocational, continuing education and trades pathways, including three master's degrees, 21 bachelor's degrees with majors, minors and extended minors in more than 35 subject areas, four graduate certificates, and more than a dozen trades and technology programs. Programs are available across a wide range of disciplines:

• Arts, humanities and social sciences: Bachelor of Arts in History, English, Philosophy, Communications, Political Science, Indigenous Studies, Global Development Studies, Latin American Studies, Peace and Conflict Studies, and more
• Business and management: Bachelor of Business Administration, Business Administration Diploma and Certificate, Agriculture Management BBA, Trades Management BBA, Accounting Certificate, Marketing and Sales Certificate
• Computing and technology: Computing Science BSc, Computer Information Systems (Bachelor, Diploma, Certificate), Automation and Robotics Technician Diploma, Engineering Physics Mechatronics Diploma, Engineering Common Core Certificate
• Creative arts and design: Bachelor of Fine Arts, Graphic and Digital Design BFA and Diploma, Creative Writing BA and BFA.
• Education: Bachelor of Education, Adult Education Degree, Early Childhood Education Certificate and Diploma, TESL Certificate, Master of Education (Educational Leadership and Mentorship)
• Health sciences: Nursing BSc, Practical Nursing Diploma, Certified Dental Assistant Certificate, Child Life and Community Health Graduate Certificate
• Social work and human services: Bachelor of Social Work, Master of Social Work, Child and Youth Care BA, Social Service Worker Diploma (Indigenous Focus)
• Trades: Carpentry, Electrician, Plumbing and Piping, Welding, Automotive Service, Automotive Collision Repair, Cabinetmaking, Heavy Mechanical Trades Foundation, Electronics Technician, and Culinary Arts Certificates
• Indigenous studies: Indigenous Studies BA, Stó:lō Studies Certificate, Social Service Worker (Indigenous Focus) Diploma
• Upgrading and access: Adult Basic Education, English Language Studies, Workplace TASK for adults with disabilities

Campuses

• Abbotsford (main campus): 33844 King Road, Abbotsford, BC, V2S 7M8 — the largest campus, home to the majority of UFV's faculties, research institutes, library, athletics facilities, housing and student services
• Chilliwack: a full-service campus offering a wide range of programs in the eastern Fraser Valley
• Mission: delivering programs and services for Mission-area students
• Hope: outreach and programming for the Hope community
• Chandigarh, India (UFV India): UFV's international campus, extending the university's reach to South Asia

Sustainability

UFV has achieved a Gold sustainability rating from AASHE (the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education), recognising its performance across environmental, social, and governance sustainability dimensions. Sustainability is embedded across campus operations, curriculum and community engagement, and UFV's Peace and Reconciliation Centre has earned international recognition for its work in restorative justice and reconciliation.

Open education

UFV is a leader in open education in British Columbia, committed to making learning more affordable and accessible through open textbooks, open educational resources and flexible learning models. Students who take courses using open textbooks save significantly on the cost of materials, reflecting UFV's belief that quality education should be accessible to everyone regardless of financial means.

Indigenous UFV

Indigenous affairs and reconciliation are woven through UFV's institutional identity. The Indigenous Affairs office, the Indigenous Student Centre, and dedicated programs in Indigenous Studies and Stó:lō Studies reflect a deep commitment to supporting Indigenous students, honouring Indigenous knowledge and advancing reconciliation with the Stó:lō peoples on whose territory the university stands. UFV is actively engaged in implementing the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action in its academic programs and institutional culture.

Research

UFV is an active research university, with faculty engaged in applied and community-focused research across all disciplines. The Centre for the Social Sciences and Humanities, the Peace and Reconciliation Centre, the Centre for Indo-Canadian Studies, and multiple research chairs bring structured research activity to the Fraser Valley community. UFV's research approach emphasises community engagement and real-world impact, consistent with its Changemaker Campus identity. Alumni have gone on to achieve notable research and professional milestones, including the development of North America's first mobile, modular soil-washing facility by a UFV alumnus in 2026.

Student life and housing

UFV offers a full range of student services, housing, and co-curricular programming to support student success and wellbeing. The new EverGreen residence on the Abbotsford campus offers modern suites and social spaces. A shuttle bus service connects campuses. Cascades Athletics supports varsity and recreational sport. CIVL Radio gives students a student-run campus radio station. The Academic Advising Centre, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Human Rights Office, and a dedicated Safe Student Community programme round out UFV's student support offer.

Contact

• Main address: 33844 King Road, Abbotsford, BC, Canada V2S 7M8
• Phone: 1-604-504-7441
• Toll-free: 1-888-504-7441
• Email: info@ufv.ca

Why UFV

1. A fully accredited Canadian public university enrolling approximately 15,000 students, offering more than 100 programs from trades certificates through to master's degrees
2. A designated Ashoka U Changemaker Campus, preparing graduates who lead collaboratively, think critically and contribute to positive social change
3. Small class sizes with accessible, dedicated faculty across campuses in Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Mission and Hope, plus a growing international campus in Chandigarh, India
4. A Gold AASHE sustainability rating and a nationally recognised Peace and Reconciliation Centre, reflecting UFV's commitment to environmental and social responsibility
5. A leader in open education in British Columbia, making learning more affordable through open educational resources across all programs
6. Deep Indigenous roots, with dedicated Indigenous Affairs and Indigenous Student Centre offices, Indigenous Studies and Stó:lō Studies programs, and active reconciliation commitments on Stó:lō territory
7. Located in the Fraser Valley, one of Canada's most scenic and economically dynamic regions, with easy connections to metropolitan Vancouver