Program Overview

Introduction to the Global Business and Digital Arts Program

The Global Business and Digital Arts (GBDA) program is a unique and innovative degree that combines business, technology, and design. This program is designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge necessary to thrive in a fast-evolving world. The GBDA program is taught from the Stratford School of Interaction Design and Business and is an exclusive community of diverse thinkers with one shared goal: disruptive creativity and innovation.

Program Description

The GBDA program is a four-year degree that teaches students how technology, design, and business overlap. Throughout their four years in the program, students will learn the skills and techniques of impactful digital design by utilizing modern technology to solve complex business problems and grow global businesses. The program features a built learning environment, cutting-edge technology, and opportunities to participate in conferences and workshops in partnership with industry leaders.

Program Features

• Purpose Built Learning Environment: An exclusive campus to prioritize learning and student experience, focusing on small class sizes and real-world learning.
• Cutting Edge Technology: GBDA students have access to an on-campus free media library, providing everything they need to be successful in the classroom.
• Immerse in Industry: Opportunities to participate in conferences and workshops in partnership with industry leaders, such as Sun Life and Christie Digital.
• A Global Advantage: GBDA students can study at one of the 90+ partner schools across the globe in their 4th year.
• Get Your Career Started: The GBDA program is a direct entry coop program, guaranteeing students 4 work terms (16 months) of professional experience before they graduate.
• Global Business and Digital Arts Living Learning Community: A small cluster of first-year GBDA students who share classes, live-work space, and create community under the mentorship of a peer leader in residence.

Who is a GBDA Student?

GBDA students are unique, creative thinkers with diverse interdisciplinary skills, making them a great asset in most businesses and the creative arts field. They are encouraged to embrace their varied interests, explore what they are passionate about, and take an interdisciplinary approach to hands-on, project-based learning.

Who is a GBDA Graduate?

GBDA graduates are equipped with the skills to effectively engage with and manage multidisciplinary teams, a skill that employers say is vital in today’s ever-changing digital economy. They are well-prepared for a multitude of career opportunities, including social media management, digital product development, user experience design, government technology and policy development, digital marketing, video editing, visual brand design, graphic design, technology sales and marketing, web development, management, and marketing, digital media production, project management, product design, and business technology analysis.

Sample Careers

• Social media management
• Digital product development
• User experience design
• Government technology and policy development
• Digital marketing
• Video editing
• Visual brand design
• Graphic design
• Technology sales and marketing
• Web development, management, and marketing
• Digital media production
• Project management
• Product design
• Business technology analysis

Program Related Skills

• Communication
• Project management
• Creativity
• Teamwork
• Global awareness
• Working independently
• Collaboration
• New media strategy
• Website development
• Critical thinking
• Problem solving
• Digital technology literacy

Alumni Stories

GBDA alumni have gone on to pursue successful careers in various fields, including video game production, social media and website administration, UX design, and business analysis. Some have also chosen to pursue further education in programs such as Master of Digital Media, Computer Animation, Master of Human-Computer Interaction, and Master of Arts.