Public Relations
Ontario College Graduate Certificate
2 Semesters / 1 Year
School of Creative Industries
Key Details
Program Start Dates
January 2025
September 2025
January 2026
Please visit Ontario College Application Service to learn more about start dates.
Credential
Ontario College Advanced Diploma
Program Duration
6 Semesters / 3 YearsProgram Contacts
Sean Grant
Program Coordinator / Professor
sean.grant@cambriancollege.ca
International Admissions
mailboxadmissions@cambriancollege.ca
Program Overview
Combine creativity with strategy and design your best life
Cambrian challenges you to ramp up your creative talents with real-world projects and gain the graphic design skills to go pro. Our curriculum covers all aspects of a compelling career as a professional visual designer, delivered by experienced faculty who are practicing graphic designers. Take your work from concept sketch to strategic design by learning to manipulate space, type, images, motion, code, production equipment, and colour.
Career-focused, with attention to both traditional methods and new technology, you’ll sharpen your concept development skills with strategic and critical thinking. You’ll refine ideas in branding, advertising, environmental design, print and page production, website development, and more, all with your personal flair. You’ll graduate with a professional-grade portfolio prized by potential employers and freelance clients.
Program Highlights
Program highlights
- Five-week placement with industry pros in the fifth semester
- Industry-standard technology, software, and production equipment (Risograph Press, Process Printers, Professional Photography Studio and more)
- Opportunities for paid design-related work
- Annual three-day field trip to RGD Design Thinkers Conference in Toronto with studio tour
- Automatic registration as student members of the Registered Graphic Designers of Ontario (RGD Ontario) with pro perks
Admissions
Admission requirements
or graduates of the new curriculum (OSS): Ontario Secondary School Diploma (30 credits) or equivalent or mature student status, including:
- Any grade 12 English (C) or (U)
International Student Admissions
Are you an international student? Learn more about additional requirements.
Learn moreAdditional admission requirements
Recommendations
- Grade 11 or 12 Credits in Visual Arts and/or Media Arts (M) or (O)
- Computer competency in relevant software (Adobe Creative Cloud)
The purchase of a laptop is required in first semester. In third semester, students will be required to purchase a digital camera. Students in the Graphic Design program are also student members of the Association of Registered Graphic Designers (RGD), and graduates are eligible for Provisional RGD status upon graduation.
Academic Upgrading
Are you missing admission requirements? Strengthen your academic skills for free at your own pace through Academic Upgrading!
Program delivery
Program delivery
2024-2025
Winter term start
- Semester 1: Winter 2025
- Semester 2: Spring 2025
- Semester 3: Fall 2025
- Semester 4: Winter 2026
- Semester 5: Fall 2026
- Semester 6: Winter 2027
2025-2026
Fall term start
- Semester 1: Fall 2025
- Semester 2: Winter 2026
- Semester 3: Fall 2026
- Semester 4: Winter 2027
- Semester 5: Fall 2027
- Semester 6: Winter 2028
Winter term start
- Semester 1: Winter 2026
- Semester 2: Spring 2026
- Semester 3: Fall 2026
- Semester 4: Winter 2027
- Semester 5: Fall 2027
- Semester 6: Winter 2028
Program of Study
Program of study for 2025-26 Academic Year
| Semester 1 | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| AFP 1120 | Fundamentals of Drawing | 3 |
| AFP 1135 | Introduction to Digital Photography | 3 |
| ART 1006 | Digital Design I | 4 |
| ART 1106 | Design Foundations I | 4 |
| ART 1230 | Intro Graphic Design | 3 |
| COM 1001 | Art and Design Communication | 3 |
| Credits | 20 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| AFP 1225 | Analytical Drawing | 3 |
| ART 1109 | Design Foundations II | 3 |
| ART 2351 | Digital Design II | 3 |
| ART 2346 | Typography I | 3 |
| ART 1246 | Copywriting I | 3 |
| ADV 1106 | Digital Advertising | 3 |
| One General Education course. 1 | 3 | |
| Credits | 21 | |
| Semester 3 | ||
| ART 1110 | Production Design | 4 |
| ART 2305 | Illustration I | 3 |
| ART 2496 | Accessible Design | 3 |
| ART 2456 | Advanced Photography | 3 |
| ART 2375 | Typography II | 3 |
| ART 2360 | Website Design | 3 |
| One General Education course. 1 | 3 | |
| Credits | 22 | |
| Semester 4 | ||
| ART 1111 | Package Design | 4 |
| ART 1112 | Editorial Design | 4 |
| ART 1113 | Visual Identity I | 4 |
| ART 2416 | Illustration II | 3 |
| ART 2461 | Website Development | 3 |
| ART 1126 | Studio Photography | 3 |
| One General Education course. 1 | 3 | |
| Credits | 24 | |
| Semester 5 | ||
| ART 1010 | Motion Graphics I | 4 |
| ART 1114 | Visual Identity II | 4 |
| ART 3595 | Work Placement | 5 |
| WEB 1040 | Content Management Systems | 3 |
| ART 3687 | Creative Thesis Project | 5 |
| Credits | 21 | |
| Semester 6 | ||
| ART 1011 | Motion Graphics II | 4 |
| ART 1127 | Professional Practices | 3 |
| ART 3612 | Portfolio Preparation | 5 |
| ART 3686 | Advanced Website Applications | 5 |
| ART 3567 | Advanced Design Applications | 4 |
| IND TBD-2 | 1 | |
| Credits | 22 | |
| Total Credits | 130 | |
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For more information regarding General Education courses, click here.
Fees
Tuition Cost
Important Notice
Fees presented are estimates based on projections for future academic year(s) of study. Actual fees charged may differ from what is published here. A full detailed listing of all fees is available in myCambrian and updated annually no later than May 1 for the following academic year. Students in Academic Upgrading are responsible for any fees listed on their invoice each term.
Tuition and ancillary fees
Please see our fees page for the breakdown of tuition and mandatory ancillary fees by program and semester for both domestic and international students.
Books and supplies
Books and supplies may be required at the course level over and above what is estimated above. Please consult your professor/instructor for further information.
College may be more affordable than you think!
Have you said, “school can wait another year”? Don’t sacrifice your future any longer – you can do it!
Whether it’s fear, financial reasons, or something else that is impacting your decision to start school, we’re here to listen to you and help in any way we can!
Work-integrated learning (WIL)
Take your education beyond the classroom!
Cambrian programs blend academic learning, hands-on training, and community involvement opportunities to help you achieve your ultimate goal – your dream career. You’ll have the opportunity to apply your knowledge to real-world scenarios within and outside of the classroom through work-integrated learning. Whether it be a capstone project, co-op, practicum, preceptorship component, or placement, you’ll benefit from a practical, job-related experience before you graduate.
Learn more about previous opportunities in this program!
Cambrian College – This placement in Cambrian’s marketing department offered students the opportunity to gain practical work experience. The students assisted with the implementation of Cambrian’s brand redesign launch as well as:
- supported marketing campaigns, events, and other initiatives for various college departments
- created, updated, and revised design files for print and digital materials
- edited photos and assisted in maintaining the college’s photo library
- assisted the video/multimedia production specialist with video projects.
NOSM – Students gained practical, and relevant work experience during this placement with NOSM by creating and developing marketing materials.
Field of Study
School of Creative Industries
Looking to further your craft and pursue a career where your creativity can lead to a fulfilling career? At Cambrian, a program in Creative Industries allows you to tap into your talents and develop skills that can allow you to pursue that ideal job. You’ll learn from industry professionals who have been able to create and succeed in the modern workplace.
Specific program pathways
College or university degree opportunities
If you are a graduate of this program, you may continue your studies at a college or university and you may receive credit(s) for your prior college education. Refer to Cambrian’s college and university agreement details for further information.
Career Outcomes
Need a career coach?
Explore how this program can lead to a great career! Cambrian’s Career Coach platform is a user-friendly, online tool that provides up-to-date and comprehensive labour market data to help you explore career options, salary expectations for the Greater Sudbury region, and more!
See where you'll be learning!
Minimum technology requirements
Success in this program requires that you come equipped with some program-specific technology requirements.
Minimum technology requirements
- Regular access to a computer with a reliable Internet connection
- Webcam and headset
- Personal Computer
- Mac operating system
- Apple MacBook Pro 13- or 15-inch with at least 256 GB of storage (2015 or newer) preferred
- Processor: Intel Core i5 (from approx. 2015 or later)
- RAM: 8 GB of memory
- Storage space: Solid state drive (SSD) 256 GB or larger
- Display: Retina display (13-inch or larger)
- External hard drive: SSD 256GB (minimum)
- DSLR camera: External flash, 18-55 mm lens, 70-200 mm lens, SDHC flash memory storage
- Software: Adobe Creative Cloud
Required software will be provided by Cambrian College. Instruction on how to obtain software will be provided to you. Some software that you may access as part of your program may not be compatible with every device. If you have any questions about these technology requirements, please email info@cambriancollege.ca or call (705) 566-8101, ext. 7303.
System requirements for assistive technology
To access the widest range of assistive technology (AT), a Windows-based computer is recommended.
- Recommended OS: Windows 10 or newer
- Recommended CPU: Intel or AMD multicore processor
- Recommended RAM: 8 GB
- Recommended storage for assistive technology: 8 GB of available hard drive of solid state drive space (please note this is not the total drive size and refers specifically to available space needed for assistive technology)
- Recommended audio: Speakers or headphones for text-to-speech and microphone for speech input.
While Apple computers can provide many AT options, some specialized software may not be available/compatible with this platform. Please consult with the Glenn Crombie Centre for further details.
Bring your own device (BYOD)
Cambrian College has implemented a BYOD principle to both enrich the student learning experience in and out of the classroom and to ensure flexibility!
Ready to take the first step?
Start gaining the highest level of skills at Cambrian now – and you’ll be ready to take advantage of the many career opportunities waiting for you just around the corner. The future is yours!
Have Questions? We are here to help.
If you have any questions about programs, funding, OSAP, deadlines, student services, or anything else, reach out to our support team and we are happy to help!
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