Skip to content

Advertising & Graphic Design

Showing program information for start dates between
Program Code: 04701
Credential: Diploma
Start Dates: January, September
Program Length: 4 semesters
Learning
Outcomes:
View All

Humber is proud to have the highest graduate employment and employer satisfaction rate of the GTA colleges based on Colleges Ontario’s key performance indicators for college graduates in 2022-2023.

Program Overview

Humber’s Advertising & Graphic Design diploma program is designed to meet industry demand for advertising art directors and graphic designers with solid strategic, visual, conceptual, typographical and technical skills. Classes focus on the study of advertising while emphasizing the development of important skills like creative thinking, problem solving, teamwork and presentation skills.

This program will guide you through the many facets of visual communication including colour theory, conceptual process, typography, design, marketing strategies, interactive media and digital technology through the use of industry standard tools. You will also have the unique opportunity to apply these skills on briefs for real clients through BuildingF, our in-house creative agency. As you learn fundamental advertising and marketing concepts, hands-on projects will connect you with students in related programs. These projects will help you hone collaborative and teamwork skills, preparing you for the workplace. Your first semester is shared with the Public Relations advanced diploma, Journalism advanced diploma, Advertising and Marketing Communications diploma, and Media Communications diploma programs, giving you the freedom to change your area of study in the second semester. Students enrolling in the program in January share their common first semester with Media Communications, and Advertising and Marketing Communications students and may transfer between these two programs for the second semester should they choose. 

Our advisory committee is made up of experienced art directors and designers who regularly review and provide input into our curriculum, ensuring it is always at the forefront of industry developments. Many of our faculty are part-time instructors and creative advertising masters highly active in the industry, giving you the opportunity to benefit from their experiences, connections and insights.

Work-Integrated Learning  

Students will gain practical, hands-on experience in the industry by completing a mandatory during their final semester of study. After completing a field experience preparation course, students will be supported in marketing themselves to prospective employers in order to find a placement that aligns with their personal career goals.

Media & Creative Arts Students Vote for the Future

Students from more than eight Media & Creative Arts programs worked with Villamedia to test the company's AI-driven generative art project, Vote for Peace, and to learn how the technology may be used in the future.

BuildingF (formerly the AdCentre) brings marketers and agencies together with advanced students from virtually any Humber program to produce strategic creative content and technology solutions.

Instead of just being given a grade for assignments, students are provided with a chance to work with real clients, on actual accounts, receiving first-hand experience in the field.

The disciplines that can be accessed through BuildingF include anything found in a modern advertising, design or PR agency, including brand experience design, communications marketing, advertising design, writing, production, and much more.

people sitting at a table

jeep

person working on a computer

One Common Semester

The Communication Platform offers a shared first semester between five programs giving you the freedom to change your area of study in the second semester to any of the five.

Core Skills Gained in Semester 1

  • Innovative Design
  • Web Design
  • Presentation Skills
  • Interviewing Skills
  • Digital Imaging
  • Visual Communications
  • Intro to Media Studies

There is little in our world that is not branded, designed, displayed on a screen, printed on paper, or broadcast across the airwaves. Just look around, it is evident that our world is fuelled by media. Corporate identities thrive on marketing their brand, image, and message through every available medium. Whether it is advertising through social media, books, magazines, posters, billboards, etc., most use creative advertising and graphic design to promote awareness and interest in their company and products.

Our graduates have the knowledge to create and successfully implement professional design and advertising campaigns for advertising agencies, design studios, in-house design and marketing departments, interactive studios, sales promotion companies, or magazine editorial designers. Freelance opportunities in art direction and design are expanding and can be very lucrative.

Expert Faculty

SCROLL FOR MORE  
faculty image
Farid Ghasem Asad

Toronto Star head of UI/UX design between 2005 to 2018. Video game designer. CEO of Pixelmanmarketing.ca.
Metro News senior graphic designer.

faculty image
JD Bradshaw

JD is an international award-winning creative director, mentor and professor. His goal is to lead, teach and empower others to grow into the next generation of advertising, marketing and design professionals.

faculty image
Tyler Cheese

Tyler is a freelance copywriter with a decade of agency experience. His work includes traditional media (print, billboard, TV), but his focus has been on social media and digital strategy. Clients he's worked with include RBC, Maple Lodge Farms, Zabiha Halal, Amica Senior Lifestyles, and Lone Star Texas Grill.

faculty image
Lea Conte

Lea Conte is an experienced designer, art director and post-secondary educator in Toronto. With over ten years of industry experience and over five years as an instructor, she is driven by her passion for design and love of teaching. Lea has a seasoned background of education and professional experience. She retains a BA in cultural anthropology, which has complemented her curiosity for teaching and understanding cultural dynamics.

Pursuing her natural creative interests, Lea went on to study fashion arts and graphic design, then went on to become a successful art director. Sensing the need to foster her academic and cultural mind, Lea found herself teaching in the post-secondary environment.

Currently, Lea wholeheartedly believes she has combined her passion for cultural understanding and design problem solving into a successful and fulfilling career. Lea takes the utmost pride in providing a high-quality learning experience for her students, keeping them up to date with contemporary design practices and principles.

faculty image
Eric Forest

Eric is a digital age creator who still has little dirt and ink under his fingernails. He contracts design assignments with print, photography, web, and fabrication requirements. As an academic Eric has explored accessible forms of design education through concrete media like woodworking. He plays an active role in the design community through the RGD, supporting the certification committee and co-authoring educational materials.

faculty image
Laurie LaBelle

Laurie is the program coordinator for the Advertising and Graphic Design program, Faculty of Media and Creative Arts, Humber. Beyond teaching advertising, design and digital media, her focus is on change strategies within education and how best to evolve our current model as educators.

Laurie has been developing leading-edge creative solutions for private and public sector clients for over 25 years —clients include ExxonMobil, Bayer, Inmet Mining, the Government of Ontario, University of Toronto, Stanford University, UBC.

Laurie is a University of Toronto Alumni, Art and Art History, and a graduate of Sheridan Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning. In 2012 Laurie graduated from the University of Toronto with a masters in contemporary art history and visual culture.

faculty image
Sarah Nasby

Sarah Nasby (she/her/hers) is a professor in the Bachelor of Creative Advertising program and the Advertising & Graphic Design diploma program. She completed an MFA at NSCAD University and a BA at the University of Guelph. She is a designer and visual artist. Her work has been shown recently at Access Gallery in Vancouver, Critical Distance Centre for Curators in Toronto as well as a temporary public artwork for the City of Mississauga at Jack Darling Memorial Park, in collaboration with Shannon Linde.

faculty image
Derek Neal

With over 20-plus years of advertising, graphic and interactive design experience, Derek brings a wealth of knowledge and know-how to DNA Toronto. With a keen eye for design and an ear on the pulse of the world around him, Derek brings purpose and intention to his work and strives to help clients communicate meaning through each piece.

Derek’s creative career began at two of Canada’s most respected advertising agencies: Bates Canada and later V&B/Arnold Advertising. It was here where his skills as both a designer and a leader flourished, and he was promptly appointed to the agency’s chief accounts. With a creative spirit that could hardly be contained, Derek went on to become part-owner of a successful boutique agency which is still in operation today.

Throughout his bright career, Derek has built an eclectic roster of clients that includes notable brands such as Dentyne, McDonald’s, Volkswagen, United Way, BMO and Samsung, to name a few. In addition to his professional successes, Derek’s work has earned awards, praise and honours from his peers within the advertising and design industries.
In 2006, Derek joined Samsung’s AOR, Cheil Canada, and helped serve Samsung’s consumer electronics, home appliance, mobile, IT and corporate divisions. As ACD, Derek worked on Samsung’s Olympic sponsorship campaign, the mobile "Express" campaign, home appliances "Irresistible" campaign, Samsung IT, plus its
corporate and wind and solar initiatives. This partnership not only garnered attention creatively, but it secured the Samsung brand’s presence in Canada, dramatically increased ROI, and helped win new business for Cheil. Today, the agency has more than tripled in size. As Derek’s accomplishments grew, his opportunity to go out and start his own agency was born.

Since 2011, Derek’s been operating DNA Toronto, where he has collaborated with dozens of clients in a variety of industries. Derek works closely with all of the organization’s CEOs and senior management. He has helped create and evolve brands, managed their creative resources, handled their design projects from concept right through to production and marketing. You name it, Derek’s worked on it.

Today, Derek also teaches Advertising and Graphic Design part-time at Humber College. When he’s not plugged into his computer, he can be found at the hockey rink, skating with his two boys, binge watching some Netflix with Natalie or training hard to work off the late-night-Netflix snacks.

faculty image
Sylvie Pusztaszeri

For the past 23 years, Sylvie has been involved in various projects in graphic design, advertising, and teaching. She has worked with international clients like UNICEF, the World Economic Forum, UBS and Loblaws. Also, she created CIAN Agency, a sustainable photography company, where she won an award for best woman entrepreneur in French Switzerland. She has a Master of Media from the University of Cumbria in the UK, and a BFA from Parsons School of Design in New York.

Before joining Humber College. Sylvie taught at Conestoga College and Toronto Film School, both on campus and online, where she developed and delivered course curriculum based on creative processes, trends, strategies and innovative instructional techniques. She constantly wants to assess progress and give the opportunity for all her students to learn while creating diverse projects: from traditional graphic design to cutting-edge media and advertising productions.

faculty image
Isa Ransome

Creative Professional with 20+ Years of Expertise in Photography, Graphic Design, Retouching, and Videography

Greetings! I am a seasoned creative professional with over two decades of hands-on experience in the dynamic realms of photography, graphic design, retouching, and videography. My journey has been a passionate exploration of visual storytelling and artistic expression.

Versatile Skill Set:
Throughout my career, I have honed my skills in crafting compelling visuals across diverse mediums. From capturing captivating moments behind the lens to refining them through meticulous retouching, my proficiency extends seamlessly to graphic design and video editing.

Educational Journey:
In addition to my industry commitments, I recently embarked on an exciting chapter as an educator at Humber College. It brings me immense joy to share my insights and guide the next generation of creative minds. Teaching has added a new layer of fulfillment to my professional journey.

Commercial Work and Editorial Art Direction:
My current focus involves actively contributing to the commercial photography scene and steering editorial art direction projects. Working at the intersection of creativity and strategy, I bring a unique perspective to each project, ensuring a perfect blend of aesthetics and purpose.

faculty image
Daniel Reeves

Daniel Reeves has 14-plus years' experience in digital marketing and advertising and deep expertise in all areas of digital marketing, analytics and reporting. He has hands-on experience with all major verticals as well as export/international strategy development. Daniel is passionate about solution selling and digital thought leadership.

faculty image
Bruce Sherman

Bruce Sherman (MFA, B.Ed, BA, AOCA) is a fine artist who has taught drawing for the Advertising and Graphic Design Program for many years.

faculty image
David Spindler

David has been working in the design industry for over a decade at the international level. He is currently the lead art director with GWP where he has created everything from billboards to business cards, and TV commercials to apps. He focuses on developing strong technical skills to help bring creative ideas to life.

faculty image
Judy Wood

As a seasoned Graphic & Digital Media Designer and Educator, I bring a wealth of experience from both corporate and freelance realms. Since 2009, I've been dedicated to teaching at Humber College, leveraging my expertise to cultivate engaging learning environments.

My educational journey includes a master's in Learning and Technology, which has equipped me to deploy dynamic teaching methodologies across traditional, hybrid, and online platforms. I'm committed to continuous improvement, regularly evaluating instructional approaches to enhance learning outcomes inside and beyond the classroom.

Fostering a learner-centric atmosphere, I encourage students to unleash their creativity through diverse media forms. Actively involved in esteemed groups such as Adobe Education Leader, Apple Teachers, and Microsoft Education, I stay connected with global educational communities, ensuring alignment between industry standards and classroom practices.

faculty image
Spencer Wynn

A recognized documentarian and visual journalist, photographer, Spencer Wynn is known for his sensitive eye for human interest stories. Wynn is also an educator at Humber College where he has enjoyed three years of working with students to develop their passion for connecting with others through compelling visual narratives.

Wynn is a restless observer of the world, seeing stories everywhere. Each week, Wynn encourages his students to see again, the world around them while creating visual documentaries with sensitivity and passion.

From the High Arctic, to Tibet, China, Greenland, India, Turkey, Europe and numerous road trips around North America. Wynn has lived in caves, slums, on ice flows and in First Nations communities photographing the stories of diverse cultures, tragedy, triumph and love.

Wynn shares his knowledge and skills as a photographer and observer with those attending his classes, workshops, speaking engagements and photo trips. Patient and understanding, he encourages those with whom he meets to strive for originality and brilliance – all the while having fun and enjoying the process.

Your Career

Look around you – there is little in our world that is not branded, designed on a screen or printed on paper. The field of advertising and graphic design offers you the opportunity to turn artistic flair and creative thinking into a rewarding career. Our world runs on media – corporate identities and brands, books, social media campaigns, magazines, logos, posters, and other graphic communications for both print and screen. Our graduates create and execute professional design and advertising work for advertising agencies, design studios, in-house design departments, marketing departments, digital studios and sales promotion companies. Freelance opportunities in art direction and design are also growing and can be very lucrative.

Program Availability

Start dates between Sept 2024 - Aug 2025
START DELIVERY LOCATION STATUS
Sep 2024 Course-Based Lakeshore Open
Jan 2025 Course-Based Lakeshore Open
Start dates between Sept 2024 - Aug 2025
START DELIVERY LOCATION STATUS
Sep 2024 Course-Based Lakeshore Open
Jan 2025 Course-Based Lakeshore Opening Soon

Humber is a publicly-funded institution and does not have a public-private partnership. International students graduating from Humber or Humber’s International Graduate School (IGS) are eligible to apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit.

International Students in Canada who apply for May 2024 start could be eligible for a $1,000 Scholarship*. Apply now

Start dates between Sept 2024 - Aug 2025
START DELIVERY LOCATION STATUS
Sep 2024 Course-Based Lakeshore Open
Jan 2025 Course-Based Lakeshore Opening Soon

Humber is a publicly-funded institution and does not have a public-private partnership. International students graduating from Humber or Humber’s International Graduate School (IGS) are eligible to apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit.

International Students Out of Canada can Apply through Humber International

Upcoming Recruitment Events

Open House   Book a Tour  

Can't make it to campus? Visit Experience Humber Virtually  

Ask questions in live virtual Q&A chats with Ask Humber  

Come to Humber and experience interdisciplinary learning across five Centres of Innovation (COIs)

About the Humber COIs  

Creativity on Display at Portfolio Show

two people looking at portfolios

Watch the video to see what grads from these programs can do after just two years of study.


News Feed

Bachelor of Industrial Design Students Participate in BRP International Design Competition

Bachelor of Industrial Design Students Participate in BRP International Design Competition

Wed, May 10, 2023

The Industrial Design program was invited to return and participate in the BRP (Bombardier Recreational Products) International Design Competition!

Read the Full Article
Industrial Design Third Year Students Design for Modern Living in Umbra/Humber Studio Project

Industrial Design Third Year Students Design for Modern Living in Umbra/Humber Studio Project

Fri, March 24, 2023

Driven by innovation, Toronto-based Umbra has become a global leader in product design, known for pushing boundaries in its approach to original design.

Read the Full Article
Annual By The Lake Book Club Scholarship Awarded to Emerging B.C. - Based Writer

Annual By The Lake Book Club Scholarship Awarded to Emerging B.C. - Based Writer

Mon, February 27, 2023

Layla Reeves, a Vancouver Island writer and student in Humber's Creative Writing Graduate Certificate program, is the 2022 recipient of a $1,500 scholarship.

Read More
Designs Created by Fast Students Unveiled at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas

Designs Created by Fast Students Unveiled at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas

Wed, February 01, 2023

Prof. George Paravantes (FMCA) and Dr. Dennis L. Kappen (FAST) proudly unveiled the results of the 2022 ARROW HMI - Humber Industrial Design competition.

Read More
Interior Design Students Visit Toronto’s Newest Athletic Fashion Stored

Interior Design Students Visit Toronto’s Newest Athletic Fashion Stored

Wed, February 01, 2023

Our Interior Design students headed downtown to visit Toronto’s newest athletic fashion store and its unique design.

Read More

No news at this time.

Every attempt is made to ensure that information contained on this website is current and accurate. Humber reserves the right to correct any error or omission, modify or cancel any course, program, fee, timetable or campus location at any time without prior notice or liability to users or any other Person.

Contact Us

Admissions Questions

General Enquiries

Call 416-675-3111 or email enquiry@humber.ca. If you have already applied, be sure to check your application status on myhumber.ca.

Domestic Applicants Enquiries

Domestic applicants can book a one-on-one advising appointment with an admissions representative.

International Applicants Enquiries

Contact the International Centre for information about full-time programs (including the International Graduate School), how to apply and to follow up on your submitted application.

Program-Specific Questions

Speak to the Program Co-ordinator about the course curriculum, projects and career options.

Laurie LaBelle, program co-ordinator
416.675.6622 ext. 3089
laurie.labelle@humber.ca

Campus Information

Book a campus tour to take a closer look at what it's like to be a student at Humber.

Want More Info?

Find out more about the student experience and everything that Humber has to offer Future Students.

for more info on Humber, including programs, special events and more!

How To Become An Apprentice

Becoming an Apprentice

Find an employer willing to sponsor you as an apprentice.

Contact the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development to register as an apprentice.

Work with your employer approximately one year before attending Humber.

View Instructions 

Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP)

If you’re in high school – grade 11 or 12 – you can earn co-op education credits through work placements in some skilled trades.

Visit OYAP 

How to Apply

Domestic Students

Applications to Humber are made through ontariocolleges.ca. Be sure to submit your application by the equal consideration deadline of February 1. You may apply after February 1, however, post-February 1 applications will be considered on a first-come, first-served basis depending on the availability of the space in the program.

To check program availability refer to the Campus/Availability listing on Humber’s program pages, search by availability, or ontariocolleges.ca.

To see where you are in the admissions process, visit the Admissions Road Map.

International Students

If you’re an international student, you can apply directly to Humber via our International Centre.

Need Advice?

Program Advising Appointments

Get help narrowing down your program options or book a one-on-one pre-enrolment advising appointment with one of our Recruitment Officers.

Transfer & Pathway Advising

Book a virtual appointment with a Student Mobility Advisor learn more about getting Transfer Credit(s) for previous post-secondary experience, Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR), and Pathways options.

Admission Requirements

Admission selection is based on the academic criteria indicated. Meeting minimum eligibility requirements does not guarantee admission.

Admission selection is based on the following three requirements:

  • Academic

    To be eligible for admission, you must possess the following:

    • Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent including these required courses:
      • Grade 12 English (ENG4C or ENG4U or equivalent)
      • Three Grade 11 or Grade 12 C, M or U courses in addition to those listed above

    or

    or

    Mature Applicants

    Diplomas and Certificates

    An applicant is considered a mature applicant if they have not completed secondary school or other postsecondary school, and will be 19 or older as of the first day of classes. Humber will invite you for testing to demonstrate that you meet all listed course requirements.

    Degrees

    An applicant is considered a mature applicant if they have not completed secondary school or attended postsecondary studies, and will be 21 or older as of the first day of classes. Mature applicants for degree programs will be required to meet course requirements at the U/M level or equivalent.

    College Transfer Applicants

    Diplomas and Certificates

    An applicant is considered a college transfer applicant if they have completed some or all of a college-level credential. Humber may use a combination of secondary school and/or college courses and grades to determine program eligibility.

    Degrees

    An applicant is considered a college transfer applicant if they have completed some or all of a college-level credential. Humber may use a combination of secondary school and/or college courses and grades to determine program eligibility. Applicants must have an overall minimum grade point average (GPA) of 65 per cent in the program. Applicants are required to disclose and provide academic transcripts for all course work completed at the postsecondary level.

    University Transfer Applicants

    Diplomas and Certificates

    An applicant is considered a university transfer applicant if they have completed some or all of a university-level credential. Humber may use a combination of secondary school and/or university courses and grades to determine program eligibility.

    Degrees

    An applicant is considered a university transfer applicant if they have completed some or all of a university-level credential. Humber may use a combination of secondary school and/or university courses and grades to determine program eligibility. Applicants are required to disclose and provide academic transcripts for all course work completed at the postsecondary level.

  • English Language Proficiency

    All applicants whose first language is not English must meet Humber’s English Language Proficiency Policy.

  • International Credit Evaluation

    Canadian citizens or permanent residents with international education are required to provide a credential evaluation. Note, for international High school education course by course evaluations, ICAS must be used. For international post-secondary education, a WES evaluation must be provided. In situations where you expect to apply for transfer credit, it is recommended that a course by course WES evaluation is completed.

International Academic Equivalency

Admission equivalencies for Humber depend on your country of study. Please enter your location or choose detect my location to see the requirements for your country below.

Post-Admission Requirements

Once you have been accepted, and have confirmed your offer, you may need to complete a further set of requirements related to your program (Post-Admission Requirements).

N/A

Equipment & Device Requirements

Semester 1, 3

Details and Specifications Minimum Specs Recommended Specs
Students are recommended a MacBook for processing power. 15inch monitor 16gb ram MacBook Pro 15in with 16gb ram or higher. Mouse. Adobe Creative Cloud software.

Program-Specific Questions

Speak to the Program Co-ordinator about the course curriculum, projects and career options.

Laurie LaBelle, program co-ordinator
416.675.6622 ext. 3089
laurie.labelle@humber.ca

Fees & Financial Aid

The 2024/2025 fee for two semesters is:

  • domestic: $4,081.29
  • international: $17,685.43

Fees are subject to change.

Fees by Semester

Domestic Fees International Fees

Additional Costs

Approximately $500 - art supplies, textbooks, subscriptions and printing costs (for two semesters); a home computer is encouraged.

Financial Aid, Scholarships and Bursaries

Understand the costs associated with coming to Humber and explore resources available from first year to your final year on Student Fees and Financial Resources.

Scholarships

Humber Scholarships

Find out more about scholarships and bursaries that you may be eligible for, visit Student Scholarships. International students can visit International Student Scholarships.

Humber Bursaries

Bursaries are available for Certificate, Diploma and Degree programs primarily based on financial need, visit Humber Bursaries.

External Awards, Bursaries & Scholarships

Find out more information about external scholarships and bursaries, visit External Awards.

Indigenous Student Awards, Bursaries & Scholarships

Humber offers a variety of bursaries and scholarships for Indigenous students, visit Indigenous Student Awards.

Explore Opportunities through Humber Pathways

Humber Pathways include:

  • Opportunities to build on your college education and complete your diploma or degree at Humber.
  • Degree and graduate study opportunities at other institutions in Ontario, Canada and abroad.
View Pathways Into This Program  
View Transfer Out Opportunities From This Program  
loading gif